Calcium Peroxide

Featured Visual: Representative visual for oxygen-release chemistry used in aerobic bioremediation.

Overview

Calcium peroxide (CaO2) is used to supplement oxygen for microbial degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in soil and groundwater. Hepure supplies it in fine granular form, available in 55 lb. bags and 2,000 lb. super sacks. CaO2 has a molecular weight of 72.07 g/mol and a very low solubility, allowing oxygen release over prolonged periods. In the presence of water, calcium peroxide naturally decomposes slowly to form calcium hydroxide and oxygen. Each pound of calcium peroxide produces about 0.6 pounds of oxygen.

How It Works

Oxygen is typically the most limiting factor in in situ bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons. When groundwater is saturated with dissolved oxygen at 6–12 mg/L (depending on temperature), fully saturated groundwater can be expected to degrade 2–4 mg/L of hydrocarbons. Each pound of petroleum hydrocarbons requires approximately 3 pounds of oxygen for full degradation.

Calcium peroxide produces dissolved oxygen directly, so no oxygen is lost as bubbles from the aquifer. This makes it an efficient electron donor to supplement oxygen levels in the subsurface.