Contaminated Site Clean-Up Information (CLU-IN)

Publication: Use of Amendments for In Situ Remediation at Superfund Sediment Sites

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:42:35 GMT

This document introduces the most promising amendments for in situ remediation of sediments and summarizes some of the information on contaminated sediment sites that have already employed these amendments. This document is not a guidance or design document and provides information on the state of the practice of the use of amendments for in situ remediation of contaminated sediments, as well as three case studies where these amendments have been used. This document also focuses on the use of amendments either by themselves or in conjunction with a conventional isolation cap or a thin layer cap and EMNR. The amendments discussed are designed to treat hydrophobic organic contaminants, metals, or both. Some of these amendments may also be effective in reducing risks from NAPL.

Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) for May 13-19, 2013

Sun, 19 May 2013 22:28:06 GMT

The latest Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) update has been posted to the CLU-IN web site. It contains summaries of procurement and contract award notices issued between May 13-19, 2013 that pertain to hazardous waste, solid waste, underground storage tank remediation, and other environmental topics.

CLU-IN Spotlight: 2014 ITRC Projects in the Remediation Area

Wed, 15 May 2013 19:14:13 GMT

The Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council (ITRC) requests proposals for 2014 ITRC projects in the remediation area only. ITRC would like to focus proposals on the following topical areas: site characterization, sampling, and monitoring; soil and groundwater contamination, specifically groundwater or contaminant fate and transport modeling; and long term stewardship, land use controls, and institutional controls. Proposals on other topics will be considered, but preference will be given to those that address one of the areas above. Proposals are due by 5:00 pm Eastern time on Friday, June 14, 2013.

Seminar: "NARPM Presents...Practical Applications and Methods of Optimization across the Superfund Pipeline (Part 2)" from May 8, 2013 has been added to the Internet Seminar Archives

Wed, 15 May 2013 19:30:00 GMT

This seminar is a continuation of the Part 1 seminar presented on April 30, 2013 which centered on EPA's "National Strategy to Expand Superfund Optimization Practices from Remedial Investigation to Site Completion." Part 2 of the seminar will present case studies of three prior optimization evaluations: (1) Black Butte Mine; (2) Grants Solvents; and (3) Gilt Edge Mine.

Seminar: "FRTR Presents: Large-Dilute Plumes: Challenges and Opportunities" from May 1, 2013 has been added to the Internet Seminar Archives

Mon, 13 May 2013 19:30:00 GMT

Recently, "large-dilute plumes" of chlorinated solvents have emerged as a peculiar challenge in environmental clean-up. This class of plume has several defining characteristics. These characteristics include biogeochemical conditions that result in slow contaminant degradation and that allow plume expansion, as well as matrix diffusion that results in secondary sources and that extends remediation timeframe. Research at these sites has highlighted key challenges and potential opportunities. Complicated fine-scale heterogeneity resulting from the interaction of migrating contaminants with subsurface lithology and hydrology is a particularly significant and recurring challenge — resulting in concentrated plume cores and the need for innovative-focused characterization and monitoring. Understanding the subsurface distribution of contaminants and how the plume is changing in time and space are keys to successful environmental response actions. Research and data on attenuation of contaminants resulting from physical assimilation along the flow path (such as a plume interacting with inactive pore spaces) and from degradation by abiotic and microbial processes have extended our knowledge of natural attenuation rates in aerobic-oligotrophic aquifers. The research indicates that aerobic processes, particularly abiotic degradation due to magnetite/minerals and aerobic cometabolism, are occurring in many large-dilute plumes. The attenuation rates are correlated with measurable parameters such as magnetic susceptibility or various microbial population metrics, including oxygenase enzyme activity probes, DNA composition/quantity, and total microbial counts. Consistent with the observed plume scales, the data confirm that aerobic degradation processes are slower than anaerobic degradation processes. Nonetheless, incorporation of these natural rates into models and predictions provides an important tool to aid in developing a comprehensive strategy for large-dilute plumes — mitigating the requirement for complete removal during source treatment and encouraging combined remedies as well as the development of amendments to sustainably and cost-effectively enhance degradation rates.

