United States
Environmental Protection
• ncy
Partnerships Key to
Technology Development
Efforts page 1
Potential for Phytoremediation
Discussed page 2
Controlled
Phosphate-Enhanced
Bioremediation
Tested page 3
The Applied Technologies
Newsletter for Superfund
Removals & Remedial
Actions & RCRA
Corrective Action
RSHIPS
Partnerships Key to
Technology
Development Efforts
Several ongoing partnerships between
regulatory officials, remediation consult-
ants, technology developers, and federal/
private site managers have evolved over
the last decade to develop innovative
technologies. Through these collabora-
tions, stakeholders are voluntarily
sharing knowledge, experience, equip-
ment, and facilities to address mutual
remediation problems. These efforts have
focused on issues such as site-specific
needs, engineering problem identifica-
tion, cost factors, technology perfor-
mance criteria, and vendor capabilities.
The goal is to develop more effective,
less costly site characterization and
treatment technologies.
Remediation Technologies
Development Forum (RTDF1
RTDF members representing industry.
government agencies, and academia
have joined as partners since 1992. The
RTDF consists of several independent
partnerships, each focusing on a site
remediation technology or problem.
Currently these partnerships, or action
teams, focus on permeable barriers, the
Lasagna™ process, bioremediation,
natural ecological restoration of soil-
metals, and sediment
remediation. Each action
team works to identify
needs, implement
research, address barriers,
This issue describes public-private technology development
partnerships to develop better, cheaper site characterization
and remediation technologies. Results of these programs will
be reported in future issues.
and share information. For more informa-
tion, contact Dr. Walter Kovalick, Jr., 703-
603-9910, or Robert Olexsey, 513-569-
7861, or visit the Clean-Up Information
(CLU-IN) site on the World Wide Web
(http://clu-in.com).
Consortium for Site Characterization
Technology ICSCT1
The CSCT, a partnership of EPA, the U.S.
Department of Defense (DoD), and the
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), aims
to increase the use of innovative site
characterization technologies. It formal-
izes performance data verification
processes and identifies, demonstrates,
evaluates, verifies, and transfers technol-
ogy information. CSCT representatives
from these agencies work with small
business concerns, instrument and
professional societies, state organizations,
and private sector stakeholders to identify
innovative technologies and potential
demonstration sites and to support
information distribution. Information may
be obtained from Daniel Powell, 703-603-
7196, or CLU-IN (http://clu-in.com).
Bioremediation Action
Committee (BAC1
The BAG is a public-private partnership
of more than 100 experts from govern-
ment, industry, and academia dedicated
to expanding the use of bioremediation
at contaminated sites by coordinating
research and technology development,
transferring information, and identifying
priorities. BAG subcommittees focus on
specific issues. For example, the Alterna-
tive End Points Subcommittee is
working to identify ecological, health,
and exposure tests that indicate
bioavailable fractions of specific
contaminants.
See Partnerships, page 2
Recycled/Recyclable
Printed with Soy/Canola Ink on paper that
contains at least 50% recycled fiber
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TECHNOLOGY
Potential for
Phytoremediation
Discussed
A December workshop focused on the
potential for using phytoremediation to
clean up organic contaminants in soil/
sediments, surface waters, and shallow
ground water. The workshop in Fort Worth,
TX, was held to share information on
current phytoremediation projects and to
gauge attendees' interest in further joint
activities. Four mechanisms of phyto-
remediation are of primary interest:
enhanced rhizosphere biodegradation,
phytoextraction, phytodegradation, and
physical effects such as volatilization.
Phytoremediation occurs when plant roots
supply nutrients to microorganisms,
thereby enhancing biodegradation. Phyto-
extraction, the uptake of contaminants by
plant roots and the translocation of
contaminants into plant shoots and leaves,
produces plants that can be harvested and
disposed of. Phytodegradation takes
advantage of plant tissue enzymes that
degrade contaminants. Volatilization
occurs when plants take up water-
containing organic contaminants and
release contaminants into the air through
plant leaves.
