Soil and groundwater contamination poses a major environmental concern due to the widespread presence of hazardous organic pollutants. The estimated extent of local soil contamination in Europe surpasses 2.5 million potentially contaminated sites. In this context, 1.2 million have been identified as polluted sites, where only about 15 % of the total have been remediated, while 14 % of the total sum are likely to require future remediation.

This research line focuses on the development and optimization of in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) and reduction (ISCR) technologies for the efficient remediation of contaminated soils and aquifers by Light Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids (LNAPLs) and Dense Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids (DNAPLs), enhancing the performance of chemical reagents and additives to achieve sustainable environmental restoration.

Solving the problem

Related works

• Moreno-de la Fuente, Y., Herraiz-Carboné, M., Cotillas, S., Santos, A., Domínguez, C.M. (2026). Selective degradation of PAHs in soil-washing emulsions by activated persulfate: oxidant efficiency and surfactant functionality. Separation and Purification Technology, 407: 139110.
• Checa-Fernández, A., Quintana, J.R., Llerena, I. D., Santos, A., Valverde-Asenjo, I., Domínguez, C.M. (2026). Sustainable bioremediation of HCHs-contaminated soils using organic amendments: A circular economy approach 

  . Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 207: 108412.

• Herraiz-Carboné, M., Domínguez, C.M., Rodríguez, S., Santos, A., Cotillas, S. (2026). Sustainable management of SEAR waste emulsions from lindane production by electrochemical oxidation: performance and environmental implications 

  . Journal of Environmental Management, 398: 128512

• Abruzzese, M., Lorini, L., García-Cervilla, R., Santos, A., Lorenzo, D., Niccolini, L., Matturro, B., Petrangeli Papini, M. (2025). Coupled adsorption–biodegradation of trichloroethylene in groundwater using food waste-derived Polyhydroxyalkanoates (Pha) and pine wood biochar. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 79: 108972. 
• Lorenzo, D., Barrio-Parra, F., Cecconi, A., Serrano-García, H., Izquierdo-Díaz, M., Santos, A., de Miguel, E. (2025). Enhancing radon-deficit technique efficacy: machine learning applications for environmental variable analysis in soil gas monitoring. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 32(41): 23694-23706.
• Ayedi, K., Moreno-De La Fuente, Y., Herraiz-Carboné, M., Cotillas, S., Prisciandaro, M., Santos, A., Domínguez, C.M. (2025). Removal of antracene and benzo[a]pyrene from soil-washing synthetic emulsions by Fenton and solar photo-Fenton oxidation 

  . Journal of Water Process Engineering, 75: 107959.

• García-Cervillla, R., Lorenzo, D., Romero, A., Santos, A. (2025). Comparative analysis of SEAR, ISCO, and S-ISCO for remediation of aged hydrocarbon-contaminated soils 

  . Chemical Engineering Journal Advances, 22: 100733.

• Fernández, J., Lorenzo, D., Net, J., Cano, E., Sáez, P., Herranz, C., Domínguez, C.M., Cotillas, S., Santos, A. (2024). Sustainable lindane waste remediation: Surfactant-driven residual DNAPL extraction and oxidation in a real landfill (LIFE SURFING) 

  . Science of the Total Environment, 934: 173260.

• Checa-Fernández, A., Santos, A., Chicaiza, K.Y., Martín-Sanz, J.P., Valverde-Asenjo, I., Quintana, J.R., Fernández, J., Domínguez, C.M. (2024). Exploring the potential of horse amendment for the remediation of HCHs-polluted soils 

  . Journal of Environmental Management, 364: 121436.

• Sánchez-Yepes, A., Santos, A., Romero, A., Lorenzo, D. (2024). Sustainable application of surfactants in soil remediation: Selective pollutants adsorption and hydrogen peroxide-driven adsorbent regeneration 

  . Science of the Total Environment, 926: 171847.

• Herraiz-Carboné, M., Santos, A., Hayat, A., Domínguez, C.M., Cotillas, S. (2024). Remediation of groundwater polluted with lindane production wastes by conductive-diamond electrochemical oxidation 

  . Science of the Total Environment, 926: 171848.

