Our Remediation Products and Solutions

Our In-Situ Bioremediation Products

Summary of In-Situ Remediation Products

Terra Systems develops cutting-edge, biological-based solutions to solve complex remediation problems backed by a strong Research & Development program and state-of-the-art manufacturing plant. We develop, produce and distribute value-added products that are well beyond the capabilities of the toll producers used by other suppliers. Our long-lasting patented emulsified vegetable oil products (SRS® Family), our quick release lactate products (QRS™ Family), our SRS® and ZVI Family, our TSI-DC® Bioaugmentation Culture have assisted site remediation companies with green remediation products and alternatives for over 20 years. In addition, our aerobic remediation solutions include Calcium Peroxide (CPO), the Microbubbler, and our Treatability Service Laboratory helps clients develop the optimal solution for their sites.

Anaerobic Bioremediation

  1. SRS® Family of Emulsified Vegetable Oil Substrates for In-Situ Bioremediation

The Anaerobic Bioremediation Process uses native or introduced microorganisms (Dehalococcoides) to degrade chlorinated solvents such as tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichloroethene (TCE) to innocuous end products, including ethene and ethane. Terra Systems’ unique, flexible, just-in-time manufacturing facility allows us to produce Terra Systems’ patented SRS® Family of Emulsified Vegetable Oil Substrates to meet the PM’s specific site requirements. SRS® is added to the groundwater to rapidly generate reducing conditions and provide the necessary carbon and hydrogen to support the biodegradation of the chlorinated solvents. Each product is manufactured with the optimal piece of manufacturing equipment, which allows us to manufacture:

  • EVO products with 45% – 90% soybean oil.
  • Small and large droplet sizes for the optimal radius of influence or optimal retention within the aquifer.
  • With or without nutrients and quick release substrates to reduce costs.
  1. QRS® Family of Quick Release Lactate Substrates for In-Situ Bioremediation

Terra Systems’ “injection ready” Family of Sodium and Potassium Lactate Quick Release Substrates are added to the groundwater to rapidly generate reducing conditions and provide the necessary carbon and hydrogen to support native or introduced microorganisms (Dehalococcoides) for the biodegradation of chlorinated solvents such as tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichloroethene (TCE) to innocuous end products including ethene and ethane (Ellis et al. 2000).

Proprietary nutrients and Vitamin B12 can be added to sodium or potassium lactate during the manufacturing process and have been statistically demonstrated to support biodegradation of chlorinated solvents with soluble substrates like lactate and emulsified vegetable oil. (He et al. 2007 and Harkness et al. 2012).

  • 60% QRS™-SL sodium lactate is an inexpensive, soluble, food-grade substrate for the biodegradation of chlorinated solvents such as tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichloroethene (TCE).
  • 60% QRS™-SL Plus sodium lactate contains our Proprietary NutriPlus™ nutrient (Harkness et al. 2012) and Vitamin B12 package (He et al. 2007), which supports enhanced in-situ bioremediation and increases dechlorination kinetics and donor efficiency.
  • 60% QRS™-PL potassium lactate is an inexpensive, soluble, food-grade substrate for the biodegradation of chlorinated solvents such as tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichloroethene (TCE). It is often used in areas of Florida and California, which have restrictions on the amount of sodium (such as sodium lactate) that can be injected.
  • 60% QRS™-PL Plus potassium lactate contains our Proprietary NutriPlus™ nutrient (Harkness et al. 2012) and Vitamin B12 package (He et al. 2007), which supports enhanced In-Situ Bioremediation and increases dechlorination kinetics and donor efficiency. It is often used in areas of Florida and California, which have restrictions on the amount of sodium (such as sodium lactate) that can be injected
  1. Terra Systems’ TSI-DC® Family of Bioaugmentation Cultures for In-Situ Bioremediation

Dehalococcoides mccartyi is primarily responsible for the complete dechlorination of PCE and TCE to ethene under anaerobic conditions. At sites where Dehalococcoides microorganisms are not present or are found at low numbers, the process will often “stall” at cis-1,2-dichloroethene.

TSI-DC® Dehalococcoides mccartyi Bioaugmentation Culture® is an enriched natural bacteria culture that contains greater than 1 x 1011 Dehalococcoides/L for bioaugmentation. This culture dechlorinates tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichloroethene (TCE) to the non-toxic product ethene. It also can biodegrade carbon tetrachloride and chloroform to methylene chloride and innocuous products. It can be used at sites where bacteria capable of complete reductive dechlorination are not present or there is a need to decrease the remediation time frame. It is estimated that Dehalococcoides are not present in 10 to 40 percent of chlorinated solvent contaminated sites.

Terra Systems’ TSD TCA Dehalobacter Bioaugmentation Culture® is added to the groundwater at sites where the native microorganisms of Dehalobacter (TCA) are not present, not in sufficient quantity, or when the client wants to decrease the remediation time frame for the biodegradation of trichloroethane (TCA).

