IscoTracer: Stable Isotope Analysis
Advantages
- Optimization of oxidant further injections: Better dose calculation, better planning of spatial and temporal distribution of injections.
- Decision-making support tool: wether the ISCO treatment needs adjustment.
- Time and cos savings: More efficient ISCO application.
Goal
The team is open to collaboration with organizations interested in adopting or supporting the implementation of this technology.
Patent
Patent Application extended in Europe and Canada (June 2025).
Reference
UBTT0516
Contact
Rosa Vázquez Fresno
Email: rvazquez@fbg.ub.edu
IscoTracer: Stable Isotope Analysis
Executive summary
A research group, with more than 25 years of experience in isotope geochemistry, has performed a monitoring method to track the ISCO treatment efficiency.
Introduction
Monitoring the efficiency of ISCO treatments, typically involves measuring concentrations of contaminants, and persulfate or its by-product (sulfate). However, sole reliance on concentration data presents several limitations.
Description
The technology focuses on monitoring in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) treatments using persulfate for the remediation of contaminated groundwater. In this approach, persulfate is injected into the subsurface to oxidize and degrade contaminants within the aquifer. However, conventional monitoring based solely on concentration analysis has important limitations, since a decrease in contaminant concentration does not necessarily confirm degradation; it may also result from dilution, dispersion, or contaminant displacement. This approach may also fail to properly identify contaminant rebound after treatment.
The proposed technology integrates a multi-isotopic toolbox. The IscoTracer technology applies stable isotope analysis to the persulfate/sulfate system. This enables assessment of the effective influence area of the oxidant in the aquifer and helps determine the degree of persulfate activation during treatment. Overall, the solution offers an advanced monitoring tool to improve the interpretation, control, and validation of ISCO treatments with persulfate.
Current stage of development
The technology is ready to use. However, the team is always open to raceive feedback from industry’s needs.