Hazardous Waste Clean-Up Information (CLU-IN)

Publication: An Approach for Evaluating the Progress of Natural Attenuation in Groundwater

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The purpose of this document is to present a simple, statistically based approach for evaluating the progress of natural attenuation from the data collected during site characterization and long term monitoring. The intended audience is technical professionals that actually perform the data analyses (i.e., hydrogeologists, engineers) as well as project managers who review those analyses and/or make decisions based on those analyses.

Publication: Site Characterization for Munitions Constituents: EPA Federal Facilities Forum Issue Paper

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

This issue paper was developed by the Federal Facilities Forum of EPA's Technical Support Project to provide personnel working on hazardous waste sites with the technical information they need to decide how to investigate sites contaminated with chemicals associated with military explosives and propellants. The paper addresses the nature of energetic residues on Defense training ranges and other munitions sites, sampling strategies that provide representative samples, and analytical methods developed to characterize these samples. Munitions safety issues do not fall within the scope of the issue paper.

CLU-IN Spotlight: Characterization, Cleanup, and Revitalization of Abandoned Mining Sites

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 20:44:40 GMT

This area provides site managers, regulatory agencies, consultants, and the general public with information on technologies and resources related to the assessment, characterization, cleanup, and revitalization of abandoned mine lands.

CLU-IN Spotlight: LNAPLs: Science, Management, and Technology, Boston, MA, April 5-6

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 20:41:30 GMT

Led by internationally recognized experts, this 2-day ITRC classroom training will enable you to develop and apply an LNAPL Conceptual Site Model (LCSM), understand and assess LNAPL subsurface behavior, develop and justify LNAPL remedial objectives including maximum extent practicable considerations, select appropriate LNAPL remedial technologies and measure progress, and use ITRC's science-based LNAPL guidance to efficiently move sites to closure. Interactive learning with classroom exercises and Q&A sessions will reinforce these course learning objectives.

CLU-IN Spotlight: ESTCP FY2013 Environmental Technologies

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 20:35:52 GMT

The Department of Defense (DoD), through the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP), supports the demonstration of technologies that address priority DoD environmental requirements. The goal of ESTCP is to promote the transfer of innovative environmental technologies through demonstrations that collect the data needed for regulatory and DoD end-user acceptance. Projects conduct formal demonstrations at DoD facilities and sites in operational settings to document and validate improved performance and cost savings. ESTCP is seeking proposals for innovative environmental technology demonstrations as candidates for funding beginning in FY2013. This solicitation requests pre-proposals via Calls for Proposals to Federal organizations and via a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for Private Sector organizations. Pre-proposals are due by Thursday, March 15, 2012.

CLU-IN Spotlight: 2012 National Training Conference on the TRI and Environmental Conditions in Communities

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 20:33:15 GMT

Registration Now Open for the 2012 National Training Conference on the Toxics Release Inventory and Environmental Conditions in Communities, Washington, DC, April 11-13, 2012. This year's theme is "Understanding the Past and Promoting a Sustainable Future." This conference will feature presentations on topics ranging from environmental conditions on Tribal lands, to industry achievements in pollution prevention, to what the TRI might look like in 2020.

Courses and Conferences Section Update for February 7, 2012

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The CLU-IN Upcoming Courses and Conferences section was updated on February 7, 2012. There is 1 new entry, for a total of 30 upcoming courses and conferences related to hazardous waste remediation:

LNAPLs: Science, Management, and Technology ITRC 2-day Classroom Training, Apr 5 - 6, 2012, Boston, MA

Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) for January 30-February 3, 2012

Sun, 5 Feb 2012 23:11:59 GMT

The latest Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) update has been posted to the CLU-IN web site. It contains summaries of procurement and contract award notices issued between January 30-February 3, 2012 that pertain to hazardous waste, solid waste, underground storage tank remediation, and other environmental topics.

Courses and Conferences Section Update for February 2, 2012

Thu, 2 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The CLU-IN Upcoming Courses and Conferences section was updated on February 2, 2012. There are 8 new entries, for a total of 30 upcoming courses and conferences related to hazardous waste remediation:

Technology Innovation News Survey for December 16-31, 2011

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The December 16-31, 2011 Technology Innovation News Survey has been posted to the CLU-IN web site. The Survey contains market/commercialization information; reports on demonstrations, feasibility studies and research; and other news relevant to the hazardous waste community interested in technology development.

