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

Technology Innovation News Survey

Entries for October 16-31, 2022

Market/Commercialization Information
FORMER HARSHAW CHEMICAL SITE REMEDIATION (FUSRAP) (PRESOL)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Engineering District Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
Contract Opportunities on SAM.gov, Solicitation W912P423R0019, 2022

When the solicitation is released on or around April 2023, it will be competed as a total small business set-aside under NAICS code 562910. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District is preparing a solicitation with the intent to award a C-type contract for remediation services at Former the Harshaw Chemical Company Site in Cleveland, Ohio. The technical scope of this anticipated contract identifies activities needed to remediate FUSRAP-contaminated soils at the site in accordance with the Record of Decision of Operable Unit-1 and Operable Unit-2. It is anticipated the result of the solicitation will be one C-type Hybrid Contract containing both Cost Reimbursable and Firm-Fixed Price line items. The award will be a Best Value procurement with an anticipated period of performance of three years from the award. A site visit will be announced when the solicitation is released. https://sam.gov/opp/948a9bb6577b4ee6b3feb18a8c3acb27/view


W912DR22R0037-REMEDIAL INVESTIGATIONS (RI), FEASIBILITY STUDIES (FS), DECISION DOCUMENTS, TIME CRITICAL AND NON-TIME CRITICAL REMOVAL ACTIONS (TCRA/NTCRA) FOR PER- AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES (PFAS) IMPACTED SITES ARNG INSTALLATIONS, NATIONWIDE (PRESOL)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, Baltimore, MD
Contract Opportunities on SAM.gov, Solicitation W912DR22R0037, 2022

When the solicitation is released on or around December 9, 2022, it will be competed as a full and open competition under NAICS code 562910. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Baltimore District will be issuing a solicitation for conducting Remedial Investigations and Feasibility Studies at Army National Guard facilities where AFFF or other PFAS releases have occurred. The activities conducted shall be performed in compliance with CERCLA, as amended, the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP) (40 Code of Federal Regulations Part 300), and in compliance with United States Army Corps of Engineers Requirements and Guidance for field investigations including specific requirements for sampling for PFAS. Activities shall also comply with applicable Department of Defense, United States Army, and ARNG regulations, policies, and guidance. PFAS are a suite of emerging chemicals of concern as defined by the Department of Defense Instruction 4715.18, Emerging Contaminants of Environmental Concern, effective 4 Sep 2019. This is due to the increasing regulatory interest, the potential risk to human health and the environment, and evolving regulatory standards related to these chemicals. Preparation of Time Critical Removal Actions Decision Documents will be exercised during the associated RI/FS tasks, as needed. https://sam.gov/opp/16a774706fd744978f14a145c72f08e8/view


IDENTIFYING 8(A) CONTRACTORS FOR REMEDIATION SVCS (SRCSGT)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7, Lenexa, KS
Contract Opportunities on SAM.gov, Solicitation 68HE0723R0009, 2022

This is a sources sought notice for marketing purposes only under NAICS code 562910. EPA Region 7 seeks to identify 8(a) firms with an interest in and the resources to perform remediation services for EPA Region 7 (Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa) and Region 10 (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska). The types of remediation services of interest include the excavation and relocation of lead-contaminated materials at both rural and residential properties (mine waste, soil, gravel, crushed rock, vegetation, ground cover, etc.) to include residential property restoration, and the use of in-situ technology (thermal remediation, bioremediation, chemical oxidation) to meet remedial objectives. There is no solicitation at this time. Capability statements are due by 3:00 PM EST on December 9, 2022. https://sam.gov/opp/f28e31c25c3d4acdbf5e14ae5800a399/view


MILITARY MUNITIONS RESPONSE PROGRAM (MMRP) AT FORMER FORT ORD SATOC (PRESOL)
U.S. Department of the Army, U.S. Army Engineer District, Sacramento, CA
Contract Opportunities on SAM.gov, Solicitation W91238-22-R-0025, 2022

