Community Research

Industrial Restoration Larc 359 - Design Studio Gary Austin by: Aaron Luoma, Brian McClure, Randall Wise

Back to Community Research Contents Overview Planning Management Wildlife Soils Water Plants Air Overview TOP` Background In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s most major cities centered heavy industrial and commercial areas around prime riverfront locations to take advantage of water resources and easy transportation of goods. (Nash) Why? Catalyst for stimulating economic growth and prosperity Pollution and contamination cleanup Preservation of wildlife and plant species Return lands to public use/activities Healthy promotion of city pride Planning Management TOP Planning and Management of Industrial Restoration Sites: From: “Catchment Management in the Industrial Landscape.” By: Peter J. Dillon and Hayla E. Evans Management Agencies of Integration: (must be able to work together effectively) Government (all levels), Industry, Non Government Organizations -An ecosystem no matter the size is complex and is interconnected to other systems. Thus the management of a contaminated site needs to equally be as broad in various agencies. Management Cycle: 1. << Government, Nongovernmental, industry, academia, other organizations>> 2. << Hydrology, Chemistry, Ecology, Physics >> 3. << Atmospheric, Terrestrial, Aquatic, Intermediate Components >> 4. << Research, Socioeconomic, Surveillance, Monitoring (before/after) >> Difficulties and Issues: -Often there are problems in integrating a number of different organizations to form one committee because of differences in opinion and objectives. -A lot of contaminated sites require years or decades of clean up and management before and after clean up even begins. During this time legislation, organizations, and opinions can change, giving reason to why the assessment process should always be gone through again annually. -In contaminated sites there are often near by pollution as well due to the main stressor or outside influences. Secondary or tertiary pollution then can rise up unexpectedly over time, again giving reason why the assessment process should be used often. -Since these process take a long time climate changes often pose a hindrance to productivity whether it’s because of the changing seasons or even regional climate changes (due to the pollution or not, acid rain for example). -If pollution on site is serious enough there can be permanent or very long-term damage to the atmospheric ozone layer above site. This slows down productivity and the ability for the land to heal. -Again, since these methods take so long, hidden pollution may rise during clean up or unknown pollution may be discovered. It is advised in the research then to gain as much information as possible before action is taken place so that time and money are not wasted or even damaging the site more. Assessment Process: Report state of ecosystem, clear and extensive data, monitoring, surveys, (public and government involvement). Set data to revise and or create ecosystem goals and objectives. Goals are used to judge whether current state is acceptable (voting process). If acceptable (continue on to step five or repeat steps 1-3 if needed) If not acceptable go to step 8. Acceptable monitoring continues, creating characteristics of importance to alleviate time and money spent in monitoring the site, (namely chemical, physical, biological indicators). Scientific research continues of indicators selected, and goals are revised. Continue monitoring and surveillance as required by goals. If the ecosystem is not acceptable steps 8 through 13 are carried out. Identify potential stressor (sources and cause of contamination) Model stressor action (figure out what exactly is happening to cause contamination) Assess remedial and regulatory options for clean up. Implement preferred options Monitor implementation and effectiveness, return to step 1 and revaluate after a selected period of time.   Wildlife TOP Background Outside of normal damage to wildlife during human encroachment, heavy industrial and commercial areas of the past were particularly harmful to \wildlife because they simply were left with no where to go. Costal zones and river ways have been even more traumatic to wildlife in some cases because these zones are used heavily by migrating species. In some cases whole migratory patterns have been eliminated or altered because of industrial (and residential) expansion into these delicate areas. Reasons for protection/re-introduction While large natural wildlife is incapable of sustaining itself in urban environments, many smaller animals, birds, and fish, especially migratory the migratory species, are. Animals are that sense of life to a stagnant environment, they provide the connection with the outside world from the window afar, and they are a necessary ingredient in a healthy landscape. Suggestions Protect and Restore natural environments. “ Avoid activities that may cause or cumulatively contribute to permanent adverse changes to the ecological complexes and their natural processes. When avoidance is not possible, minimize the impacts of the project to the extent feasible and mitigate any physical loss or degradation of ecological elements. Use mitigation measures that are likely to result in the least environmentally damaging feasible alternative.” (NY) Maintain Corridors “ Avoid fragmentation of natural ecological communities