National Science Foundation (NSF) Funding Opportunity 12-548, 21 Mar 2012

NSF has formulated broad solicitation topics for SBIR that conform to the high-technology investment sector's interests: 1) Biological and Chemical Technologies, 2) Education Applications, 3) Electronics, Information and Communication Technologies, and 4) Nanotechnology, Advanced Materials, and Manufacturing. Several environmental areas are identified under Biological and Chemical Technologies.
ET1, Environmental Pollution Mitigation and Waste Treatment: Applications include microbial contamination sensing and control, removal of toxic compounds for human and animal safety, novel bioremediation technologies, water treatment (municipal wastewater and drinking water), air pollution mitigation to remove gaseous pollutants and particulates, pathogen and toxin diagnostics, and energy-efficient novel municipal and industrial waste recycle and reuse technologies. In addition, methods to reduce the use of chemical pesticides and approaches that develop biodegradable replacements for existing non-biodegradable pesticides sensors for environmental monitoring will be considered.
ET2, Bioenergy: Proposed projects might include novel approaches to biomass conversion to energy; novel methods to generate energy from marine, plant, algal, and microbial bio-energy sources; microbial fuel cells; hydrogen production; and methods for distributed bio-energy production. NSF has posted detailed descriptions of the areas of particular interest within these topics on line: www.nsf.gov/pubs/2012/nsf12548/nsf12548.htm
Proposals submitted outside the window of May 19, 2012 - June 19, 2012, will be returned without review. Approximately 100 awards are anticipated, with estimated total program funding of $15 million. www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=156933

U.S. Department of Energy, Sandia National Laboratories.
Federal Business Opportunities, FBO-3827, Solicitation 12_376, 2012

Sandia National Laboratories is seeking one or more business partners for commercial development and deployment of advanced reactive barrier technologies. This novel method (U.S. Patent 6,416,252 and U.S. Patent 6,592,294) for construction of a calcium apatite permeable reactive barrier for the containment of radionuclides, heavy metals, and other contaminants has been developed and successfully field tested. A calcium apatite barrier was constructed using the new technology at DOE's Hanford facility to prevent radioactive strontium from entering the Columbia River. The test barrier has proven to be 90 to 95% effective at sequestering the radioactive strontium, and the barrier is being expanded to protect ~2,500 feet of Columbia River shoreline. Currently, research is under way to expand the capability of the barrier for sequestering technetium. Sandia is seeking a company or companies to cooperatively develop and commercially license the technology and expects the successful company to engage in the creation of a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement or other working relationship with Sandia to further the technology's development. To express interest in this opportunity, please respond by June 15, 2012. https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DOE/SNL/SN/12_376/listing.html

Department of Transportation, Research & Innovative Technology, Cambridge, MA.
Federal Business Opportunities, FBO-3821, Solicitation DTRT57-12-SS-00009, 2012

DOT's John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center is conducting a market survey of potential offerors capable of supporting research in transportation, safety, and logistics-related programs with respect to modeling, safety, security, technology, policy, and conservation. Although the greater part of the research will focus on issues specific to transportation, the Volpe Center's interests also encompass a variety of environmental needs areas:
    •    Track pollutant migration and predict cleanup actions using modeling tools.
    •    Analyze contaminant fate and transport mechanisms to understand the behavior of pollutants in the environment, identify potential sources of contamination, and evaluate remedial action alternatives.
    •    Apply subject-matter expertise to evaluate the design, cost, technical feasibility, and performance of environmental remediation technologies and systems, including the development and testing of emerging, innovative, and green remediation technologies.
    •    Apply environmental law, policy, and economic research and analysis to address major transportation challenges and state-of-the-art practice for energy generation and storage, fuel efficiency, renewable energy, and other sustainability considerations.
    •    Develop and test innovative environmental remediation technologies.
    •    Design and conduct environmental forensic investigations at contaminated sites.
    •    Apply environmental law, policy, and economic analysis to develop and assess the impacts of environmental policy alternatives.
This notice is for information and planning purposes only and is a market research tool to determine the availability and adequacy of potential business sources prior to determining the method of acquisition and possible issuance of a request for proposal. Interested parties must respond to this announcement no later than May 30, 2012. https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DOT/RITA/VNTSC/DTRT57-12-SS-00009/listing.html

Savannah River National Laboratory News Release, SRNS-2011-84, 21 Nov 2011

A technology that uses "green" chemistry to help microbes break down contaminants in soil before they reach the groundwater has earned kudos from the editors of Environmental Protection website as a 2011 Soil & Groundwater New Product of the Year among products introduced to the market between August 2, 2010, and September 2, 2011. Invented at DOE's Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) and licensed and manufactured by EOS Remediation, LLC (a subsidiary of Solutions-IES, Inc.), the technology is formulated to treat chlorinated solvent contamination in the vadose zone, the area of unsaturated soil between the ground surface and the water table. Contamination in this zone can be a continuing source of groundwater contamination. Marketed under the name Vadose Organic Substrate (VOS™) by the licensee, the technology is a thixotropic formulation of biodegradable vegetable oil, water, nutrients, and buffer that can be used in conjunction with a dechlorinating inoculum (Dehalococcoides sp.). Once placed in the soil, the materials will stay in position to treat the contaminants. Simple technology can be applied to track the progress of the material in the soil matrix to verify proper contact. Field testing at SRNL demonstrated the material was safe to handle and did not require special injection equipment. A liquid when injected, the material subsequently sets up to a gel consistency so that it not only resists being washed away but also continues to promote conditions for anaerobic reduction biodegradation of many contaminants using appropriate organic electron donors and nutrients. More information about this material will be published in an upcoming edition of Pollution Engineering. See the complete list of Soil & Groundwater New Product of the Year winners at http://eponline.com/pages/2011-npoy-winners.aspx

