Message #33: November 1999

Since October 1, TechDirect gained 240 new subscribers for a total of 7433. If you’re just joining us, welcome. We try to keep this as brief as possible, but provide information relevant to your needs. Your feedback is most welcome.

Mention of non-EPA documents does not constitute a U.S. EPA endorsement of their contents, only an acknowledgment that they exist and may be relevant to the TechDirect audience.

New Guidance

Ecological Risk Assessment and Risk Management Principles for Superfund Sites (OSWER Directive 9285.7-28P). This Final Guidance was issued October 7, 1999 by the U.S. EPA Office of Emergency and Remedial Response. It is intended to help Superfund risk managers make ecological risk decisions based on sound science, consistent across Regions and transparent to the public. It provides risk managers six principles to consider in making ecological risk management decisions [October 1999, 9 pages]. View or download at http://www.epa.gov/superfund/programs/risk/ecorisk/final99.pdf . For hard copies, contact (800) 424-9346 or (703) 412-9810.

New CLU-IN Feature

Technology Focus Section. If you need information on a specific technology there is a new tool on Clu-in to shorten your research time. Through the Technology Focus section, Clu-in provides a compilation of the most relevant information resources on 11 remediation technologies. These resources are presented under 5 categories for each technology such as Technology Description, Applications, Engineering/ Regulatory Guidance, Training and References, with a summary and direct link to each one of them. Technologies included range from the established (SVE - 45 resources) to innovative (Phytoremediation - 39 resources). For more information, see http://clu-in.org/techfocus/ .

Documents

Engineering and Design-Multiphase Extraction (EM 1110-1-401). This engineering manual was published by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It is intended to provide detailed guidance on all phases of remediation projects using Multi-Phase Extraction. It includes the appropriate site characterization and pilot studies for MPE; appropriate considerations for screening a site for MPE; design of subsurface and above ground components; and, startup, operations and maintenance, and site close-out [June 1999, 286 pages]. View or download at http://www.usace.army.mil/usace-docs/eng-manuals/em1110-1-4010/ . To obtain a hard copy you may send a request via to Mr. Karl Abt at karl.abt@hq02.usace.army.mil or call the Publications Depot at (301) 394-0081 / 0082 / 0083 fax: 0084.

Microbial Processes Affecting Monitored Natural Attenuation of Contaminants in the Subsurface (EPA/540/S-99/001). This issue paper was published by the EPA Kerr Environmental Research Laboratory. The purpose of the paper is to provide those involved in assessing remediation technologies with some basic information regarding monitored natural attenuation processes, specifically in determining the overall contribution of microbial processes [September 1999, 18 pages]. View or download at http://www.epa.gov/ada/download/issue/microbial.pdf . For hard copies, contact Kay Cooper at cooper.kay@epa.gov or (580) 436-8651.

Phytoremediation of Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Soil Field Study Protocol. This protocol was developed by the Phytoremediation Action Team of the Remediation Technologies Development Forum. It is intended to assist in the collection of information to determine the efficacy of agricultural and non-crop plants for degradation of aged petroleum hydrocarbons in soil at multiple locations and under varied climatic conditions. View online at http://www.RTDF.org/public/phyto/protocol/protocol99.htm .

Storage and Preservation of Soil Samples for Volatile Compound Analysis (Special Report 99-5). This report was published by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Cold Regions Research Laboratory. The study evaluated methods to minimize VOC losses during sample collection and storage. It demonstrated that freezing the sample in its storage device immediately after the collection preserves VOC concentrations in all sample matrices [May 1999, 27 pages]. View or download at http://www.crrel.usace.army.mil/techpub/CRREL_Reports/index.html . DOD personnel and contractors may obtain hard copies from (800) 225-3842; all others contact NTIS at (800) 553-6847 or (703) 605-6000.

On-Site Method for Measuring Nitroaromatic and Nitramine Explosives in Soil and Groundwater Using GC-NPD: Feasibility Study (Special Report 99-9). This report was published by the U.S. Amry Corps of Engineers Cold Regions Research Laboratory. The study evaluated an on-site method for estimating concentrations of TNT, RDX, 2,4-DNT, and the two most commonly encountered environmental transformation products of TNT, 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene and 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene, in soil and groundwater using gas chromatography and the nitrogen-phosphorus detector (NPD) [August 1999, 21 pages]. View or download at http://www.crrel.usace.army.mil/techpub/CRREL_Reports/index.html . DOD personnel and contractors may obtain hard copies from (800) 225-3842; all others contact NTIS at (800) 553-6847 or (703) 605-6000.

Ground Water Currents (EPA 542-N-99-006). This quarterly news update is published by the EPA Technology Innovation Office. This issue highlights enhanced remediation techniques for the treatment of groundwater [September 1999, 4 pages]. View or download at http://clu-in.org/techpubs.htm . For hard copies, contact (800) 490-9198 or (513) 489-8190 or fax your request to (513) 489-8695.