When the solicitation is released, it will be competed as a full and open competition under NAICS code 562910. The U.S. Department of the Army anticipates the future award for environmental clean-up service to continue CERCLA Remedial Action for the Impact Area of the Former Fort Ord. The Performance Work Statement includes project management, planning, CERCLA document preparation, Department of Defense Explosives Safety Board document preparation, annual surface monitoring, munitions response support, MEC investigation, munitions security guarding, field reconnaissance, unexploded ordnance technical support (both for escorts in required areas and construction support), illegal encampment cleanup, engineering evaluations, geophysical surveys, contaminated soil investigation, data management, license maintenance for and weekly inspections of the explosives storage location (ESL), prescribed burn support, consolidated detonations, and blow-in-place operations as needed, installation support, community relations support, and reporting. The contract award will include firm-fixed-price and/or cost-plus-fixed-fee completion) Task Orders during the period of performance. This contract type was chosen because the prescribed burning and surface/subsurface munitions removal/remedial action tasks require a Cost Reimbursable approach due to the near impossibility of accurately estimating component costs, whereas all other tasks are amenable to a Fixed Price approach. This SATOC will be a five-year contract, with no option years. The period of performance for task orders issued under this SATOC may extend beyond the five-year ordering period. https://sam.gov/opp/569f127e1426422298e7ed430d96842a/view



Cleanup News
REMEDIATION OF INACCESSIBLE PLUMES USING HORIZONTAL WELLS
Robinson, L.I. ǀ OGWA Virtual Workshop on Hydrocarbon Site Management, 13 January, abstract only, 2022

Two case studies are reviewed to illustrate the control and application of horizontal remediation wells (HRWs). At the first site, HRWs were installed at a fueling station in Jacksonville, FL, to provide injection treatment control and reduce disruption to site activities. The horizontal installation provided ease and speed of system installation, including in poorly accessible locations. Four 26-segment well systems were installed and used for injection. Chemical oxidants and an automated injection system were utilized to complete the application. HRWs were used at a second site, a fueling Station in Greeley, CO, to provide air sparge treatment control and eliminate disruption to site activities. The segmented HRWs allowed installation under a highway covering 60% of the plume. Ten 44-segment well systems were installed and utilized for air sparging and soil vapor extraction. The site achieved state cleanup target levels within six months of operation, and the state agency issued closure. The treatment was efficiently applied as needed based on feedback in both cases. The discrete and controlled nature of the well system allowed precise chemical oxidant placement and sparging. The projects demonstrate a typical installation time reduction of nearly 60%. Substantial cost savings were recognized at both sites compared to the conventional vault and trenching installation procedures. Longer abstract: https://cas.okstate.edu/ogwa-agenda.html

INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF AN INJECTABLE IN SITU PERMEABLE REACTIVE BARRIER TO PREVENT THE ADVECTION OF PFAS AT AN AIRPORT
Shore, J. ǀ 8th International NORDROCS Conference: Crossing Borders, 5-8 October, Oslo, Norway, 30 slides, 2022

This webinar describes the site conditions, investigations undertaken, completed application works, challenges faced, and observed validation results for installing and operating an injectible in situ permeable reactive barrier to prevent migration of a PFOS and PFOA plume at the United Kingdom International Airport. The full-scale design and proposed application are discussed, including the PlumeShield warranty, to guarantee that the barrier will deliver long-term elimination of PFAS risk in groundwater. Finally, a short introduction of new advancements in situ PFAS treatment is provided, introducing new solutions and strategies for treating PFAS in various scenarios. See slides 72-101: https://www.nordrocs.org/wp-admin/2022/SessionK.pdf

IMPLEMENTATION OF INITIAL EMISSION MITIGATION MEASURES FOR 1,4-DIOXANE IN GERMANY: ARE THEY TAKING EFFECT?
Karges, U., S. De Boer, A.L.Vogela, and W. Püttman.
Science of The Total Environment 806(Part 4):150701(2022)

