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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. EPA Technology Innovation and Field Services Division

Technology Innovation News Survey

Entries for December 16-31, 2014

Market/Commercialization Information
INDEFINITE DELIVERY ARCHITECT-ENGINEER CONTRACT FOR HAZARDOUS, TOXIC AND RADIOLOGICAL (HTRW) SERVICES, PRIMARILY VARIOUS LOCATIONS, ALASKA AND PACIFIC RIM
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), USACE District, Alaska.
Federal Business Opportunities, FBO-4810, Solicitation W911KB-15-S-0015.

The USACE Alaska District is conducting market research to identify firms able to perform HTRW-associated services with sufficient staff, flexibility, and capability to be available on an as-needed basis. The applicable NAICS code is 541330, and the related small business size standard is $15M. This sources sought is open to all qualified prime contractor firms. Interested firms should submit a capabilities package (5 pages maximum) demonstrating the ability to perform the work detailed in the notice at FBO.gov by or before 2:00 PM Alaska Time, February 13, 2015. https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USA/COE/DACA85/W911KB-15-S-0015/listing.html


RCRA RFI REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT
Army Contracting Command (ACC) - Warren, Anniston, AL.
Federal Business Opportunities, FBO-4808, Solicitation W911KF15Q0020.

The procurement for a RCRA Facility Investigation (RFI) at Anniston Army Depot (ANAD) has been designated a small business set-aside. The purpose of the RFI is to characterize the nature, extent, and rate of migration of releases of hazardous waste or constituents and to interpret this information to determine whether interim corrective measures and/or a corrective measures study might be necessary. ANAD may also identify a requirement for the closure of a Solid Waste Management Unit or Hazardous Waste Management Unit that requires sampling as a component of a closure activity. The RFI field work shall be completed within 150 days of Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) notification to ANAD unless other actions have been approved by ADEM. The NAICS code is 541380; size standard is $12M. The solicitation will be issued electronically through the ASFI website — https://acquisition.army.mil/asfi/ — on or about February 6, 2015. https://www.fbo.gov/notices/e868f0bf0d28f50c133e3e6edac33e07


MARKETPLACE 2015: PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
U.S. EPA, Office of Acquisition Management, RTP Procurement Operations Division.
Federal Business Opportunities, FBO-4809, Solicitation SOL-NC-15-00013.

Small business firms are invited to find new customers at Marketplace 2015. This biennial "reverse" trade show allows small business owners to network and meet contracting officers from federal, state, and local government agencies and large prime contractors. Previous government and prime contracting officials in attendance include Academi, Cree, GSA, Lockheed Martin, Lowe's Companies, Missile Defense Agency, NC DOT, Northrup Grumman, RTI, SAAB Barracuda, US ASOC, and US DHHS. Marketplace 2015 will be held May 27, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel & Convention Center, 4700 Emperor Blvd., Durham, NC. Online registration will be available in early 2015. Visit http://www.sbtdc.org/events/marketplace to learn more and see details of past events. https://www.fbo.gov/spg/EPA/OAM/CMD/SOL-NC-15-00013/listing.html


SMALL BUSINESS EVENT: WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS OUTREACH SESSION
U.S. EPA, Office of Small Business Programs, Washington, DC.
Federal Business Opportunities, FBO-4816, Solicitation Women_Owned_Outreach_2015.

U.S. EPA is holding a vendor outreach session for woman-owned small businesses on March 5, 2015, 10 AM to 12 PM, at EPA WJC East, 1201 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC. Register to attend at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WOSB03052015. Space is limited, and only one representative per firm may attend. Bring business cards, a capabilities statement and a state-issued ID. Topics include Doing Business with EPA, Upcoming Procurements, and Small Business Networking.