The advantages of phytoremediation are
that it: (1) involves in situ processes; (2)
is passive, and solar driven; (3) costs only
10 to 20% of mechanical treatments; (4)
is faster than natural attenuation; and (5)
has high public acceptance. Disadvan-
tages are that phytoremediation is limited
to shallow soils, streams, and ground
water, and that it can transfer contamina-
tion across media.
Field research projects and demonstra-
tions include those conducted on muni-
tions at Army ammunition plants, petro-
leum at the test facilities of Exxon and
Chevron, and waste impoundments in the
form of a "living cap" as used by Union
Carbide Corporation. Studies include
plant screening conducted at the Univer-
sity of Oklahoma. Cooperative pilot tests
conducted by the University of Iowa and
Auburn University showed significant
results; dissolved TNT concentrations
decreased from 128 ppm to 10 ppm in one
week after plants were introduced into
flooded TNT-contaminated soil.
The National Risk Management Research
Laboratory in Cincinnati is compiling
information on phytoremediation and
intends to provide guidance for potential
users. Workshop participants agreed that
efforts should be made to increase
partnering, conduct additional workshops,
and compile related testing information
electronically. They also agreed that a
comprehensive research and development
strategy should be developed and potential
funding sources, technology developers,
and other interest groups should be
identified. Participants are planning to
meet again. Additional information may be
obtained from Phil Sayre in EPA's Tech-
nology Innovation Office, 703-603-9915.
Partnerships
continued from page 1
Similarly, the Natural Attenuation
Subcommittee addresses methods for
identifying candidate sites where natural
attenuation is a viable remedy, and the Oil
Spills Subcommittee investigates ways in
which bioremediation may be accepted
more readily for treatment of oil spills.
Further information may be obtained from
FranKremerat 513-569-7346.
Public/Private Partnerships
Through a cooperative agreement with
EPA's Technology Innovation Office
(TIO), Clean Sites, Inc. facilitates
partnerships among private firms and
federal agencies to share resources and
demonstrate promising technologies. These
demonstrations are conducted at existing
contaminated sites, and comprehensive
cost and performance data are obtained and
made available. Ongoing public-private
partnerships, which also include federal
and state regulators, are planning or
conducting demonstrations at seven
federal facilities: Two Phase Extraction™
and photolytic destruction at McClellan
Air Force Base; membrane pervaporation,
in situ steam injection, and in situ
anaerobic bioremediation at DOE's
Pinellas Plant; Two Phase Extraction™
and air sparging/soil vapor extraction at
DOE's Mound Facility; in situ passive
treatment walls and vertical hydrofrac-
turing at the Massachusetts Military
Reservation/Otis Air National Guard
Base; the Lasagna™ process at DOE's
Gaseous Diffusion Plant at Paducah, KY;
and the NoVOCs System™ at the North
Island Naval Air Station and the Marine
Corps Air Station Yuma. For more
information, contact Eugene Peters of
Clean Sites, 703-739-1271, or Daniel
Powell of TIO, 703-603-7196.
Strategic Environmental Research
and Development Program (SERDP1
SERDP is a multi-agency (Air Force,
Army, Navy, and EPA) technology demon-
stration and evaluation program. The
partners provide locations, facilities, and
mechanisms for applied research, compara-
tive demonstrations, and comprehensive
evaluations. Its goal is to transfer technol-
ogy from research to full-scale use and from
government agencies to the private sector.
For additional information, contact Dr.
Olufermi Ayorinde, 703-696-2118, orvisit
the SERDP World Wide Web site (http:/
hgl.com/serdp).
As EPA's lead in promoting innovative
remediation and characterization technol-
ogy, the Technology Innovation Office
(TIO) participates in all of these partner-
ships. General information concerning
these or other potential partnerships may be
exchanged with TIO staff at 703-603-9910.
Environmental Expo
The New England Environmental Expo,
April 29-May 1,1997, at the World Trade
Center in Boston, MA, is a major confer-
ence/exposition for technologies and
technology vendors in a broad range of
environmental control, management,
prevention, and clean-up situations. Addi-
tional information may be obtained from
Carlos Pachon of TIO at 703-603-9904.