• Herraiz-Carboné, M., Santos, A., Checa-Fernández, A., Domínguez, C.M., Cotillas, S. (2024). Removal of organochlorine pollutants from DNAPL-saturated groundwater using electrolysis with MMO anodes 

  . Chemical Engineering Journal, 486: 150238.

• Fernández, J., Herranz, C., Salvatierra, A., García-Cervilla, R., Santos, A., Lorenzo, D. (2024). Sustainable emulsion treatment by volatilization enhanced by temperature and alkaline conditions in the remediation of a polluted landfill with lindane production wastes 

  . Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 184: 271-283.

• Checa-Fernández, A., Santos, A., Herraiz-Carboné, M., Cotillas, S., Ortiz, D., Muñoz, M., Domínguez, C.M. (2024). Toxicity and biodegradability evaluation of HCHs-polluted soils after persulfate remediation treatments 

  . Chemical Engineering Journal, 482: 148897.

• Conte, L.O., Cotillas, S., Lorenzo, D., Bahamonde, A., Santos, A. (2024). Solar-assisted oxidation of organochlorine pesticides in groundwater using persulfate and ferrioxalate 

  . Environmental Pollution, 343: 123205.

• Domínguez, C.M., Checa-Fernandez, A., García-Cervilla, R., Lorenzo. D., Cotillas, S., Rodríguez, S., Fernández, J., Santos, A. (2024). Removal of Organochlorine Pesticides from Soil and Water 

  . Advances in Science, Technology and Innovation, Part F2460: 239-265.

• Sánchez-Yepes, A., Santos, A., Romero, A., Lorenzo, D. (2024). Selective removal of chlorinated organic compounds from soil flushing emulsions: Adsorbent regeneration with thermal-activated persulfate and surfactant recovery 

  . Journal of Water Process Engineering, 57: 104644.

• Checa-Fernández, A., Santos, A., Romero, A., Domínguez, C.M. (2023). Remediation of real soils polluted with pesticides by activated persulfate and surfactant addition 

  . Journal of Water Process Engineering, 53: 103829.

• Conte, L.O., Legnettino, G., Lorenzo, D., Cotillas, S., Prisciandaro, M., Santos, A. (2023). Degradation of Lindane by persulfate/ferrioxalate/solar light process: Influential operating parameters, kinetic model and by-products 

  . Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 324: 122288.

• Domínguez, C.M., Ventura, P., Checa-Fernández, A., Santos, A. (2023). Comprehensive study of acute toxicity using Microtox® bioassay in soils contaminated by lindane wastes 

  . Science of the Total Environment, 856: 159146.

• Guadaño, J., Gómez, J., Fernández, J., Lorenzo, D., Domínguez, C.M., Cotillas, S., García-Cervilla, R., Santos, A. (2022). Remediation of the Alluvial Aquifer of the Sardas Landfill (Sabiñánigo, Huesca) by Surfactant Application 

  . Sustainability, 14(24): 16576.

• Santos, A., García-Cervilla, R., Checa-Fernández, A., Domínguez, C.M., Lorenzo, D. (2022). Acute Toxicity Evaluation of Lindane-Waste Contaminated Soils Treated by Surfactant-Enhanced ISCO 

  . Molecules, 27(24): 8965.

• Conte, L.O., Cotillas, S., Sánchez-Yepes, A., Lorenzo, D., Santos, A. (2022). LED visible light assisted photochemical oxidation of HCHs in aqueous phases polluted with DNAPL 

  . Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 168: 434-442.

• Checa-Fernández, A., Santos, A., Conte, L.O., Romero, A., Domínguez, C.M. (2022). Enhanced remediation of a real HCH-polluted soil by the synergetic alkaline and ultrasonic activation of persulfate 

  . Chemical Engineering Journal, 440: 135901.

• Sánchez‐Yepes, A., Lorenzo, D., Sáez, P., Romero, A., Santos, A. (2022). Abatement of Naphthalene by Persulfate Activated by Goethite and Visible LED Light at Neutral pH: Effect of Common Ions and Organic Matter 

  . Catalysts, 12(7): 732.