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Coeur d'Alene, ID.
Federal Business Opportunities, FBO-3802, Solicitation AG-02RC-S-12-0071, 2012

The Broken Hill Mine Site (BHMS) is located approximately 4 miles north of Haron, Montana, and north of U.S. Highway 200 in Sanders County. Reclamation of the BHMS will include but is not limited to site clearing, grubbing sediment controls, and access improvement; excavation of a repository near the Broken Hill Mine; excavating and hauling waste rock and associated contaminated soils; placing the excavated material within the constructed repository; capping the repository with multilayer impermeable cover; construction of a subsurface infiltration trench to dispose of adit discharge water; adit closure; regrading disturbed areas, and revegetating disturbed areas. Waste rock in the removal areas contains metals, particularly lead and arsenic, at concentrations that may pose a threat to human health. Responses are due no later than June 6, 2012. The price range is estimated between $250,000 and $500,000. Work is anticipated to begin in mid July 2012. https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USDA/FS/281/AG-02RC-S-12-0071/listing.html

U.S. EPA, Office of Acquisition Management, Washington, DC.
Federal Business Opportunities, FBO-3799, Solicitation SOL-HQ-12-00005, 2012

This synopsis has been issued to notify potential offerors of U.S. EPA's intent to issue a competitive small business set-aside solicitation to provide technical support services to EPA Region 7 for RCRA Enforcement, Permitting and Assistance (REPA) 5. The contract will support EPA activities, as well as EPA-coordinated efforts with states, tribes, and other federal agencies, at private, state, and federal facilities. The goals of the RCRA program are to 1) protect human health and the environment from the hazards posed by waste disposal; 2) conserve energy and natural resources through waste recycling and recovery; 3) reduce or eliminate the amount of waste generated, including hazardous waste; and 4) ensure that waste is managed in an environmentally safe manner. The activities required under this contract will support the RCRA goals cited above and other programs or related Agency initiatives. It is the Government's intent to award a time-and-materials, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract from this solicitation through a small business set-aside. The Government will issue task orders from the resulting contract. The anticipated ordering period includes a 12-month base period and four 12-month option periods, with a maximum potential ordering period totaling 60 months. The NAICS code for this acquisition is 541620, Environmental Consulting Services, with a size standard of $7 million. The solicitation for this procurement is anticipated to be released on or about May 1, 2012, with an award anticipated on or about July 15, 2012. The synopsis, amendments, and other information related to this procurement, as well as any subsequent procurement notifications, will be posted on FBO.gov and the EPA website at http://www.epa.gov/oam/srpod/index.htm
https://www.fbo.gov/spg/EPA/OAM/HQ/SOL-HQ-12-00005/listing.html

U.S. EPA, Office of Acquisition Management, Washington, DC.
Federal Business Opportunities, FBO-3799, Solicitation SOL-HQ-12-00006, 2012

EPA intends to issue a competitive full and open solicitation to provide technical support services for RCRA Enforcement, Permitting and Assistance (REPA) V to EPA Zone 3, which comprises EPA Regions 7, 8, 9, and 10. To achieve RCRA program goals, four distinct but interrelated programs exist under RCRA. Subtitle D of RCRA promotes and encourages the environmentally sound management of solid waste. It includes minimum federal technical standards and guidelines for state solid waste plans. Subtitle C establishes a management system that regulates hazardous waste from the time it is generated until its ultimate disposal, in effect, from "cradle to grave." Subtitle I regulates petroleum products and hazardous substances (as defined under Superfund) that are stored in underground tanks. It establishes performance standards for new tanks and requires leak detection, prevention, and corrective action at underground tank sites. Subtitle J regulates medical waste generation, treatment, destruction, and disposal. In conjunction with achieving the RCRA program goals, other programs or related Agency initiatives may be addressed within this performance work statement. It is the Government's intent to award two time-and-materials, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contracts from this solicitation through full and open competition. The Government will issue competing task orders from the resulting contracts. The anticipated ordering period includes a 12-month base period and four 12-month option periods, with a maximum potential ordering period totaling 60 months. The NAICS code for this acquisition is 541620, Environmental Consulting Services, with a size standard of $14 million. The solicitation for this procurement is anticipated to be released on or about May 1, 2012, with an award anticipated on or about July 15, 2012. The synopsis, amendments, and other information related to this procurement as well as any subsequent procurement notifications will be posted on FBO.gov and the EPA website at http://www.epa.gov/oam/srpod/index.htm
https://www.fbo.gov/spg/EPA/OAM/HQ/SOL-HQ-12-00006/listing.html

Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, Lackland AFB, TX.
Federal Business Opportunities, FBO-3799, Solicitation FA8903-12-R-8006, 2012

The U.S. Air Force has a requirement to provide a performance-based remediation (PBR) approach for site closeout (SC) involving remedial action efforts at Air Force Plant 42 and Los Angeles Air Force Base in California. The NAICS code for this acquisition is 562910, Remediation Services. The PBR initiative has an overarching goal to implement remedies as necessary to protect human health and the environment that maximizes the number of SCs or advances sites as close to SC as practicable during the period of performance in a cost-effective manner. The contractor will perform all necessary environmental construction and engineering activities required to meet the performance objectives identified in the corresponding draft statement of objectives dated 21 March 2012. The period of performance is estimated at 120 months from date of award. The release of a solicitation is anticipated on or after May 2, 2012. https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USAF/AFMC/HQAFCEE/FA8903-12-R-8006/listing.html

