Technology Innovation News Survey

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, USACE HNC, Huntsville, Alabama.
Federal Business Opportunities, FBO-5264, Solicitation W912DY-16-R-0003, 2016

The objective of this contract is to provide services to safely locate, identify, recover, evaluate, manage and make final disposition of munitions and explosives of concern, munitions constituents, chemical warfare materiel, biological waste and warfare materiel, and hazardous, toxic and radiological waste. Requirements also include implementing environmental compliance measures and performing other munitions-related support services, such as reducing DoD Conventional Munitions Stockpile at other federally controlled sites (including foreign jurisdictions). A target MATOC pool of a total of 10 contractors is planned to result from this acquisition, with $950M in capacity to be shared amongst all awardees over a period of five years, if the option is exercised. Offers must be received by 2:00 PM CT on June 10, 2016. https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USA/COE/DACA87/W912DY-16-R-0003/listing.html

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5, Chicago, IL.
Federal Business Opportunities, FBO-5285, Solicitation SOL-R5-16-00006, 2016

The purpose of this sources-sought notice is to determine the availability of small businesses that are capable of meeting the requirements of the draft performance work statement (PWS) for assistance to EPA's on-scene coordinators and other federal officials implementing EPA's responsibilities under the Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team (START) class of contracts. These services primarily support the Emergency Management Branch in the Superfund Division of EPA Region 6 (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas). The contractor provides scientific/technical support and has extensive experience in restoring or directly supporting the restoration of a contaminated environment. EPA anticipates awarding a single advisory and assistance IDIQ-type contract (NAICS code 541620) starting around December 2016 for a 60-month base period with an estimated maximum potential value is $87M. Interested small businesses are invited to submit a capabilities statement by 2:00 PM CT on May 26, 2016. The draft PWS is available only on FedConnect at https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/?doc=SOL-R5-16-00006&agency=EPA [Note: It might be necessary to copy and paste the URL into your browser for direct access.].

Army Contracting Command, ACC - APG (W911SR) Edgewood, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD.
Federal Business Opportunities, FBO-5287, Solicitation W911SR-RFI-5002, 2016

The XM14 program for field-level chemical threat detection is currently in the technology maturation and risk reduction phase. Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG) previously awarded three contracts to fabricate prototypes and mature the technologies (2013, Next Generation Chemical Detector 3 for Sample Analysis or Multi-Sample Identifier). The prototypes are being evaluated. ACC-APG is conducting market research to identify interested potential sources having industry technologies available to support the engineering and manufacturing development, low-rate initial production, and full-rate production of the XM14 multi-phase sample analysis chemical agent detector. Information acquired from this notice will be used to adjust the XM14 acquisition strategy and contribute to determining the method of procurement. Multiple awards may be made. An Industry Day for XM14 is contemplated in mid or late August 2016. Any solicitation pertaining to XM14 is expected to have a security classification level of Secret. Interested firms should submit a brief capabilities package via email by June 13, 2016. https://www.fbo.gov/notices/68f9678c94f279ea1d7e028046071d87

National Park Service, Boston National Historical Park, Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston, MA.
Federal Business Opportunities, FBO-5284, Solicitation P16PS01233, 2016

The National Park Service intends to issue a solicitation to acquire services for dripline lead-contaminated soil abatement at Valley Forge National Historical Park, King of Prussia, Penn., and Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, Elverson, Penn. The basic effort will be for the School House and Sam Britain Sr. House at Valley Forge, with options for the Church House, the Church House Garage, and Tenant House 3 at Hopewell Furnace. Work to be completed by October 14, 2016, includes site preparation; installation of a two-stage decontamination unit; collection, removal, and disposal of lead-contaminated soil; testing and documentation; and landscape reclamation in the treated areas. If issued, this effort will be solicited as a total small business set-aside, firm-fixed-priced type contract under NAICS code 562910. Release of the RFP is anticipated on or about May 25, 2016. Visit https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/?doc=P16PS01233&agency=DOI for project details [Note: It might be necessary to copy and paste the URL into your browser for direct access.].

