Site Characterization For Subsurface Remediation

At hundreds of thousands of commercial, industrial, and military sites across the country, subsurface materials including groundwater are contaminated with chemical waste. The last decade has seen growing interest in using aggressive source remediation technologies to remove contaminants from the subsurface, but there is limited understanding of (1) the effectiveness of these technologies and (2) the overall effect of mass removal on groundwater quality. This report reviews the suite of technologies available for source remediation and their ability to reach a variety of cleanup goals, from meeting regulatory standards for groundwater to reducing costs. The report proposes elements of a protocol for accomplishing source remediation that should enable project managers to decide whether and how to pursue source remediation at their sites.

This volume evaluates a selection of new technologies for the remediation of groundwater pollution. It covers techniques for both site remediation and characterization, and many of the techniques described are ready for commercial application.

Site Remediation: Planning and Management describes the management of remediation from a planning perspective, skillfully combining Superfund requirements and site remediation strategy in one practical volume. It clarifies and suggests remedies for the current quagmire of confusing Superfund reform and slow, expensive site remediation by thoroughly explaining the Superfund program and then describing how each of its components can fit into an integrated planning and management strategy. Site Remediation covers environmental sampling, site characterization, risk assessment, cleanup criteria, technology and technology screening, and public participation. Detailed and comprehensive, yet easy to understand, this book contains all you need to know about this important subject.

Fractured rock is the host or foundation for innumerable engineered structures related to energy, water, waste, and transportation. Characterizing, modeling, and monitoring fractured rock sites is critical to the functioning of those infrastructure, as well as to optimizing resource recovery and contaminant management. Characterization, Modeling, Monitoring, and Remediation of Fractured Rock examines the state of practice and state of art in the characterization of fractured rock and the chemical and biological processes related to subsurface contaminant fate and transport. This report examines new developments, knowledge, and approaches to engineering at fractured rock sites since the publication of the 1996 National Research Council report Rock Fractures and Fluid Flow: Contemporary Understanding and Fluid Flow. Fundamental understanding of the physical nature of fractured rock has changed little since 1996, but many new characterization tools have been developed, and there is now greater appreciation for the importance of chemical and biological processes that can occur in the fractured rock environment. The findings of Characterization, Modeling, Monitoring, and Remediation of Fractured Rock can be applied to all types of engineered infrastructure, but especially to engineered repositories for buried or stored waste and to fractured rock sites that have been contaminated as a result of past disposal or other practices. The recommendations of this report are intended to help the practitioner, researcher, and decision maker take a more interdisciplinary approach to engineering in the fractured rock environment. This report describes how existing tools-some only recently developed-can be used to increase the accuracy and reliability of engineering design and management given the interacting forces of nature. With an interdisciplinary approach, it is possible to conceptualize and model the fractured rock environment with acceptable levels of uncertainty and reliability, and to design systems that maximize remediation and long-term performance. Better scientific understanding could inform regulations, policies, and implementation guidelines related to infrastructure development and operations. The recommendations for research and applications to enhance practice of this book make it a valuable resource for students and practitioners in this field.

While innovative technologies in remediation need to be developed, so do innovative ways of site assessment. This monograph describes the development, testing, and performance of a new laser-induced fluorescence soil probe. A screening tool for site characterization, this probe has the potential to provide an economical, rapid assessment of contaminated sites. Cone Penetrometer testing equipment advances the probe into the subsurface. The probe identifies hydrocarbon classes using a multi-channel excitation-emission matrix. This technique facilitates the collection of significant amounts of subsurface information - surpassing conventional data collection methods - that can be used to rapidly identify areas of concern beneath a site. The technology has significant application for the following: Rapid environmental site assessment Monitoring remediation programs Monitoring manufacturing processes and industrial waste water operations Subsurface Contamination Monitoring Using Laser Fluorescence provides comprehensive reference material for researchers and engineers as well as engineering consultants interested in subsurface monitoring techniques or further development of this technology. It describes innovative technology that focuses on finding cost effective solutions for site assessment and remediation.

For all aspects of managing contaminated sites - from diagnosis and site characterization to the development and implementation of site restoration programs - Management of Contaminated Site Problems provides you with all the tools and techniques you need. This excellent new resource on understanding and managing environmental contamination problems in general, and contaminated sites in particular, represents a collection and synthesis of modern issues. It defines common procedures used in the planning, development, and evaluation of corrective measures for potentially contaminated sites and facilities. It also includes example analyses and workplans for evaluating and implementing corrective measures.