• Sáez, P., Santos, A., García-Cervilla, R., Romero, A., Lorenzo, D. (2022). Non-Ionic Surfactant Recovery in Surfactant Enhancement Aquifer Remediation Effluent with Chlorobenzenes by Semivolatile Chlorinated Organic Compounds Volatilization 

  . International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(12): 7547.

• Garcia-Cervilla, R., Santos, A., Romero, A., Lorenzo, D. (2022). Simultaneous addition of surfactant and oxidant to remediate a polluted soil with chlorinated organic compounds: Slurry and column experiments 

  . Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 10(3): 107625.

• Garcia-Cervilla, R., Santos, A., Romero, A., Lorenzo, D. (2022). Abatement of chlorobenzenes in aqueous phase by persulfate activated by alkali enhanced by surfactant addition 

  . Journal of Environmental Management, 306: 114475.

• Sáez, P., García-Cervilla, R., Santos, A., Romero, A., Lorenzo, D. (2022). Treatment of a Complex Emulsion of a Surfactant with Chlorinated Organic Compounds from Lindane Wastes under Alkaline Conditions by Air Stripping 

  . Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, 62(7): 3282-3293.

• Garcia-Cervilla, R., Santos, A., Romero, A., Lorenzo, D (2021).  Compatibility of nonionic and anionic surfactants with persulfate activated by alkali in the abatement of chlorinated organic compounds in aqueous phase. Science of the Total Environment, 751: 141782.
• Dominguez, C.M., Romero, A., Checa-Fernández, A., Santos, A. (2021). Remediation of HCHs-contaminated sediments by chemical oxidation treatments Science of The Total Environment, 751: 141754.

• Checa-Fernández, A., Santos, A., Romero, A., Dominguez, C.M. (2021). Remediation of real soil polluted with Hexachlorocyclohexanes (α-HCH and β-HCH) using combined thermal and alkaline activation of persulfate: Optimization of the operating conditions. Separation and Purification Technology, 270: 118795.

• Dominguez, C.M., Checa-Fernandez, A., Romero, A., Santos, A. (2021) Degradation of HCHs by thermally activated persulfate in soil system: Effect of temperature and oxidant concentration. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 9: 105668

• Checa-Fernandez, A., Santos, A., Romero, A., Dominguez, C.M. (2021). Application of Chelating Agents to Enhance Fenton Process in Soil Remediation: A Review. Catalyst, 11: 722.

• Garcia Cervilla, R., Romero, A., Santos, A., Lorenzo, D. (2021). Partition of a mixture of chlorinated organic compounds in real contaminated soils between soil and aqueous phase using surfactants: Influence of pH and surfactant type. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 9: 105908.

• Lorenzo, D., García-Cervilla, R., Romero, A., & Santos, A. (2020). Partitioning of chlorinated organic compounds from dense non-aqueous phase liquids and contaminated soils from lindane production wastes to the aqueous phase. Chemosphere, 239: 124798.
• Dominguez, C. M., Rodriguez, V., Montero, E., Romero, A., & Santos, A. (2020). Abatement of Dichloromethane using Persulfate Activated by Alkali: a kinetic study. Separation and Purification Technology, 116679. 
• Dominguez, C. M., Romero, a., Lorenzo, D., Santos, A (2020). Thermally activated persulfate for the chemical oxidation of chlorinated organic compounds in groundwater. Journal of Environmental Management, 261: 110240.
• Garcia-Cervilla, R., Romero, A., Santos, A., Lorenzo, D (2020).  

  Surfactant-Enhanced Solubilization of Chlorinated Organic Compounds Contained in DNAPL from Lindane Waste: Effect of Surfactant Type and pH.