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, R-6 Northwest Oregon Contracting Area.
Federal Business Opportunities, FBO-3791, Solicitation AG-046W-S-12-0009, 2012

The purpose of this notice is to announce that the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) contemplates releasing a request for proposal on or after April 25th, 2012, for USFS regional hazardous waste remediation services, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity, multiple-award contract(s) in the Pacific Northwest Region (Region Six) and Alaska Region (Region Ten). If the solicitation is released, it will be released through the FedBizOpps website. Scope of Work: The contractor will provide any and all labor, equipment, tools, transportation, and supplies necessary to perform the statement of work/specifications. USFS will generally exercise the scope of the contract in the States of Oregon and Washington, with occasional tasks in Idaho and Alaska. The work provides for three main activities: emergency and incident response; hazardous materials surveys/assessment/testing/abatement; and tank-related services. The applicable NAICS code is 562910, Remediation Services, with a size standard of 500 employees. This opportunity is a total small business set-aside. The government intends to award to at least six contractors, provided sufficiently qualified contractors present offers. The anticipated IDIQ Multiple Award Contract(s) will not exceed five calendar years. Individual task orders will range from $2,500 to $500,000, with a total shared ceiling for the IDIQ contract of $4,900,000. https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USDA/FS/467/AG-046W-S-12-0009/listing.html

U.S. EPA Funding Opportunity EPA-OECA-NETI-12-001, Apr 2012

This request for applications is issued by the National Environmental Training Institute in the Office of Compliance in EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance to strengthen states' ability to address environmental and public health threats through training of state environmental enforcement personnel. The purpose of the grant is to expand environmental enforcement training opportunities on a nationwide basis throughout the 50 states, covering all statutory environmental media programs. The term "state" as used in this solicitation encompasses state, city, and county governments. The closing date for applications is June 8, 2012. http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=167473

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, Detroit, MI.
Federal Business Opportunities, Solicitation W911XK-12-R-0014, 2012

Engineering services are required to provide a detailed assessment and evaluation of the extraction and monitoring well system at the Ott-Story Superfund Site located in North Muskegon, Michigan. The work to be performed includes a detailed assessment and evaluation of the current functional status of extraction wells and water pipelines, operating conditions, and effectiveness of the overall remediation system. The work also includes rehabilitation of extraction wells and associated rehabilitation wells, cleanout of pipelines, determination of the maximum sustainable flow rates achievable by the extraction well network, provision of data to assess optimal plume capture, and recommendations concerning repair/replacement of extraction wells, monitoring wells, rehabilitation wells, and/or water pipelines. Firms will be selected for negotiation based on demonstrated competence and qualifications for the required work. Award of a firm fixed-price contract is anticipated. The North American Industrial Classification System code is 541330, which has a size standard of $14M in average annual receipts. This announcement is open to all businesses regardless of size. Responses are due by June 4, 2012. https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USA/COE/DACA35/W911XK-12-R-0014/listing.html

Chiang, Y.W., R.M. Santos, K. Ghyselbrecht, V. Cappuyns, J.A. Martens, R. Swennen, T. Van Gerven, and B. Meesschaert.
Journal of Environmental Management, Vol 105, 1-11, 2012

A variety of sorbent materials have demonstrated the potential to immobilize heavy metals, but the complexity of multi-element contamination makes choosing the appropriate sorbent mixture and application dosage highly challenging. This paper outlines a strategic framework designed to address the development of an in situ sediment remediation solution systematically through assessment, feasibility, and performance studies. The decision-making tools and the experimental procedures needed to identify optimum sorbent mixtures are detailed, with particular emphasis on the utilization and combination of commercially available and waste-derived sorbents. An application of the proposed framework is illustrated in a case study of a contaminated sediment site in Northern Belgium with high levels of As, Cd, Pb, and Zn originating from historical non-ferrous smelting. The framework was utilized to achieve the required remediation targets and to meet the imposed regulations on material application in natural environments.

Christensen, R.H., S.R. Irvin, J.V. Rouse, and T. McCullough.
Sustainable Remediation 2011: State of the Practice -- International Conference, June 1-3, 2011, University of Amherst, Massachusetts. 40 slides, 2011

FerroBlack-H is a proprietary reagent that contains both soluble and insoluble sulfides. Because the soluble sulfides (S-2) and insoluble sulfides (FeS) are in equilibrium, the soluble sulfides allow for the immediate treatment of available heavy metals, while the insoluble sulfides remain where placed, allowing for long-term stabilization and/or reducing capacity as additional heavy metals come in contact with the insoluble sulfide in the future. In waste streams containing mixtures of heavy metals at various concentrations and valence states (e.g., Cr, Cd, Ni, As, and Sb), the soluble sulfides, insoluble sulfides, and their associated reaction products (e.g., Fe⁺² + Fe⁺³) react sequentially as the system's dynamics change, thus enabling the achievement of treatment objectives initially and over the long term. This presentation summarizes the results of the in situ treatment of chrome plating waste in Muncie, Indiana, where historical plating operations resulted in the release of chromic acid into soil and groundwater. Hexavalent chromium (Cr[VI]) concentrations up to 7,900 mg/kg were reported in soil. Impacted soils were primarily glacial till with some sand lenses and consisted of a primary source area of ~7,000 ft² to 15 ft below grade level (bgl) and a secondary area of about 8,000 ft² to 5 ft bgl. Past operations also affected the uppermost aquifer (15 to 35 ft bgl) in an area of about 64,000 ft², with Cr(VI) reported at concentrations up to 9,312 mg/L. In situ chemical reduction (ISCR) was selected as a cost-effective remedial solution. ISCR is based on reducing the highly soluble Cr(VI) to the slightly soluble, non-toxic trivalent chromium. Bench testing identified FeS as the chemical reductant for both soil and groundwater. The FeS was developed as a nanoscale FeS aqueous-based suspension (nFeS) and amended with an additional 2% free sulfide to simulate calcium sodium polysulfide. In lieu of virgin chemical feedstock, the nFeS was derived from industrial waste by-products of the steel (ferrous chloride and ferrous sulfate), aluminum anodizing (sodium hydroxide), and refining industries (sodium hydrosulfide). In situ soil mixing was conducted using an excavator-mounted dual-axis soil mixer with about 80,000 gallons of nFeS mixed into 5,370 yd³ of soil. Groundwater treatment consisted of a single 37,000-gal injection event of nFeS at 153 injection points across the plume (15 ft radius of influence) into saturated units of the aquifer. Confirmatory soil sampling indicated the complete reduction of Cr(VI) to <0.01 mg/Kg in one application. First-quarter groundwater sampling indicated a general 98 to 100% reduction of Cr(VI), with limited areas that might require a second treatment prior to closure. http://www.umass.edu/tei/conferences/SustainableRemediation/PDF/Presenta
tionPDFs/Christensen.pdf

