Treat a wide range of Hydrocarbons with Activated Sodium Persulfate

Activated Sodium Persulfate Chemical oxidation using activated sodium persulfate offers treatment of a wide range of hydrocarbons. The most powerful activators are alkaline and heat activation working on the widest range of organic compounds. Alkaline activation has the added benefit of producing a non-corrosive high pH oxidant solution that is safe around metallic objects. Chelated iron activation is useful for chlorinated and non-chlorinated alkenes and other less recalcitrant compounds. Hydrogen peroxide is also a powerful activator for persulfate; however, due to its rapid decomposition, it may not generate sufficient sulfate radicals prior to degradation.

Advantages of activated persulfate oxidation include the less aggressive nature of the reaction, greater persistence of sulfate radicals in the subsurface as compared to hydroxyl radicals, lower SOD, and effectiveness on a wide variety of hydrocarbons. Potential disadvantages include the need for activation to facilitate the reaction, the generation of residual sulfates that may exceed secondary drinking water standard (250 mg/L), temporary adjustment of the groundwater pH, and cost considerations.