Seminar: "ITRC Incorporating Bioavailability Considerations into the Evaluation of Contaminated Sediment Sites" from January 26, 2012 has been added to the Internet Seminar Archives

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:35:00 GMT

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that approximately 10 percent (over a billion cubic yards) of the sediment underlying our nation's surface water is sufficiently contaminated with pollutants to pose potential risks to fish and to humans and wildlife that eat fish. Based on current average costs for managing contaminated sediments, this volume of material could cost several trillion dollars to dredge. Methods to assess the potential effect of sediment contamination on human or ecological health are historically based on total contaminant concentrations in the bulk sediment. However, research conducted over the past fifteen years has shown that the bioavailability of many of these contaminants to receptors is much less than the total amount of contaminant in the sediment. "Bioavailability processes," as defined by the National Research Council, are the "individual physical, chemical, and biological interactions that determine the exposure of plants and animals to chemicals associated with soils and sediments." Only the bioavailable fraction of an environmental contaminant may be taken up and subsequently result in an effect on an organism. Incorporating bioavailability considerations in the calculation of risk can optimize the extent of cleanup required to be protective, improve site decision-making, and can be an important factor in balancing the risks caused by remedial action with the risks addressed by remedial action.

ITRC's web-based Technical and Regulatory Guidance, Incorporating Bioavailability Considerations into the Evaluation of Contaminated Sediment Sites (CS-1, 2011) and associated Internet-based training are intended to assist state regulators and practitioners with understanding and incorporating fundamental concepts of bioavailability in contaminated sediment management practices. This guidance and training describe how bioavailability considerations can be used to evaluate exposure at contaminated sediment sites, the mechanisms affecting contaminant bioavailability, available tools used to assess bioavailability, the proper application of those tools, and how bioavailability information can be incorporated into risk-management decisions. This guidance and training also contain summaries of case studies where bioavailability has been assessed and considered in the contaminated sediment remedial decision making process. This guidance and training provide insight on how bioavailability assessments can be used to understand, mitigate, and manage risk at a contaminated sediment site, often at a reduced overall project cost.

The intended users of this guidance and training participants are individuals who have a working knowledge of contaminated sediment management but seek additional information about bioavailability. Prior to the training class, participants are encouraged to review the following documents:

ITRC's web-based Technical and Regulatory Guidance, Incorporating Bioavailability Considerations into the Evaluation of Contaminated Sediment Sites (CS-1, 2011) http://www.itrcweb.org/contseds-bioavailability
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "Ecological Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund: Process for Designing and Conducting Ecological Risk Assessment"- Interim Final, June 1997 http://www.epa.gov/oswer/riskassessment/ecorisk/ecorisk.htm
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund (RAGS)" Volume 1 -- Human Health Evaluation Manual, Supplement to Part A: Community Involvement in Superfund Risk Assessments, 1989 http://www.epa.gov/oswer/riskassessment/ragsa/ci-ra.htm

Courses and Conferences Section Update for January 31, 2012

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The CLU-IN Upcoming Courses and Conferences section was updated on January 31, 2012. There are 0 new entries, for a total of 30 upcoming courses and conferences related to hazardous waste remediation:

Seminar: ITRC Use of Risk Assessment in Management of Contaminated Sites, March 6, 2012

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:58:48 GMT

The ITRC Risk Assessment Resources team developed a document titled Use of Risk Assessment in Management of Contaminated Sites (RISK-2, 2008). This Internet-based training is taken from the RISK-2 document and highlights variation of risk-based site management and how to improve the use of risk assessment for making better risk management decisions. This training course looks at how various risk-based approaches and criteria are applied in various states and programs throughout the processes of screening, characterization, and management of contaminated sites.

The document and training course are intended for risk assessors and project managers involved with the characterization, remediation, and/or re-use of sites. Together they provide a valuable tool for federal and state regulatory agencies to demonstrate how site data collection, risk assessment, and risk management may be better integrated. This training course explains:

Variation in risk assessment parameters/approaches in various states and their influence on risk management
Insights into the use of risk assessment in risk management process through use of specific case study examples
An improved process of using risk assessment in risk management

This course builds on the Risk Team's previous work identifying variation in the development of risk-based numerical criteria, specifically soil screening levels. A prerequisite to this training course is the Risk Team's previous Internet-based training (archive is available from http://cluin.org/live/archive.cfm?sort=title#itrc) based on ITRC's Risk Assessment and Risk Management: Determination of Risk-Based Values (RISK-1, 2005). The Electronic Risk Resource Sheet published by the ITRC Risk Team is recommended as an excellent resource for supplemental materials related to risk assessment and risk management.

