Application of the operating window concept to remediation‐option selection

Abstract

tion-option operating windows involves: 1) the determination of relationships between site conditions ("critical variables") and option performance parameters (e.g., contaminant degradation or removal rates) and 2) the identification of upper-and lower-limit values ("operational limits") for these variables that define the ranges of site conditions over which option performance is likely to be sufficient (the "operating window") and insufficient (the "operating wall") for manag

Brownfields to green fields: Realising wider benefits from practical contaminant phytomanagement strategies

“…It is presented alongside an accompanying best practice guidance document (provided (initially) in English, German and French languages), which summarises the key information in the DST, and provides a context for GRO application, an overview of its current state of development and risk management capability, potential wider (sustainability) benefits, and high-level GRO "operating windows" (i.e. the combination of contaminant, environmental and site circumstance in which a given remediation technology will almost certainly achieve project remedial objectives, Scott and Nathanail, 2004) based on field data from the GREENLAND site network. The DST is designed to interface with existing national guidance at the options appraisal stage, although we recognise that the DST may have equal applicability at earlier (site planning) stages.…”

Developing Effective Decision Support for the Application of “Gentle” Remediation Options: The GREENLAND Project

“…It has a phased (or tiered) structure, designed to inform decision‐making and options appraisal during the selection of remedial approaches for contaminated sites. It is presented alongside an accompanying best practice guidance document (provided [initially] in English, German, and French languages), which summarizes the key information in the DST, and provides a context for GRO application, an overview of its current state of development and risk management capability, potential wider (sustainability) benefits, and high‐level GRO “operating windows” (i.e., the combination of contaminant, environmental, and site circumstance in which a given remediation technology will almost certainly achieve project remedial objectives; Scott & Nathanail, ) based on field data from the GREENLAND site network. The DST is designed to interface with existing national guidance at the options appraisal stage, although the DST may have equal applicability at earlier (site planning) stages.…”

Operating windows to assess whether monitored natural attenuation is a technically feasible remediation option for BTEX-contaminated groundwater

“…Research into the delineation of operating windows has been widespread for industrial processes, but less so for remediation options used in risk-based land management (Scott & Nathanail, 2004).The first stage in the delineation of an operating window is the identification of critical site variables that affect the technical feasibility of the remediation option.When used in combination with source management strategies, MNA is likely to be a technically feasible remediation option if the time required for contaminants to attenuate along the flow path ("contaminant persistence time") is less than (a) the time taken for contaminants to travel from the source to the compliance point ("transport time") and (b) the time available for groundwater remediation objectives to be achieved ("remediation time").The contaminant persistence time is determined by the source concentration, target concentration, and the first-order bulk attenuation rate (Eq. 1) (Newell et al, 2002).…”

“…The Environment Agency (EA) for England and Wales has published technical guidance on the assessment and monitoring of natural attenuation of contaminants in groundwater (R&D Publication 95; Carey et al, 2000). However, demonstrating that monitored natural attenuation (MNA) is likely to be a technically feasible remediation option during the "screening" stage of R&D Publication 95 can be difficult if there is insufficient information available at this stage of the remediation project.Therefore, the application of MNA may be overlooked at sites where it could be effective.A solution to this problem is the delineation of operating windows for MNA (Scott & Nathanail, 2004). Operating windows are the ranges of individual or combinations of site variables within which a process, such as MNA is likely to operate (i.e., technically feasible).…”