Fish and Wildlife Service, CGS-WO, Lake Plaza North, Lakewood, CO.
Federal Business Opportunities, FBO-5287, Solicitation F16PS00575, 2016

This contracting action is 100% set aside for small business under NAICS code 562910. The Montana Department of Environmental Quality requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to conduct additional soil and groundwater investigation to assess the current extent of petroleum contamination related to historic leaking underground storage tanks (since removed) at two Fish and Wildlife Refuges: Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge, near Malta, and Red Rock Lake National Wildlife Refuge, near Lime. Release of the solicitation package is expected on or about May 31, 2016, with an anticipated closing date of June 15, 2016. Once released, solicitation documents can be obtained through FedConnect at https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/?doc=F16PS00575&agency=DOI [Note: It might be necessary to copy and paste the URL into your browser for direct access.].

Department of State, Funding Opportunity OES-OMM-16-003, 2016

The State Department plans to award one Cooperative Agreement for up to $145,000 for work that will support designing, assembling, and field testing one or more mobile mercury-free gold processing plants to be used for training miners within the ASGM sectors of Bolivia and Peru. Eligibility is limited to U.S. higher educational institutions and research centers that have established relationships with regional institutions and/or organizations. The closing date for applications is June 13, 2016. http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=283387

U.S. DOE, Office of Legacy Management, Energy.gov website, 2016

Operations to develop and manufacture components at the former Pinellas Plant in Florida during the nation's Cold War-era nuclear weapons program released solvents to subsurface soils beneath the plant's 11-acre Building 100. Release areas became sources of dissolved contamination, creating groundwater plumes that extended south and east from the source areas under Building 100 and on to private property. DOE continues environmental restoration at the site—now known as the Young-Rainey Science, Technology, and Research (STAR) Center—using bioaugmentation and biostimulation to treat the chlorinated-solvent source areas and groundwater plumes under Building 100. Treatment is based on injection of a concentrated solution of emulsified vegetable oil (EVO) and bacteria (Dehalococcoides mccartyi or DHM) diluted with water prior to injection to maximize its subsurface distribution. Once introduced into the subsurface, EVO ferments and produces dissolved hydrogen, which DHM uses to break the bonds on contaminant molecules, resulting in nontoxic end products. In November 2015, diluted EVO and DHM were injected into eight horizontal wells installed as deep and shallow pairs to target the deep and shallow aquifer portions beneath Building 100. Monitoring wells placed inside and outside Building 100 will be used to monitor project performance. http://energy.gov/lm/articles/pinellas-site-uses-horizontal-wells-enhanced-bioremediation

Looney, B.B., D.G. Jackson, M.J. Truex, and C.D. Johnson.
SRNL-STI-2015-00215, 81 pp, 2015

Water countermeasures are being implemented at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station to limit the releases and impacts of radioactively contaminated water to the surrounding environment. The diverse countermeasures work together in an integrated manner to provide different types and levels of protection. In general, the strategy represents a comprehensive example of a "defense in depth" concept that is used for nuclear facilities around the world. One of the key countermeasures is a frozen soil barrier encircling the damaged reactor facilities. The frozen barrier is intended to limit the flow of water into the area and thus reduce the amount of contaminated water that requires treatment and storage. The technical characteristics of a frozen barrier are relatively well suited to the Fukushima-specific conditions and the need for inflow reduction. This independent review generally supports the countermeasures design, installation strategy, and operation plan. http://sti.srs.gov/fulltext/SRNL-STI-2015-00215.pdf

Stroo, H.F., J.T. Wilson, P.J. Evans, C.A. Lebron, B.M. Henry, D.E. Latta, R.S. Ghosh, and A. Leeson.
ESTCP Project ER-201124, 80 pp, 2015

The project originally was intended to demonstrate and update engineering guidance for a subsurface bioreactor technology based on results from field-scale testing at the same site used for earlier column testing (mainly TCE and daughter products). The test site was changed from the original location, however, and the engineering guidance has not yet been developed. Although the demonstration was not successful, this report explains the reasons for the disappointing results, summarizes the findings, and captures lessons learned from this effort to demonstrate biogeochemical transformation at field scale. https://www.estcp.com/content/download/37317/355815/file/ER-201124%20Lessons%20Learned.pdf

