Technology Assessment €PA-OSRTI-TIFSD-TAB The Technology Assessment Branch (TAB) (within the Technology Innovation and Field Services Division of the Office of Superfund Reme- diation &Technology Innovation) servesfederal and state site project managers, consulting professionals, and the public by providing information to improve hazardous waste site remediation. The Branch en- courages the responsible use of new and innovative treatment technologies to achieve more cost effec- tive soil and groundwater cleanup. TAB assesses and communicates state-of-the art information as it con- tinually evolves. TAB staff members report on new developments in a clear and concise manner to meet the needs of site managers. The Branch accomplishes its objectives through benchmarking technology im- provements and status, collaborating and partnering with other organizations, and providing program support and direct assistance to project managers. The Clu-In Website (http://www.duin.org) serves as a repository for TAB resources and products. BENCHMARKING TAB primarily focuses on new developments for treatment and restoration technologies for soil and groundwater, including in situ processes for bioremediation of chlorinated compounds; in situ thermal, chemical oxidation and solvent extrac- tion for nonaqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs); com- binations of remedies; nanotechnologies; vegetative caps and phytoremediation; ecological restoration techniques that contribute to productive reuse of contaminated sites; and renewable energy alterna- tives for site cleanup. TAB personnel also maintain expertise and report on the remediation of selected contaminant groups and media such as DNAPLs; contaminated sediments; manufactured gas plants; persistent organic pollutants; abandoned mine lands; and selected emerging contaminants, such as 1,4 dioxane, mercury, and perchlorate. The Branch updates and reports current status information on the Technology and Contaminant Focus areas on http://www.duin.org. TAB leads a joint effort with other federal agencies to compile cleanup case studies and reports and make them available in a searchable format on the web (http://www.frtr.gov). Over 800 reports are available that provide broad assessments of new treatment tech- nologies, document cost and performance at specific sites, evaluate new monitoring and site characterization technologies, and document efforts to optimize and improve the cost effectiveness of operating remedies. A new DNAPL focus area (http://www.duin.org/DNAPL), which was recently added, will improve remedial deci- sions by consolidating and organizing extensive infor- mation in a single location. This focus area addresses the most frequently encountered DNAPLs (chlorinat- ed ethanes, creosote, coal tars, and heavy oils) and has over 1,000 references and over 400 separate pages. In Situ Thermal Cleanup of DNAPLs TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT BRANCH • TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT BRANCH • TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT BRANCH ------- Technology Innovation Program XCJ&J Vour ** ClU-IN Search EcoTools: Tools for Ecological Land Reuse Ecological reuse returns polluted or otherwise disturbed lands to a function- ing and sustainable use by increasing or improving habitat for plants and animals. "Ecological land reuse" is a broad term that encompasses a number of interre- lated activities including the reconstruc- tion of antecedent physical conditions, chemical adjustment of the soil and water, and biological manipulation which includes the reintroduction of native flora and fauna. EPA promotes land reuse programs that consider the inextricable links between all life forms and all media within an ecosystem rather than an isolated manipulation of individual elements. Reuse of contaminated sites, when based on ecological principles, can complement traditional remediation activities that ensure the protection of human health and the environment, in addition to creating habi- tat. Ecological land reuse can be a cost-effective way to create or incorporate habitats as natural remediation tools that are part of the cleanup process for contaminated sites. EcoTools Homepage As part of an effort to foster ecological revital- ization and reuse of Superfund sites, a new web resource, EcoTools, was developed to focus on ecological revitalization of contaminated property (http://www.duin.org/ecotools). The site provides in- formation on the principles of ecological reuse of con- taminated