United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Risk Reduction
Engineering Laboratory
Cincinnati, OH 45268
Research and Development
EPA/600/SR-93/012 September 1993
Project Summary
Pilot Study on Demonstration of
Remedial Action
Technologies for Contaminated
Land and Groundwater
Volumes 1 and 2
Naomi P. Barkley
This two-volume report* presents in-
formation on a 5-yr pilot study (1986-
1991) sponsored by the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization's (NATO) Commit-
tee on the Challenges of Modern So-
ciety (CCMS) entitled "Demonstration
of Remedial Action Technologies for
Contaminated Land and Groundwa-
ter." Volume 1 discusses the findings,
conclusions, and recommendations
produced by the studya study pro-
posed by the U.S. Environmental Pro-
tection Agency (EPA) in May 1986 and
accepted by NATO member countries
in November 1986. Volume 2, in two
parts, contains the appendices: The fi-
nal Project Reports, NATO's CCMS fi-
nal Fellow Reports, invited expert
speaker contributions, representatives'
discussions of their country's national
regulatory and research and develop-
ment programs and other overview top-
ics, detailed information on specific
case studies, and a listing of all partici-
pants.
The study's purpose was to identify
and evaluate innovative, emerging, and
alternative remediation technologies
and to transfer technical performance
and economic information to potential
users. Twenty-nine remediation tech-
nology projects that treat, recycle, sepa-
rate, or concentrate contaminants in
soil, sludges, and groundwater were
examined. The seven technology areas
studied were chemical treatment of con-
* The documents described are not publications by the
United States Environmental Protection Agency nor of
any agency or department of any other country.
taminated soils, microbial treatment,
physical/chemical extraction, pump and
treat groundwater, soil vapor extrac-
tion, stabilization/solidification, and
thermal treatment.
The detailed CCMS report of the find-
ings, conclusions, and recommenda-
tions is intended to serve as a reference
to the state-of-the-technologies exam-
ined by the participants and as a guide
to the potential application of different
technologies to various types of soil
and groundwater contamination. Con-
clusions from the study reveal both the
strengths and weaknesses of current
technologies and identify efforts needed
to increase their application and effec-
tiveness.
This Project Summary was developed
by EPA's Risk Reduction Engineering
Laboratory, Cincinnati, OH, to announce
key findings of this CCMS Pilot Study
that is fully documented in a separate
report (Volume 1) and in two appendi-
ces (Volume 2) of the same title (see
Project Report ordering information at
back).
Introduction
Land and groundwater contamination
from improper handling and disposal of
hazardous materials/waste is an interna-
tional concern and is among the most
complex and challenging environmental
problems faced by most countries. The
complex geochemical, physical, and bio-
logical nature of contaminated subsurface
soils and groundwater coupled with lim-
ited knowledge of the behavior and inter-
action of pollutants in these matrices and
Printed on Recycled Papei
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the magnitude of the contamination adds
to the challenge. Reliable, cost-effective
technologies are needed to remediate sites
contaminated with complex hazardous
wastes.
Governmental and private organizations
in many countries have committed re-
sources to developing and evaluating, un-
der field conditions, advanced, innovative
remediation technologies to solve prob-
lems associated with hazardous waste
sites. These organizations require a con-
duit through which information concerning
technology advancements can be effec-
tively transferred to decision makers re-
sponsible for implementing remedial
actions.
This CCMS pilot study maximized the
member country technology demonstra-
tions' results and utility through effective
technology transfer. The purpose of this
study was to identify, discuss, evaluate,
and transfer technical performance and
economic information concerning innova-
tive, emerging, and alternative treatment
technologies for remediating contaminated
land and groundwater. A specific study
objective was to identify "lessons learned"
from the demonstrations, including both
successes and failures or limitations. Al-
though failures or limitations or both are
rarely presented in conferences or dis-
cussed in the technical literature, they are
important for making informed decisions
that involve critical time and monetary re-
quirements.
Pilot Study Structure
During the 5-yr study, 29 different re-
mediation technology projects conducted
by non-NATO-sponsored organizations
within member countries were described.
Table 1 lists the projects accepted by the
study and their country of origin. Three
categories of technologies (alternative, in-
novative, and emerging) were examined.
Technologies where barrier walls and con-
tainment were the primary techniques were
specifically excluded from the study. The
remediation technology projects were the
primary source for discussion and final
report information. This project-specific in-
formation was supplemented by reports of
scientists supported by the NATO/CCMS
Fellowship Program, guest expert speak-
ers, and the knowledge and experience of
the individual chapter authors.
Projects were selected during an an-
nual spring administrative meeting. Pre-
sentation and in-depth discussions of
technical and cost data contained in the
interim and final reports of the demonstra-
tion projects were the key aspects of an-
nual fall international conferences.