RCRA Cleanup Reforms (EPA 530-F-99-018). This Fact sheet was issued by the U.S. EPA Office of Solid Waste. Since 1984, EPA and authorized states have made considerable progress in implementing the Corrective Action requirements. Despite the progress made, states, environmental groups, and the regulated community have raised concerns, including: slow progress in achieving cleanup or other environmental results; an emphasis on process and reports over actual work in the field; unrealistic, impractical or overly conservative cleanup goals; and lack of meaningful public participation. Because of various reasons raised by many stakeholders, the Agency believes that it is time for a fundamental re-evaluation of its Corrective Action Program. This re-evaluation comes in the form of the RCRA Cleanup Reforms [July 1999, 4 pages]. View or download at http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/factsheet1.pdf .

The National Biennial RCRA Hazardous Waste Report (Based on 1997 Data). The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in partnership with the States, biennially collects information regarding the generation, management, and final disposition of hazardous wastes regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA), as amended. The purpose of The National Biennial RCRA Hazardous Waste Report (Based on 1997 Data) is to communicate the findings of EPA’s 1997 Biennial Reporting System (BRS) data collection efforts to the public, government agencies, and the regulated community. The Report consists of six volumes which include: Summary Report, National Analysis, State Summary Analysis, State Detail Analysis, List of Large Quantity Generators, and List of Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facilities. All of the volumes can be viewed or downloaded at http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/data/br97/index.htm .

From Cleanup to Stewardship (DOE/EM-0466). This document, produced by the U.S. Department of Energy is a companion to its Paths to Closure. It provides information on DOE’s long term stewardship obligations and activities. Long term stewardship is expected to be required at more than 100 sites after DOE’s environmental management program completes disposal, stabilization and restoration operations to address hazardous was and contamination [October 1999, 102 pages]. View or download at http://lts.apps.em.doe.gov/reports/pdf/doc130.pdf . For hard copies, contact CEMI (Center for Environment Management Information) at 1-800-7EM-DATA.

Time Sensitive - Call for Nominations. The National Medal of Technology is the highest honor bestowed by the President of the United States to America's leading innovators. Enacted by Congress in 1980, the Medal of Technology was first awarded in 1985. The Medal is given annually to individuals, teams, or companies for accomplishments in the innovation, development, commercialization, and management of technology, as evidenced by the establishment of new or significantly improved products, processes, or services. One of the categories is for environmental technologies. Nominations must be submitted by December 30 1999. For more information, see http://www.ta.doc.gov/medal/.

Conferences and Symposia

In Situ Permeable Reactive Barriers: Application and Deployment, Dallas TX, November 15-16. EPA’s National Risk Management Research Laboratory, and the Technology Innovation Office, in cooperation with the Remediation Technologies Development Forum and the Interstate Technology Regulatory Cooperation Work Group, are offering a 1.5-day training course on the use of permeable reactive barriers for remediating and managing contaminated groundwater. Training sessions will be held in the ten EPA regional cities throughout the country between June 1999 and September 2000. The next offering after Dallas is February 8-9, 2000 in Atlanta, GA. For course agenda and registration information, see http://www.trainex.org/prb .

1999 Petroleum Hydrocarbons Conference and Exposition, Houston, TX, November 17-19. This conference is sponsored by the American Petroleum Institute and the National Ground Water Association. This conference will provide a state of the art review of important scientific advances, innovative technologies, and trend setting policies related to subsurface hydrocarbon releases. Completed agenda, logistics and registration information is available at http://www.ngwa.org/education/111799ph.PDF .

Brownfields '99 Conference, Dallas TX, December 6-8. This conference is sponsored by the U.S. EPA. This year panels at Brownfields '99 will be organized around four basic themes: assessment and cleanup strategies that serve as foundations for your successful brownfields reuse; financing mechanisms and tools to help fuel your brownfields redevelopment; new and emerging legal and policy issues; and redevelopment experiences and lessons learned on the road to reuse. For additional conference, logistics and registration information, see http://www.epa.gov/swerosps/bf/bf99.htm .

In Situ Thermal Treatment Seminars, Philadelphia - December 14, Edison - December 15. EPA's Technology Innovation Office will present back-to-back technical seminars on in situ thermal treatment for DNAPLS groundwater remediation on December 14, 1999 at the Marriott Hotel, 1201 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA and December 15, 1999 at the Sheraton Edison Hotel, 125 Raritan Center Parkway, Edison, NJ. Technologies to be presented include: Dynamic Underground Stripping; Steam Enhanced Extraction; In Situ Thermal Desorption; Radio- Frequency Heating; and 6-Phase Heating. The seminars will include discussion of fundamental principles, design considerations and limitations, and case studies. Conference attendance is free, however advance registration is required. The description, agenda and registration form are available at http://clu-in.org/thermal . Complete transportation information will be sent to you as part of your registration confirmation. Questions may be directed to Karen Devlin at (215) 643-5466 or KDevlin@philipinc.com.