Seminar: ITRC Project Risk Management for Site Remediation, March 8, 2012

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:00:03 GMT

Remediation Risk Management (RRM) is a course of action through which all risks related to the remediation processes (site investigations, remedy selection, execution, and completion) are holistically addressed in order to maximize the certainty in the cleanup process to protect human health and the environment. Remediation decisions to achieve such a goal should be made based on threshold criteria on human health and ecological risks, while considering all the other potential project risks. Through this training course and associated ITRC Technical and Regulatory Guidance Document: Project Risk Management for Site Remediation (RRM-1, 2011), the ITRC RRM team presents tools and processes that can help the site remediation practitioner anticipate, plan for, and mitigate many of the most common obstacles to a successful site remediation project. Examples of project risks include remediation technology feasibility risks; remedy selection risks; remedy construction, operation and monitoring risks; remedy performance and operations risks; environmental impacts of systems during their operation; worker safety risk, human health and ecological impacts due to remedy operation; as well as costs and schedules risks including funding and contracting issues. You should learn: the principles and elements of Remediation Risk Management (RRM); the importance and benefits of RRM; how to implement RRM based on a discussion of case studies: how RRM can help you achieve more successful remediation; and how to use the ITRC RRM information to your benefit.

Seminar: ITRC Biofuels: Release Prevention, Environmental Behavior, and Remediation, March 13, 2012

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:01:04 GMT

Biofuels and biofuel blends are a new category of transportation fuels and are defined as liquid fuels and blending components produced from renewable biomass feedstocks used as alternative or supplemental fuels for internal combustion engines. Their manufacture and consumption are increasing, in part, due to usage mandates and incentives both in the United States and abroad. This expanded use of biofuel and biofuel blends increases the potential frequency of releases due to increased manufacture, transportation, storage, and distribution. Because biofuels differ from conventional fuels with respect to their physical, chemical, and biological properties, their introduction poses challenges with respect to understanding the potential impacts of releases to the environment. Specifically, once released into the environment, these fuels will exhibit different environmental behaviors as compared to conventional fuels.

This training, which is based on the ITRC's Biofuels: Release Prevention, Environmental Behavior, and Remediation (Biofuels-1, 2011), focuses on the differences between biofuels and conventional fuels specific to release scenarios, environmental impacts, characterization, and remediation. The trainers will define the scope of the potential environmental challenges by introducing biofuel fundamentals, regulatory status, and future usage projections. Participants will learn how and when to use the ITRC biofuels guidance document for their projects. They will understand the differences in biofuel and petroleum behavior; become familiar with the biofuel supply chain, potential release scenarios and release prevention; be able to develop an appropriate conceptual model for the investigation and remediation of biofuels; and select appropriate investigation and remediation strategies.

Seminar: ITRC Mine Waste Treatment Technology Selection, March 22, 2012

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:02:09 GMT

Mining produces millions of tons of waste each year. Contaminants from unreclaimed or unremediated areas have affected millions of acres of land and over 10,000 miles of stream. Historical mining practices and the absence of routine mined-land reclamation, remediation, and restoration have led to legacy sites with significant environmental and human health impacts. New mining operations continue to have severe waste issues that must be addressed during and after the actual mining operation. Conventional remedial solutions are often lengthy, expensive, and unacceptable to the regulated and regulatory communities, as well as to the public.

ITRC's Mining Waste Team developed the ITRC Web-based Mine Waste Technology Selection site to assist project managers in selecting an applicable technology, or suite of technologies, which can be used to remediate mine waste contaminated sites. Decision trees, through a series of questions, guide users to a set of treatment technologies that may be applicable to that particular site situation. Each technology is described, along with a summary of the applicability, advantages, limitations, performance, stakeholder and regulatory considerations, and lessons learned. Each technology overview links to case studies where the technology has been implemented. In this associated Internet-based training, instructors provide background information then take participants through the decision tree using example sites. Project managers, regulators, site owners, and community stakeholders should attend this training class to learn how to use the ITRC Web-based Mine Waste Technology Selection site to identify appropriate technologies, address all impacted media, access case studies, and understand potential regulatory constraints.

