Patent ID: 7141173
Filing Date: 2006-11-28
Classification: B09C,C02F

Abstract:
1. A process for enhancing the sorption capacity of a groundwater-bearing formation comprising the steps of: a. providing a groundwater-bearing formation comprising groundwater and a mineral compound, wherein said mineral compound has a mineral surface comprising sorbing sites having an initial metal contaminant sorption capacity and said mineral compound comprises one or more of ferric oxide, manganese oxide, alumina, silica or their respective hydrous, anhydrous hydroxy, or oxyhydroxy forms, wherein said groundwater may contain mobile metal contaminants; b. applying an aqueous alkaline solution to the groundwater-bearing formation, wherein said application of said aqueous alkaline solution inhibits desorption of metals from the mineral surface to form a new mobile metal contaminant; and c. contacting said mineral compound with said aqueous alkaline solution to convert the mineral compound to a form having a higher metal contaminant sorption capacity than the initial metal contaminant sorption capacity thereby forming a treated mineral compound within said groundwater-bearing formation.