DOUGLAS HARBOR MAINTENANCE DREDGING, DOUGLAS, ALASKA
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, USACE District, Alaska.
Federal Business Opportunities, FBO-4801, Solicitation W911KB-15-R-0025.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is conducting market research to facilitate determination of an acquisition strategy by identifying businesses that have the capability to perform surveying, dredging, disposal, and capping of ~40,000 cubic yards of mercury-contaminated silts, sands, and gravels, some of which have not been dredged before, from the harbor basin at Douglas, Alaska. Any resulting contract will be a firm-fixed-price construction contract with an estimated magnitude between $5M and $10M. This procurement is subject to the availability of funds. The intent of this sources sought notice is to research qualified firms for a potential acquisition under a primary NAICS code of 237990, which has a size standard of $25.5 million. Responses are due via email by or before 1400 Alaska Time, February 17, 2015. https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USA/COE/DACA85/W911KB-15-R-0025/listing.html


ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT, AND DEMILITARIZATION TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVES
Army Contracting Command, Center for Contracting and Commerce, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ.
Federal Business Opportunities, FBO-4815, Solicitation W15QKN-15-X-6970.

The Government is seeking to collaborate (via a Section 845 Other Transaction Agreement) with a consortium comprising educational, nonprofit, and commercial organizations to perform a coordinated R&D program designed to attract new technologies and spur development of basic and advanced prototypes that are critical to DoD's energy, environmental, and demilitarization technology goals. On the list of areas of interest for development within the consortium, environmental topics include (1) advancing the development of pollution prevention and mitigation technologies to sustain the industrial base and protect personnel handling potentially hazardous chemicals and (2) demonstrating novel techniques to treat hazardous pollutants at DoD testing and training ranges. Interested sources may submit their qualifications and capabilities by March 12, 2015. This sources sought notice is for information and planning purposes only, and does not constitute an RFP. https://www.fbo.gov/notices/af7698a436bbd68f7c678d9bfac9c0a6



Cleanup News
IN-SITU GAS THERMAL REMEDIATION AT A DRY CLEANER COMBINED WITH REFRIGERATED CONDENSATION VAPOR TREATMENT
Kessel, L., G. Geckeler, and C. Winell.
EcoForum Conference & Exhibition, 29-31 October 2014, Gold Coast, Australia. Presentation E036, 27 slides, 2014

Investigations at a former dry cleaner site located in Redwood City, California, showed PCE in the soil to a depth of 5 ft bgs, with a maximum concentration of 7,100 µg/kg. Low levels of PCE degradation by-products also affected the soil beneath the 16-ft x 24-ft building. The remediation goal was driven by vapor intrusion risk, requiring final levels to be below commercial soil gas screening criteria. The patented Gas Thermal Remediation (GTR™) system was used for in situ thermal remediation to accelerate PCE mass removal by heating affected soil and groundwater to target temperatures of 100°C, and ~99.9% of the PCE and TCE from the vapor stream was compressed, cryogenically cooled, and condensed by the C3 Technology refrigerated vapor condensation process. The combination of thermal and C3 technologies enabled rapid volatilization and removal of PCE from subsurface soil and groundwater. Remediation goals were achieved in 4.5 months with a 99% reduction of PCE contamination in the subsurface soils.
Slides: http://www.ecoforum.net.au/pdfs/EcoForum%20Papers/E036%20Lowell%20Kessel.pdf
Longer abstract: http://www.ecoforum.net.au/In%20Program/E036%20Lowell%20Kessel.pdf

INNOVATIVE REMEDIATION OF A PETRO CHEMICAL PLANT
Grewal, R.
2014 RPIC Federal Contaminated Sites National Workshop, 14-16 April, Ottawa, Ontario, 30 slides, 2014