The study conducted under the joint
leadership of the United States, the Fed-
eral Republic of Germany, and the Neth-
erlands was directed by Donald E. Sanning
of the EPA. Canada, France, and Den-
mark were also active participants; Nor-
way was an "observer" country; and the
United Kingdom Department of the Envi-
ronment was represented at the nine con-
ference and workshop meetings hosted
by the participating countries. Japan was
represented at the First International Con-
ference, and Hungary and Austria attended
the Fifth.
Results of the pilot study are presented
by technology area in Volume 1, Chapters
2 through 8 Technology areas included
are Thermal, Soil Vapor Extraction, Stabi-
lization/Solidification, Physical Chemical
Extraction, Pump and Treat Groundwater,
Chemical Treatment of Contaminated Soil:
APEG, and Microbial Treatment. These
reports are reproduced as submitted, along
with summaries and detailed information,
when available, on specific case studies
of projects examined, in the appendices
(Volume 2).
Of the 12 CCMS Fellows associated
with the pilot study, 9 conducted related
studies and submitted reports on their re-
search; the other 3 contributed to prepar-
ing the Final Report. The fellows
represented private, university, and gov-
ernmental organizations in Germany, Italy,
The Netherlands, Turkey, the United King-
dom, and the United States.
Pilot Study Accomplishments
Project Reports revealed an evolution
of innovative and advanced technologies.
The pilot study was instrumental in facili-
tating development of these technologies,
stimulated significant exchange of experts
and their knowledge, and provided oppor-
tunity for collaborative projects among the
represented countries.
Technology transfer of pilot study in-
formation was accomplished through fre-
quent involvement of members in con-
ferences, symposia, journal article au-
thorship, and reports of pilot study
meetings. Understanding policy differ-
ences and management strategies of the
various representative countries was pro-
moted through the "tour de table" state-
ments.
Technology-Based Conclusions
Thermal Technologies
Existing high-temperature incineration
(onsite and offsite) successfully
destroys organic contamination;
however, not all nations allow its use
for chlorinated compounds.
Low-temperature thermal desorption
is a successful technology for treating
volatile and semivolatile wastes.
Stabilization/Solidification (S/S)
Technologies
S/S can immobilize most inorganics
but not materials containing organic
chemicals.
Scientifically based S/S leaching tests
would provide a more easily
comparable data base than thai
available today.
So/7 Vapor Extraction (SVE)
Technologies
SVE is a viable technology for
unsaturated zone remediation ol
volatile and semi-volatile con
taminants.
Off-gases can be treated by
conventional technologies including
activated carbon, condensation, and
thermal destruction processes.
Physical/Chemical Extraction
Technologies
Conventional extractive techniques
have limited in situ applications
because of their limited applicability
to soils with high permeability.
Table 1. Review of Pilot Study Projects by Treatment and Country of Origin
Type of Project CAN DEN FRG FN JPN NETH USA
Thermal treatment
Solidification/stabilization
Volatilization
Physical/chemical treatment
Microbial treatment
Pump and treatment
Total
2
1
3
2
3
5
1
2
3
1
1
Total
5
2
3
8
6
5
29
CAN = Canada
DEN = Denmark
FRG = The Federal Republic of Germany
FN = France
JPN = Japan
NETH = The Netherlands
USA = The United States of America
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Conventional, above-ground extraction
methods are powerful techniques for
a large range of soils containing heavy
metals and organic contaminants; they
are limited, however in the soil size
fraction they can effectively clean. A
major drawback is the production of
sludge.
Electroreclamation is a promising new
technology for the in situ cleanup of
clayey soils contaminated with heavy
metals.
Pump and Treat Groundwater
Groundwater extraction and treatment
is not an effective stand-alone
approach for the ultimate remediation
of aquifers to health-based cleanup
concentrations.
Treatment by air stripping and
activated carbon, as illustrated in the
Canadian Ville Mercier Case study,
was only partially effective. A
subsequent pilot-scale study, using an
alternative iron-removal process
involving diffused air combined with
sand filtration, effectively removed iron
to acceptable levels. This approach
combined with an alternative air
stripping system designed to remove
the most difficult contaminant, rather
than volatile contaminants generally,
effectively reduced the organics to
acceptable levels.
An ultraviolet radiation/oxidation
process (Ultrox)* was effective in
reducing the concentration of volatile
organics in groundwater to acceptable
levels.
A precipitation process involving the
use of lime and sodium sulfide
effectively reduced the concentrations
of zinc and cadmium to acceptable
levels.
Chemical Treatment of
Contaminated Soils: Alkaline
Polyethylene Glycol (APEG)
Long-term stability and behavior of
products of partial dechlorination in
APEG processes require investigation.
The combination of thermal pyrolysis
and APEG treatment successfully
reduced PCB concentrations to below
target cleanup levels.