Seminar: Incremental-Composite Sampling Designs for Surface Soil Analyses, Module 1 of 4, February 16, 2012

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:18:25 GMT

This is the first 2 hours of a 1-day classroom course on incremental-composite sampling (ICS). The topics covered in Module 1 will be 1) the introduction, 2) fundamental concepts underlying ICS practices, and 3) terminology and existing guidance. The presenters are Deana Crumbling (USEPA Superfund) and Robert Johnson (Argonne National Laboratory).

This seminar is one module of a four module series. We encourage you to register for all four modules if possible.

Seminar: Incremental-Composite Sampling Designs for Surface Soil Analyses, Module 2 of 4, February 21, 2012

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:19:08 GMT

The topics covered over 2 hours in Module 2 will be 1) incremental averaging to improve estimates of the concentration mean; 2) composite searching to improve hotspot detection; and 3) limitations, caveats and quality control (QC) relevant to ICS. The presenters are Deana Crumbling (USEPA Superfund) and Robert Johnson (Argonne National Laboratory).

This seminar is one module of a four module series. We encourage you to register for all four modules if possible.

Seminar: Incremental-Composite Sampling Designs for Surface Soil Analyses, Module 3 of 4, February 24, 2012

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:19:52 GMT

The topics covered over 2 hours in Module 3 of this 8-hour seminar series include ISM calculations & using the incremental sampling design modules of Visual Sample Plan (VSP). Two case of projects by the State of Missouri. The presenters are Deana Crumbling (USEPA Superfund) and Michael Stroh (MO Dept of Natural Resources).

This seminar is one module of a four module series. We encourage you to register for all four modules if possible.

Seminar: Incremental-Composite Sampling Designs for Surface Soil Analyses, Module 4 of 4, February 27, 2012

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:20:32 GMT

Module 4 is the last session of this series. It will present 2 case studies. One case study is from a PCB cleanup project performed at the Dept of Energy's Paducah uranium enrichment facility. The second reviews an experimental study examining the performance of incremental sampling on a former shooting range. The presenters are Deana Crumbling (USEPA Superfund) and Robert Johnson (Argonne National Laboratory).

This seminar is one module of a four module series. We encourage you to register for all four modules if possible.

Seminar: "SRP Funding Opportunities Web Seminar" from January 17, 2012 has been added to the Internet Seminar Archives

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:20:00 GMT

The SRP will be holding a web seminar to provide information about current funding opportunities: Small Business Innovative Research Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer Research (SBIR / STTR) Grants (R43 / R41) Hazardous Substances Detection and Remediation Program; and RFA-ES-12-003 "Superfund Hazardous Substance Research and Training Program (P42)". Primary focus will be on the new multi-project center grant announcement (P42), including an emphasis on changes compared to previous solicitations. Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions.

Seminar: "Mine Tailings: Enumeration and Remediation" from January 11, 2012 has been added to the Internet Seminar Archives

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:45:00 GMT

This seminar will feature Dr. Eric Betterton and Dr. Raina Maier from the University of Arizona Superfund Research Program and will focus on field trials being performed at mining sites in Arizona. Mine tailings are large piles of crushed rock leftover after the minerals of interest have been processed. They often do not support establishment of a plant cover, are prone to wind and water erosion, and may contribute to the dispersion of associated metal toxicants. Dr. Eric Betterton will discuss size-selective characterization of aerosols collected with samplers called "Multiple Orifice Uniform Deposit Impactors" at two Arizona mining sites, the Asarco plant in Hayden, AZ, and the Iron King Mine and Humboldt Smelter Superfund site in Dewey-Humboldt, AZ. Chemical speciation shows that arsenic and lead occur preferentially in the submicron fraction at both sites; lead isotope analysis shows great promise for source apportionment at both sites; and scanning electron microcopy shows evidence for spherical particle formation by high-temperature processing at Hayden. Data from dust flux towers installed at Iron King, and dust modeling studies will be described. Dr. Raina Maier will discuss phytostabilization, a technology being investigated for remediation of mine tailings sites in arid and semi-arid environments. The goal is to create a vegetative cap using native plants that will 1) prevent wind and water erosion of the tailings, 2) stabilize metal contaminants in the rooting zone, and 3) avoid shoot uptake of metal contaminants. The Iron King Mine and Humboldt Smelter Superfund Site is adjacent to the town of Dewey-Humboldt, Arizona. Soil in residential yards contains elevated levels of arsenic, lead, and zinc associated with tailings particles that have been dispersed as dust, primarily by wind. Working together with the site owner and Region 9 EPA, a phytostabilization trial was initiated on site in May 2010, which was further expanded in 2011, using native plants that were shown to meet successful phytostabilization criteria in preliminary greenhouse trials. The site is being monitored to determine whether greenhouse results can be successfully translated to the field and to examine changes in chemical, physical, and biological properties of the tailings as phytostabilization occurs.