Kang, W.-H., J.-G. Cheong, K. Kim, H. Chae, and C.-H. Chang.
International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology: IPCBEE Vol 30, 6-9, 2012

Approximately 24,620 cubic meters of petroleum-contaminated soil was excavated from an old railroad bed in Daejeon, Korea. The levels of total petroleum hydrocarbon and benzo(a)pyrene in the soils, which presumably originated from oil spills and wood preservatives, respectively, exceeded regulatory levels. To remediate the contaminated soil, a soil-washing plant of 40 tons/hr capacity was installed on the site and operated for three months. The washing process successfully decreased contaminant concentrations and met the cleanup goals. The water used in the washing process was reused after simple water treatment via coagulation and sedimentation, which achieved a zero-discharge process. http://www.ipcbee.com/vol30/002--ICEST2012_N00007.pdf

Freeman, K.S.
Environmental Health Perspectives, Vol 120 No 1, A20-A21, Jan 2012

Fish bones are made of the phosphate mineral apatite, which readily combines with lead to form pyromorphite, a stable crystalline mineral that the human digestive system cannot absorb. Now researchers are using fish bones and other phosphate-rich amendments to remediate lead in urban soils. Steve Calanog of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is overseeing an agency project using fish bones to clean up soils in the South Prescott neighborhood of Oakland, California. The 2-year, $4-million South Prescott project is part of a growing trend to treat soil contaminated with lead and other heavy metals in place rather than removing and replacing soils or capping them with asphalt or concrete, techniques that require dump sites to store contaminated soil as well as sources of uncontaminated soil for replacement. http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.120-a20a

Cornelissen, G., J. Gunnarsson, G. Samuelsson, and U. Ghosh.
Norwegian Research Council Project 185032, NGI report no. 20081057-1, 20 pp, 2011

Norway is faced with significant environmental problems posed by classical hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) in marine sediments, including PAHs, PCBs, and polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and -furans in addition to newly recognized problem contaminants such as brominated flame retardants. Owing to high pollution levels, consumption restrictions exist for fish and other seafood from many fjord areas in Norway. Removal with subsequent treatment or disposal of all contaminated sediments would be a billion-kroner task, hence it is necessary to find practical and cost-effective methods to reduce the risk of HOCs in sediments without removing the material. Activated carbon amendment was applied as a novel remediation technique in a pilot project in Trondheim Harbour in 2008, co-financed by NFR and Trondheim Harbour Authorities. The project aimed at the establishment of novel pilot testing fields and their long-term follow-up and monitoring in Trondheim Harbor. The project consisted of thin-layer in situ capping with activated carbon (AC) implemented using three different methods: AC only, AC covered by a thin layer of sand, and AC mixed with clay. http://svein-erik.me/images/print/pdf/Sediment_RTACA.pdf

Van de Mark, S.
USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), 42 pp, Sep 2011

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council in partnership with the Pennsylvania State University Department of Crop & Soil Sciences successfully demonstrated the enhanced reclamation of 70 acres of four separate former surface mine sites in western Pennsylvania. The project used excess poultry manure in combination with waste paper mill sludge or composted poultry manure as soil amendments for restoring soil health and productivity. The methodology meets NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant priorities, including restoration of soil quality on degraded sites, addressing nutrient impairment in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, and the utilization of a market-based approach—water-quality trading—to address water quality and surface mine land reclamation. A notable accomplishment of the project is the development of the Manure on Mine-lands for Biomass Production business model with the assistance of the Duquesne University MBA Sustainability Program. As of September 2011, all of the project objectives had been met except for the harvest and sale of the biomass crop because the first warm-season grass crop was not planted until June 2009, which means that a commercial yield (likely over 2 tons per acre) is not expected until the summer or fall of 2012. Field measurements collected in June 2011 indicate that 20 acres reclaimed at two adjacent mines in Clearfield County may yield between 1.5 and 2.0 tons per acre in the fall of 2011. If the crop is to be harvested for biomass, mowing should take place in late November or early December. http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb1046768.pdf

Strandberg, J., H. Oden, R.M. Nieto, and A. Bjork.
Swedish Environmental Research Institute, IVL Report B1993, 83 pp, Nov 2011

