Trends in Environmental Remediation

Transcription

1 Stephen Rosansky, P.E, PMP Trends in Environmental Remediation IX Seminário Inernacional Sobre Remediação e Revitalizaçao de Áreas Contaminadas 1

2 Battelle Memorial Institute Non-profit charitable trust founded in 1929 Applying science and technology to real-world problems Largest applied research and development organization in the world Generates over $6 billion annually in global R&D Oversees over 22,000 employees in 130 locations worldwide 20 International Locations

3 Battelle The Business of Innovation

4 Battelle Conferences Eighth International Conference on Remediation of Contaminated Sediments January 12 through 15, 2015, New Orleans, LA Third International Symposium on Bioremediation and Sustainable Environmental Technologies May 18 through 21, 2015, Miami, Florida Tenth International Conference on Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds May 23 through 26, 2016 Monterey, California

5 Overview of Presentation Where have we been? Where are we now? Where are we going? 5

6 Key Environmental Regulations in the U.S. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) 1976, amended 1984 Regulates cleanup of facilities that treat, store and dispose of hazardous wastes Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) 1980, amended 1986 Established trust fund and regulations to cleanup the most problematic sites. 1,652 sites as of June 12,

7 Environmental Programs and Accomplishments CERCLA >20% of sites have been removed from the NPL because no further response was needed to protect human health and the environment RCRA About one quarter of RCRA sites have achieved corrective action performance standards UST Closed more than 1.7 million sites since 1984 Brownfields Completed 99,450 cleanups making 364,000 hectares of land available since 2006 ( Federal Facilities Program More than 23,000 of the ~29,000 Department of Defense Installation Restoration Program sites have achieved Response Complete Source: Alternatives to Managing the Nations Complex Contaminated Groundwater Sites (National Academy of Science, 2013) 7

8 Environmental Restoration Highlights Remedy Optimization and Long Term Management Chlorinated Source Zone Remediation Improved Mgmt. Strategies Improved Site Understanding Emphasis on Risk Reduction Improved Monitoring 1990 In Situ Dissolved Phase Chlorinated Solvent Treatment Monitored Natural Attenuation Rapid in Situ Technology Development (1990s) Hydrocarbon Remediation Ex Situ Remedy Implementation Substantial Characterization (early 1980s) Enactment of Superfund (1980) 8

9 % Implemented % Implemented Historical Treatment Trends at Superfund Sites Pump and Treat 50 In Situ Treatment Year Source Area Treatment Source: Adapted from the 2014 Superfund Remedy Report Dissolved Phase Treatment 20 Ex Situ Treatment 10 In Situ Treatment Year 9

10 Percent Used Reduction of Costly Energy Intensive Ex Situ Treatment Technologies 90,0 80,0 70,0 60,0 50,0 40,0 30,0 20,0 10,0 Incineration & Solidification 0, Year Source: Adapted from the 2014 Superfund Remedy Report 10

11 Percent Used Evolution of In Situ Treatment Technologies Flushing Phytoremediation Thermal Treatment Multi-Phase Extraction Air Sparging Chemical Treatment Bioremediation Soil Vapor Extraction 80,0 70,0 60,0 50,0 40,0 30,0 20,0 10,0 0, Year Source: Adapted from the 2014 Superfund Remedy Report 11

12 WHERE ARE WE NOW? 12

13 Battelle Conference Cluster Analysis Cluster Analysis using OmniViz TM Data Mining Software 2,632 Abstract Analyzed 2010 Chlorinated Conference (859) 2012 Chlorinated Conference (869) 2014 Chlorinated Conference (904) 13

14 Battelle Conference Cluster Analysis (Cont.) OmniViz uses statistical and pattern recognition algorithms to analyze the presentation titles/abstracts Helps to understand the key themes within textual data Provides unique perspective on commonalities within the data Relative position and grouping among clusters show commonality Major themes are identified, but small outliers from emerging issues or new technologies may be bundled into other clusters 14

15 Theme Map of Clusters iron\sulfate\mineral DHC\qPCR\dechlorination biodegradation\aerobic ISCO\injection\oxidant injection\pilot\tce TCE\injection\degradation fractured bedrock DNAPL vapor intrusion\indoor air LNAPL\recovery\transmissivity vapor intrusion\building\gas 15

16 Record Count Record Count Contaminant Trends DNAPL Trends High Resolution Site Characterization Growing use of high resolution site characterization for DNAPL source zones Consider matrix diffusion from low-permeability units ISCO is top technology by record count for DNAPL source zones LNAPL Trends Importance of transmissivity and relationship with recoverability (new ASTM method) Natural source zone depletion ,4-Dioxane 2014 CO 2 flux measurements Emerging Contaminants 1,4-dioxane most prevalent EC in abstracts PFOA/PFOS still outlier in abstracts Business Sensitive