Seminar: The Clean Up Information Network, June 10, 2013

Thu, 9 May 2013 11:56:46 GMT

Technology Innovation and Field Services Division (TIFSD) staff will cover new changes and additions to the Clean Up Information Network (CLU-IN) website. Participants will also learn about expanded features and new platforms that are being considered for CLU-IN and our internet seminar offerings.

Seminar: The Clean Up Information Network, July 22, 2013

Thu, 9 May 2013 11:58:35 GMT

Seminar: "NARPM Presents...Practical Applications and Methods of Optimization across the Superfund Pipeline (Part 1)" from April 30, 2013 has been added to the Internet Seminar Archives

Thu, 9 May 2013 19:25:00 GMT

Part 1 of this seminar centers on EPA's National Optimization Strategy National Strategy to Expand Superfund Optimization Practices from Remedial Investigation to Site Completion" (Strategy); optimization evaluation implementation, processes, and tools; and lessons learned from optimization efforts. The seminar will: (1) provide a brief update on the development and implementation status of the Strategy and key sub-elements; (2) relay lessons learned to improve the quality of experience and outcomes of a review; and (3) introduce existing and new technologies and tools being used during the optimization process, such as 3-dimensional visualization and analysis, Incremental Sampling Methodology (ISM) and the monitoring and remediation optimization system (MAROS). Part 2 of this seminar is scheduled to take place on May 8, 2013 and will demonstrate through case studies the experiences and benefits of optimization reviews.

Seminar: "ITRC Green & Sustainable Remediation" from April 23, 2013 has been added to the Internet Seminar Archives

Thu, 9 May 2013 03:55:00 GMT

The ultimate goal of remediation systems is to protect human health and the environment from contaminants. Historically, remedies have been implemented without consideration of green or sustainable concepts in order to meet this goal. This includes the potential for transferring impacts to other media. For instance, many remedial decisions do not assess greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, energy usage, or community engagement factors prior to the investigation or remedy implementation. Considering these factors throughout the investigation and remedy implementation process may lessen negative effects of the overall cleanup impact while the remediation remains protective of human health and the environment. The consideration of these factors is Green and Sustainable Remediation (GSR) - the site-specific employment of products, processes, technologies, and procedures that mitigate contaminant risk to receptors while making decisions that are cognizant of balancing community goals, economic impacts, and net environmental effects.

Many state and federal agencies are just beginning to assess and apply green and sustainable remediation into their regulatory programs. This training provides background on GSR concepts, a scalable and flexible framework and metrics, tools and resources to conduct GSR evaluations on remedial projects. The training is based on the ITRC's Technical & Regulatory Guidance Document: Green and Sustainable Remediation: A Practical Framework (GSR-2, 2011) as well as ITRC's Overview Document, Green and Sustainable Remediation: State of the Science and Practice (GSR-1, 2011).

Beyond basic GSR principles and definitions, participants will learn the potential benefits of incorporating GSR into their projects; when and how to incorporate GSR within a project's life cycle; and how to perform a GSR evaluation using appropriate tools. In addition, a variety of case studies will demonstrate the application of GSR and the results. The training course provides an important primer for both organizations initiating GSR programs as well as those organizations seeking to incorporate GSR considerations into existing regulatory guidance.

Seminar: "ITRC Incorporating Bioavailability Considerations into the Evaluation of Contaminated Sediment Sites" from April 18, 2013 has been added to the Internet Seminar Archives

Wed, 8 May 2013 15:20:00 GMT

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that approximately 10 percent (over a billion cubic yards) of the sediment underlying our nation's surface water is sufficiently contaminated with pollutants to pose potential risks to fish and to humans and wildlife that eat fish. Based on current average costs for managing contaminated sediments, this volume of material could cost several trillion dollars to dredge. Methods to assess the potential effect of sediment contamination on human or ecological health are historically based on total contaminant concentrations in the bulk sediment. However, research conducted over the past fifteen years has shown that the bioavailability of many of these contaminants to receptors is much less than the total amount of contaminant in the sediment. "Bioavailability processes," as defined by the National Research Council, are the "individual physical, chemical, and biological interactions that determine the exposure of plants and animals to chemicals associated with soils and sediments." Only the bioavailable fraction of an environmental contaminant may be taken up and subsequently result in an effect on an organism. Incorporating bioavailability considerations in the calculation of risk can optimize the extent of cleanup required to be protective, improve site decision-making, and can be an important factor in balancing the risks caused by remedial action with the risks addressed by remedial action.