This report begins with a literature review of documented soil remediation techniques tested for dioxins. A study was conducted to investigate the potential of using a photolytic catalyst (titanium dioxide) in combination with UV light to oxidize organic substances into water and carbon dioxide, and thus to remove the dioxins. In this method, pollutants are extracted into an aqueous solution, which then is treated by the oxidizing combination of UV light and TiO₂ catalyst. An efficient transfer into solution is accomplished by increasing colloid formation using a solution of sodium hydroxide (NaOH). After oxidation, the NaOH solution is recycled to the extraction phase and utilized again to the extent possible. A sub-study was conducted to optimize the colloid formation, where temperature, time of extraction, and concentration was varied in two types of soil. The efficiency of extraction varies greatly depending on how dioxins sorb to particles and the stage of organic material decomposition. In the most effective case—a soil with 6% relatively new organic material—only 20% of dioxins remained after extraction (measured in ng/kg WHO-TEQ). In the least effective case—a sandy soil containing 2% organic matter—the dioxin content doubled (measured in ng/kg WHO-TEQ) after treatment. Results indicate that dioxins in less weathered organic matter are easier to extract than dioxins in weathered material. Pretreatment with 90°C water conducted to remove chlorophenols from soil (which then can form dioxins if in an alkaline environment) was also effective for extracting dioxins. Almost equally good results were achieved with water extraction in comparison to NaOH extraction, and water is much easier to handle than NaOH. These results thus indicate new opportunities for manageable soil remediation. Appendix A offers a description of a pilot study of alkaline extraction of heavy hydrocarbons from soil. http://www.ivl.se/download/18.3175b46c133e617730d80006480/B1993.pdf

Andrews, W.J., J.R. Masoner, and I.M. Cozzarelli.
Ground Water Monitoring & Remediation, Vol 32, No 1, 120-130, 2012

Landfill leachate was sampled from landfill cells of three different age ranges from two landfills in Central Oklahoma. Samples were collected from an old cell containing solid waste in place for more than 25 years, an intermediate age cell between 3 and 16 years old, and an operating cell less than 5 years old to investigate the chemical variability and persistence of selected emerging contaminants (ECs) in landfill leachate of differing age sources. Twenty-eight of 69 analyzed ECs were detected in one or more samples from the three leachate sources. Detected ECs ranged in concentration from 0.11 to 114 µg/L and included 4 fecal and plant sterols and 13 household or industrial, 7 hydrocarbon, and 4 pesticide compounds. Four ECs were detected only in the oldest leachate sample, two ECs were detected only in the intermediate leachate sample, and no ECs were detected solely in the youngest leachate sample. Eleven ECs were common to all three leachate samples and are an indication of the contents of solid waste deposited over several decades and the relative resistance of some ECs to natural attenuation processes in and near landfills. http://water.usgs.gov/nrp/proj.bib/Publications/2012/andrews_masoner_eta
l_2012.pdf

Harjanto, S., E. Kasai, and T. Nakamura.
LAP Lambert Academic Publishing, ISBN: 3845436271, ISBN-13: 9783845436272, 116 pp, 2011

The authors propose a novel thermal remediation technology, a zone combustion process of particulate or powder materials contaminated by dioxins. The process was developed as an alternative technology for effective remediation with higher efficiency of dioxin-contaminated soil. The process uses stable combustion of coke particles in a packed bed of soil. Phenomena related to the remediation mechanisms of the zone combustion process were examined and verified experimentally. The analysis and discussion in this text should illuminate understanding of the effectiveness of the process performance and the behavior of dioxins during remediation. Background information on the zone combustion process is available in an earlier paper by the same authors: http://144.206.159.178/ft/166/62861/1067204.pdf

Shin, H., C. Oh, G. Lee, S. Lee, and J. Park.
International Journal of Geo-Engineering, Vol 3 No 1, 45-49, 2011

A novel soil-washing system for fine-grained soil comprises a slurry transfer and mixing process that uses highly pressurized water to apply impact force during the soil-liquid separation process. In an investigation of the effectiveness of the equipment for contaminant removal, three soil washing techniques—physical desorption, chemical solubilization, and the first two techniques combined—were applied to a field soil from an old refinery site contaminated with heavy metals (Pb, Cu, and As). The best removal effectiveness was found in the combination of physical and chemical treatments, which removed 89% of Pb, 87% of Cu, and 84% of As. The results show contaminant removal effectiveness in a soil washing system can be improved by enhanced physical impact. http://210.101.116.28/W_kiss6/42406317_pv.pdf

Kohn, J.L., R.L. Nichols, and B.B. Looney.
SRNL-STI-2011-00288, 29 pp, June 2011

A study was conducted to compare results from two different software tools designed to account for the environmental impacts of remediation projects. Three case studies from the Savannah River Site near Aiken, South Carolina, were selected to exercise SiteWise (SW) and the Sustainable Remediation Tool (SRT) by including both traditional and novel remediation techniques, contaminants, and contaminated media. The study combined retrospective analysis of implemented projects with prospective analysis of options that were not implemented. Input data were derived from engineering plans, project reports, and planning documents, with a few factors supplied from calculations based on life-cycle assessment. Conclusions drawn from software output generally were consistent within a tool; both tools identified the same remediation options as the "best" for a given site. Magnitudes of impacts varied between the two tools, and it was not always possible to identify the source of the disagreement. The tools differed in their quantitative approaches: SRT based impacts on specific contaminants, media, and site geometry and modeled contaminant removal. SW based impacts on processes and equipment instead of chemical modeling. While SW was able to handle greater variety in remediation scenarios, it did not include a measure of the effectiveness of the scenario. http://sti.srs.gov/fulltext/SRNL-STI-2011-00288.pdf

