Technology
Assessment
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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
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Technology Innovation Program
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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