Supporting chemistry
Buffers, Additives, and Dry Products
pH buffers, nutrient additives and dry viscosifiers that keep a treatment zone in range for chemical oxidation and bioremediation.
Buffers, additives and dry products play a critical role in preparing and maintaining subsurface conditions for effective treatment. Terra Systems provides targeted solutions that stabilize pH, support key reactions, and improve the performance of chemical oxidation and bioremediation processes.
The optimal pH range for anaerobic bioremediation of chlorinated solvents is between 6.5 and 8.5. Because most of the buffer demand at a site sits in the soil phase rather than the groundwater phase, Terra Systems' Treatability Lab runs a pH Buffer Capacity Test on a saturated soil sample to recommend the right buffer and dose.
At a glance
pH control
Sodium bicarbonate and calcium carbonate stabilize and maintain pH for microbial activity.
Nutrient support
NutriMax, DAP, and yeast extract supply the nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfate and trace nutrients that sustain microbial growth.
Deoxygenating Agent
Sodium ascorbate removes dissolved oxygen, chlorine, and creates reducing conditions for bioaugmentation culture
01 Products
Products and data sheets.
Each product has its own technical data sheet and safety data sheet. Where a sheet is being revised, request it from our team.
Buffers
| Product | Description | Available in | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sodium AscorbateBuffer / reducing agent | Sodium ascorbate (Vitamin C salt) additive used as a reducing agent/antioxidant amendment; supplied in 55-lb boxes (repackaging available by special order). | 55-lb box | TDSSDS |
| Sodium BicarbonatepH buffer | Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) pH-buffering compound used to maintain near-neutral conditions for microbial activity; packaged in 50-lb bags. | 50-lb bag | TDSSDS |
| Calcium CarbonatepH buffer | Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) pH-buffering compound used to neutralize acidity and sustain microbial activity; packaged in 50-lb bags. | 50-lb bag | TDSSDS |
Additives
| Product | Description | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| NutriMaxNutrient additive | Proprietary nutrient blend formulated to enhance microbial activity in both aerobic and anaerobic remediation. | TDS pendingSDS pending |
| Epsom SaltMagnesium sulfate heptahydrate | Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate heptahydrate, MgSO₄·7H₂O) nutrient additive supplying magnesium and sulfate to support microbial growth. | TDS pendingSDS pending |
| DAPDiammonium phosphate | Diammonium phosphate ((NH₄)₂HPO₄) nutrient additive supplying nitrogen and phosphorus to support microbial growth. | TDS pendingSDS pending |
| Ferrous GluconateIron additive | Ferrous gluconate soluble-iron nutrient additive providing bioavailable iron to support microbial activity. | TDS pendingSDS pending |
| Yeast ExtractNutrient additive | Dry yeast extract nutrient additive supplying organic nitrogen, vitamins, and growth factors to stimulate microbial activity. | TDS pendingSDS pending |
Dry products
| Product | Description | Options | Available in | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guar GumViscosifier | Guar gum powder used as a viscosifier to keep zero-valent iron (ZVI) particles in suspension during mixing and injection. | 50-lb bag | TDS pendingSDS pending | |
| Xanthan GumViscosifier | Xanthan gum powder used as a viscosifier to help keep amendments such as zero-valent iron in suspension during mixing and injection. | TDS pendingSDS pending | ||
| ZVI Dry Powder4, 44 and 125 µm | Zero-valent iron (ZVI) dry iron powder for abiotic dechlorination and reactive applications. Available in 4, 44, and 125 µm particle sizes. | Available in 4, 44, or 125 µm particle sizes | 220-lb drum (4 µm) · 2,000-lb super sack (44 and 125 µm) | TDS pendingSDS pending |
02 Related resources
Case studies, papers and manuals.
- Optimizing Injection Strategies and In Situ Remediation Performance (PDF)Design manual · 2020 · Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council (ITRC)
- Case Study: Longevity of Multiple Amendments used in Treatment of Chlorinated Solvents in Groundwater (PDF)Case study · 2019 · New Jersey Superfund site
- Restoring Favorable Conditions for Anaerobic Bioremediation in an Acidic Aquifer (PDF)Case study · 2012 · New Jersey remediation site
- Buffering Acidic Aquifers with Soluble Buffer to Promote Reductive Dechlorination (PDF)Technical paper · 2010 · Battelle Seventh International Conference on Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds (Paper F-031)
- Accelerated Anaerobic Bioremediation of a PCE Source Area, Two Years Later at Site SS07, Dover AFB, DE (PDF)Technical paper · 2008 · Battelle Sixth International Conference on Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds (Paper C-091)
- Final Protocol for In Situ Bioremediation of Chlorinated Solvents Using Edible Oil (PDF)Design manual · 2007 · Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment (AFCEE)
03 Contact
Get a recommendation for your site.
Send us the contaminants, the concentrations and the site conditions. Your question is routed to the right chemist or engineer; you do not have to work out who that is first.