A former petrochemical plant (1961-1992) manufactured mainly benzoic acid and phenol on a 118-acre site in Delta, British Columbia. The site had concentrations of BTEX, VPH, LEPH/HEPH, PAHs, non-chlorinated phenols, and metals in soil and groundwater above regulatory limits. The remediation objective was to obtain a remediation certificate within a 2-year period with total costs significantly less than off-site soil disposal. The comprehensive plan to remediate soil and groundwater contamination on and off site combined remedial techniques. After a detailed site investigation, the contractor (1) designed and constructed on site within the berms surrounding former aboveground storage tanks a 10,000 m2 biocell for hazardous soil and a 6,000 m2 biocell for waste-quality soil; (2) excavated 6,400 tonnes of non-contaminated overburden soil material from the remediation area and stockpiled it on-site for later use; (3) excavated 35,000 tonnes of contaminated soil and transferred it to the biocells; and (4) completed injection of an oxidation chemical at the south end of the remediation area in the proximity of a water main and active rail line. Biocell treatment of contaminated soil achieved concentrations below commercial soil standards within ~6 months. Groundwater concentrations within the remedial excavation area achieved risk-based standards within a similar time period. The off-site chemical injection program used a modified gravity feed injection system. Following two injection events, toluene concentrations declined by 70-80%. http://www.rpic-ibic.ca/documents/RPIC_FCS2014/Presentations/6-Grewal_RPIC_Presentation_Feb_14_FINAL_.pdf


Demonstrations / Feasibility Studies
ENHANCED AMENDMENT DELIVERY TO LOW PERMEABILITY ZONES FOR CHLORINATED SOLVENT SOURCE AREA BIOREMEDIATION
Adamson, D., C. Newell, M. Truex, and L. Zhong.
ESTCP Project ER-200913, 202 pp, 2014

A demonstration of the use of shear-thinning fluid based technology to improve treatment within low-permeability (low-k) zones of heterogeneous subsurface environments was conducted in a test cell within the Area D TCE plume at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Low-k zones, which can serve as a long-term secondary source of contamination when transport is diffusion-controlled, are difficult to target using standard injection-based treatment approaches. A shear-thinning fluid can be used to distribute a bioremediation amendment (e.g., lactate) around an injection well such that the solution achieves better penetration and delivers the amendments to zones of both high and low permeability. When injected at a relatively high velocity compared to natural groundwater flow velocities, the shear-thinning nature of the solution allows it to flow more readily, promoting cross-flow from high- to low-permeability zones. During the demonstration, the shear-thinning fluid improved amendment distribution by ~41% with enhanced persistence and treatment effectiveness within the lower-k zones of the heterogeneous aquifer. It is anticipated that permeability contrasts of 1-2 orders of magnitude are amenable to this technology (e.g., improving distribution to silt layers within a sand matrix, but not clay layers). Field work started in August 2013, and performance monitoring events were completed in February and May 2014. https://www.serdp-estcp.org/content/download/32077/313811/file/ER-200913-FR.pdf


OPTIMIZED ENHANCED BIOREMEDIATION THROUGH 4D GEOPHYSICAL MONITORING AND AUTONOMOUS DATA COLLECTION, PROCESSING AND ANALYSIS
Major, W. and R. Versteeg.
ESTCP Project ER-200717, 99 pp, 2014

One of the major limitations to the effectiveness of in situ bioremediation is that performance is dependent on effective amendment delivery. Practitioners generally have little knowledge of the subsurface distribution of amendments, however, and substantial uncertainty can arise about whether treatment design criteria have been met, or if (and where and when) additional injections are required. Uncertainty is addressed through dense sampling or through overly conservative remedial efforts, both of which are costly. The performance objectives of this technology demonstration were to show that automated electrical geophysical monitoring can be used as an alternative to existing methods to provide timely, volumetric, and cost-effective information on spatiotemporal behavior of amendments used in enhanced bioremediation. These objectives included quantitative and qualitative measures. Quantitative measures were formulated in terms of spatial resolution, temporal resolution, and data-processing time/turnaround. Qualitative measures pertained to timely delivery of actionable information to scientists/engineers in the field and the ability of geophysical monitoring to map amendment behavior. https://www.estcp.com/content/download/32059/313614/file/ER-200717-FR.pdf


COMBINING ABIOTIC AND BIOTIC PROCESSES FOR AGGRESSIVE TREATMENT OF CHLORINATED ETHENES
Leigh, D.
Book of Abstracts: The Fourth International Symposium on Environmental Biotechnology and Engineering, Mexico D.F., Mexico, ISBN: 978-607-9023-24-9, p 99, 2014