Bergeron, E., A. Eriksson, L. Torin, B.-O. Jorloev, and I. Froessling.
RPIC 2016 Federal Contaminated Sites National Workshop, Real Property Institute of Canada, 2016

An indirect heating pilot was designed for subsurface remediation at the mercury-based chlor-alkali plant at INOVYN Sverige, Stenungsund, Sweden. Steel casings inserted in the sand and bedrock vadose zone carry steam (~140°C) delivered from the plant to conduct heat into the soil/bedrock matrix. The treatment cell comprises three heating elements, two central air extraction wells (one each for soil and bedrock), and several multi-level monitoring wells. The pilot was conducted inside the plant during ongoing production for four months and is planned to continue for up to six months. After four months, ~10% of the estimated total Hg mass in the pilot cell was extracted. Heating increased the Hg extraction rate significantly from 2,500 to 28,000 µg/Nm³ Hg. The temperature rose rapidly in the monitoring wells, especially during the first month. After four months the temperature was around 50-55°C in the top 2 m below the plant ~1 m from a heating well. The temperature increase in the saturated zone led to about one order of magnitude higher Hg concentration in the water as solubility increased, but no increased spreading was seen outside the pilot cell. Installation drilling inside the plant encountered a free water table 1 m bgs, likely consisting of perched rainwater from uphill areas. Gas could not be extracted from the bedrock below a depth of 1 m, and dewatering techniques are under investigation to improve and assess Hg extraction from the bedrock fractures.

Connell, K.K., G. Ampleman, S. Thiboutot, and S. Downe.
RPIC 2016: Federal Contaminated Sites National Workshop, Real Property Institute of Canada, 2016

Deposition of propellant fibers coming from the use of shoulder-fired weapons has deposited high concentrations of nitroglycerin (NG) behind the firing positions of anti-tank ranges in Canada. Risk of surface ignition and fire upon discharge of the weapon as well as potential inhalation of volatile NG poses health and safety risks to the range users. To address high NG concentrations in soil, two trials were conducted with a commercially available infrared heating unit typically used to reheat asphalt in the paving industry. Different burning cycles were evaluated for effectiveness in reducing NG soil concentrations. The first year of trials showed a decrease in NG concentrations after 5 and 10 minutes of burning cycles, but the shorter burning cycles did not provide temperatures sufficient to destroy all NG. During the second year of trials, thermocouples were installed to monitor temperatures produced from the heater at and below the soil surface. Results from the thermocouples in the second year showed a critical point where water vaporization occurred in the soils, after which soil temperatures were able to reach between 400-500°C, where total destruction of NG can occur. Results below detection limits were achieved for burning cycles of 60 minutes and greater. The technology and resources to conduct the remediation are readily available within most Canadian Forces bases. Further trials will be conducted with the technology on energetics contamination at demolition and grenade ranges.

Licht, L.A.
12th International Conference of the International Phytotechnology Society, 27-30 September 2015, Manhattan, Kansas. Abstract only, 2015

A demonstration using phytoremediation techniques is addressing PCBs in sediments at the Altavista, Virginia, 6-acre wastewater lagoon site. PCB concentrations up to 50,000 ppm have been measured in the sediments, and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has established a 50 ppm total PCB cleanup concentration goal. ECap® tree covers are being tested to evaluate their potential for containing PCBs in the subsurface by keeping the surface soil layer intact while sustaining microflora in the root zone. Six ECap® tree cover plots were installed at the site between 2012 and 2014 in 2,000 m² plots built into the lagoon by placing a layer of blended local materials over sediment. Unrooted poplar whips were pushed through the soil and sediment layers to the top of the clay liner. Poplar and willow roots now expand throughout the sediment and cover layer, providing a plant rhizosphere in 3 ft of sediment within an operating lagoon. The planted poplar and willow trees growing in the cover soil and sediment increase water transpiration from sediment. During the growing season, flooding and drying within the lagoon sediment pulses the water content, oscillating the redox potential in a diverse microbial population. Additional information: https://vawatercentralnewsgrouper.wordpress.com/2014/03/18/phytoremediation-project-in-altavista-va-phytoremediation-test-project-for-pcb-removal-from-wastewater-pond-march-2014-update-of-information-posted-in-october-2011/