ITRC's web-based Technical and Regulatory Guidance, Incorporating Bioavailability Considerations into the Evaluation of Contaminated Sediment Sites (CS-1, 2011) and associated Internet-based training are intended to assist state regulators and practitioners with understanding and incorporating fundamental concepts of bioavailability in contaminated sediment management practices. This guidance and training describe how bioavailability considerations can be used to evaluate exposure at contaminated sediment sites, the mechanisms affecting contaminant bioavailability, available tools used to assess bioavailability, the proper application of those tools, and how bioavailability information can be incorporated into risk-management decisions. This guidance and training also contain summaries of case studies where bioavailability has been assessed and considered in the contaminated sediment remedial decision making process. This guidance and training provide insight on how bioavailability assessments can be used to understand, mitigate, and manage risk at a contaminated sediment site, often at a reduced overall project cost.

The intended users of this guidance and training participants are individuals who have a working knowledge of contaminated sediment management but seek additional information about bioavailability. Prior to the training class, participants are encouraged to review the following documents:

ITRC's web-based Technical and Regulatory Guidance, Incorporating Bioavailability Considerations into the Evaluation of Contaminated Sediment Sites (CS-1, 2011) http://www.itrcweb.org/contseds-bioavailability

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "Ecological Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund: Process for Designing and Conducting Ecological Risk Assessment"- Interim Final, June 1997 http://www.epa.gov/oswer/riskassessment/ecorisk/ecorisk.htm

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund (RAGS)" Volume 1 -- Human Health Evaluation Manual, Supplement to Part A: Community Involvement in Superfund Risk Assessments, 1989 http://www.epa.gov/oswer/riskassessment/ragsa/ci-ra.htm

Seminar: "ITRC Project Risk Management for Site Remediation" from April 16, 2013 has been added to the Internet Seminar Archives

Wed, 8 May 2013 14:20:00 GMT

Remediation Risk Management (RRM) is a course of action through which all risks related to the remediation processes (site investigations, remedy selection, execution, and completion) are holistically addressed in order to maximize the certainty in the cleanup process to protect human health and the environment. Remediation decisions to achieve such a goal should be made based on threshold criteria on human health and ecological risks, while considering all the other potential project risks. Through this training course and associated ITRC Technical and Regulatory Guidance Document: Project Risk Management for Site Remediation (RRM-1, 2011), the ITRC RRM team presents tools and processes that can help the site remediation practitioner anticipate, plan for, and mitigate many of the most common obstacles to a successful site remediation project. Examples of project risks include remediation technology feasibility risks; remedy selection risks; remedy construction, operation and monitoring risks; remedy performance and operations risks; environmental impacts of systems during their operation; worker safety risk, human health and ecological impacts due to remedy operation; as well as costs and schedules risks including funding and contracting issues. You should learn: the principles and elements of Remediation Risk Management (RRM); the importance and benefits of RRM; how to implement RRM based on a discussion of case studies: how RRM can help you achieve more successful remediation; and how to use the ITRC RRM information to your benefit.

Technology Innovation News Survey for March 1-31, 2013

Tue, 7 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

The March 1-31, 2013 Technology Innovation News Survey has been posted to the CLU-IN web site. The Survey contains market/commercialization information; reports on demonstrations, feasibility studies and research; and other news relevant to the hazardous waste community interested in technology development.