Terra Systems’ 50/50 mix of TSD DC and TSD TCA Dehalococcoides mccartyi/Dehalobacter Bioaugmentation Cultures® is added to the groundwater at sites where the native microorganisms of Dehalococcoides and Dehalobacter (TCA) are not present, not in sufficient quantity, or when the client wants to decrease the remediation time frame for the biodegradation of chlorinated solvents such as tetrachloroethene (PCE), trichloroethene (TCE) and trichloroethane (TCA).

Terra Systems’ TSD DC Rhodococcus ruber Bioaugmentation Culture® is added to the groundwater at sites where the native microorganisms are not present, are not in sufficient quantity, where the native population does not express all of the required functional genes for 1,4-Dioxane reduction, or when the client wants to decrease the remediation time frame for the biodegradation of 1,4-Dioxane. The TSD DC RR® culture is aerobic and requires propane as a cometabolic substrate.

  1. SRS® Family of Patented Emulsified Vegetable Oil Substrates Combined with Zero Valent Iron (ZVI) for Anaerobic and Abiotic In-Situ Remediation

Emulsified Vegetable Oil Substrates combined with Zero Valent Iron (ZVI) provide cost-effective solutions for a number of complex and challenging environmental remediation problems, including dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) like tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichloroethene (TCE). The technology is a combination of abiotic and biotic reductive dechlorination methods. Both methods have been proven to work in numerous remediation sites.

SRS®-ZVI is a combination of ZVI, biodegradable soybean oil, surfactants, sodium lactate, nutrients, and water that form a stable emulsion. The Terra Systems’ SRS®-ZVI products contain a shear-thinning agent, which under pressure thins the SRS®-ZVI out for ease of injection and improved radius of influence.

SRS®-EZVI is a combination of ZVI, biodegradable soybean oil, and surfactants that form a stable particle (or micelles) that contains ZVI particles in the water surrounded by an oil-liquid layer. The exterior oil layer has similar hydrophobic properties as chlorinated compounds. Therefore, the emulsion attracts the contaminants and pulls them into the interior reactive zone for degradation. This product is intended primarily for treating DNAPL and high concentrations of chlorinated solvents.

Because of our manufacturing capability, Terra Systems has the broadest EVO/ZVI product line in the industry, which allows our customers to specify the percent and particle size of the ZVI based on their site conditions and remediation goals. Terra Systems has licenses for US Patents 7,531,709 and 7,037,946 B2 for the combination of ZVI and carbon substrates. Our prices for SRS®-ZVI and EZVI include royalties under those patents for the manufactured ZVI and substrate we provide. Injection of additional ZVI or substrate into the same treatment area where SRS®-ZVI or EZVI was injected may incur additional royalty payments.

 

Aerobic Bioremediation: Calcium Peroxide and Microbubbler Oxygen System for Aerobic Bioremediation

Enhanced Aerobic Bioremediation of sites contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons (BTEX, PAHs, TPH), fuel oxygenates, and related compounds (MTBE, TBA) require the addition of oxygen for the aerobic microorganisms in the aquifer to thrive. As a general rule, three pounds of oxygen are required to degrade one pound of petroleum hydrocarbon.

  1. Terra Systems’ Calcium Peroxide (CPO) is an oxygen-generating compound, which is added to the groundwater for enhanced aerobic bioremediation at sites typically contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons (BTEX, PAHs, TPH), fuel oxygenates, and related compounds (MTBE, TBA). CPO provides the necessary source of oxygen for the aerobic microorganisms in the aquifer.

Key Communication Points

  • Calcium Peroxide (CPO) is an oxygen-releasing compound used to promote aerobic biodegradation in groundwater and soil for In-Situ Bioremediation.
  • Proven effective for the remediation of hydrocarbon contaminants like petroleum hydrocarbons (BTEX, PAHs, TPH), fuel oxygenates, and related compounds (MTBE, TBA).
  • Suitable for sites with low to moderate levels of contamination.
  • The slow-release formulation provides a slow release of 16.6% active oxygen for up to 12 months.
  • CPO will likely increase the groundwater pH.
  1. Terra Systems’ Microbubbler Oxygen System is an oxygen-generating system, which adds oxygen to the groundwater for enhanced aerobic bioremediation at sites typically contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons (BTEX, PAHs, TPH), fuel oxygenates, and related compounds (MTBE, TBA). The Microbubbler provides the necessary supplemental supply of oxygen for the aerobic microorganisms in the aquifer.

Key Communication Points

  • The Microbubbler concentrates oxygen from the ambient air continuously to promote aerobic biodegradation in groundwater for In-Situ Bioremediation. The basic unit can provide 24 pounds of oxygen per day.
  • Proven effective for the remediation of hydrocarbon contaminants like petroleum hydrocarbons (BTEX, PAHs, TPH), fuel oxygenates, and related compounds (MTBE, TBA).
  • Suitable for sites with low to moderate levels of contamination.
  • Minimal maintenance.
  • Safe — low-pressure operation; eliminates hazardous handling and storage of oxygen cylinders or peroxide-containing
  • Ease of installation — plugs directly into a 120 V outlet (requires access electricity).
  • Reliable — eliminates irregular deliveries of purchased oxygen.
  • Low cost per pound of oxygen delivered to the groundwater.
  • Injected directly into the aquifer via a proprietary Microbubbler sparger.