Moore, R.C., J. Szecsody, M.J. Rigali, V. Vermuel, and J. Leullen.
Waste Management 2016, 6-10 March, Phoenix, Arizona. Paper 16193, 9 pp, 2016

Investigators are testing the effectiveness of a hydroxyapatite permeable reactive barrier (PRB) and source area treatment to decrease uranium mobility at DOE's former Old Rifle uranium mill processing site (Rifle, Colorado), where uranium ore was processed from the 1940s to the 1970s. Although the mill facilities and tailings have been removed, groundwater in the alluvial aquifer beneath the site still contains elevated concentrations of U and currently is used for field tests to study U behavior in groundwater and investigate potential remediation technologies. The in situ formation of apatite in sediment can be used to create a subsurface apatite PRB and also provide source area treatment. The process is based on injecting a solution containing calcium citrate and sodium into the subsurface for constructing the PRB within the U plume. As the indigenous sediment microorganisms biodegrade the injected citrate, the calcium is released and reacts with the phosphate to form hydroxyapatite. This paper reports on proof-of-principle column tests with Old Rifle sediment and synthetic groundwater. http://www.osti.gov/scitech/servlets/purl/1239327

Luthy, R., Y.-M. Cho, Y. Choi, Y. Wu, and D. Werner.
SERDP Project ER-1552, 2015

Lab and field trials have shown that in situ sediment treatment technologies using activated carbon (AC) sorbents can reduce ecological and health risk from PCBs and PAHs. While several lines of evidence have demonstrated AC treatment effectiveness, further investigation is needed of ecosystem recovery after AC sorbent amendment, assessment of secondary effects of AC on ecosystem health, development of mechanistic mass transfer modeling frameworks, and the design and testing of rapid and reliable performance monitoring tools. The overarching objective of this project was to advance sediment in situ AC treatment technologies by studying these considerations. The work included an investigation of the potential repartitioning of contaminants in sediment following the removal of AC after stabilization treatment; standardization of field monitoring methods using polyethylene passive samplers; and development of a user-friendly, stand-alone program for an HOC mass transfer model to predict sequestration and pore-water concentrations. The SERDP project page hosts reports for phases 1, 2, and 3 of this effort; a desorption model in a zipped file; and a user manual. https://www.estcp.com/Program-Areas/Environmental-Restoration/Risk-Assessment/ER-1552

Borden, R.C., J.M. Tillotson, G.-H.C. Ng, B.A. Bekins, and D.B. Kent.
SERDP Project ER-2131, 68 pp, 2015

Electron donor addition can be very effective in stimulating enhanced reductive bioremediation (ERB) of a wide variety of groundwater contaminants; however, ERB can result in secondary water quality impacts (SWQI), such as decreased levels of dissolved oxygen, nitrate, and sulfate, and elevated levels of dissolved manganese, dissolved iron, methane, sulfide, organic carbon, and naturally occurring hazardous compounds (e.g., arsenic). The affected groundwater usually is confined within the original contaminant plume and is unlikely to have an adverse impact on potable water supplies. This report presents results from the development of a reactive transport model, SWQI database, and indicator simulations that were integrated to develop a general conceptual model of the major processes controlling SWQI production and attenuation. The conceptual model can be used as a guide in understanding the magnitude, areal extent, and duration of SWQIs in ERB treatment zones and the natural attenuation of SWQI parameters as the dissolved solutes migrate downgradient with ambient groundwater flow. The model can assist in identifying conditions where SWQIs may pose a concern, e.g., at sites with low iron/high sulfate (H₂S mobilization), high groundwater velocity, and low methane anaerobic oxidation rates (methane migration). https://www.estcp.com/content/download/38992/376111/file/ER-2131%20Final%20Report.pdf

Adamson, D.T., S.W. Chapman, S.K. Farhat, B.L. Parker, P.C. deBlanc, and C.J. Newell.
Remediation Journal, Vol 25 No 3, 31-51, 2015