An aggressive treatment approach combining biological and abiotic processes is being applied to TCE contamination in soil and groundwater at IR Site 29 Concord Naval Weapons Station, California. A TCE plume extends ~700 ft downgradient from the source area and up to 100 ft bgs. The aquifer consists of unconsolidated silt, sands, and clays. Groundwater in the treatment area is highly aerobic. A previously conducted pilot test demonstrated that application of enhanced reductive dechlorination (ERD) resulted in complete degradation of TCE concentration from 5,000 µg/L to <1 µg/L in ~500 days. Subsequent pilot tests were conducted at the site to compare biologically mediated ERD to in situ chemical reduction (ISCR). The ERD pilot test was conducted by distributing emulsified vegetable oil and a dechlorinating microbial culture (SDC-9™). The ISCR test enhanced biotic reductive dechlorination by distributing Emulsified Lecithin Substrate® and SDC-9™. Abiotic processes in the ISCR approach were applied by distribution of zero-valent iron. In the ERD test, arsenic persisted at over 4 times the MCL, whereas arsenic never exceeded the MCL in the ISCR test. TCE and DCE fell below the MCL in both pilot tests, whereas VC fell below the MCL only in the ISCR test. ISCR achieved the remedial goals in about one-third the time required by ERD, which is attributed to the rapid abiotic degradation of DCE by ISCR. The ISCR process was selected for full-scale treatment. See details at http://www.peroxychem.com/media/105083/Concord-Naval-Base-Case-Study-22-01-ESD-14.pdf.


LABORATORY AND PILOT-SCALE BIOREMEDIATION OF PENTAERYTHRITOL TETRANITRATE (PETN) CONTAMINATED SOIL
Zhuang, L., L. Gui, R.W. Gillham, and R.C. Landis.
Journal of Hazardous Materials, Vol 264, 261-268, 2014

The munitions constituent PETN is commonly encountered in munitions-contaminated soils and poses a serious threat to aquatic organisms. Granular iron and organic carbon amendments were used in lab and pilot-scale tests of PETN-contaminated soil at a site near Denver, Colorado. After 446 days in the field, mass removal of up to 53,071 mg/kg of PETN (80%) was achieved with an organic carbon amendment (DARAMEND®) of 4% by weight. In both lab tests and the field pilot, granular iron was ineffective for this site owing to passivation of the iron surfaces resulting from very high concentrations of nitrate in the contaminated soil. Low concentration of organic carbon was a key factor limiting bioremediation of PETN in the contaminated soil, and the addition of organic carbon amendments proved to be highly effective in stimulating PETN biodegradation.



Research
NEW APPROACHES TO EVALUATE THE BIOLOGICAL DEGRADATION OF RDX IN GROUNDWATER
Hatzinger, P. and M. Fuller.
SERDP Project ER-1607, 127 pp, 2014

The primary objective of this project was to combine state-of-the art analytical techniques, molecular approaches, and biogeochemical studies to enhance general understanding of the biodegradation of RDX in groundwater aquifers. The work encompassed a study of sample preservation techniques and development of gas-chromatography isotope-ratio mass spectrometry (GC-IRMS) methods to quantify stable isotope ratios of both N and C in RDX. The stable isotope probing and compound-specific stable isotope analysis techniques developed during the project are expected to have application for documenting in situ RDX biodegradation as a natural attenuation process or during bioremediation efforts. Mesocosm studies were conducted to evaluate the degradation of RDX under different electron-accepting conditions and to identify and evaluate the responsible organisms. https://www.estcp.com/content/download/31947/312519/file/ER-1607-FR.pdf


PROOF-OF-CONCEPT STUDY: NOVEL MICROBIALLY DRIVEN FENTON REACTION FOR IN SITU REMEDIATION OF GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATED WITH 1,4-DIOXANE, TETRACHLOROETHENE (PCE) AND TRICHLOROETHENE (TCE): PHASE I
DiChristina, T.
SERDP Project ER-2305, 40 pp, 2014

