Project Specifics

Geosyntec was retained to review treatment alternative for brominated pesticide compounds found to exist in soil and groundwater beneath a former manufacturing facility in France. Geosyntec conducted a literature review of public and internal data and evaluated the expected fate of the brominated compounds from soil to groundwater and also to vapor pathways. After evaluating the potential for fate and transport Geosyntec developed a technology treatment screening matrix. The matrix included sustainability in the evaluation criteria.

Geosyntec Scope of Services

Several technologies were ruled out before the matrix was populated due to inapplicability to the contaminant or the technology was not aligned with overall remedial goals. Four overall “scores” possible for the metrics in the matrix: Above average; Average;Below Average; N/A or No Data

The screening matrix was not a quantitative assessment. One often used approach is to select metrics which are termed “critical” whereby a below average score in those metrics would eliminate the technology from further consideration. For this project, the Site Applicability, Availability, Time, System Reliability, and Development Status metrics have been chosen as critical. This approach has been based on our understanding of the drivers for remediation and provided site-specific information.

The first technology screening stage is the identification of technologies which received a below average ranking in one of the critical metrics in the assessment matrix. The second stage of elimination was to examine the costs of required additional studies or trials before a remedial technology could be implemented.

The remedial technologies assessment process undertaken for the site resulted in bioventing, biopiles/composting, thermal desorption and partial excavation with air separation as suitable technologies for consideration against excavation and off-site disposal.

Notable Accomplishments

This work was completed on an expedited time frame (3 weeks) and was used to present options to the regulatory agency to meet regulatory deadlines.

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