Seminar: "ITRC Development of Performance Specifications for Solidification/Stabilization" from January 12, 2012 has been added to the Internet Seminar Archives

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:50:00 GMT

Solidification/Stabilization (S/S) is a remedial technology option which blends treatment reagents into contaminated material to impart physical and/or chemical changes to reduce the flux of contamination that leaches from a contaminant source to within acceptable parameters set forth in a site-specific remediation goal. S/S can be effective for metals, asbestos, radioactive materials, oxidizers, PAHs, PCBs, and pesticides and is potentially effective for dioxins/furans, some VOCs and other organics. Although there is abundant literature describing the S/S process and test methods for design and implementation, there was a lack of guidance for assessing performance. The ITRC technical and regulatory guidance document Development of Performance Specifications for Solidification/Stabilization (S/S-1, 2011) and associated Internet-based training provide an approach to assist practitioners and regulators with measuring and determining acceptable S/S performance. This approach developed by the ITRC Solidification/Stabilization Team provides information for developing, testing, and evaluating appropriate site-specific performance specifications and the considerations for designing appropriate long-term stewardship programs. In addition, the approach provides useful tools for establishing an appropriate degree of treatment and regulatory confidence in the performance data to support decision-making. This training and guidance is intended to be beneficial to anyone involved with CERCLA, RCRA, brownfields, UST or any other regulatory program where S/S has been selected or implemented as a remedial technology.

For reference during the training class, participants should have available a copy of the process diagram, Figure 4-1 on page 29 of the ITRC Technology and Regulatory Guidance Document Development of Performance Specifications for Solidification/Stabilization (S/S-1, 2011) and available as a 1-page PDF at http://www.cluin.org/conf/itrc/ss/ITRC-SS-Process.pdf.

Publication: Optimization Evaluation: Lee Chemical Superfund Site, City Of Liberty, Clay County, Missouri

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The Lee Chemical Superfund Site (site) is located along Missouri Highway 210 in Liberty, Missouri, approximately 15 miles east of Kansas City, Missouri. Currently, the site is a vacant lot of approximately 2.5 acres in a flat alluvial plain. The City of Liberty (City) has a municipal well field located approximately 0.40 miles southeast of the site. There are nine municipal water wells situated in a north-south line in the alluvial aquifer at an approximately perpendicular angle to the site. Historically, the City leased the land to the Lee Chemical Company, but then filed suit against Lee Chemical Company in 1975 for nonpayment of rent. The City then found and removed approximately 300 abandoned 55-gallon drums containing chemicals and wastes. In 1979, low levels of trichloroethene (TCE) were detected in the public water supply wells. Subsequent EPA and State investigations revealed contaminated groundwater and soil, and in 1982 the City and State identified the site as a source of TCE contamination in the public water supply. The current remedy in place for the Lee Chemical Superfund Site consists of the operation of an in situ aqueous soil washing system, the extraction of groundwater from extraction wells (EX) EX-1 and PW-2, and the discharge of the extracted groundwater from both extraction wells to a single, permitted outfall to Town Branch Creek. This Remedial Action (RA) is continually monitored and reported on through monthly and quarterly progress reports. The site remedy was considered Operational and Functional (O&F) on March 26, 1994. Recommendations are provided to improve remedy effectiveness, provide technical improvement, and gain site closure.

Courses and Conferences Section Update for January 16, 2012

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The CLU-IN Upcoming Courses and Conferences section was updated on January 16, 2012. There is 1 new entry, for a total of 30 upcoming courses and conferences related to hazardous waste remediation:

Facility Decommissioning Training Course, Jun 4 - 7, 2012, Lemont, IL

Seminar: Superfund Redevelopment Initiative Webinar Series: Aligning Remedies with Reuse, March 21, 2012

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 22:47:40 GMT

SRI hosts a series of quarterly webinars on redevelopment of Superfund sites across the country. These webinars share the history of redevelopment, discuss the different types of reuse that are possible and share how particular Superfund sites have become reuse success stories. In addition to the webinar sessions, SRI also highlights a new site and its redevelopment story every other month.

