Streamlined remediation decisions for brownfield redevelopment

Abstract

Brownfield cleanup and reuse is often a costly proposition. The evaluation and design process and the associated legal hurdles are expensive and time consuming. The general phases of the characterization/cleanup of potentially contaminated sites include site assessment, site investigation, assessment of cleanup options, and design and implementation of the remedy. There are many models that assist in tracking the movement of contaminants within the unsaturated zone and through the groundwater. These models vary in complexity and in the amount of input parameters required. Input parameters can be furnished either from field/laboratory tests or from published tables. In some cases expensive field testing is required to identify parameters utilized in a contaminant fate and transport model. In other cases, published values for such input parameters may suffice. Results of a contaminant fate and transport simulation are highly dependent on the input parameter set, as well as on the selected model. Therefore, the use of different models and/or different input parameters has a great impact on the ultimate decision regarding remediation at a Brownfield site. This paper focuses on an on-going research of the engineering analysis associated with Brownfield redevelopment in Michigan. It investigates the tasks associated with characterization of subsurface contamination and predictive modeling of contaminant transport. The objective of the research is to isolate factors that will assist in streamlining the technical aspects associated with Brownfield redevelopment. The results of this research will not only have local effects, but will also benefit the environmental regulations and the decision-making process wherever Brownfield redevelopment is desired.