Development and Application of an Integrated Site Remediation Technology Mix Method Based on Site Contaminant Distribution Characteristics

Abstract

Millions of contaminated sites worldwide need to be remediated to protect the environment and human health. Although numerous remediation technologies have been developed, selecting optimal technologies is challenging. Several multiple criteria decision-making methods for screening the optimal remediation technology have been proposed, but they mostly focus on a specific area rather than the whole contaminated site. In recent years, the “contamination source control—process blocking—in situ remediation” technology mix model has gradually gained high appreciation. Nevertheless, the screening of technologies within each chain of this model relies heavily on arbitrary personal experience. To avoid such arbitrariness, a petroleum-contaminated site containing light non-aqueous phase liquids (LNAPLs) was used as an example, and a scientific screening and combination procedure was developed in this study by considering the distribution characteristics of contaminants. Through the procedure, a technology mix, which includes institutional control, risk monitoring, emergency response, multiphase extraction, interception ditch, monitoring of natural attenuation, hydrodynamic control, as well as some alternative technologies, was found, aiming at different locations and strata. The clear spatial relationship concept promises to enhance the effectiveness of contaminated site remediation. The proposed method only gave us a technical framework and should be tested and enriched in future studies.