Follow-up tests were conducted on surface water concentrations and associated finished drinking water concentrations to evaluate the effectiveness of a comprehensive investigation of finished drinking water from managed aquifer recharge systems in Germany. The comprehensive investigation revealed widespread 1,4-dioxane contamination, and mitigation measures (integration of advanced oxidation process units, shut down, or alteration of production processes) were completed at some sites. The emission mitigation measures considerably reduced effects on the average 1,4-dioxane drinking water concentrations for some of the previously severely affected areas (Lower Franconia: -54%, Passau: -88%). Conversely, the drinking water concentrations stagnated or increased at notoriously contaminated sites where neither monitoring nor mitigation measures were introduced. Drinking water concentrations determined via a modified US EPA method 522 ranged from below the limit of quantitation (0.034 µg/L) up to 1.68 µg/L in all drinking water samples investigated. In river water samples, the maximum concentration exceeded 10 µg/L. Effluents of wastewater treatment plants containing 1,4-dioxane (5 µg/L-1.75 mg/L) were also analyzed for other similar cyclic ethers by suspected target screening. Thus, 1,3-dioxolane and three other derivatives were tentatively identified in the polyester processing or manufacturing industry effluents. 1,3-dioxolane was present in concentrations >1.2 mg/L at one site, exceeding up to sevenfold the 1,4-dioxane concentration. At another site, 2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane was detected 13 km downstream of the discharge point, indicating that ethers analogous to 1,4-dioxane should be further considered regarding their occurrence and fate in wastewater treatment and the aquatic environment.


Demonstrations / Feasibility Studies
COTTAGE GROVE PILOT STUDY FINAL REPORT
Stantec Institute for Water Technology & Policy for Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 90 pp, 2022

A pilot-scale study tested five different treatment column configurations for treating PFAS-contaminated groundwater at Cottage Grove Well #3 in the East Metro of Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN. One column evaluated granular activated carbon (GAC) media to treat raw water, two evaluated ion exchange (IX) resins to treat raw water, and two evaluated the same IX resins to treat GAC column effluent and investigate the potential for GAC-IX mixed media treatment. Significant fouling occurred in the IX columns treating raw water within weeks of startup. Results were complicated by potential fouling acceleration from water contact with the atmosphere before treatment. The fouling affected the GAC column to a lesser degree, while the IX columns treating GAC effluent did not exhibit any noticeable fouling. Pretreatment using manganese dioxide media was added to the pilot scope to reduce influent water iron and manganese concentrations. Although the pilot was run for ~1 ½ years, the use of sample ports placed along the media column accelerated treatment to imitate a longer treatment runtime. Results showed significant advantages to IX treatment compared to GAC treatment for perfluorosulfonic acids (PFBS, PFHxS, and PFOS), which comprise the majority of the health index value for the pilot source water and several other water sources in the East Metro. Neither GAC nor IX treatment showed significant treatment capacity for short-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFBA) and showed similar mid-level treatment capacity for long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFOA). Breakthrough of various PFAS compounds were used to calculate the breakthrough of the overall Health Index to predict approximate media life. Twenty-year net present value estimates for facilities of 1.0 million gal/day, 4.5 million gals/day, and 10 million gals/day flow rates were calculated considering building capital costs and facility operation and maintenance costs. https://3msettlement.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/c-pfc3-22.pdf


A FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR THE TREATMENT OF 1,2-DICHLOROETHANE-CONTAMINATED GROUNDWATER USING REEDBED SYSTEM AND ASSESSMENT OF ITS NATURAL ATTENUATION
Rahim, F., S.R.S. Abdullah, H.A. Hasan, S.B. Kurniawan, A. Mamat, K.A. Yusof, and K.I. Ambak. ǀ Science of The Total Environment 814:152799(2022)

A reedbed system planted with Phragmites australis was implemented at an industrial plant to treat chlorinated hydrocarbon-contaminated groundwater. A 2-acre combination of horizontal and vertical reedbed systems was applied to treat 1,2 DCA under four parallel installations at a rate of 305 m3/day of pumped groundwater. The initial concentration of 1,2 DCA was 0.362 mg/L-4,320 mg/L, and the reedbed system successfully reduced the concentration up to 67.9%. The average outlet concentration was measured to be 2.08 mg/L, lower than the site-specific target level of 156 mg/L. Natural attenuation analysis was conducted using first-order decay kinetics, showing an average natural attenuation rate of 0.00372/year. Natural attenuation of 1,2 DCA was observed in shallow monitoring wells, as indicated by the reduction trend of 1,2 DCA concentrations, confirming that the reedbed system can remove 1,2 DCA from contaminated groundwater at the shallow profile.