Courses and Conferences Section Update for May 3, 2013

Fri, 3 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

The CLU-IN Upcoming Courses and Conferences section was updated on May 3, 2013. There are 2 new entries, for a total of 21 upcoming courses and conferences related to hazardous waste remediation:

Seminar: "NARPM Presents...Environmental Statutes for RPMs" from April 24, 2013 has been added to the Internet Seminar Archives

Wed, 1 May 2013 19:30:00 GMT

This internet seminar provides a basic history and describes the major provisions of EPA statutes, such as the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Participants learn how statutes and regulations are developed. The session provides an overview of U.S. environmental regulations that have been created to control, manage or modify our activities and the effects of these regulations on the health of human beings and the natural environment. Additionally, the session provides a brief history of environmental laws and the origins of EPA.

Seminar: "DoD/DOE Consolidated Quality Systems Manual (QSM) for Environmental Laboratories Version 5.0 Training" from April 23, 2013 has been added to the Internet Seminar Archives

Wed, 1 May 2013 19:30:00 GMT

The Dept. of Defense (DoD) and Dept. of Energy (DOE) have created a new consolidated Quality Systems Manual (QSM) for use by our environmental laboratories and project managers. This training will focus on the important changes from previous versions of both DoD and DOE documents. The new QSM incorporates clarifications, requirements, and guidance that supplements standards provided by ISO-17025 and The NELAC Institute (TNI).

Seminar: "Military Munitions Support Services - Technology" from April 22, 2013 has been added to the Internet Seminar Archives

Wed, 1 May 2013 19:30:00 GMT

This is one of the monthly webinar sessions for the Military Munitions Support Services (M2S2) community. During this session, speakers will make presentations on application of various technologies being used or evaluated for improvements in the quality and cost of investigation or remediation of Munitions Response Sites.

Courses and Conferences Section Update for May 1, 2013

Wed, 1 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

The CLU-IN Upcoming Courses and Conferences section was updated on May 1, 2013. There are 0 new entries, for a total of 21 upcoming courses and conferences related to hazardous waste remediation:

Seminar: ITRC Environmental Molecular Diagnostics: New Tools for Better Decisions, May 21, 2013

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:53:38 GMT

Environmental molecular diagnostics (EMDs) are a group of advanced and emerging analytical techniques used to analyze biological and chemical characteristics of environmental samples. Conventional data (e.g., hydrogeological data, chemical, and geochemical analyses) often provide only indirect data regarding the mechanisms and rates of key attenuation or treatment processes. EMDs can complement these data by providing direct measurements of the organisms, genes or enzymes involved in contaminant biodegradation, of the relative contributions of abiotic and biotic processes, and of the relative rates of various degradation processes. The information provided by EMDs can improve estimates of attenuation rates and capacities and improve remedy performance assessments and optimization efforts. Improved understanding of the biological and non-biological degradation processes also can lead to greater confidence in MNA or closure decisions. EMDs have application in each phase of environmental site management (including site characterization, remediation, monitoring, and closure activities), address a wide variety of contaminants (including PCE, PCBs, radionuclides, perchlorate, fuels), and work with various media (including groundwater, soil, sediments, soil vapor).

Although EMDs have been used over the past 25 years in various scientific fields, particularly medical research and diagnostic fields, their application to environmental remediation management is relatively new and rapidly developing. The ITRC Environmental Molecular Diagnostics Fact Sheets (EMD-1, 2011), ITRC Environmental Molecular Diagnostics Technical and Regulatory Guidance (EMD-2, 2013) and this companion Internet-based training will foster the appropriate uses of EMDs and help regulators, consultants, site owners, and other stakeholders to better understand a site and to make decisions based on the results of EMD analyses. At the conclusion of the training, learners will be able to determine when and how to use the ITRC Environmental Molecular Diagnostics Technical and Regulatory Guidance (EMD-2, 2013); define when EMDs can cost-effectively augment traditional remediation data sets; and describe the utility of various types of EMDs during remediation activities.

Training participants are encouraged to review the ITRC EMD Fact Sheets, in particular the Introduction to EMDs fact sheet, before the Internet-based training.