A microbially driven Fenton reaction is designed to generate hydroxyl radicals for autocatalytic degradation of 1,4-dioxane (dioxane), TCE, and PCE. In comparison to conventional, purely abiotic Fenton reactions, the microbially driven Fenton reaction operates at circumneutral pH and does not require addition of exogenous hydrogen peroxide or UV irradiation to regenerate Fe(II). The degradation process is driven by the Fe(III)-reducing facultative anaerobe Shewanella oneidensis. Under optimal conditions, the microbially driven Fenton reaction completely degraded the study contaminants in 53 h, with optimal aerobic-anaerobic cycling frequencies of 3 h. Acetate and oxalate were detected as transient intermediates during the microbially driven Fenton degradation of dioxane, an indication that conventional and microbially driven Fenton degradation processes may follow similar reaction pathways. https://www.estcp.com/content/download/31711/310430/file/ER-2305-FR%20-%20Phase%20I.pdf


BIOAVAILABILITY AND METHYLATION POTENTIAL OF MERCURY SULFIDES IN SEDIMENTS
Hsu-Kim, H. and M. Deshusses. SERDP Project ER-1744, 135 pp, 2014

Researchers investigated the geochemical processes that control the bioavailability of mercury to methylating bacteria in contaminated sediments. The research tested the hypothesis that kinetically limited mercury sulfide mineralization reactions, rather than equilibrium porewater chemistry, control the concentration of bioavailable mercury to sediment bacteria that convert it to methylmercury, the form that bioaccumulates in food webs. The study investigated the relationship between mercury speciation and bio-uptake/methylation in sediments, focusing specifically on the microbial methylation potential of nanoparticulate HgS in relation to bulk-scale HgS and dissolved Hg-sulfide species. The aim was to establish a premise that links the "age" and chemical form of Hg in sediment porewater to the rate of MeHg formation. The kinetic data were incorporated in a conceptual model describing the fate of mercury. https://www.estcp.com/content/download/31946/312509/file/ER-1744-FR.pdf The project summary presentation, almost one hour in length, is posted at https://www.serdp-estcp.org/Tools-and-Training/Videos/ER-1744-Project-Summary-Presentation.


IMPACT OF ACTIVATION METHODS ON PERSULFATE OXIDATION OF METHYL TERT-BUTYL ETHER
Deng, D., L. Peng, M. Guan, and Y. Kang.
Journal of Hazardous Materials, Vol 264, 521-528, 2014

MTBE aqueous solutions were treated with three common field persulfate processes, each activated using a different method: heat, Fe(III)-EDTA, or alkaline. The results were compared with MTBE oxidation by Fenton's reagent and persulfate alone at 25°C. Heat activation at 40°C offered the most rapid removal of MTBE and its daughter products, while Fe(III)-EDTA activation showed higher efficiency of MTBE removal but low removal efficiency of daughter products. Alkaline persulfate removed MTBE more slowly and with less accumulation of daughter products. TBA and acetone were observed as the main purgeable daughter products along with a small amount of tert-butyl formate in persulfate oxidation of MTBE, while tert-butyl formate, TBA, and acetone were the main products in Fenton oxidation. Mechanistic analysis suggests that degradation of MTBE by persulfate likely happens via non-oxygen demand pathways rather than the dominant oxygen demand degradation pathways observed in Fenton oxidation.


BRIEFING PAPER: DGT MONITORING OF THG AND MEHG IN POREWATER, SOUTH RIVER, VA
Reible, D., P. Bireta, A. Schierz, and B. Rao.
South River Science Team Expert Panel Meeting, 8-9 October 2014. 5 pp, 2014