Migration of contaminants into low-permeability (low-k) zones via diffusion (and possibly slow advection) produces concentration versus depth profiles that can be used to understand temporal concentration trends at the interface with overlying transmissive zones, including evidence of attenuation over time due to source decay. A simple transport-based spreadsheet tool for generating source history estimates fit to the profiles was developed and applied to published soil concentration versus depth data from five distinct areas of four different sites contaminated with chlorinated ethenes. Using the root mean square error as an optimization metric, strong fits between measured and model-predicted soil data were obtained in the majority of cases using site-specific values for input parameters. In general, significant improvements were not obtained by varying these parameters, hence the source history estimates generated by the tool were similar to those generated using more intensive analytical or numerical inverse modeling approaches. This included confirmation of constant source histories at locations where DNAPL was present or suspected, and declining source histories for locations where source isolation or attenuation occurred.

McAlexander, B.L. and K.V. Tuggle.
Remediation Journal, Vol 25 No 3, 53-67, 2015

This article presents a greenhouse gas emission assessment for a hypothetical site based upon use of the following technologies: excavation with disposal to a landfill, LNAPL recovery with and without recovered product recycling, passive bioventing, and monitored natural attenuation (MNA). While the emissions associated with remediation for LNAPL recovery are greater than the other considered alternatives, this technology is comparable to excavation when a credit associated with product recycling is counted. Passive bioventing, a green remedial alternative, has greater remedial emissions than MNA, but unlike MNA can decrease contaminant-related emissions by converting subsurface methane to carbon dioxide. In this study, passive bioventing had the lowest total emissions of all technologies considered. Where green remedial approaches are of interest, this analysis illustrates the value of estimating both remediation and contaminant respiration emissions for petroleum spill sites to quantify the green benefits of the remedial alternatives prior to technology selection. Additional information in slides: http://www.ciraig.org/pdf/4b-TRIHYDRO_201511_McAlexanderPERF.pdf

Schuver, H.J. and D.J. Steck.
Remediation Journal, Vol 25 No 4, 27-53, 2015

Reviews including the latest "data-rich" chemical vapor intrusion-radon (CVI-Rn) studies indicate buildings/times can be "screened-in" as having Rn-evident-susceptibility/priority for soil gas intrusion, and elevated potential for CVI concerns (or not). These screening methods can supplement conventional indoor-air chemical sampling under naturally varying conditions by prioritizing buildings and times based on indoor Rn levels. Rn is a widespread, naturally occurring component of soil gas and a tracer of soil gas intrusion into the indoor air of overlying buildings. Rn is also an indicator for generally similar behavior of other components of near-building soil gas, possibly including chemical contaminant vapors. Indoor Rn is easily measured at low cost, allowing continuous observations from essentially all buildings with CVI potential across time. Additional information in slides: https://iavi.rti.org/attachments/WorkshopsAndConferences/Schuver-Battelle_Biorem_Miami_5-2015.pdf

Johnston, J. and J.M. Gibson.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol 12, 15040-15057, 2015

U.S. EPA's 2015 vapor intrusion (VI) guidance document specifies two conditions for demonstrating that mitigation is needed: (1) proof of a VI pathway; and (2) evidence that human health risks exceed established thresholds. The guidance lacks details, however, on methods for demonstrating these conditions. A review of current evidence suggests that monitoring and modeling approaches commonly employed at VI sites can characterize long-term exposure inadequately and may underestimate risks. The authors recommend specific approaches to monitoring and modeling to account for uncertainties, including a value-of-information approach to integrate the lines of evidence at a site and determine if more information is needed before deciding whether the two conditions specified in the VI guidance are satisfied. A multi-directional community engagement strategy and consideration of environmental justice concerns also are recommended to facilitate data collection and decision-making. http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/12/12/14960/pdf

Carey, G.R., S.W. Chapman, B.L. Parker, and R. McGregor.
Remediation Journal, Vol 25 No 4, 55-79, 2015