Seminar: Superfund Redevelopment Initiative Webinar Series: Aligning Remedies with Reuse, May 23, 2012

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 22:51:53 GMT

Seminar: Superfund Redevelopment Initiative Webinar Series: Aligning Remedies with Reuse, August 22, 2012

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 22:54:12 GMT

Seminar: "ITRC Integrated DNAPL Site Strategy" from January 10, 2012 has been added to the Internet Seminar Archives

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:15:00 GMT

Sites contaminated by chlorinated solvents present a daunting environmental challenge, especially at sites with dense nonaqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) still present. Restoring sites contaminated by chlorinated solvents to typical regulatory criteria (low parts-per-billion concentrations) within a generation (~20 years) has proven exceptionally difficult, although there have been successes. Site managers must recognize that complete restoration of many of these sites will require prolonged treatment and involve several remediation technologies. To make as much progress as possible requires a thorough understanding of the site, clear descriptions of achievable objectives, and use of more than one remedial technology. Making efficient progress will require an adaptive management approach, and may also require transitioning from one remedy to another as the optimum range of a technique is surpassed. Targeted monitoring should be used and re-evaluation should be done periodically.

This ITRC Integrated Dense Nonaqueous Phase Liquid Site Strategy (IDSS-1, 2011) technical and regulatory guidance document will assist site managers in development of an integrated site remedial strategy. This course highlights five important features of an IDSS including:

A conceptual site model (CSM) that is based on reliable characterization and an understanding of the subsurface conditions that control contaminant transport, reactivity, and distribution
Remedial objectives and performance metrics that are clear, concise, and measureable
Treatment technologies applied to optimize performance and take advantage of potential synergistic effects
Monitoring based on interim and final cleanup objectives, the selected treatment technology and approach, and remedial performance goals
Reevaluating the strategy repeatedly and even modifying the approach when objectives are not being met or when alternative methods offer similar or better outcomes at lower cost

This IDSS guidance and training is intended for regulators, remedial project managers, and remediation engineers responsible for sites contaminated by chlorinated solvents. Because the subject matter is complex, this guidance assumes a functional understanding of the field and is targeted towards experienced users; however, novices will benefit through descriptions and references of the latest evolution of site characterization challenges; realistic planning of site restoration; evolving treatment techniques; and evaluating, monitoring and interpreting mass transport in the subsurface aqueous and vapor phases. While the primary focus of the document is on DNAPL sites, other types of contaminated sites (e.g. petroleum, mixed contaminants, etc.) can use the same fundamental process described in this guidance.

For reference during the training class, participants should have a copy of the flow diagram, Figure 1-2 on page 6 of the ITRC Technical and Regulatory Guidance document, ITRC Integrated Dense Nonaqueous Phase Liquid Site Strategy (IDSS-1, 2011) and available as a 1-page PDF at http://www.cluin.org/conf/itrc/IDSS/ITRC-IDSS-1-Figure1-2.pdf.

Publication: Green Remediation Best Management Practices: Landfill Cover Systems & Energy Production

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Principles for Greener Cleanups outline the Agency's policy for evaluating and minimizing the environmental 'footprint' of activities undertaken when cleaning up a contaminated site. Use of the best management practices (BMPs) recommended in EPA’s series of green remediation fact sheets can help project managers and other stakeholders apply the principles on a routine basis while maintaining the cleanup objectives, ensuring protectiveness of a remedy, and improving its environmental outcome. Remediation at thousands of sites across the United States involves hazardous waste from former industrial landfills or waste piles, aged municipal landfills, or illegal dumps. A cover system is commonly installed at these areas as part of proper closure to serve as a surface barrier that contains the source material, reduces contaminant exposure or migration, and manages associated risk. The environmental footprint of activities needed to install and maintain a cover system can be reduced by adhering to EPA's Principles for Greener Cleanups.