properties; resources for support including other OSRTI fact sheets and other agency reports on the subject; and links to information on soil amendments, native and invasive plant species, and ecosystem-based restoration. The web site provides a comprehensive list of region-by-region and state-by-state federal and local resources for ecological restoration projects. The site also contains a recently published report, Eco- logical Revitalization: Turning Contaminated Prop- erties into Community Assets (EPA-542-R-08-003), which was developed by a cross-OSWER cleanup- program team made up of ecological revitalization experts from Superfund and other EPA offices that regulate cleanup programs for solid and hazardous waste and petroleum. The document addresses plan- ning-level issues and highlights considerations and initiatives under different OSWER cleanup programs and case studies that provide examples of completed ecological revitalization projects at cleanup sites. The case studies are particularly noteworthy because they provide over 80 examples where revitalization was accomplished for a variety of remediation proj- ects. A second report, The Use of Soil Amendments for Remediation, Revitalization and Reuse (EPA 542- R-07-013), addresses the principles of applying soil amendments for remediating and revegetating con- taminated sites that have degraded soils. It focuses on amendments that are generally residuals (such as biosolids) from other processes, but have beneficial properties when added to soil. TAB recently published Nanotechnology for Site Remediation Fact Sheet (EPA 542-F-08-009), which provides a snapshot of nanotechnology and its current uses in remediation. This document pro- vides information to help project managers select and use new technologies, as well as help them un- derstand the potential applications of this group of technologies at their sites. The fact sheet includes information on sites where nanoparticles have been Leadville, CO, before and after the use of soil amendments for remediation, revitalization, and reuse. TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT BRANCH • TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT BRANCH • TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT BRANCH ------- tested for site remediation and identifies contacts, such as vendors or project managers with field ex- perience to facilitate networking. It is available at http://www.clu-in.org/542F08009. NZVI Visable Inside a Vegetable Oil Emulsion Droplet, Photo Courtesey of Navy Facilities Engineering Command Site profiles on selected technologies are main- tained on CLU-IN On-line Remediation Databases at http://www.cluin.org/databases. TAB maintains eight technology and contaminant-specific da- tabases with updated and formatted information that can be searched through a universal search engine. Information is provided on pilot- and full- scale applications of innovative treatment and site characterization technologies. The Branch manages publication of Technology News and Trends, a bi-monthly newsletter highlighting re- cent developments for treatment and site character- ization. It is broadly distributed to the remediation community and written by federal and state project managers to inform their peers about important new developments at sites. TAB sponsors a national annual conference on a subject related to innovative and treatment technol- ogies. Recent conferences have addressed methods to improve site monitoring and characterization and the application of nanotechnology. COLLABORATION and PARTNERSHIPS TAB products are developed in collaboration with a broad array of site cleanup professionals and groups who serve as state, federal, and industry part- ners. The Branch supports the Federal Remediation Technologies Roundtable, which is a cooperative effort among federal agencies with active remedia- tion programs. Member agencies attend twice-yearly meetings to share information and discuss collabora- tive efforts to benefit from each others experience. FRTR members share information on topics such as alternative energy sources. The technical presenta- tions at the meetings are broadcast to interested agen- cy staff through a web conference, and are archived at http://www.frtr.gov/meetings2.htm. The Branch supports the State Coalition for Remedia- tion of Drycleaners (http://www.drydeancoalition.org), a partnership with states that captures informa- tion on the performance and lessons learned from application of innovative technologies at chlori- nated solvent drycleaner sites. The coalition is made up of 13 states with established drycleaner remediation programs. A 10 Year Accomplishment Report—State Coalition for the Remediation of Drycleaners (EPA 542-R-08-004, October 2008) is a recent progress report of the accomplishments . , .,".ll,.JI,V,P»F"-TllJ*,,' ., ' . • ripping tsilffli im utautt *flt rrev-.1 utJ (run J> J ml 2007, "i\'l h*« ct1*r.J. .,•,•• thai •tmi,>i*J » (« rtuii.L Li«,p,iu«d urtiXi ••» fcv Kma 1P1 tetlliy *M wed IMM ^^SS^° ** D(.