Incorporation of a local domain approach for simulating back-diffusion in a new model—In Situ Remediation-MT3DMS (ISR-MT3DMS)—is validated based on a benchmark with MT3DMS and comparisons with a highly discretized finite-difference numerical model. The approach used to estimate the vertical hydrodynamic dispersion coefficient is shown to have a significant influence on the simulated flux into and out of silt/clay layers in early time periods. Previously documented back-diffusion at a Florida site is modeled for the purpose of evaluating the sensitivity of the back-diffusion controlled remediation timeframe to various site characteristics. A base-case simulation with a clay lens of 0.2 m thickness and 100 m length indicates that even after 99.96% aqueous TCE removal from the clay lens, downgradient concentrations still exceed the MCL in groundwater monitoring wells. This shows that partial mass reduction from a NAPL source zone via in situ treatment may have little benefit for the long-term management of contaminated sites, given that back-diffusion can sustain a groundwater plume for a long period of time. Pump and treat implemented to provide containment may have an additional benefit of reducing the back-diffusion remediation timeframe due to enhanced transverse advective fluxes at the sand/clay interface. See additional information in presentation slides at http://www.porewater.com/docs/CAREY-RemTEC%20Summit%202015.pdf.

Peacock, A.D., C.A. Lytle, W.E. Hart, D.C. Yoder, and T.C. Mueller.
Remediation Journal, Vol 25 No 4, 89-97, 2015

Soil columns were employed to simulate a soil-based bioreactor (SBBR) during tests for dissipation of a mixture of five herbicides and two insecticides from seven different chemical families. Atrazine, dicamba, fluometuron, metolachlor, sulfentrazone, chlopyrifus, and lambda-cyhalothrin were added to the SBBR-simulated system as formulated products at 100, 10, or 0 (control) ppm. A 1,000 ppm treatment was added for the five herbicides to investigate how the system would respond to heavy loading. The system ran for 90 days with samples taken at days 4 (just prior to loading), 30, 60, and 90. At low pesticide concentrations (10 and 100 ppm) significant dissipation of all pesticides in the columns except sulfentrazone was observed. At 1,000 ppm, fluometuron and sulfentrazone showed no significant dissipation. Overall, the system performed as expected and could be considered practical for pesticides removal on farms or plant nurseries.

Janin, A. and J. Harrington.
Proceedings of Mine Water Solutions in Extreme Environments, April 12-15, 2015, Vancouver, Canada. InfoMine, ISBN: 978-0-9917905-7-9, 519-532, 2015

Four lab-scale anaerobic bioreactors were monitored for over one year for their capacity to reduce metal concentrations at ambient lab temperature, and then at 6°C and 3°C. As, Cd, Cu, Se, and Zn concentrations in the effluent were compared and contrasted with discharge limits in application at the Bellekeno Mine, Yukon Territory. Removal efficiencies in the range of 90-100% were observed for the five metals in the four reactors, suggesting that sulfate-reducing bacteria native to the Yukon remained active under cold conditions. In addition, integration of biochar in the composition of a bioreactor had a positive effect on treatment efficiencies at lower temperatures. This finding suggests that addition of a reactive material in the composition of the bioreactor substrate might help reduce the impact of cold temperatures on the treatment system by taking advantage of metal adsorption mechanisms, which allow for continued metals removal during changes in temperature. http://yukoncollege.yk.ca/search/downloads/anaerobic_bioreactors_in_cold_climate_conf._proceedings

Lovley, D.R.
DOE-UMASS-06790, 5 pp, 2016

This grant project successfully developed new sensing technologies for monitoring rates of microbial activity in soils and sediments in addition to a novel proof-of-concept for monitoring the presence of bioavailable concentrations of diverse metabolites and toxic components in sedimentary environments. The studies led not only to publications in peer-reviewed journals but also to two patent applications and a start-up company. The first sensing technology developed was SMART (Subsurface Microbial Activity in Real Time). SMART technology enables continuous assessment of the rates of microbial activity in anaerobic soils and sediments with a real-time output of electrical current. Also developed was the GeoSense sensor platform technology, so named because it relies on Geobacter sulfurreducens as the sensing organism and is designed to sense a diversity of geochemically important parameters. The presence of a geochemical component of interest stimulates a G. sulfurreducens biofilm on an electrode to produce an increased electrical signal. Research is ongoing to identify candidates to develop a uranium sensor with the technology. With the completion of this grant, Microbe Electric LLC was founded to further develop and commercialize the SMART and GeoSense technologies. http://www.osti.gov/scitech/biblio/1242883