Seminar: ITRC Development of Performance Specifications for Solidification/Stabilization, June 25, 2013

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:54:37 GMT

Solidification/Stabilization (S/S) is a remedial technology option which blends treatment reagents into contaminated material to impart physical and/or chemical changes to reduce the flux of contamination that leaches from a contaminant source to within acceptable parameters set forth in a site-specific remediation goal. S/S can be effective for metals, asbestos, radioactive materials, oxidizers, PAHs, PCBs, and pesticides and is potentially effective for dioxins/furans, some VOCs and other organics. Although there is abundant literature describing the S/S process and test methods for design and implementation, there was a lack of guidance for assessing performance. The ITRC technical and regulatory guidance document Development of Performance Specifications for Solidification/Stabilization (S/S-1, 2011) and associated Internet-based training provide an approach to assist practitioners and regulators with measuring and determining acceptable S/S performance. This approach developed by the ITRC Solidification/Stabilization Team provides information for developing, testing, and evaluating appropriate site-specific performance specifications and the considerations for designing appropriate long-term stewardship programs. In addition, the approach provides useful tools for establishing an appropriate degree of treatment and regulatory confidence in the performance data to support decision-making. This training and guidance is intended to be beneficial to anyone involved with CERCLA, RCRA, brownfields, UST or any other regulatory program where S/S has been selected or implemented as a remedial technology.

For reference during the training class, participants should have available a copy of the process diagram, Figure 4-1 on page 29 of the ITRC Technology and Regulatory Guidance Document Development of Performance Specifications for Solidification/Stabilization (S/S-1, 2011) and available as a 1-page PDF at http://www.cluin.org/conf/itrc/ss/ITRC-SS-Process.pdf.

Seminar: ITRC Biofuels: Release Prevention, Environmental Behavior, and Remediation, June 27, 2013

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:00:10 GMT

Biofuels and biofuel blends are a new category of transportation fuels and are defined as liquid fuels and blending components produced from renewable biomass feedstocks used as alternative or supplemental fuels for internal combustion engines. Their manufacture and consumption are increasing, in part, due to usage mandates and incentives both in the United States and abroad. This expanded use of biofuel and biofuel blends increases the potential frequency of releases due to increased manufacture, transportation, storage, and distribution. Because biofuels differ from conventional fuels with respect to their physical, chemical, and biological properties, their introduction poses challenges with respect to understanding the potential impacts of releases to the environment. Specifically, once released into the environment, these fuels will exhibit different environmental behaviors as compared to conventional fuels.

This training, which is based on the ITRC's Biofuels: Release Prevention, Environmental Behavior, and Remediation (Biofuels-1, 2011), focuses on the differences between biofuels and conventional fuels specific to release scenarios, environmental impacts, characterization, and remediation. The trainers will define the scope of the potential environmental challenges by introducing biofuel fundamentals, regulatory status, and future usage projections. Participants will learn how and when to use the ITRC biofuels guidance document for their projects. They will understand the differences in biofuel and petroleum behavior; become familiar with the biofuel supply chain, potential release scenarios and release prevention; be able to develop an appropriate conceptual model for the investigation and remediation of biofuels; and select appropriate investigation and remediation strategies.

Seminar: EPA's Methodology for Understanding and Reducing a Project's Environmental Footprint, May 22, 2013

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 18:20:26 GMT

The process of cleaning up a hazardous waste site uses energy, water and other natural or materials resources and consequently creates an environmental footprint of its own. In February 2012, the U.S. EPA released a methodology for quantifying the environmental footprints. The information obtained helps prioritize efforts to reduce the footprint and improve the outcome of cleanups under any regulatory program. This two-hour seminar will: (1) briefly discuss the regulatory framework; (2) summarize the methodology for estimating or quantifying the footprint and the associated metrics; (3) walk participants through the steps of performing an environmental footprint analysis; (4) present some questions for discussion and share lessons learned from early adopters. An open forum will be held after the presentations, during which participants will be able to submit questions and feedback to the speakers.

CLU-IN Spotlight: Draft Final Vapor Intrusion Guidance Documents

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 16:26:58 GMT

EPA has prepared external review drafts of two guidance documents about vapor intrusion: a general guidance for all compounds and one focused on petroleum hydrocarbons released from underground storage tanks. When final, these guidance documents will help ensure vapor intrusion exposure assessment and mitigation actions to protect human health are undertaken in a technically, scientifically and nationally consistent manner. The public may provide input by May 24, 2013.