17 Record Count Technology Trends Top 3 Technologies Bioremediation [Anaerobic (58%); Aerobic (37%); Cometabolic (5%)] ISCO (persulfate dominant, permanganate and ozone declining) Natural Attenuation Growing applications Biogeochemical transformation (45% increase in ~5 years) New technologies Show up as outliers outside of clusters Biogeochemical Transformation Electrokinetic-Bioremediation (EK-BIO TM ) for low permeability zones (e.g., only 6 record counts) 17

18 Additional Site Issues and Trends Fractured Bedrock 4% of abstracts May need TI Waivers for complex sites Vapor Intrusion 6% of abstracts Source: U.S. EPA NAVFAC 18

19 WHERE ARE WE HEADED? 19 Business Sensitive

20 Complex Sites Large size Enhanced Bioremediation and Monitored Natural Attenuation Heterogeneous hydrogeology Non-aqueous phase liquids Multiple and recalcitrant compounds Historic legacy sites It is estimated that there are ~12,000 complex sites in the U.S., at which achieving unlimited use may not be possible in reasonable time >50 Years to Complete 20

21 Known Challenges Lack of adequate site characterization Difficult and costly to effectively treat (DNAPL) source zones using current technologies Matrix diffusion Inadequate treatment in low permeability media Current environmental regulations and cleanup objectives Achieving MCLs not realistic at some sites maximum extent practicable and similar terms are poorly defined Very few technical impracticability waivers issued Emerging contaminants and issues (e.g. vapor intrusion) necessitate re-evaluation of sites 21

22 Perform Targeted Site Characterization Reduce uncertainties in source zones Total mass Physical state of mass (e.g. as DNAPL, dissolved, sorbed, vapor) Hydrogeologic, biological & chemical properties Understand boundaries between source and dissolved phase plume Distinguish between plumes sustained from DNAPL dissolution from those sustained by back diffusion 22

23 Apply High Resolution Site Characterization Multi level monitoring systems Molecular diagnostic tools CSIA (Compound specific isotope analysis) qpcr (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) Mass flux tools Geophysics 23

24 Improve Remediation Technologies Optimize application of existing technologies Amendment formulations Enhancing delivery mechanisms & procedures Combining technologies Develop new technologies Biogeochemical reduction Smoldering technology Port Hueneme, California Technical Report TR-NAVFAC-EXWC-EV-1303 BEST PRACTICES FOR INJECTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF AMENDMENTS Battelle Memorial Institute and NAVFAC Alternative Restoration Technology Team March 2013 Distribution Statement A: Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited 24

25 Electrokinetic (EK)-Bio Field Application Concept Courtesy of Geosyntec

26 Improve Performance Assessment Tools and Metrics Improve performance monitoring Real-time data Remote telemetry and sensors Better understand long-term impacts of treatment Relationship between mass remaining in source area and dissolved-phase plume response Increase use of alternative performance metrics Performance Metrics Commonly Used Source mass removal Change in dissolved phase conc. Not Commonly Used, but are Available Mass remaining Nature and extent of DNAPL Physical, biological, and chemical properties Under Development Mass flux distribution Mass discharge rates Stable isotope ratios Source: Alternatives for Managing the Nation's Complex Contaminated Groundwater Sites. NAP,

27 Monitoring Enhanced Bioremediation using Electrical Resistance Tomography Series of in-well and aboveground electrodes Track injection, distribution, & consumption of electron donor Near real time data

28 Address Emerging Contaminants and other Issues Emerging Contaminants 1,4-Dioxane Perflourooctane sulfanate (PFOS) & perflourooctanoate (PFOA) Vapor Intrusion May re-open sites previously closed Need for improved real-time measurement techniques for temporal variability Need for improved risk models 28

29 Apply Better Decision Making Not practical to achieve MCLs at many sites. Phrases such as extent practicable and diminishing return are ambiguous Risk Reduction Technical Feasibility Life-Cycle Cost Decisions must be made based on risk Containment and Institutional Controls may provide better solution at some sites Greater emphasis on green and sustainable remediation In 2012, EPA began allowing closure of thousands of low-threat USTs even when groundwater contaminant concentrations exceed MCLs. (SWRCB, 2012) 29

30 Summary Much progress has been made to cleanup contaminated sites A large percentage of remaining sites are complex (e.g. contain DNAPL, fractured bedrock, multiple contaminants, large. Current technologies and strategies are not always able to achieve regulatory requirements A change in management strategy, improvements existing technologies, and development of new technologies and monitoring techniques are necessary 30

31 References B.H. Kueper, H.F. Stroo, C.M. Vogel, C.H. Ward Chlorinated Solvent Source Zone Remediation. SERDP/ESTP Committee on Future Options for Management in the Nation's Subsurface Remediation Effort; Water Science and Technology Board; Division on Earth and Life Studies; National Research Council Alternatives for Managing the Nations Groundwater Sites. EPA Superfund Remedy Report, 14th Edition. 31 Business Sensitive

32 Questions?