Microbial Treatment
Technologies
Bioremediation process scale-up from
laboratory to the field is difficult.
* Mention of trade names or commercial products does
not constitute endorsement or recommendation for
use.
Generally, either bench and/or pilot-
scale studies in the laboratory need
to be followed by pilot- and/or full-
scale testing (treatability studies) in
the field.
Both data on oxygen behavior in the
subsurface and improved methods of
providing it are needed for in situ
bioremediation. One promising
technique is the use of soil vapor
extraction methods. The combined
effect of vapor extraction and
biodegradation appears to provide a
method for achieving remediation of
a wide range of organic contaminants.
Further research is needed on
bioavailability and achievable residual
concentrations.
Soil inoculation of artificially supplied
microorganisms has not been proven
to enhance in situ bioremediation.
Permeability is the key parameter that
determines the applicability of in situ
biorestoration.
General Conclusions
Remediation efforts should strive for a
complete solution to the hazardous waste
problem.
Treatability studies must be conducted
early for effective remedy selection, and
technologies should be judged on their
overall performance.
Vitrification s a promising technique for
treating mixed organic and inorganic
waste.
Energy efficiency practices influence
plant design and, therefore, processing
costs differently.
Treatment technologies and permanent
solutions are preferred to containment.
Modular-designed, integrated, technol-
ogy treatment systems are needed for site
remediation.
Field treatability/pilot studies should be
conducted for each candidate technology,
under the range of potentially applicable
site field conditions.
Technology scale-up problems need to
be addressed during the design and test-
ing phase.
A mass balance approach to remedia-
tion is desirable.
Technology remedies that transfer con-
taminants from one media to another
should be avoided if possible.
All remediations require proper opera-
tion and management.
Long-term monitoring of permanent re-
mediation activities may be necessary to
ensure that cleanup goals are met.
Basic records of site investigations and
associated remediation actions should be
preserved for future reference and evalu-
ation.
Collection of uniform data is needed.
Independent technology evaluations are
needed for effective technology transfer.
The CCMS network is an important
source of information about the successes
and failures of technologies used within
the hazardous waste treatment arena.
There is a continuing need to develop
new technologies and use common re-
search protocols.
Scientific understanding of processes is
essential to ensure against formation of
harmful end products.
Standardized analytical methods are
needed within the worldwide hazardous
waste community as well as within coun-
tries.
Techniques are needed to remove con-
tamination beneath urban structures with-
out significantly disturbing activities within
the structures.
Recommendations
This CCMS pilot study should be con-
tinued to report results of technology field
demonstrations and information on new
and emerging technologies including
cleanup criteria, project design method-
ologies, and documentation of completed
remediations.
Pauicipation of NATO and non-NATO
countries in the continuation study should
be encouraged.
CCMS should encourage more active
participation by all member countries.
The NATO Science Committee is en-
couraged to establish a special scientific
program and advance study institute for
soil and groundwater contamination issues.
CCMS should support the transfer/ap-
plication of results of the current study
through workshops and seminars within
NATO and non-NATO countries.
CCMS should encourage annual tech-
nology transfer reports from each of its
individual pilot studies.
A more formal interface of the contin-
ued pilot study with the Office of Eco-
nomic Community Development (OECD),
the European Community (EC), and other
international groups should be created.
CCMS should establish a budget for
writing the final report to encourage its
timely preparation.
The full report was submitted in fulfill-
ment of Contract No. 68-C8-0062 by Sci-
ence Applications International Corporation
under the sponsorship of the U.S. Envi-
ronmental Protection Agency.
&U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1993 - 7SO-071/8007Z
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Naomi P. Barkley is the Project Summary author and EPA Project Officer (see
below).
The complete NATO/CCMS report, entitled "Pilot Study on Demonstration of
Remedial Action Technologies for Contaminated Land and Groundwater,"
consists of the following volumes:
"Volume 1" (Order No. PB93-218238, Cost: $27.00, subject to change)
reports on the results of the CCMS Pilot Study.
"Volume 2, Appendices, Part 1": Pages 1 through 662 (Order No. PB93-
218246, Cost: $77.00, subject to change) contains overviews of
national environmental regulations, and guest speakers' presenta-
tions.
"Volume 2, Appendices, Part 2": pages 663 through 1389 (Order No.
PB93-218253, Cost: $84.00, subject to change) contains final project
reports and CCMS Fellow reports.
The volumes of this report will be available only from:
National Technical Information Service
5285 Port Royal Road
Springfield, VA 22161
Telephone: 703-487-4650
The EPA Project Officer can be contacted at:
Risk Reduction Engineering Laboratory
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Cincinnati, OH 45268
United States
Environmental Protection Agency
Center for Environmental Research Information
Cincinnati, OH 45268
Official Business
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$300
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