Im, J., J.R. Jensen, R.R. Jensen, J. Gladden, J. Waugh, and M. Serrato.
Remote Sensing, Vol 4 No 2, 327-353, 2011

The authors investigated the usability of hyperspectral remote sensing for characterizing vegetation at hazardous waste sites. The specific objectives of this study were to (1) estimate leaf-area-index (LAI) of the vegetation using three different methods (i.e., vegetation indices, red-edge positioning (REP), and machine-learning regression trees) and (2) map the vegetation cover using machine-learning decision trees based on either the scaled reflectance data or mixture-tuned matched filtering (MTMF)-derived metrics and vegetation indices. Inputs were gathered from HyMap airborne data (126 bands at 2.3 x 2.3 m spatial resolution) collected over DOE uranium-processing sites near Monticello, Utah, and Monument Valley, Arizona. Mixed grass and shrub species grow on an engineered disposal cell cover at the Monticello site. Shrub species are dominant in the phytoremediation plantings at the Monument Valley site. Regression trees gave the best calibration performance of LAI estimation (R2 > 0.80). The use of REPs failed to predict LAI (R2 < 0.2) accurately. The use of the MTMF-derived metrics (matched filter scores and infeasibility) and a range of vegetation indices in decision trees improved the vegetation mapping when compared to the decision tree classification using scaled reflectance alone. Results suggest that hyperspectral imagery can be useful for characterizing biophysical characteristics (LAI) and vegetation cover on capped hazardous waste sites; however, the vegetation mapping likely would benefit from the use of hyperspectral data of higher spatial resolution owing to the small size of many of the vegetation patches (<1 m) found on the sites. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/4/2/327/pdf

Kim, K.-R. and G. Owens.
Comprehensive Biotechnology (Second Edition), Vol 6, 239-247, 2011

Improper postclosure treatment of landfills or deterioration of the conventional clay landfill capping has been shown to result in land degradation, which requires remediation to secure contaminants within the landfill site. Phytoremediation is an attractive technology for landfill remediation, as it can stabilize soil and simultaneously remediate landfill leachate. In addition, landfill phytoremediation systems potentially can be combined with landfill covers (phytocapping) for hydrological control of infiltrated rainfall. For the successful application of any phytoremediation system, the effective establishment of appropriate, desired vegetation is critical. Because the typically harsh and sterile nature of landfill capping soil limits the sustainable establishment of vegetation, the physicochemical properties of landfill-capping soils often need to be improved by incorporating soil amendments, such as biosolids. Biosolids are a common soil amendment often appropriate to demanding conditions because they contain a variety of plant nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphate, potassium, and a large proportion of organic matter. Biosolids amendment also can ameliorate the physical properties of the capping soils by increasing porosity, moisture content, and soil aggregation.

Ebert, W.L., Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. NUREG/CR-7105, 148 pp, Oct 2011

Technical literature has been evaluated to assess the several-orders-of-magnitude discrepancy that is commonly reported between the mineral dissolution rates inferred from mass-balance calculations for natural systems and those measured in laboratory experiments. This work was done to gain insights for modeling weathering behaviors and contaminant releases from waste materials in surface disposal sites. Predicting the concentration and movement of contaminants in groundwater requires an understanding of (1) groundwater flow, (2) processes affecting contaminant dispersal and groundwater mixing, and (3) physical and chemical reaction processes that affect the concentration of a contaminant in groundwater. Inverse modeling of field measurements to extract mineral dissolution rates is affected by uncertainties in all three of these factors, whereas most lab measurements used in direct modeling consider only the dissolution of an isolated material in a constrained system. This report contains an evaluation of both approaches and the origins of uncertainties in each that can contribute to the differences between the determined dissolution rates. Information and insights pertinent to assessing the long-term weathering of waste materials under sub-aerial conditions are provided by each approach, and several aspects are evaluated to support the use of inverse and direct modeling in future applications. www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/nuregs/contract/cr7105/

Napier, B.A., R.J. Fellows, and K.M. Krupka, PNNL, Richland, WA.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. NUREG/CR-7120, 101 pp, Mar 2012

This report contains an assessment and evaluation of key parameters used in the food-chain models employed in performance assessments of radioactive waste disposal facilities. Section 1 gives the objectives and a brief overview of the report's organization. Section 2 summarizes characteristics of samples of soils and groundwater from three geographical regions of the United States—the Southeast, Northwest, and Southwest—and analyses performed to characterize their physical and chemical properties. Section 3 discusses physicochemical speciation and geochemistry of radionuclides in these natural soil-water systems. Because the uptake and behavior of radionuclides in plant roots, plant leaves, and animal products depends on the chemistry of the water and soil coming in contact with plants and animals, water and soil samples collected from these regions of the United States were used in experiments at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to determine radionuclide soil-to-plant concentration ratios. Section 4 describes how crops and forage used in the experiments were grown in the soils. Long-lived radionuclides introduced into the groundwater provided the contaminated water used to water the grown plants. The radionuclides evaluated were neptunium-237 and iodine-125. Plant varieties included alfalfa, corn, and potato. The radionuclide uptake results from this research study show how regional variations in water quality and soil chemistry affect radionuclide uptake. Section 4 summarizes the procedures and results of the uptake experiments, and relates the soil-to-plant uptake factors derived. In Section 5, the results found in this study are compared with similar values found in the biosphere modeling literature; the study's results are generally in line with current literature, but soil- and plant-specific differences are noticeable. This food-chain pathway data can be used to assess dose to persons in the reference biosphere (e.g., persons who live and work in an area potentially affected by radionuclide releases) of waste disposal facilities and decommissioning sites. http://pbadupws.nrc.gov/docs/ML1210/ML12104A017.pdf