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DEMONSTRATIONS
Controlled
Phosphate-Enhanced
Bioremediation
Tested
by Terry Hazen,
Westinghouse Savannah River
The U.S. Department of Energy's
(DOE's) PHOSter™ system has qua-
drupled bioremediation rates at DOE and
commercial demonstration sites. Devel-
oped at DOE's Savannah River Site,
PHOSter™ permits the addition of a
relatively safe form of organic phospho-
rus (triethyl phosphate) into air at a rate
below the vapor pressure. When injected
into water, the air retards dissolution of
Calendar
In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation:
the Fourth International Symposium
Sponsored by Battelle; April 28-
May 1, 1997; Marriot Hotel, New
Orleans, LA; 800-783-6338.
Second Tri-Service Environmental
Technology Workshop
Hosted by the U.S. Army
Environmental Center; June 10-12,
1997; Adam's Mark Hotel, St. Louis, MO;
757-865-7604 or e-mail:
herrin@stcnet.com.
Second Annual Conference
on Phytoremediation
Sponsored by International Business
Communications; June 18-19, 1997;
Double Tree Guest Suites Hotel, Seattle,
WA; 508-481-6400 ore-mail:
inq@ibcusa.com.
Ninth National Technology
Information Exchange
(TIE) Workshop
Sponsored by the U.S. DOE Idaho
National Engineering Laboratory; August
26-28, 1997; Shilo Inn, Idaho Falls, ID;
Gail Kibler, 540-231-4596, ore-mail:
gkibler@vt.edu.
the nutrient and provides a virtual "time-
release" application. In contrast, tradi-
tional methods for phosphorous applica-
tion are known to overstimulate relatively
small areas because of their high solubili-
ties and ionizabilities. Since the
PHOSter™ injection system operates at
low pressures and flow rates, VOC
discharges are negligible. In addition,
pulsed operations such as these minimize
volatilization of VOC's. Demonstration
results indicate that PHOSter™ is an
efficient and cost effective technology.
PHOSter™ is particularly effective at sites
with high concentrations of organic
material, such as landfills and petroleum
facilities. The system was demonstrated at
a transportation facility in Augusta-
Richmond County, GA, where it operated
for 55 days. Using EPA Method 8260, soil
analyses showed a 50% reduction in
benzene levels and groundwater analyses
showed enhanced biodegradation for all
BTEX constituents to levels below
detection limits. At an abandoned gas
station in Aiken, SC, the system produced
significant reductions in BTEX levels (at
a 11-15 foot depth), as shown in the table
below. Because the process was
so effective, this demonstration was
completed one month early.
Based on the soil characteristics of these
demonstration sites, hydraulic conductiv-
ity and soil moisture content appear to be
major parameters for determining the
effectiveness of PHOSter™. For
information about demonstrations of
PHOSter™, contact Terry Hazen, Westing-
house Savannah River, 803-557-7713.
Regional Market
Opportunities
Conferences Set
Remediation market conferences are
scheduled this year for the Midwest, July
22-23 in Chicago, and the South Central
United States, in New Orleans during
November. The conferences provide a forum
for federal, state, and private organizations to
describe opportunities to participate in various
clean-up programs and provide information on
assistance programs and resources available to
developers. Further information may be
obtained from Naomie Smith, 703-603-7186,
or AnnEleanor, 703-603-7199.
Visitor's Day,
Consortium for
Site Characterization
Technologies
The Consortium for Site Characterization
Technologies will host a Visitor's Day in
conjunction with the New England
Environmental Expo in Boston, (see page
2) Visitor's may discuss innovative
technologies for site characterization with
staff available in the exhibition hall
throughout the conference April 29-May 1,
1997. Additional information may be
obtained from Carlos Pachon, 703-603-
9904, or AnnEleanor, 703-603-7199.
Constituent
Benzene
Toluene
Ethylbenzene
Total Xylenes
Napthalene
Baseline
Concentration
1,200 [ig/kg
ll,000|ig/kg
6,500 |ig/kg
21,000|ig/kg
8,400 [ig/kg
After 131 Days
of Treatment
below detection limit
380 [ig/kg
690 [ig/kg
3,300 |o.g/kg
730 vtg/kg
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March 1997
Issue No. 25
EPA TECH TRENDS
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