TreeWell® Technology
TreeWell technology allows access to deep groundwater and bedrock aquifers, thus allowing the replacement of expensive pump-and-treat systems. Bioremediation processes in the TreeWell unit mitigate potential phytotoxic effects of underground contaminants.
Benefits of Our Patented TreeWell® Remediation Systems
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On average, the lifetime cost of our remediation system is substantially lower than conventional remedies such as groundwater pump-and-treat systems.
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Our systems have been successfully used to provide contaminant degradation in soil and groundwater under a variety of lithologic conditions. Additionally, our systems can be used to provide hydraulic control of groundwater, thereby mitigating plume migration.
Treatable contaminants include soluble compounds in soil and groundwater, including most VOCs, agricultural inorganics, solubilized metals, PFOA/PFAS, and semi-volatile organics.
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While significant remediation is taking place in the soil and groundwater in the subsurface, the foliage of beautiful willows, hackberries, live oaks, palms, poplars, or spruce trees is growing above the surface.
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As the trees mature, their groundwater uptake rates increase, providing improved hydraulic control and contaminant mass removal. Also, the root system typically hosts robust microbial populations that are capable of degrading many contaminants.
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Our pioneering work in phytoremediation began in 1988. In 1993, Applied Natural Sciences was founded to implement our unique TreeMediation system. We have successfully completed dozens of projects in North America, South America, and Europe, including projects with a wide range of climatic and physiographic conditions.
TreeWell® Systems
As experts in phytoremediation, we design and implement plant-based remediation systems to address complex soil and groundwater contamination. Patented TreeWell® Systems offer a cost-effective, nature-based, sustainable remediation alternative that can provide hydraulic control and contaminant mass reduction. Our technology allows access to deep groundwater and bedrock aquifers, and our methods promote in-situ microbial degradation of subsurface contaminants.
Our system is the only one of its kind and has a unique record of documented success at sites throughout North America and Europe.
Using our PHYTO_INTEGRATED™ approach, TreeWell Systems can be integrated with other remedial technologies such as thermal-based remedies, enhanced bioremediation, in-situ chemical reduction (ISCR, including ZVI, EZVI, Daramend®), ion exchange resins, or other treatment/absorption media such as granular activated carbon to capitalize on various synergies between the technologies and provide more cost-effective and efficient site-specific solutions.
How do TreeWell® units work?
Trees operate as a pump—contaminated groundwater is drawn upward towards roots, while roots are encouraged to grow downward towards contaminated groundwater
Root_Sleeve™ liner acts as well casing to exclude non-targeted surface water and encourage tree pumping of targeted depth
Aeration tubing is installed to provide oxygen to root zone
TreeWell unit acts as a bioreactor—microbes degrade contaminants before having contact with roots
Residual contaminants treated within the tree and/or photo-oxidized within the atmosphere
Variations on our innovative technologies
TreeWell® Technology Bio-Barrier
A barrier, similar to a typical reactive barrier, is installed to intercept the contaminant plume in the target horizon of the aquifer. TreeWell units are installed above the barrier to induce greater groundwater flow into the barrier and vertically upwards within the barrier to enhance contaminants contact with reactive media installed within the barrier. The backfill materials within the TreeWell units may also include reactive media to further reduce contaminant concentrations.
Straw TreeWell® Technology
Extracts groundwater from extreme depths. Addresses bedrock aquifers or in-situ treatment by recirculation of groundwater within the TreeWell column. Can include ZVI, EZVI, Daramend®, exchange resins, or other amendments.