    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(12): 4494.
• Garcia-Cervilla, R., Santos, A., Romero. A., Lorenzo, D (2020). Remediation of soil contaminated by lindane wastes using alkaline activated persulfate: Kinetic model. Chemical engineering Journal, 393: 124646.
• Santos, A., Dominguez, C.M., Lorenzo, D (2020). HCH-contaminated soils and remediation Technologies. Soil Contamination.  IntechOpen (edited: Marcelo L. Larramendy)

• Lorenzo, D., Santos, A., Domínguez, C. M., Guadaño, J., Gómez, J., Fernández, J (2020). Transport Model of Fluids Injected in a Landfill Polluted with Lindane Wastes. Computer Aided Chemical Engineering, 48: 613-618.

• Santos, A., Lorenzo, D., Dominguez, C.M. (2019). Book: Electrochemically assisted remediation of contaminated soils: fundamentals, technologies, combined processes and pre-pilot and scale-up applications. Chapter 10: Persulfate in the remediation of soil and groundwater contaminated by organic compounds. SpringerNature.

• Lorenzo, D., Dominguez, C.M., Romero, A., Santos, A. (2019). Wet Peroxide Oxidation of Chlorobenzenes Catalyzed by Goethite and Promoted by Hydroxylamine.  Catalysts, 9(6): 553.

