In Situ Wetland Restoration Demonstration
ER-200825
Objective
The objective of this program is to demonstrate and validate in situ wetland remediation technologies designed to sequester contaminants in wetlands without disrupting the ecology of these systems. The field demonstration will include evaluation of several sequestration agents and delivery systems to determine the combinations that provide the most cost effective and environmentally protective solutions. Monitoring will be conducted following the demonstration to validate project success.
Technology Description
In situ remedial technologies have successfully been used in terrestrial soils, and to a lesser extent in subaqueous sediments; however, they are generally unproven for use in wetland hydric soils. By employing a combination of existing in situ remedial agents and application technologies, an effective in situ wetland remediation system can be created. Several in situ remedial agents such as activated carbon, organoclays, apatite, and zeolites are well known for chemical properties that can limit bioavailability and mobility of organic contaminants and metals. In situ application of these sequestration agents has not been extensively evaluated in wetland systems; however, if materials such as organoclays or activated carbon can be effectively delivered to the hydric soils, then toxicity, mobility, and bioavailability can be substantially reduced. Relatively low-tech delivery methods are well established for upland soils and are routinely used in related fields such as construction of subaqueous sediment caps, soil, and a variety of agricultural practices. Refinement of these technologies in the context of wetland systems is a logical and potentially beneficial next step.
Benefits
Initial cost estimates for trial-scale in situ wetland remediation efforts are expected to range from $100,000 to $500,000 per acre, depending on the nature of the amendment, site-specific characteristics, and the delivery system employed. Typical excavation and ex situ disposal costs exceed this range by an order of magnitude. Wetland restoration efforts following excavation can cost upwards of an additional $300,000 per acre and cannot guarantee ecological restoration to pre-excavation conditions. Development of a successful in situ wetland remediation system would provide Department of Defense (DoD) with a superior remediation alternative for contaminated wetlands. This alternative would provide substantial cost savings and would minimize the need to restore damaged wetlands by leaving wetland soils and vegetation communities largely intact. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2011)
Points of Contact
Principal Investigator
Ms. Amy Hawkins
Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center (NFESC)
Phone: 805-982-4890
Document Types
- Fact Sheet - Brief project summary with links to related documents and points of contact.
- Final Report - Comprehensive report for every completed SERDP and ESTCP project that contains all technical results.
- Cost & Performance Report - Overview of ESTCP demonstration activities, results, and conclusions, standardized to facilitate implementation decisions.
- Technical Report - Additional interim reports, laboratory reports, demonstration reports, and technology survey reports.
- Guidance - Instructional information on technical topics such as protocols and user’s guides.
- Workshop Report - Summary of workshop discussion and findings.
- Multimedia - On demand videos, animations, and webcasts highlighting featured initiatives or technologies.
- Model/Software - Computer programs and applications available for download.
- Database - Digitally organized collection of data available to search and access.