Diffusion gradient in thin film (DGT) devices have been used to measure total mercury (THg) and methyl mercury (MeHg) in South River. These devices accumulate THg and MeHg onto a sorbing thiol-resin separated from the surrounding medium by a thin diffusion layer. The rate of uptake is dependent upon the rate of diffusion through this layer and the concentration of the species in the porespace of the surrounding medium. THg generally is associated with porewater ions, including chloride and sulfides, dissolved organic matter, or suspended particulates rather than freely dissolved matter. Work was conducted during 2014 to gain a better understanding of which of these species pass the diffusion layer and therefore are measured by the DGT. It is believed that the biologically relevant Hg species are those that readily pass a cell wall and hence are potentially limited to molecular- and nanometer-sized complexes. The purpose of the DGT is to measure THg in these species rather than 100-450 nm colloidal- and particulate-associated Hg, which would still be expected to pass a 0.45 µm filter that operationally defines "dissolved Hg" by conventional water and porewater sampling. Experiments also were conducted to demonstrate the ability of the DGT device to reject Hg associated with larger particles and to evaluate Hg uptake associated with dissolved organic matter. https://s3.amazonaws.com/abi_web_files/southriverscienceteam.org/document-library/2014/10/Briefing-Paper_Diffusion-Gradient-in-Thin-Film--DGT-Monitoring.pdf


STABILIZATION OF MERCURY AND METHYL MERCURY BY BIOCHARS IN WATER/SEDIMENT MICROCOSMS
Liu, P., C. Ptacek, D. Blowes, K. Paulson, J. Ma, and A.O. Wang.
South River Science Team Expert Panel Meeting, 8-9 October 2014. 8 pp, 2014

The studies described in this paper focus on evaluating the effectiveness of biochar amendments for controlling dissolved Hg concentrations and limiting the production of methyl mercury in saturated, anaerobic microcosm experiments in a lab setting over longer timeframes than have been investigated previously. The effectiveness of amending South River sediment with multiple sources of biochars also was evaluated over the longer timeframes to provide a direct comparison of treatment effectiveness for different biochar materials. https://s3.amazonaws.com/abi_web_files/southriverscienceteam.org/document-library/2014/10/Briefing-Paper_Stabilization-of-Mercury-and-Methylmercury-by-Biochars-in-Microcosms.pdf


EVALUATION OF POTENTIAL TREATMENT METHODS FOR MERCURY-BEARING RIVERBANK SEDIMENTS AND SOILS FROM THE SOUTH RIVER, VIRGINIA (USA)
Ptacek, C., K. Paulson, P. Liu, K. Desrochers, and D. Blowes.
South River Science Team Expert Panel Meeting, 8-9 October 2014. 13 pp, 2014

The sediments and soils in the South River watershed contain elevated Hg concentrations that can be released to the local ecosystem. Studies were conducted at the University of Waterloo to evaluate the effectiveness of passive treatment methods for controlling Hg release and biological uptake. The goal was to evaluate the effectiveness of reactive media—biochar-based materials, common adsorbents, and other reagents—to remove or stabilize both dissolved and particulate Hg. After initially screening the materials for control of inorganic Hg, more detailed studies were conducted to evaluate Hg removal under dynamic flow conditions, potential formation of methyl Hg during treatment, and removal of Hg over longer time frames. https://s3.amazonaws.com/abi_web_files/southriverscienceteam.org/document-library/2014/10/Briefing-Paper_Evaluation-of-Potential-Treatment-Methods-for-Sediments-and-Soils_corrected-x-2.pdf


EFFECT OF DISSOLVED OXYGEN MANIPULATION ON DIFFUSIVE EMISSIONS FROM NAPL-IMPACTED LOW PERMEABILITY SOIL LAYERS
Clifton, L.M., P.R. Dahlen, and P.C. Johnson.
Environmental Science & Technology, Vol 48 No 9, 5127-5135, 2014

Experiments were performed to investigate if diffusive emissions from NAPL-impacted low-permeability layers into groundwater moving through adjacent NAPL-free high-permeability layers can be reduced by creating an aerobic biotreatment zone at the interface between the two, and if over time that leads to reduced emissions after treatment ceases. Results showed a 1- to 2-month lag between the end of dissolved oxygen delivery and rebound to the final near-steady emissions level. This observation has implications for post-treatment performance monitoring sampling at field sites.


