accelerated dechlorination of soil and water contaminated with chlorinated solvents is achieved by stimulating anaerobic microorganisms and thus increasing the rate of biological mineralization of the solvents . this is accomplished by a treatment process consisting of colloidal suspension of iron powder , polylactate ester such as glycerol tripolylactate , xylitol pentapolylactate , and sorbitol hexapolylactate , chemical oxygen scavengers in solution with essential nutrients , and vitamin stimulants such as b2 and b12 delivered via compressed gases n or c02 so as not to oxygenate an environment targeted for anaerobic processes . the treatment stimulates naturally occurring microorganisms while oxidizing dissolved phase target compounds via the surface action of the iron particles resulting in the breakdown of chlorinated solvents such as tetrachloroethene , trichloroethene , carbon tetrachloride and their daughter products .