Publication: Optimization Review: Palermo Wellfield Superfund Site, City of Tumwater, Thurston County, Washington

Fri, 6 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The Palermo Wellfield Superfund Site (Site) is located near Interstate Highway 5 and Trosper Road in Tumwater, Washington. The Site includes a City-operated water-supply wellfield and an adjacent residential neighborhood in the Deschutes River Valley (sometimes referenced in site documents as the Palermo Valley), as well as upland source areas including the current Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Materials Testing Laboratory (MTL), a former WSDOT MTL, and the Southgate Dry Cleaners business. Trichloroethene (TCE) was detected in the City water supply at the wellfield in 1993. Subsequent investigations identified a TCE groundwater plume over 3,000 feet (ft) long and 600 ft wide, and a smaller tetrachloroethene (PCE) plume near the Southgate Dry Cleaners site. USEPA Region 10 nominated the Site for an optimization review due an interest in updating the CSM and concerns regarding plume migration control and the potential for vapor intrusion (VI).

Courses and Conferences Section Update for January 6, 2012

Fri, 6 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The CLU-IN Upcoming Courses and Conferences section was updated on January 6, 2012. There are 2 new entries, for a total of 30 upcoming courses and conferences related to hazardous waste remediation:

Seminar: ITRC Green & Sustainable Remediation, February 14, 2012

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 13:51:25 GMT

The ultimate goal of remediation systems is to protect human health and the environment from contaminants. Historically, remedies have been implemented without consideration of green or sustainable concepts in order to meet this goal. This includes the potential for transferring impacts to other media. For instance, many remedial decisions do not assess greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, energy usage, or community engagement factors prior to the investigation or remedy implementation. Considering these factors throughout the investigation and remedy implementation process may lessen negative effects of the overall cleanup impact while the remediation remains protective of human health and the environment. The consideration of these factors is Green and Sustainable Remediation (GSR) - the site-specific employment of products, processes, technologies, and procedures that mitigate contaminant risk to receptors while making decisions that are cognizant of balancing community goals, economic impacts, and net environmental effects.

Many state and federal agencies are just beginning to assess and apply green and sustainable remediation into their regulatory programs. This training provides background on GSR concepts, a scalable and flexible framework and metrics, tools and resources to conduct GSR evaluations on remedial projects. The training is based on the ITRC's Technical & Regulatory Guidance Document: Green and Sustainable Remediation: A Practical Framework (GSR-2, 2011) as well as ITRC's Overview Document, Green and Sustainable Remediation: State of the Science and Practice (GSR-1, 2011).

Beyond basic GSR principles and definitions, participants will learn the potential benefits of incorporating GSR into their projects; when and how to incorporate GSR within a project's life cycle; and how to perform a GSR evaluation using appropriate tools. In addition, a variety of case studies will demonstrate the application of GSR and the results. The training course provides an important primer for both organizations initiating GSR programs as well as those organizations seeking to incorporate GSR considerations into existing regulatory guidance.

Seminar: ITRC Use and Measurement of Mass Flux and Mass Discharge, February 16, 2012

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 13:52:38 GMT

Most decisions at groundwater contamination sites are driven by measurements of contaminant concentration -- snapshots of contaminant concentrations that may appear to be relatively stable or show notable changes over time. Decisions can be improved by considering mass flux and mass discharge. Mass flux and mass discharge quantify the source or plume strength at a given time and location resulting in better-informed management decisions regarding site prioritization or remedial design as well as lead to significant improvements in remediation efficiency and faster cleanup times. The use of mass flux and mass discharge is increasing and will accelerate as field methods improve and practitioners and regulators become familiar with its application, advantages, and limitations. The decision to collect and evaluate mass flux data is site-specific. It should consider the reliability of other available data, the uncertainty associated with mass flux measurements, the specific applications of the mass flux data, and the cost-benefit of collecting mass measurements.

The ITRC technology overview, Use and Measurement of Mass Flux and Mass Discharge (MASSFLUX-1, 2010), and associated Internet-based training provide a description of the underlying concepts, potential applications, description of methods for measuring and calculating, and case studies of the uses of mass flux and mass discharge. This Technology Overview, and associated internet based training are intended to foster the appropriate understanding and application of mass flux and mass discharge estimates, and provide examples of use and analysis. The document and training assumes the participant has a general understanding of hydrogeology, the movement of chemicals in porous media, remediation technologies, and the overall remedial process. Practitioners, regulators, and others working on groundwater sites should attend this training course to learn more about various methods and potential use of mass flux and mass discharge information.