CHARACTERISATION OF MICROBIAL ACTIVITY IN THE FRAMEWORK OF NATURAL ATTENUATION WITHOUT GROUNDWATER MONITORING WELLS? A NEW DIRECT-PUSH PROBE
Schurig, C., V.A. Melo, A. Miltner, and M. Kaestner.
Environmental Science and Pollution Research, Vol 21 No 15, 9002-9015, 2014

BACTRAP® is an in situ microcosm approach that can provide real evidence of microbial contaminant degradation activity. The in situ microcosms consist of perforated stainless steel cages or PTFE tubes filled with an activated carbon matrix amended with C-13-labelled contaminants. The microcosms are exposed within groundwater monitoring wells. The in situ microcosms currently are restricted to use inside groundwater monitoring wells at the level of the aquifer. The (classical) system therefore is applicable only on field sites with a network of monitoring wells, and only microbial activity inside the monitoring wells at the level of the aquifer can be assessed. To overcome these limitations, a direct-push BACTRAP probe was developed on the basis of Geoprobe® equipment. The new probes were constructed in a rugged and segmented manner and are adaptable to various sampling concepts (e.g., at field sites without existing monitoring wells). Microbial activity was demonstrated to be measurable even under very dry conditions inside the vadose zone above the aquifer. In a field test, classical and direct-push BACTRAPs were applied to the BTEX-contaminated aquifer at the ModelPROBE reference Zeitz site in Germany. This paper discusses the results. For additional information, see C. Schurig's Ph.D. dissertation at https://www.ufz.de/export/data/global/55998_ufz-diss_07-2013.pdf.


TRAVEL DISTANCE AND TRANSFORMATION OF INJECTED EMULSIFIED ZEROVALENT IRON NANOPARTICLES IN THE SUBSURFACE DURING TWO AND HALF YEARS
Su, C., R.W. Puls, T.A. Krug, M.T. Watling, S.K. O'Hara, J.W. Quinn, and N.E. Ruiz.
Water Research, Vol 47 No 12, 4095-4106, 2013

Information is lacking regarding how far injected nanoscale zero-valent iron (NZVI) can travel, how long it lasts, and how it transforms to other minerals in a groundwater system. This paper reports test results on transport and transformation of injected emulsified ZVI in the subsurface. Of two EZVI delivery methods employed, pneumatic injection showed a travel distance from injection points of up to 2.1 m, and direct injection showed a travel distance up to 0.89 m. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy studies on particles harvested from well purge waters indicated that injected NZVI (alpha-Fe(0)) was transformed largely to magnetite in 0 to 9 months, to lepidocrocite in 9 months to 2.5 years, and then to goethite in 2.5 years in the top portion of the aquifer (1-2 m bgs). No alpha-Fe(0) was found in most monitoring wells three months after injection. The formed iron oxides appeared to have a wider range of particle size (submicron to 5 µm) than the pristine NZVI (35-140 nm). Injected NZVI was largely transformed to magnetite (0.1-1 µm) in the lower portion of the aquifer (3-6 m).



General News
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF PASSIVE ACID MINE DRAINAGE TREATMENT SYSTEMS: A FRAMEWORK FOR WATERSHED GROUPS
Christ, M. West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Water and Waste Management, Nonpoint Source Program, 50 pp, 2014

This report proposes a systematic framework for developing and maintaining acid mine drainage (AMD) projects. It lists things to try when developing new projects, observing completed projects, or coming back to projects with problems. Successes and failures in passive AMD treatment systems have led to improvements in design of treatment measures, rules for selecting and sizing them, and methods to refurbish them when needed. A lifespan of 20 years is rare, but several projects have done well for five to seven years, lost efficacy, and resumed function after rejuvenation. This report aims to encourage watershed groups to develop plans for project operation and maintenance and resources to carry out those plans. http://www.dep.wv.gov/WWE/Programs/nonptsource/Documents/Projects/OM_Manual.pdf