Seminar: NARPM Presents...RECs, Renewables and Remediation, June 6, 2013

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 16:59:01 GMT

This introductory level session provides an overview of the spectrum of options available to reduce, or at least offset, the energy footprint of your sites. We explain what renewable energy credits (REC) really are, provide information about generating small-scale renewable energy on-site using mobile systems and cover the basics of how to evaluate the feasibility of using on-site renewable energy to power a remedy. The session includes a presentation on a Screening-Level Renewable Energy Assessment that was conducted for a site in the EPA Region 3, which systematically evaluated the existing energy infrastructure available for the site and options for onsite electricity generation via wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and hydropower. Our goal is that participants leave the session with sufficient information to feel comfortable evaluating and selecting greener energy strategies for their sites. This course should be suitable for all RPMs.

Publication: Optimization Review: Velsicol Chemical Corporation, Hardeman County Landfill Superfund Site, Toone, Tennessee

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:12:51 GMT

The Velsicol Chemical Corporation Hardeman County Landfill Superfund Site (the Site) is located in a rural area near the town of Toone in western Tennessee. The optimization review of the Site includes a comprehensive review of the CSM, existing soil and waste remedies, soil vapor extraction (SVE) pilot studies, and potential remedial alternatives for soil. While the focus of this review is on potential soil and waste remediation, an initial review of potential groundwater remediation is also considered.

Publication: Optimization Review: Groveland Wells Numbers 1 and 2 Superfund Site, Town of Groveland, Essex County, Massachusetts

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 14:26:51 GMT

The document describes the optimization evaluation that was performed on the water treatment plant at the Gilt Edge Mine Superfund Site in Lawrence County, South Dakota. The document includes a description of the efforts performed during the optimization review, a description of the remedy components at the sites, a description of the conceptual site model, and findings and recommendations for the site.

Seminar: "NARPM Presents...Closeout Procedures for National Priorities List Sites" from April 10, 2013 has been added to the Internet Seminar Archives

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 19:15:00 GMT

Close Out Procedures for National Priorities List Sites is designed to assist RPMs in understanding the requirements for achieving and documenting accomplishments for site close out. The EPA Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation (OSRTI) issued an updated version of the Close Out Procedures guidance in May 2011. The guidance describes the recommended process for accomplishing and documenting four key milestones for sites on the National Priorities List (NPL): remedial action completion, construction completion, site completion and site deletion (including partial deletion). This session assists new RPMs in understanding the requirements for each accomplishment. More experienced RPMs learn about the important changes that were made in the revised guidance.

CLU-IN Spotlight: Superfund Risk Assessment and How You Can Help

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 20:20:06 GMT

EPA developed the 40-minute video "Superfund Risk Assessment and How You Can Help" to help explain in plain terms the Superfund human health risk assessment process and how communities can be involved. The video lays the groundwork for in-depth discussion on human health risk assessment, how it relates to cleanup, and how people can be involved. The community interviews in the video enhance the message that early community involvement is important to the Superfund cleanup program. A presenter?s manual is available, designed to support EPA Superfund staff during public presentation of the 40-minute video.

The 10-minute introductory video contains information extracted from the 40-minute video. This video could be shown to a community to assess whether they want to know more about human health risk assessment.

To request a copy of a transcript for this video, please contact Jean Balent at balent.jean@epa.gov.

Also available is a 19-minute video "Superfund Radiation Risk Assessment and How You Can Help: An Overview" which explains in plain terms the Superfund human health risk assessment process for radioactive contaminants and how communities can be involved.

Courses and Conferences Section Update for April 8, 2013

Mon, 8 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

The CLU-IN Upcoming Courses and Conferences section was updated on April 8, 2013. There is 1 new entry, for a total of 21 upcoming courses and conferences related to hazardous waste remediation:

Similar to the 18th Annual Short Course Contaminated and Hazardous Waste Site Management, Jun 10 - 14, 2013, Toronto, Canada