< ihrau^h I'iM. ... -..is.ni •[ih.wo.vinj. wtiiA BMO^vd iiw«(« "' sl-'' 'T"*!"*, KV-JB « 1441. TV *Vt: lheeat> 14-jiA uJeniilkd I.!- ibcp^KwiycxniKftl wji HK «e[tt (TCCL «* oMBertrd w t t«)A-~i fuw -aa) • l,l,I-"rli;lilciriJl|i>l3uuiBil"« • '•-•••• "I ihr *>>. mi iiuchinn 1.7*> mflB f" K-i; nd T2i ^j,"'^^ ^^T^w^W L I.Lcn. L.I uki und. . TeCHNOLOGYASSeSSMGNT BRANCH • TGCHNOLOGY ASSeSSMGNT BRANCH • TGCHNOLOGY ASSGSSMGNT BRANCH ------- from this collaborative effort. The Coalition doc- uments and shares technical information about actual site cleanups. Profiles for almost 150 reme- diation projects help site managers make better informed decisions. TAB provides funding and management to help support the Technical Support Project, which is an EPA headquar- ters/regional/laboratory partnership to address issues concerning char- acterization and reme- diation. The project in- cludes senior scientific and engineering staff, who participate in the Ground Water, Federal Facilities and Engineer- ing Forums. TAB also supports the new National Sediments Forum, made up of regional sediments project managers, and supporting headquarters and laboratory sediments experts. In addition, TAB works with states by participating as federal liaisons to the Board of Advisors of the In- terstate Technology & Regulatory Council (ITRC) and technical team members. The ITRC is a state- led organization that develops information resources and training on innovative cleanup technologies and approaches. Example of Solar Cell at AltusAir Force Base Site (OK), Documented in TNT Newsletter Sediment Resource Center and Ecological Risk Assessment Support Centers PROGRAM and TECHNICAL SUPPORT T ATTiile new information benefits all hazardous V V waste sites, the Branch's primary function is to increase the cost effectiveness of Superfund remedies. Staff members work on issues encompassing the entire Superfund process, including remedy selection, con- struction, post-construction, policy/guidance develop- ment (e.g., risk-sharing), and program evaluation. The status of Superfund technology use is reported in the 12th Edition of Treatment Technologies for Site Cleanup: Annual Status Report (ASR). The report provides data on technology applications at more than 1,900 soil and groundwater projects and shows continued progress in treating waste in place and ef- forts to implement innovative technologies. TAB is currently compiling data on Superfund remedies se- lected in fiscal years 2005-8. Results are expected to be published in the fall of 2009. Direct technical consultation and support is provid- ed through Technical Support Centers (Sediment, Ecological Revitalization, and funding for ORD Lab- oratories) and directly by individual TAB staff. Staff List and Expertise Technology cost and performance: John Kingscott, Branch Chief (703)603-7189 kingscott.john@epa.gov DNAPLs, manufactured gas plants, chemical oxidation, soil vapor extraction, in situ & ex situ thermal treatment: JimCummings (703) 603-7197 cummings.james@epa.gov Metals, natural attenuation, groundwater treatment, bioremediation, phytoremediation, solidification/stabilization: Linda Fiedler (703)603-7194 fiedler.linda@epa.gov Site ecological revitalization & redevelopment, terrestrial carbon sequestration, persistent organic pollutants: MicheleMahoney (703)603-9057 mahoney.michele@epa.gov Renewable energy alternatives for site cleanup, calculations of site energy use & diesel & greenhouse gas emissions: Penny McDaniel (703)603-8913 mcdaniel.penelope@epa.gov 1,4-Dioxane, mercury, mining sites, nanotechnologies: Marti Otto (703)603-8853 otto.martha@epa.gov ORD Technical Support Centers Drycleaners, technology databases: JohnQuander (703)603-7198 quander.john@epa.gov Mailing Address: Technology Assessment Branch U.S. EPA (5203 P) Ariel Rios Building 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20460 TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT BRANCH • TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT BRANCH • TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT BRANCH ------- |