A NEW INSIGHT INTO THE INFLUENCING FACTORS OF NATURAL ATTENUATION OF CHLORINATED HYDROCARBONS CONTAMINATED GROUNDWATER: A LONG-TERM FIELD STUDY OF A RETIRED PESTICIDE SITE
Fan, T., M. Yang, Q. Li, Y. Zhou, F. Xia, Y. Chen, L. Yang, D. Ding, S. Zhang, X. Zhang, R. Yu, and S. Deng. ǀ Journal of Hazardous Materials 439:129595(2022)

A study monitored contaminants environmental factors and microbial community from 2016-2021 at a former pesticide site undergoing natural attenuation in Jiangsu Province. Groundwater was severely contaminated with chlorinated hydrocarbons. The spatial variation of contaminants, including chlorinated ethenes and ethanes, indicated that the site could be divided into a source area, diffusion area, and an end-of-diffusion area, where organohalide-respiring bacteria (OHRB) were detected. Contaminants and environmental factors influenced the OHRB community structure, which explained 7.6% and 33.2% of the variation. The abundances of obligate and facultative OHRB were affected in opposite ways by pollutants and environmental factors. Dehalococcoides and Dehalogenimonas in obligate OHRB were significantly inhibited by sulfate (r = -0.448, p < 0.05). The spatial-temporal characteristics of pollutants and the reveal of microbial community structure and its restricting factors in different areas establish the foundation for strengthening the implementation of natural attenuation.


FIELD DEMONSTRATION OF A SONOLYSIS REACTOR FOR TREATMENT OF PFAS-CONTAMINATED GROUNDWATER
Kulkarni, P.R., S.D. Richardson, B.N. Nzeribe, D.T. Adamson, S.S. Kalra, S. Mahendra, J. Blotevogel, A. Hanson, G. Dooley, S. Maraviov, and J. Popovic.
Journal of Environmental Engineering 148(11)(2022)

A mobile treatment system equipped with a custom-built sonolysis reactor was deployed at a site in California to treat PFAS-impacted groundwater. Extracted groundwater was treated in a 700-kHz sonolysis reactor for batch treatment under different power densities (122, 203, and 305 W/L) and operating temperatures (15°C and 25°C). Sonolytic treatment resulted in 93%-100% removal of the 15 PFAS, and PFAS degradation rates increased proportionally with increasing power density and temperature at operating conditions of 25°C. Greater removal was observed for PFCAs (95.1% to 100% for PFHxA) than PFSAs (68.3% to 95.2% for PFHxS) for similar carbon chain lengths. Similarly, higher removal was observed for longer-chain PFAS (95.4% to 99.5% for PFOA) compared with short-chain PFAS (56.9% to 90.4% for PFBA). Substantial removal of total oxidizable precursors and specific precursors (65.5% to 99.1% for 4:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate [FTS], 6:2 FTS, 8:2 FTS, and FOSA) was also observed under all conditions tested. Additionally, nitrate formation was observed, with concentrations below MCLs. Results demonstrate that sonolysis treatment of PFAS-contaminated groundwater can effectively degrade PFAS without forming short-chain PFAS and the oxidation byproducts chlorate and perchlorate.



Research
PER- AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES: A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION IN THE WESTERN STATES
Johnson, C.D. Idaho National Laboratory Report INL/EXP-22-68230-Rev000, 3 pp, 2022

Due to the near-zero health advisory limits published by the EPA in June 2022 for PFOA and PFOS and the known negative health effects, a map of estimated PFAS groundwater contamination for western states was created using ArcGIS Pro and geostatistical tools to inform the public and determine which regions are most at-risk. Because data is often reported in combined PFOA and PFOS concentrations, and for ease of data visualization, concentrations of the two chemicals are discussed as a single, summed value and compared to the combined health advisory limits of 0.024 ppt. Groundwater data for PFOA and PFOS were acquired through the Environmental Working Group, georeferenced, and layered on top of major aquifer boundaries retrieved from the ESRI Portal. https://inldigitallibrary.inl.gov/sites/sti/sti/Sort_62803.pdf


INFLUENCE OF RESIDUAL NONAQUEOUS-PHASE LIQUIDS (NAPLS) ON THE TRANSPORT AND RETENTION OF PERFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES
Liao, S., M. Arshadi, M.J. Woodcock, Z.S.S.L. Saleeba, D. Pinchbeck, C. Liu, N.L. Capiro, L.M. Abriola, and K.D. Pennell.
Environmental Science & Technology 56(12):7976-7985(2022)

