PROJECT / OBJECTIVE

Objetive of the Life Surfing project

Objective

The LIFE SURFING project aims to demonstrate the field feasibility of a soil decontamination technique in soils cointaining residual Dense Non-Aquous Phase Liquid (DNAPL) of a high pollutant mixture of multicomponent organic contaminants and POPs.

Esta técnica se desarrollará en un proyecto de demostración en el que se combinarán técnicas de oxidación química conocidas con la acción de los surfactantes (prueba SURFING).

The detailed objectives of the project are

  • Objective OB-1: To DEMONSTRATE the applicability of the SURFING test for the removal and decontamination of DNAPL and the transferability of the already performed laboratory test to field.
  • Objetivos OB-2: To reduce the risk for the health and the environment, generated by the persistent organic pollutants (POPs) existing at the site, by means of the removal of the residual DNAPL at the demonstration project area.
  • Objective OB-3: To guarantee the reduction of the environmental risks and to analyse the full scale applicability of the technique from a technical, economic and environmental point of view, as well as to evaluate the reduction of the pollution for the health and the environment in case of a future full-scale implementation, considering the information gathered during the monitoring of the demonstration test.
  • Objective OB-4: To disseminate the results of the project to stakeholders, as well as the raising of a general public awareness of to the problem of such type of contamination to the, paying special attention to the project surrounding area, affected by the contamination.
  • Objective OB-5: To innovate the application of the surfactant-enhanced chemical oxidation technology in DNAPL contaminants.
  • Objective OB-6: To analyse the replicability and transferability of the technique to other locations, by the definition of a strategy that allows to multiply the impact of the results obtained for their use in other locations.
  • Objective OB-7: To create a network to share, interchange and transfer knowledge and experiences for projects related to sites affected by organochlorines, POPs, POP pesticides or POPs pesticides and other pesticides soil contamination.

Expected results

The main result of the project is the demonstration of the viability of the SURFING technology in Bailin site and USTUTT tests, and its transferability to any European country affected by multicomponent organic contaminants and even worldwide.Results related to the project objectives are:

  • OB-1 Results:
    • Execution of the test and assessment of its effectiveness
    • Dosage evaluation and quantification, employed agents, limitations and conditions and field applicability
    • Rebound effect assessment, quantifying the concentration of contaminants at the site s dissolved plume
    • Evaluation of the final biotreatability of the tested area.
  • OB-2 Results: will be eliminated
    • 1,800Kg of DNAPL removed (mass that may pollute 10,000 hm3).
    • €/Kg of HCH removed per year compared to other alternatives. An estimate of 1,800Kg of DNAPL exits in the test area (equivalent to 600 Kg of HCH). Current annual treatment cost of Bailin leachates is 14,000€/Kg of HCH. Considering that SURFING test cost 1 million €, annual cost would be:
      • for a 100% performance (1,800 Kg DNAPL removed): 1,660 €/Kg of HCH.
      • for a 50% DNAPL recovery: 3,330 €/Kg HCH DNAPL removal by pumping is in similar values in 2017 but increasing each year
    • Reduced timeframe of groundwater remediation (see OB-3 Result 1).
  • OB-3 Results:
    • Assessment of human health risk reduction, using:
    • 1 -annual mass eliminated (27.47kg using current methods. A 100% performance would be 73 times this annual mass).
    • 2 -years needed for the aquifer remediation, both compared to current treatments.
    • Incorporation of ES2430077 Bajo Gallego to the river Gallego HCH ecological control network-Assessment of technical and economic feasibility for a full scale implementation.
  • OB-4 Results:
    • Environmental awareness of the affected population including dissemination of materials, guided tours, open days.
    • Positive response in the territory for the project development, evaluated according to direct and indirect impacts.
  • OB-5 Results:
    • Publication and presentation of 4 technical papers.
  • OB-6 Results:
    • Replicability and Transferability Plan and Test, to assure the transferability to other sites with similar environmental problems.
    • For optimal results, collaboration among stakeholders will take place: 6 governments with similar problems will be contacted.
  • OB-7Results:
    • Networking at national and international level, including seminars, forums, conferences attendance and scientific papers.
    • Contact with 5 similar projects.
    • Hosting of the 15th Int. HCH&Pesticides Forum in Aragón (expected attendance: >300 experts).