Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment (AFCEE) Web site, June 2009

Historically, the approach to contaminated site cleanup has not fully considered sustainability concepts when making remedial decisions. To aid environmental professionals in incorporating sustainability concepts into remediation decision-making processes, AFCEE and its partners have developed the Sustainable Remediation Tool (SRT) to serve two general purposes: 1) planning for future implementation of remediation technologies at a particular site, and 2) evaluating optimization of remediation technology systems already in place or comparing remediation approaches based on sustainability metrics. The SRT allows users to estimate sustainability metrics for the following technologies: excavation, soil vapor extraction, pump and treat, and enhanced in situ biodegradation. Additional technology modules and metrics will be developed for the SRT in the future. The first version of the SRT was available on line in May 2009. The next version will be available in the fall of 2009. The tool is structured into Risk-Based Corrective Action (RBCA) Tool Kit-type tiers, which allows the user to choose the level of effort and detail appropriate for the project at hand. Tier 1 (simplest tier) calculations are based on rules of thumb that are widely used in the environmental remediation industry. Tier 2 calculations are more detailed and incorporate site-specific factors. A user might choose Tier 1 rather than Tier 2 if a quick evaluation is required, if detailed site data are lacking, or if an extremely site-specific evaluation is not required. Tier 1 is more appropriate for making general comparisons between remediation technologies. The RBCA Tool Kit for Chemical Releases, Version 2.5e (2008), is available from GSI Environmental Inc. at www.gsi-net.com/software.asp. Sustainability metrics are calculated for carbon dioxide emissions to air, total energy consumed, technology cost, safety/accident risk, and natural resource service. After calculating output metrics, other features are available to help interpret the results. The current version of the SRT is available free for download. If the file is downloaded as a text (.txt) file, users will need to rename it with a 'zip' extension. The SRT will undergo continuous testing of the technologies currently included in the tool, as well as new technology modules to be added in the future. To download the SRT at no charge or to locate sources of additional information, visit http://www.afcee.af.mil/resources/technologytransfer/programsandinitiatives/sustainableremediat ion/srt/index.asp.