Experimental and mathematical modeling studies investigated the effect of PCE on the transport behavior of PFAS in quartz sand. PFOS, PFNA, a 1:1 mixture of PFOS and PFNA, and a mixture of PFOS, PFNA, PFOA, PFHpA, PFHxS, and PFBS were used to assess PFAS interactions with PCE-NAPL. Batch studies indicated that PFAS partitioning into PCE-NAPL (Knw < 0.1) and adsorption on 60-80 mesh Ottawa sand (Kd < 6 × 10-5 L/g) were minimal. Column studies demonstrated that residual PCE-NAPL (∼16% saturation) delayed the breakthrough of PFOS and PFNA, with minimal effects on the mobility of PFBS, PFHpA, PFHxS, and PFOA. Breakthrough curves (BTCs) obtained for PFNA and PFOS alone and in mixtures were nearly identical, indicating the absence of competitive adsorption effects. A mathematical model that accounts for NAPL-water interfacial sorption accurately reproduced PFAS BTCs, providing a tool to predict PFAS fate and transport in co-contaminated subsurface environments.


GENX IN WATER: INTERACTIONS AND SELF-ASSEMBLY
Kancharla, S., A. Choudhary, R.T. Davis, D. Dong, D. Bedrov, M. Tsianou, and P. Alexandridis. ǀ Journal of Hazardous Materials 428:128137(2022)

GenX micelle formation and structure in aqueous solutions were evaluated based on results obtained by combining experimental techniques such as surface tension, fluorescence, viscosity, small-angle neutron scattering and molecular dynamics simulations. The critical micelle concentration of GenX ammonium salt in water was 175 mM. GenX formed small micelles with association number 6-8 and 10 Å radius. GenX molecules preferred to align along the micelle surface, and the ether oxygen of GenX had very little interaction with and exposure to water.


VIRTUAL SITE INVESTIGATION TO EVALUATE CONCEPTUAL SITE MODEL DEVELOPMENT AT DNAPL-IMPACTED SITES
Mumford, K.G., S. Bryck, B.H. Kueper, S. Mancini, M. Kavanaugh, and D. Reynolds.
Groundwater Monitoring & Remediation 42(3):44-58(2022)

A study simulated DNAPL migration, dissolution, and reactive transport to create three high-resolution virtual sites, each composed of 0.4-1 billion parameter values that leading practitioners investigated. Using virtual sites allowed key hydrogeological and biogeochemical parameters to be known by the model developers but not the investigation teams. Comparing the conceptual site models (CSMs) developed by the practitioners to simulated values across multiple metrics (e.g., dissolved concentrations, DNAPL mass, and mass discharge) showed that 92% of those metrics were estimated within a factor of 10 and 63% were within a factor of 3 of the true (simulated) values. Estimates of dissolved phase plume footprint were often more accurate than estimates of DNAPL source footprint. The approaches used for investigation and data analysis were important for CSM development. Overall, no site investigation approach used to develop the CSMs resulted in the highest accuracy for all metrics, demonstrating the need to establish best practices that draw from multiple approaches and vary depending on investigation objectives.


TOWARDS A DIGITAL TWIN FOR CHARACTERISING NATURAL SOURCE ZONE DEPLETION: A FEASIBILITY STUDY BASED ON THE BEMIDJI SITE
Lari, K.S., G.B.Davis, and J.L.Rayner. ǀ Water Research 208:117853(2022)

A multi-phase, multi-component, multi-microbe, non-isothermal approach was developed to accommodate LNAPL depletion and partitioning processes, predict trends and natural source zone depletion (NSZD) over decades to centuries, and simulate NSZD at field scale. Data was mimicked from the LNAPL release at the Bemidji site to validate the approach. The entire depth of saturated and unsaturated zones was simulated over 27 years of post-release measurements. The study progresses the idea of creating a generic digital twin of NSZD processes and future trends. Outcomes show the feasibility and affordability of detailed computational approaches to improve decision-making for site management and restoration strategies.