3PE: A TOOL FOR ESTIMATING GROUNDWATER FLOW VECTORS
Beljin, M., R.R. Ross, and S.D. Acree.
EPA 600-R-14-273, 60 pp, 2014

In many situations where the water table or other potentiometric surface can be represented as a plane, three-point methods for estimation of groundwater flow will provide a quick and cost-effective means for estimating hydraulic gradients, particularly for initial evaluation purposes. The three-point solution method is well suited for implementation in a spreadsheet format. 3PE is an interactive spreadsheet developed in Microsoft Excel® for estimation of horizontal hydraulic gradients and groundwater velocities. It is particularly well suited for analyzing transient hydrologic conditions, allowing rapid visualization of hydraulic gradient and groundwater velocity vectors. Applications include groundwater remediation performance assessments, hydrologic conceptualization of groundwater/surface water interactions, and general characterization of site-specific hydrology.
Report: http://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si_public_file_download.cfm?p_download_id=520160
Spreadsheet: http://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si_public_file_download.cfm?p_download_id=520905


NANOREMEDIATION AND INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION MARKETS
Bardos, P., B. Bone, M. Cernik, D. Elliott, S. Jones, and C. Merly.
Ninth International Conference on Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compound, 19-22 May 2014, Monterey, California. 10 pp, 2014

Nanoscale zero-valent iron (NZVI) is the most commonly used nanoremediation material. Although there has been a reasonable level of application of NZVI technologies for in situ remediation in the United States, its utilization across Europe has been limited owing to significant uncertainty about the balance between deployment risks and benefits for nanoparticles, which has affected the regulatory position in several countries. This paper provides a risk-benefit assessment for NZVI based on published information and describes the steps that will be taken in the European NanoRem research project (www.nanorem.eu) to provide a basis for better informed decision-making in European environmental restoration markets. http://www.r3environmental.co.uk/downloadsnew/Chlor798BardosPaper.pdf


DISTRIBUTION OF THE RADIATION RISK ASSESSMENT AT CERCLA SITES: Q&A
U.S. EPA, Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation.
OSWER 9285.6-20, 47 pp, 2014

The purpose of this guidance is to provide answers to commonly asked questions regarding risk assessment for radioactive contamination, superseding an earlier version issued in 1999. The document also gives an overview of current EPA guidance for risk assessment and related topics for radioactively contaminated CERCLA remedial sites. http://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPURL.cgi?Dockey=P100K3TC.TXT


RISK ASSESSMENT FORUM WHITE PAPER: PROBABILISTIC RISK ASSESSMENT METHODS AND CASE STUDIES
U.S. EPA, Office of the Science Advisor, Risk Assessment Forum.
EPA 100-R-14-004, 98 pp, 2014

Probabilistic risk assessment (PRA), in its simplest form, is a group of techniques that incorporate uncertainty and variability into risk assessments. PRA provides estimates of the range and likelihood of a hazard, exposure, or risk, rather than a single point estimate. The goal of this paper is to explain how EPA can use probabilistic methods to address data, model, and scenario uncertainty and variability by capitalizing on the wide array of tools and methods that comprise PRA. http://www.epa.gov/OSA/raf/prawhitepaper/pdf/raf-pra-white-paper-final.pdf


ALL APPROPRIATE INQUIRIES RULE: DEFINITION OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONAL
EPA 560-F-14-005, 2 pp, 2014

Making "all appropriate inquiries" is the process of evaluating a property's environmental conditions and assessing potential liability for any contamination. The 2002 Brownfields Amendments to CERCLA required EPA to develop regulations establishing standards and practices for conducting All Appropriate Inquiries, and the final rule became effective on November 1, 2006. The final rule defines an environmental professional as someone who possesses sufficient specific education, training, and experience necessary to exercise professional judgment to develop opinions and conclusions regarding conditions indicative of releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances on, at, in, or to a property, sufficient to meet the objectives and performance factors of the rule. This brief fact sheet discusses the specific requirements. http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/aai/ep_deffactsheet.pdf See additional All Appropriate Inquiries resources at http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/aai/.



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