McLing, T., M. Carpenter, W. Brandon, and B. Zavala.
INL/EXT-15-34802, 21 pp, 2015

U.S. EPA teamed with Battelle Energy Alliance LLC at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to facilitate further testing of geologic fracture identification methodology at a field site near the Monsanto Superfund Site. The proposed study continues a multi-year collaborative effort between INL and EPA to test the efficacy of deploying the well-established CR-39 radon detection technology in soil portals to identify active fractures capable of transporting contaminants at sites where fractures are suspected pathways into the subsurface. In an existing collaborative EPA/INL study outside the proposed workscope, CR-39 detectors are being utilized to determine the location of active transport fractures in a fractured granitic upland adjacent to a landfill site at NPL-designated Fort Devens, Mass. The concept of using an easily deployed port that allows the CR-39 to measure Rn-222 in the soil or alluvium above the fractured rock, while restricting atmospheric Rn-222 and soil-sourced Ra from contaminating the detector, is unique to the INL and EPA approach previously developed. By deploying a series of inexpensive detector-casing combinations, statistical samples of the Rn-222 flux can be measured to elucidate the fractures that are actively transporting water and gasses. The Rn-222 measurements then can be used as an input to create a more accurate conceptual model to be used for transport modeling and related cleanup activities. http://www.osti.gov/scitech/biblio/1186755

Maine Dept. of Environmental Protection (MDEP), 47 pp, 2016

This document supplements the guidance provided by U.S. EPA on investigating and mitigating vapor intrusion (VI) risks by providing general guidelines for the investigation of certain VI sites in Maine. Specifically, this guidance pertains to sites with 10 or fewer inhabitable buildings at risk and where the contaminants of concern are chlorinated solvents or similarly persistent, volatile, and toxic chemicals. This guide supersedes MEDEP's Vapor Intrusion Evaluation Guidance of 2010. http://www.maine.gov/dep/spills/publications/guidance/rags/VI-Persistent-Chems-Guidance-final-020516.pdf

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), 8 pp, 2016

In the last quarter of 2015, the New Jersey DEP implemented interim Groundwater Quality Standards for a series of constituents, including 1,4-dioxane. The new groundwater remediation standard for 1,4-dioxane (0.4 ppb) is more than an order of magnitude lower than the old groundwater remediation standard (10 ppb). For all active sites where 1,4-dioxane is a known or potential contaminant of concern, the use of the new groundwater remediation standard became effective immediately upon posting to the DEP website. For sites where 1,4-dioxane is being remediated pursuant to a Ground Water Remedial Action Permit, an order of magnitude evaluation is required as part of the remedial action protectiveness evaluation provision of the permit, i.e., to determine whether the existing engineering or institutional controls on the site prevent exposure to the contamination and if the site remains protective of public health, safety, and the environment. For sites where 1,4-dioxane is being remediated by an active groundwater treatment system or by monitored natural attenuation without a Ground Water Remedial Action Permit, an order of magnitude evaluation is required as part of the biennial certification process. http://www.nj.gov/dep/srp/guidance/srra/srwmp_implementing_11-25-15_interim_gwqs.pdf
The new interim groundwater quality standards can be found on the Department's Water Monitoring and Standards website at www.nj.gov/dep/wms/bears/gwqs_interim_criteria_table.htm.

Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials (ASTSWMO) Removal Action Focus Group, 22 pp, 2015

This report updates the 2010 ASTSWMO report, "Transition Issues Analysis," with additional information on Post Removals Site Controls, noting that timely input from the state is needed throughout the removal decision-making process with respect to institutional, proprietary, and government controls, as well as zoning, groundwater use restrictions, and fish consumption advisories. http://www.astswmo.org/files/policies/CERCLA_and_Brownfields/PRSC%20FINAL.pdf