INDUSTRIAL BYPRODUCTS FOR THE SOIL STABILIZATION OF TRACE ELEMENTS AND PER- AND POLYFLUORINATED ALKYL SUBSTANCES (PFASS)
Zhang, Y., G. Cornelissen, L. Silvani, V. Zivanovi, A.B. Smebye, E. Sormo, G. Thune, and G. Okkenhaug.
Science of The Total Environment 820:153188(2022)

Slag waste and iron-rich charred fossil coal ("Fe-char") were tested as sorbents to stabilize PFAS, lead (Pb), and antimony (Sb) in four soils from a firefighting training area (PFAS) and a shooting range (Pb and Sb). Adding slag (10-20%) to shooting range soils decreased the leaching of Pb and Sb up to 50-90%. Fe-char amendment resulted in a moderate reduction in Sb leaching (20-70%) and a slightly stronger effect on Pb (40-50%), likely explained by the presence of Fe oxyhydroxides. Fe-char was a strong sorbent for PFAS (reducing PFAS leaching by up to 99.7%) in soil containing low total organic carbon (TOC; 1.2%) but not in high-TOC soil (34%). The Kd for Fe-char was high, ranging from 104.3 to 106.5 L/kg at 1 ng/L in the low-TOC soil. The Kd value increased with increasing perfluorocarbon chain length, exceeding PFAS sorption to biochar in the low ng/L concentration range. Results indicated that the mechanism behind the strong PFAS sorption to Fe-char was mainly van der Waals dispersive interactions between the hydrophobic PFAS-chain and the aromatic π-electron systems on nanopore walls within the Fe-char matrix. The study indicates that industrial byproducts can be sustainable and cost-effective materials for soil remediation; however, the sorbent needs to be tailored to the type of soil and contamination.


FIELD-BASED DISTRIBUTION AND BIOACCUMULATION FACTORS FOR CYCLIC AND ALIPHATIC PER- AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES (PFASS) IN AN URBAN SEDENTARY WATERBIRD POPULATION
Szabo, D., D. Moodie, M.P. Green, R.A. Mulder, and B.O. Clarke.
Environmental Science & Technology 56(12):8231-8244(2022)

The field-based distribution and bioaccumulation factor (BAF) were determined for PFAS in residential black swans (Cygnus atratus) from an urban lake in Melbourne, Australia. Using HPLC-MS/MS the concentrations of 46 aliphatic and cyclic PFAS were determined in serum and excrement from swans, and water, sediment, aquatic macrophytes, soil, and grass samples in and around the lake. Elevated concentrations of ∑46 PFAS detected in serum (120 ng/mL) and excrement (110 ng/g dw) were strongly related, indicating a potential noninvasive sampling methodology. Environmental concentrations of PFAS were consistent with a highly impacted ecosystem, and notably high concentrations of perfluoro 4-ethylcyclohexanesulfonate (PFECHS, 67584-42-3; C8HF15SO3) were detected in water (27 ng/L) and swan serum (16 ng/mL). In the absence of credible putative alternative sources of PFECHS input to the lake, the use of high-performance motorsport vehicles is a likely source of contamination to this ecosystem. The BAF of perfluorocarboxylic acids increased with each additional CF2 moiety from PFOA (15.7 L/kg ww) to PFDoDA (3615 L/kg ww). The BAF of PFECHS was estimated at 593 L/kg ww, which is lower compared to the BAF of PFOS (1097 L/kg ww).



General News
HOMELAND SECURITY RESEARCH PROGRAM'S (HSRP) ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING AND ANALYTICAL METHODS (ESAM) PROGRAM
Silvestri, E. and K. Hall. ǀ Emergency Response Research Webinar, Cincinnati, OH, 14 September, 35 slides, 2022.

This presentation provides a concise overview of the Environmental Sampling & Analytical Methods (ESAM) program and its resources to respond to a large-scale release of a chemical, radiochemical, or biological (CBR) agent. Several EPA Homeland Security Research Program decision support tools and frameworks are available to decision-makers, scientists, and responders to enable more efficient and informed decision-making and enhance remediation planning, coordination, and recovery efforts. ESAM provides comprehensive support for sampling and analysis conducted in response to a CBR contamination incident. It comprises field and laboratory-ready documents and web-based sample collection, processing, and analysis tools. Under ESAM, the Selected Analytical Methods for Environmental Remediation and Recovery document and online query tools help identify a single method for each analyte/matrix pair. https://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si_public_record_report.cfm?dirEntryId=355819&Lab=CESER&simplesearch=0&showcriteria=2&sortby=pubDate&timstype=&datebeginpublishedpresented=06/15/2019&searchall=remediation