• Dominguez, C. M., Romero, A., Santos, A (2019). Selective removal of chlorinated organic compounds from lindane wastes by combination of nonionic surfactant soil flushing and Fenton oxidation. Chemical Engineering Journal, 376: 120009.
• Santos, A., Dominguez, C.M., Lorenzo, D., Garcia-Cervilla, R., Lominchar, M.A., Fernandez, J., Gomez, J., Guadaño, J (2019). Soil flushing pilot test in a landfill polluted with liquid organic wastes from lindane production. Heliyon, 5(11): e02875.
• Lominchar, M. A., Santos, A., De Miguel, E., Romero, A. (2018). Remediation of aged diesel contaminated soil by alkaline activated persulfate. Science of the Total Environment, 622-623: 41-48.
• Santos, A., Fernandez, J., Rodriguez, S., Dominguez, C. M., Lominchar, M. A., Lorenzo, D., Romero, A. (2018). Abatement of chlorinated compounds in groundwater contaminated by HCH wastes using ISCO with alkali activated persulfate. Science of the Total Environment, 615: 1070- 1077.
• Dominguez, C. M., Oturan, N., Romero, A., Santos, A., Oturan, M. A. (2018). Lindane degradation by electrooxidation process: Effect of electrode materials on oxidation and mineralization kinetics. Water Research, 135: 220-230.
• Dominguez, C. M., Oturan, N., Romero, A., Santos, A., Oturan, M. A. (2018). Removal of Organochlorine Pesticides from Lindane Production Wastes by Electrochemical Oxidation. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 25: 34985-34994
• Dominguez, C. M., Oturan, N., Romero, A., Santos, A., Oturan, M. A. (2018). Removal of lindane wastes by advanced electrochemical oxidation. Chemosphere, 202: 400-409.
• Dominguez, C. M., Oturan, N., Romero, A., Santos, A., Oturan, M. A. (2018). Optimization of Electro Fenton Process for Effective Degradation of Organochlorine Pesticide Lindane. Catalysis Today, 313: 196-202.
• Santos, A, Fernandez, j., Guadaño, J., Lorenzo, D., Romero, A. (2018). Chlorinated organic compounds in liquid wastes (DNAPL) from lindane production dumped in landfills in sabiñanigo (Spain). Environmental Pollution, 242: 1616-1624.
• Dominguez, C.M., Romero, A.,Fernandez, J., Santos, A. (2018). In situ chemical reduction of chlorinated organic compounds from lindane production wastes by zero valent iron microparticles. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 26: 146-155.
• Lominchar, M. A., Lorenzo, D., Romero, A., Santos, A. (2017). Remediation of soil contaminated by PAHs and TPH using alkaline activated persulfate enhanced by surfactant addition at flow conditions. Journal of Chemical &Technology & Biotechnology, 93(5): 1270-1278.
• Peluffo, M., Pardo, F., Santos, A., Romero, A. (2016). Use of different kinds of persulfate activation with iron for the remediation of a PAH-contaminated soil. Science of the Total Environment. 563-564: 649-656.
• Pardo, F., Peluffo, M., Santos, A., Romero, A. (2016). Optimization of the application of the Fenton chemistry for the remediation of a contaminated soil with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology. 19763-1772.
• Dominguez, C.M., Parchao, J., Rodriguez, S., Lorenzo, D., Romero, A., Santos, A. (2016). Kinetics of lindane dechlorination by zero valent iron microparticles: Effect of different salts and stability study. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 50: 12776-12785.       
• Dominguez, C.M., Rodriguez, S., Lorenzo, D., Romero, A., Santos, A. (2016). Degradation of Hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) by Stable Zero Valent Iron (ZVI) Microparticles. Water, Air & Soil Pollution, 227: 446 – 457.
• Pardo, F., Santos, A., Romero, A. (2016). Fate of iron and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during the remediation of a contaminated soil using iron-activated persulfate: A column study. Science of the Total Environment, 566-567: 480 - 488.
• Pardo, F., Rosas, J. M., Santos, A., Romero, A. (2015). Remediation of soil contaminated by NAPLs using modified Fenton reagent: Application to gasoline type compounds. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology. 754-764.
• Pardo, F., Rosas, J.M., Santos, A., Romero, A., (2015). Remediation of a Biodiesel Blend-Contaminated Soil with Activated Persulfate by Different Sources of Iron. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 226: 17. 
• Pardo, F., Peluffo, M., Santos A., Romero, A. (2015). Optimization of the application of the Fenton chemistry for the remediation of a contaminated soil with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, 91: 1763-1772.
• Pardo, F., Rosas, J. M., Santos, A., Romero, A. (2014). Remediation of a biodiesel blend-contaminated soil by using a modified Fenton process. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 12198-12207.
• Rosas, J.M., Vicente, F., Saguillo, E., Santos, A., Romero, A. (2014) Remediation of soil polluted with herbicides by Fenton-like reaction: Kinetic model of diuron degradation. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 144:, 252-260.
• Rosas, J. M., F. Vicente, A. Santos and A. Romero (2013). Soil remediation using soil washing followed by Fenton oxidation. Chemical Engineering Journal, 220: 125-132.
• Rosas, J.M., Santos, A., Romero, A. (2013). Soil-washing effluent treatment by selective adsorption of toxic organic contaminants on activated carbon. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 224: 1506.
• Vicente, F., A. Santos, E. G. Sagueillo, A. M. Martinez-Villacorta, J. Maria Rosas, A. Romero (2012). Diuron abatement in contaminated soil using Fenton-like process. Chemical Engineering Journal, 183: 357-364.
• Romero, A., A. Santos, T. Cordero, J. Rodriguez-Mirasol, J. Maria Rosas, F. Vicente (2011). Soil remediation by Fenton-like process: Phenol removal and soil organic matter modification. Chemical Engineering Journal, 170(1): 36-43.
• Vicente, F., A. Santos, A. Romero, S. Rodriguez (2011). Kinetic study of diuron oxidation and mineralization by persulphate: Effects of temperature, oxidant concentration and iron dosage method. Chemical Engineering Journal, 170(1): 127-135.
• Vicente, F., J. M. Rosas, A. Santos, A. Romero (2011). Improvement soil remediation by using stabilizers and chelating agents in a Fenton-like process. Chemical Engineering Journal, 172(2-3): 689-697.
• Rosas, J. M., F. Vicente, A. Santos, A. Romero (2011). Enhancing p-cresol extraction from soil. Chemosphere. 84(2): 260-264.
• Romero, A., A. Santos, F. Vicente, C. Gonzalez (2010). Diuron abatement using activated persulphate: Effect of pH, Fe(II) and oxidant dosage. Chemical Engineering Journal, 162(1): 257-265.
• Romero, A., A. Santos, F. Vicente, S. Rodriguez, A. Lopez Lafuente (2009). In situ oxidation remediation technologies: Kinetic of hydrogen peroxide decomposition on soil organic matter. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 170(2-3): 627-632.
• Romero, A., A. Santos, F. Vicente (2009). Chemical oxidation of 2,4-dimethylphenol in soil by heterogeneous Fenton process. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 162(2-3): 785-790.

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