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Site Remediation News
May 1997 (Vol 9 No 2) - Article 05

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Innovative Technology Initiatives
By: Matthew Turner
Division of Responsible Party Site Remediation
Bureau of State Case Management

The NJDEP is an active participant on the Innovative Technology and Regulatory Cooperation (ITRC) Workgroup, whose goal is to promote the utilization of innovative technology for the investigation/remediation of sites through regulatory cooperation among states agencies. The effort is not to provide presumptive remedies, but to assist in the implementation of the remedy/technology after it is chosen as the appropriate remedy. The ITRC is comprised of state regulatory agencies, stakeholders and federal agencies.

The ITRC is currently comprised of six (6) subgroups exploring 1) in-situ bioremediation 2) real-time field characterization technologies 3) low temperature desorption technologies 4) plasma technologies 5) permeable barrier technology and 6) technologies for treating metal contamination in soil. Each subgroup is developing a guidance document on its respective technology for utilization by the ITRC member states and stakeholders. The ITRC is scheduled to meet June 2-4 in Washington, DC, to finalize guidance documents on respective technologies and begin the process of choosing technologies for the next fiscal year. NJDEP is represented by Matt Turner (Bureau of State Case Management, 609/984-1742) on the Permeable Barrier Subgroup, John Prendergast (Bureau of Environmental Evaluation and Risk Assessment, 609/984-9757) on the Real-Time Field Characterization Subgroup and Brian Sogorka (Bureau of Environmental Evaluation and Risk Assessment, 609/633-1344) on the Metals in Soil Subgroup. A update on Real-Time Field Characterization were provided in the January, 1997 issue of the "Site Remediation News". Future publications of the "Site Remediation News" will address activities on Metals in Soil Subgroup.

The Permeable Barrier Subgroup is investigating a technology which offers an alternative to ground water pump and treat technologies. The technology, which is often referred to as permeable barrier walls, is becoming an attractive groundwater remedy. The technology offers a substantial reduction in operation and maintenance and overall cost when compared to conventional groundwater pump and treat systems.

Permeable barrier walls are in-situ permeable treatment zones in which groundwater contamination can be precipitated, absorbed or degraded. Groundwatr is allowed to flow passively through a subsurface treatment zone where the contamination is removed. The treatment zone is typically constructed by the excavation of a trench which is backfilled with a less permeable reactive media.

The Permeable Barrier Wall Subgroup of the ITRC is currently reviewing application of this technology for the treatment of chlorinated organics. These barriers employ a granular iron media which degrades the chlorinated compounds to non-toxic dehalogenated organic compounds and inorganic chlorine. The exact mechanism whereby the chlorinated compound is degraded is not fully understood at this time, but is the focus of considerable research. The permeable barriers are typically deployed in a configuration know as a funnel and gate. This configuration utilizes an impermeable subsurface wall (funnel) to direct the groundwater into the subsurface permeable treatment zone (gate).

The ITRC Permeable Barrier Subgroup has participated in the development of a document entitled "Design Guidance for Application of Permeable Barriers to Remediate Dissolved Chlorinated Solvents" which is accessible through the ITRC Home Page at http://www.gnet.org/gnet/gov/interstate/itrcindex.htm. The U.S. Air Force contracted with Battelle Memorial Institute to prepare the document to aid in the remediation of U.S. Air Force bases across the country. The document provides a good reference on the current state of the technology and is a valuable aid in the design of a treatment system.

The main objective of the ITRC Permeable Barrier Subgroup is the development of a document outlining the regulatory requirements for permeable barriers designed to remediate chlorinated solvents. This document will address all regulatory issues associated with the technology. The goal of the subgroup is to reach consensus among state regulatory agencies and stakeholders on issues such as permitting and monitoring. A consensus on these issues should provide for quicker deployment of the technology. The document is expected to be available in draft during April and finalized in June.

The ITRC's activities are closely related to activities being conducted under a multistate Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for environmental technology evaluation which was signed in April, 1995. MOU states include New Jersey, California, Massachusetts, Illinois, Pennsylvania and New York. The MOU supports the work of the ITRC and identifies the ITRC as a building block in the development of interstate cooperation. While the scope of the MOU includes a broad range of environmental technologies, the initial efforts of the ITRC have been focussed on the characterization and remediation technologies for contaminated sites.

Through a pilot technology review project currently underway, the six MOU states are evaluating twelve technologies (two from each state) in an effort to define a process for the reciprocal evaluation, acceptance and approval of environmental technologies among the six states. The Department's Office of Innovative Technology and Market Development is coorindating New Jersey's participation in the MOU project as well as a variety of other innovative technology projects, including the New Jersey Corporation for Advanced Technology (NJCAT). This new office will reinforce the mutually beneficial relationship between a clean environment and a healthy economy. For more information, please contact Rhea Brekke, Administrator, at 609/984-5418.

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