Dhankher, O.P., S.L. Doty, R.B. Meagher, and E. Pilon-Smits.
Plant Biotechnology and Agriculture, A. Altman and P.M. Hasegawa, eds. Academic Press, Oxford. ISBN: 978-0-12-381466-1, 309-328, 2011

Plant species differ in their ability to remediate different pollutants, depending on their abundance of transporters and enzymes, microbial partners, and transpiration rate. In addition, some general properties of a good phytoremediator species are fast growth and high biomass, hardiness, and tolerance to pollutants. It is an added bonus if a plant species has economic value. All of these biological properties important for phytoremediation can potentially be improved via genetic engineering. In this chapter, the authors focus on biotechnological approaches to improve plants' ability to tolerate pollutants and phytoremediation efficiency. An overview of results from biotechnological approaches for plant-based remediation of different pollutants reviews progress with arsenic, mercury, selenium, solvents, explosives, pesticides, BTEX, PAHs, and PCBs. The authors show how transgenic studies in plant biotechnological approaches have played an important role in moving the field of phytoremediation forward. http://courses.washington.edu/cfr521g/documents/BiotechnologicalApproach
esToPhytoremediation.pdf

Yeung, A.T. and Y.-Y. Gu.
Journal of Hazardous Materials, Vol 195, 11-29, 15 Nov 2011

In the implementation of electrochemical remediation, a direct-current electric field is imposed on contaminated soil to extract the contaminants by the combined mechanisms of electroosmosis, electromigration, and/or electrophoresis. The technology is particularly effective in fine-grained soils of low hydraulic conductivity and large specific surface area and can be applied to inorganic, organic, and mixed contaminants. The technology's effectiveness can be diminished by sorption of contaminants on soil particle surfaces and effects induced by hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions generated at the electrodes. Enhancement techniques have been developed to tackle these diminishing effects, and this paper contains a comprehensive review of the various techniques.

Gunawardana, B., N. Singhal, and P. Swedlund
Environmental Engineering Research, Vol 16 No 4, 187-203, Dec 2011

Zero-valent iron (ZVI) and iron-based bimetallic systems have the potential to dechlorinate chlorophenols (CPs) efficiently. This review covers research conducted in this area over the past decade, with emphasis on the processes and mechanisms for the removal of CPs as well as the characterization and role of the iron oxides formed on the ZVI surface. The removal of dissolved CPs in iron-water systems occurs via dechlorination, sorption, and co-precipitation. Although the use of ZVI for the dechlorination of CPs has been common, its long-term reactivity is limited due to surface passivation over time. Iron-based bimetallic systems are an effective alternative for overcoming this limitation. Bimetallic systems prepared by physically mixing ZVI and the catalyst or through reductive deposition of a catalyst onto ZVI have been shown to display superior performance over unmodified ZVI, although the efficiency and rate of hydrodechlorination of CPs by bimetals depend on the type of metal combinations used, properties of the metals, and characteristics of the target CP. The presence and formation of various iron oxides can affect the reactivities of ZVI and bimetals. Oxides, such as green rust and magnetite, facilitate the dechlorination of CPs by ZVI and bimetals, while oxide films, such as hematite, maghemite, lepidocrocite, and goethite, passivate the iron surface and hinder the dechlorination reaction. Key environmental parameters, such as solution pH, presence of dissolved oxygen, and dissolved co-contaminants, exert significant impacts on the rate and extent of CP dechlorination by ZVI and bimetals. www.eer.or.kr/home/pdf/Naresh%20Singhal.pdf

Benson, C.H., W.H. Albright, D.O. Fratta, J.M. Tinjum, E. Kucukkirca, S.H. Lee, J. Scalia, P.D. Schlicht, and X. Wang.
NUREG/CR-7028, 2 Volumes, Dec 2011

This study represents a snapshot in the evolution of final covers ~5 to 10 years after construction. This peer-reviewed study demonstrates that engineering properties of cover soils change while in service and that long-term engineering properties should be used as input to models employed for performance assessments. Increases in the saturated hydraulic conductivity, saturated volumetric water content, and the air entry suction (as characterized by van Genuchten's alpha parameter) occurred due to formation of soil structure, regardless of climate, cover design, or service life. Substantial changes in hydraulic conductivity were observed in some geosynthetic clay liners that did not hydrate completely and underwent cation exchange. Changes in geomembranes and geosynthetic drainage layers were modest or small, and computations based on antioxidant depletion rates suggest that the minimum service life of geomembranes is on the order of 50 to 125 yrs (the actual service life will be longer). The findings indicate that covers should be monitored to ensure that they are functioning as intended. Monitoring using pan lysimeters combined with secondary measurements collected for interpretive purposes is recommended. Future research investments should include an evaluation of remote sensing technologies for cover monitoring and analog studies to estimate properties of earthen and geosynthetic cover materials corresponding to service lives of hundreds to thousands of years. Section 2 provides background on the Alternative Cover Assessment Program (ACAP), which evaluated the performance of 27 different final cover profiles; describes the as-built profiles and properties of the test sections; and summarizes information from previous studies on factors that can lead to temporal change in the engineering properties of cover materials. Findings regarding earthen cover materials are described in Section 6, findings regarding geosynthetic clay liners are described in Section 7, and findings regarding geomembranes and geosynthetic drainage layers are described in Section 8. Volume 2 of this study contains appendices A through S. www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/nuregs/contract/cr7028/

U.S. EPA, National Center for Environmental Assessment.
EPA 600-R-10-038F, 344 pp + appendices, Feb 2012