Seminar: ITRC A Decision Framework for Applying Attenuation Processes to Metals and Radionuclides, February 23, 2012

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 13:53:55 GMT

Sites contaminated with metals and radionuclides present unique challenges to the development of effective remedial alternatives that also provide long-term protection to human health and the environment. The high costs of ongoing conventional treatment, total removal, and/or management combined with the scale of potential health and environmental risks make it important to evaluate attenuation-based remedial alternatives. Sites that have been identified as having metal and/or radionuclide contamination include federal facilities, industrial (e.g., mines) sites, disposal sites, and transportation corridors. Common metals include arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, nickel, copper, and selenium. For radioactive hazardous substances, uranium, radium, strontium, technetium, tritium, and thorium are the most common contaminants of concern. The attenuation processes affect most metals and radionuclides by changing their valence state, which in turn affects their solubility and therefore mobility. When properly employed, Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA) is an effective knowledge-based remedy where a thorough engineering analysis informs the understanding, monitoring, predicting, and documenting of natural processes. In order to properly employ this remedy, there needs to be a strong scientific basis supported by appropriate research and site-specific monitoring implemented in accordance with quality systems.

This training and the associated ITRC Technical and Regulatory Guidance document, A Decision Framework for Applying Monitored Natural Attenuation Processes to Metals and Radionuclides in Groundwater (APMR-1, 2010), is intended for anyone involved with evaluating, investigating, remediating or managing a site that involves metal and radionuclide contaminants in groundwater. This training and document provides:

Introduction to key attenuation processes for metals and radionuclides
Information on incorporating MNA into remedial alternatives for metals/rads
Overview of the decision framework on MNA for metals and radionuclides in groundwater within the larger evaluation framework of a contaminated site

For reference during the training class, participants should have a copy of the decision framework, Figure 3-1 on page 48 of the ITRC Technical and Regulatory Guidance document, A Decision Framework for Applying Monitored Natural Attenuation Processes to Metals and Radionuclides in Groundwater (APMR-1, 2010) and available as a 1-page PDF at http://www.cluin.org/conf/itrc/apmr/ITRC-APMR-DecisionFramework.pdf.

Seminar: ITRC Phytotechnologies, February 28, 2012

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 13:55:13 GMT

Phytotechnologies is a set of technologies using plants to remediate or contain contaminants in soil, groundwater, surface water, or sediments. These technologies have become attractive alternatives to conventional cleanup technologies due to relatively low capital costs and the inherently aesthetic nature of planted sites.

This training familiarizes participants with ITRC's Phytotechnology Technical and Regulatory Guidance and Decision Trees, Revised (Phyto-3, 2009). This document provides guidance for regulators who evaluate and make informed decisions on phytotechnology work plans and practitioners who have to evaluate any number of remedial alternatives at a given site. This document updates and replaces Phytoremediation Decision Tree (Phyto-1, 1999) and Phytotechnology Technical and Regulatory Guidance Document (Phyto-2, 2001). It has merged the concepts of both documents into a single document. This guidance includes new, and more importantly, practical information on the process and protocol for selecting and applying various phytotechnologies as remedial alternatives.

This guidance contains decision trees:

Remedy Selection Decision Tree
Groundwater Decision Tree
Soil/Sediment decision Tree
Riparian Zone Decision Tree

This course will be most useful to you if you download the guidance and follow the discussion with the Decision Trees displayed in your guidance. Our instruction is how to use the Guidance - not how to use the decision trees process. That is explained within the Guidance.

Seminar: US and EU Perspectives on Green and Sustainable Remediation, Part 4, March 6, 2012

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:04:18 GMT

This seminar is a continuation in the series on international green and sustainable remediation efforts (additional information on prior internet seminars can be found at http://cluin.org/consoil/). This two-hour seminar will: (1) present the final case studies of the internet seminar series on how green and sustainable remediation efforts are being implemented in the US and Europe; (2) discuss Austria's new tool for performing a cost-effective analysis; (3) provide an update on EPA's draft environmental footprint methodology for estimating or quantifying a remediation site's footprint (http://www.clu-in.org/greenremediation/methodology/index.cfm) and on the ASTM International effort to develop a voluntary consensus-based standard for greener cleanups (http://www.clu-in.org/greenremediation/subtab_b5.cfm); (4) present updates on international green and sustainable remediation efforts; and (5) provide information on 2012 green and sustainable remediation internet seminars and conferences. An open forum will be held throughout the seminar to respond to participant questions.