RAPID FIELD APPROACH TO EVALUATING NATURAL SOURCE ZONE DEPLETION FOR A RANGE OF LIGHT NON-AQUEOUS PHASE LIQUID SITES
Ririe, G.T. and R.E. Sweeney. ǀ Groundwater Monitoring & Remediation 42(4):67-77(2022)

This article presents results from two sites that illustrate the benefit of using a rapid field approach (RFA) to supplement existing data and update site conceptual models (SCMs). Most natural source zone depletion (NSZD) guidelines follow a single generic SCM (aerobic oxidation of methane) as the primary NSZD contributor. Aerobic oxidation of LNAPL is also possible and can be documented by measuring subsurface soil-gas composition and/or heat generated from biodegradation. The RFA was developed to easily separate sites into those with and without a methane plume overlying LNAPL. This distinction defines the relative rates of oxygen transport into the soil and methane generation and releases from saturated zone anaerobic biodegradation. Evidence for direct LNAPL oxidation is the absence of methane (<0.1%-v) in the unsaturated zone above LNAPL, which indicates that NSZD is a result of direct biodegradation of LNAPL. This measurement can be readily made in the field using existing monitoring wells. This alternative SCM needs to be considered and evaluated before implementing more costly data collection or other remediation or site management options.


EPA'S DETECTION METHODS, THE DRINKING WATER TREATABILITY DATABASE, AND INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR PFAS REMEDIATION
Kuzniewski, S. ǀ Remediation 32(4):309-323(2022)

This article discusses regulatory milestones achieved for PFAS, including EPA's PFAS Strategic Roadmap, which necessitates detection and remediation of PFAS in soil and water. It also evaluates EPA's detection methods for PFAS, including Methods 533, 537.1, and 8327 and other methods currently under development, such as the total organic fluorine and total organic precursor methods. Methods used by other federal agencies to quantify PFAS are discussed. EPA's drinking water treatability database (TDB) is also described, including the advantages and challenges of effective treatment methods. Most of these treatment methods for drinking water face the challenge of disposing of wastes containing PFAS, an issue not faced by innovative technologies.


NEW ASTM STANDARD GUIDE FOR ESTIMATING NATURAL ATTENUATION RATES FOR NAPL IN THE SUBSURFACE
Jourabchi, P. ǀ 27th Annual National Tanks Conference, 13-15 September, Pittsburgh, PA, 33 slides, 2022

This article aims to bridge the gap between recent advances in NSZD rate estimates, define and standardize terminology, and broaden natural attenuation monitoring to include the vadose zone processes and measurement techniques that go beyond the conventional or historical use of groundwater-focused monitored natural attenuation (MNA). The goal is to support the remedial decision-making process and the transitions from relatively more engineered to more nature-based remediation. Data collection and interpretation techniques for the standard methods augment the site conceptual model in ways that support the natural and/or enhanced attenuation of NAPL. In addition, the estimated rates serve as baseline remediation metrics through this systematic approach and refinement in data collection and interpretation for quantifying the spatially and temporally variable rates. A high subsurface complexity and varying land and local weather conditions strongly impact contaminant fate and transport to make each site unique, requiring careful selection of technique(s) for estimating natural attenuation rates of NAPL in the subsurface. The ASTM standard guide provides a standardized approach for screening and selecting technologies categorized into five general methods: 1. CO2 Efflux; 2. Temperature Gradient; 3. Soil Gas Gradient; 4. Groundwater Monitoring; and 5. NAPL Composition. The description of the process-based methods that support the CSM, along with case studies for the application of each method, are designed to support the sustainable management of NAPL sites. https://neiwpcc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Jourabchi_NSZD_9-14-22.pdf



The Technology Innovation News Survey welcomes your comments and suggestions, as well as information about errors for correction. Please contact Michael Adam of the U.S. EPA Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation at adam.michael@epa.gov or (703) 603-9915 with any comments, suggestions, or corrections.

Mention of non-EPA documents, presentations, or papers does not constitute a U.S. EPA endorsement of their contents, only an acknowledgment that they exist and may be relevant to the Technology Innovation News Survey audience.