C.E.R.E.S. BioGeoChemical Reduction
BioGeoChemical Reduction (BGCR) BGCR combines physical, chemical, and microbiological (i.e. biogeochemical) processes to create strong reducing conditions that achieve rapid contaminant destruction by abiotic and biotic reduction.
BGCR contains Zero Valent Iron, the highest purity microcrystalline cellulose combined with oxygen scavenger, nutrients, and Vitamin B12 for biostimulation of anaerobes in groundwater for the bioremediation of chlorinated solvents, nitrate, some metals, nitrated explosives and hydrocarbons. The plant-based cellulose is nutrient rich, hydrophilic, and has high surface area; thus, it is ideal to support growth of bacteria in groundwater. Alternative carbon sources are also available if warranted by the site conditions, design, or remediation objectives.
Want flexibility or to design your own product? No problem!
BGCR is engineered to order. With CERES as your supplier and partner, you may decide if you want to include ferrous sulfate or other sulfate chemistries, buffering agents, or other chemistries to achieve optimal bio-geo-chemical reduction performance characteristics.
Up to 70% Zero Valent Iron (ZVI) can be included to engage chemical reduction and increase available hydrogen. ZVI options include Sponge Iron, Atomized iron or hydrometallurgical iron and range from as low as 1 μ and can be increased in size up to 2mm depending on your goals and site conditions.
You may consider site specific conditions (geology, hydrogeology, geochemistry and redox conditions, long term performance goals) and the injection or mixing methods of emplacement desired before finalizing your desired mixture of reagents and their physical properties. CERES provide technical support and guidance on optimization of the product performance by selecting the appropriate materials with the optimal physical and chemical properties to match the project requirements and site-specific conditions. This results in optimal performance and the most rapid reduction rates. Ask us about reducing time of remediation at low permeability sites!
CERES has supported many clients with ZVI for ISCR projects around the world for many years with great success and proud to say that customer goals are being achieved one project after the other!
Would you like a quote for your project or a sample of one of our zero valent iron products? We can help – Please complete the contact form or Call us at +1 (714) 709-3683
Benefits of BioGeoChemical Reduction (BGCR) Include
- Highest quality micro scale crystalline cellulose.
- Highest hydrogen producing ISCR product in the market!
- Completely customizable to remediation objectives.
- Comparably the most economical option in the market!
- Applicable for in-situ chemical reduction applications for soil and groundwater remediation.
- Excellent solution for chlorinated solvent and heavy metals including arsenic or hexavalent chromium.
- Easily applied by soil mixing or injection.
- Can be injected with low pressure.
- Combine with iPAC for additional sorption capability or silica sand for permeability enhancement in fractured rock or clay rich soils.
- Combine with MTS for mixed contaminant plumes of heavy metals and organics.
Proven Field Applications
- Permeable reactive barriers (PRBs) or reactive zones (PRZ).
- Trenching and aggregate size ZVI and carbon options for PRB design.
- Deep Soil Mixing generally uses aggregate scale size.
- Source area grid injection or soil mixing.
- Direct push injection (generally <100 micron) or fracking (>44 micron).
- Low pressure injection (15 micron or smaller ZVI).
- Low to Moderate pressure injection (15-44 micron ZVI).
- Higher pressure injection or fracking (greater than 44 micron ZVI).
BGCR Specifications
Physical Properties
Form: Fine Powder to Aggregate
Density: 1.5-2.4 g/cm3
Odor: Odorless
Solubility in Water: Insoluble
Color: white to Grey
Vapor Pressure: N/A
BGCR Particle Size and Compositional Options
BGCR Standard Composition (70-210 micron)
| Materials | Composition % |
| Microcrystalline Cellulose | up to 80% |
| other carbon sources | up to 50% |
| Zero Valent Iron | up to 70% |
| Sulfate (Fe, Mg or Ca) | up to 50% |
| pH Buffering (carbonate, hydroxides, oxides) | up to 20% |
| Sodium Ascorbate | less than 1% |
| Vitamin B12, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus | less than 1% |
| Guar Gum | Less than 2% |
BGCR Particle Size and Compositional Options
BGCR Fine Composition (45-77 Micron)
| Materials | Composition % |
| Microcrystalline Cellulose | 45-55% |
| Legume derived Cellulose | 25-35% |
| Zero Valent Iron | 45% |
| Sulfate (Fe or Mg) | up to 50% |
| Nutrients, ascorbate, guar gum | less than 4% |
BGCR Ultra Fine Composition (10-45 Micron)
| Materials | Composition % |
| Microcrystalline Cellulose | 45-55% |
| Legume derived Cellulose | 25-35% |
| Sulfate (Fe or Mg) | up to 50% |
| UF ZVI 4 micron | up to 10% |
| UF Sponge ZVI 15 micron | up to 25% |
| Sponge Micro 325 | up to 50% |
| Nutrients, ascorbate, guar gum | less than 3% |
Would you like to create your own bio-geo-chemical reduction mix?
No problem! we can make whatever you like with the specifications of your choice so that you get the best possible distribution and performance to achieve your remediation objectives with the injection or mixing tools of your choice. We are ready to help you achieve your goals!
Ultra Fine ZVI Products to consider for BGCR
Colloidal and ultra-fine micron Zero Valent Iron (ZVI) is available in nitrogen sealed packaging in multiple size ranges and multiple grades including high surface area Sponge Iron, high reactivity atomized iron and high sphericity carbonyl iron. The colloidal 4µm ZVI is commonly mixed with EVO and ready to inject at low pressure. C.E.R.E.S. offers small droplet EVO that is less than 1 micron in scale and readily mixes easily without the need of guar or complicated mixes. Just mix onsite and it’s ready to inject in target source areas or along permeable treatment zones for groundwater boundary control remediation designs. Or we can premix and ship ready to go!
Colloidal to Ultra Fine Size Options: <4 µm, 10 µm, 15 µm, and 35 µm.
BioGeoChemical Reduction (BGCR) is Applicable to Treatment of Many Contaminants Including:
Heavy Metals
| Arsenic (As) |
| Hexavalent Chromium (CrVl) |
| Cadmium (Cd) |
| Selenium (Se) |
Chlorinated Solvents and many other Contaminants of Concern (COCs)
| Chlorinated Solvents | Carbon-Tetrachloride | Energetics like TNT, DNT, RDS, HMX and Perchlorate | Technetium | Pesticides | Nitrate and Sulfate | Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) |
Chemical Supplier for Remediation Projects
- Ferrous Sulfate Mono and Hepta-hydrate
- Magnesium Oxide
- Magnesium Sulfate
- Phosphate Chemistries
- Carbon sources
- Iron based chemistries
- Chemical Buffer for pH Control
Just let us know what you need. Chances are we have it in inventory.
