This article illustrates how two different decision analysis (DA) methods can be used to assist in making environmental remediation decisions. The two DA methods are Multiattribute Utility Theory (MAUT) and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). MAUT and AHP differ greatly in their underlying philosophies. MAUT employs an interval scale and constructs utility functions that quantify the total utility to the decision maker of each technology alternative; AHP employs a ratio scale and uses pairwise comparisons to produce a final ranking of the alternatives that reflects the decision maker's comparative preferences. In this study, the same technology was ranked first by both methods; however, the remaining rankings did not agree. Also, statistical analysis indicated that some score differences may be statistically insignificant. These results are presented and discussed along with a comparison of the features, advantages, and disadvantages of these two DA approaches.

AnneDeHunte Henrihsen received a Pb.a hr cbmrccal p b y s f c s m tbeWversUy of Virginia in 1986in tbej?eld of larrrbanide ion ekttvnic stmcture calcrrlations and optical spectroscopy, and an MR4 hr 1993 in operations reseumb/ management science p o r n tbe Robert a Anderson Graduate Scbool of Management at tbe Universizy o f N e w Mexico. Dr. Henriksen bas been empkyed wUb Los Ahrnos National Luboratory f w dgbt years, w bere s be is current& a member of tbe Technology Modeling and Ana&sis Group. Sbe is also u part-time f-4 member at tbe University of N e w Mexico-Anderson &bod of Management, w b m sbe teacbes courses in Management of Technology. S E A M I S P is an innovative technology that facilitates measurements of contaminants in both Mica1 and horizonlal boreholes. The essence of SEAiWSlis an airtight membrane linerpneumatically emplaced inside the borehole and maintained with positive pressure. Sampling ports, absorbent collectors, and various in-situ measuring devices can be fabricated into the liner. Small instrumentsand cammas can beguided through the borehole to obtain real-time data.?his article reports on the cost andpetfomance effectiveness of this new technology. In this report, SEAMISclTM is evaluated as a tool for obtaining data on volatile oqanic compounds, semivolatile oeanic compounds, other water-borne contaminants, and radionuclides. SFMISl-is also compared to traditional borehole casing, to conventional soil vaporprobes, and to conventional pore-fluid collecting lysimetm. The most cost-and pe$ormance-effectiue applications of SEAMIs'irM are shown to be those applications for which multiple characterizalion requirements can be combined into one SEAMISTM membrane sp&m.