Newman Zone (Patent 6,806,078) provides both a rapidly utilized electron donor & a slow-release long- term electron donor designed to enhance in-situ bioremediation of chlorinated solvents and other anaerobically degradable contaminants (certain toxic metals, perchlorate, and nitrate).

The Newman Zone electron donor formulation is designed to have the advantages of fast and slow release electron donors. The sodium lactate in the formulation stimulates microbial growth within hours of injection & rapidly produces anaerobic conditions in the subsurface. After the lactate has been consumed, the sparingly soluble vegetable oil portion of the product is retained on soil surfaces and in pore spaces, where it slowly ferments. The residual vegetable oil fermentation may support anaerobic biodegradation for long periods of time often several years. The vegetable oil slowly ferments to release volatile fatty acids, and molecular hydrogen which support the anaerobic microbial community

The amendment is a concentrated source of electron donors. The total electron equivalent dose for the lactate, soybean oil, and food grade additives is over 175 electron equivalents per kilogram. In contrast, a well-known, commercially available, slow release product (HRC) reportedly contains about 155 electron equivalents per kilogram.