This document comprises the first of two EPA reports that, together, will respond to the recommendations and comments on 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) dose-response assessment in the 2006 NAS report, Health Risks from Dioxin and Related Compounds: Evaluation of the EPA Reassessment. This document, Reanalysis Volume 1, includes (1) a systematic evaluation of the peer-reviewed epidemiologic studies and rodent bioassays relevant to TCDD dose-response analysis; (2) dose-response analyses using a TCDD physiologically based pharmacokinetic model that simulates TCDD blood concentrations following oral intake; and (3) an oral reference dose for TCDD. http://www.epa.gov/iris/supdocs/1024index.html

U.S. EPA, Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation.
CERCLA Education Center, 284 pp, Nov 2011

Best management practices (BMPs) help environmental practitioners manage risk, minimize decision uncertainties, achieve consensus among stakeholders, maximize system efficiencies, lower project costs, and ultimately facilitate progress toward site closure. BMPs encompass strategies, tools, and technologies that can be used at every phase of site cleanup, from initial planning to site closure. They can reduce cost, schedule, and uncertainty by improving the effectiveness and efficiency of remedial strategies and monitoring activities that make up environmental site cleanup. In this manual, the site assessment BMPs indicate strategies for making site assessments more scientifically defensible, resource-effective, adaptive to changing project needs, and responsive to stakeholder concerns. Applied to new or active projects, the BMPs can be used to reduce data collection costs, expedite project schedules, enhance stakeholder communication, and improve project and site decision quality. The manual presents specific remedial approaches and BMPs for common redevelopment scenarios, such as gasoline stations, dry cleaners in urban renewal areas, former manufacturing facilities, metal recycling and salvage yards, mining areas, railroad yards, and waterfront development on historic fill. Additionally, EPA advocates applying the following five core elements for environmental footprint assessments as BMPs during the cleanup process: minimizing total energy use and maximizing the use of renewable energy; minimizing emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases; minimizing water use and impacts to water resources; protecting land and ecosystems; and reducing, reusing, and recycling material and waste. http://www.brownfieldstsc.org/psbmp/BMPs_ParticipantManual_Nov2011_2.pdf

Kasai, T., T. Hirata, M. Nakashima, M. Kobayashi, A. Watarai, R. Kipp, and S. Okayasu.
Asia Environment Compliance and Enforcement Network. 83 pp, Sep 2011

In Japan, soil contamination mainly occurs on private lands, so public organizations such as local governments cannot investigate contamination unless land owners allow it. As a result, this contamination cannot be discovered and investigated as easily as pollution in public areas. The Soil Contamination Countermeasures Act was established in 2002. This Act required the registration of a contaminated zone to the prefectural record (list) regardless of whether health impact potential was or was not present. After establishment of the Act, concealment of soil contamination was widespread because contamination found by private investigations was not reported to local government, and surreptitious removal of contaminated soil was conducted to avoid registering the land as a contaminated zone. These surreptitious removals spread contaminated soil and environmental risks beyond the original site. The Soil Contamination Countermeasures Act was amended in 2009 to allow a registration process to separately identify sites that present public health impact potential and those that do not, and to promulgate regulations for the removal, transport, and disposal of contaminated soil. Where health impact potential exists, countermeasures for preventing them are required, but it is not necessary to restore the soil to its original condition when simply blocking the routes of ingestion might suffice. This report reviews potential countermeasures for media contaminated by hazardous pollutants. http://sgw.epa.gov.tw/resag/Update_Data/GovStructure729719Japan_soil%20c
ontamination%20countermeasures_v20111109.pdf

U.S. EPA, Solid Waste & Emergency Response. 11 pp, Mar 2012

The appropriate level of community engagement at leaking underground storage tank sites is dependent on the circumstances at the site, including but not limited to site location, severity of the release, impact to the drinking water supply, community interest or concern, or impact to the environment. Community engagement activities can be conducted in a variety of ways as there is no one-size-fits-all approach. It is generally recognized, however, that earlier and more frequent communication yields positive results, particularly for sites that pose a threat to human health or the environment or when the public expresses an elevated level of concern or interest in the site. Depending on site circumstances, obtaining meaningful community input is a sound approach that will result in better informed decisions. The examples identified in this document are based on readily available information. http://www.epa.gov/swerust1/communityengagement/tailoring.pdf

U.S. Government Accountability Office, Washington, DC.
GAO-12-109, 40 pp, 18 Jan 2012

Under the Superfund program, EPA has the authority to enter into agreements with potentially responsible parties (PRPs) for the PRPs to conduct a cleanup at a hazardous waste site, or to compel PRPs to do so. EPA can also conduct cleanups itself and then seek reimbursement. EPA is authorized to retain and use funds received from settlements with PRPs in interest-earning, site-specific special accounts within the Trust Fund. These accounts provide resources in addition to annual appropriations to clean up sites. The number of accounts grew slowly until 1995, when EPA encouraged their greater use. After 1995, their number and dollar value increased. EPA headquarters is responsible for overseeing its regions' management of special accounts. As of October 2010, of the $1.9 billion funds that EPA had obligated for Superfund cleanup expenses, $1.6 billion had been disbursed. In two reports issued in 2006 and 2009, EPA's Inspector General made recommendations to EPA to better manage these accounts. As requested, this report examines the (1) status (i.e., balances, locations, and recent and planned uses) of Superfund special accounts, and (2) extent to which EPA's headquarters and regions have implemented processes and policies to improve the monitoring and management of these accounts. GAO analyzed EPA Superfund program data, guidance, and strategies, and interviewed EPA officials. This report makes no recommendations. GAO provided a draft of this report to EPA for review and comment, and EPA provided technical comments that were incorporated, as appropriate. http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-109