and maintain corridors to facilitate the free exchange of biological resources within and among these communities. Protect those sites which have been identified as key to maintaining habitat connections within the ecological complexes.” (NY)   Soils TOP In Situ Physical/Chemical Treatment • Air Sparging • Blast-Enhanced Fracturing • Directional Wells • Hydraulic and Pneumatic Fracturing • Ground-Water Recirculation Wells • In Situ Flushing • In Situ Stabilization/Solidification • Permeable Reactive Barriers • Thermal Enhancements • Treatment Train Biological Treatment • Bioslurping • Intrinsic Bioremediation • Monitored Natural Attenuation • Phytoremediation • Treatment Train Electrokinetics   Water TOP Background Cluttered shorelines filled with debris, forgotten equipment, and boat docks creeping out into the water leave little room for aquatic plant life. Leaking oil, rusting equipment, industrial waste, and other toxic spills pollute water resources, rendering the water dangerous to humans and other plant and animal life. Reasons for Cleanup Prevent further water contamination Scenic Beauty Safe recreational use Suggestions Minimize Nonpoint Pollution Protect water quality by managing nonpoint source pollution. Nonpoint source pollution are contaminants not coming from a single source, but many diffuse sources. This can result from rain/snow melt moving trash and debris, oil and grease, to heavy soil erosion sediment. This of course can be best prevented by clean living and citizens who respect their environments. Other procedures, many of which can have multiple benefits, ” including the preservation and enhancement of coastal vegetation, to minimize nonpoint discharge into coastal waters of excess nutrients, organics, eroded soils, and pollutants, and to control storm water runoff from roadways and other developed areas. “ (NY) Protect Water Quality for streams, rivers, ground water, wetlands, and other feeders. Limiting bank erosion of streams, pollution of ground water and keeping wetlands functional and healthy can greatly reduce pollution of rivers and coastlines. This must be done all the time. Minimize direct and indirect discharge of large volumes of water This ties in closely with protecting wildlife, but by managing discharge into rivers, lakes, and oceans, can help to reduce adverse effects on ocean fish by large volumes of freshwater, prevent sudden changes in water temperature. Large sudden amounts of water discharge can also harm plant life and cause a great deal of damage to wetlands in addition to reducing their ability to effectively clean water.   Plants TOP Phytoremediation: (n): The use of plants and trees to remove or neutralize contaminants, as in polluted soil or water. (AHD) Background The use of plants and trees to remove pollutants from the soil has been in use for many years, but it has only been in the past few decades that phytoremediation as a science has emerged.  In the beginning, native plants that thrived in contaminated areas were the limit to research.  Now, however, the use of phytoremediation is far reaching.  Plants can be used to clean up heavy metals, explosives[1], land fills, pesticides, and even radio-active waste[2]. One of the major benefits to this process is the cost savings to corporations, municipalities, governments, and private land owners, not to mention the increased beauty, functionality, restoration, and future use of the site. Phytoremediation is not as simple as putting plants in the ground.  It is important to know which plants will remove which contaminants without leaving hazardous by-products behind.  This is where the science is emerging and crossing into genetics, horticulture, engineering, and chemistry. There are several ways in which phytoremediation can clean contaminates, they are:[3] Degradation by plants. Organic contaminants are absorbed inside the plant and metabolized (broken down) to non-toxic molecules by natural chemical processes within the plant. Extraction. Plant roots can remove metals from contaminated sites and transport them to leaves and stems for harvesting and disposal or metal recovery through smelting processes. Microorganism stimulation. Plants excrete and provide enzymes and organic substances from their roots that stimulate growth of microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria. The microorganisms in the root zone then metabolize the organic contaminants. Volatilization. Plants take up water and organic contaminants through the roots, transport them to the leaves, and release the contaminants as a non-toxic gas (called volatilization) into the atmosphere. Stabilization. Plants prevent contaminants from migrating by reducing runoff, surface erosion, and ground-water flow rates. "Hydraulic pumping" can occur when tree roots reach ground water, take up large amounts of water, control the hydraulic gradient, and prevent lateral migration of contaminants within a ground water zone.         Schematic of phytoremediation processes at a site managed by GeoSyntec Consultants.[4] Design The emergence of phytoremediation has created opportunities for landscape architects and designers to work with engineers and remediation specialists.  No longer must former industrial sites, mines, or land fills remain desolate and unused, waiting for nature to decompose or dispose of man’s toxic by-products.  New wetlands can be formed, land fills can be forested over, and native habitats restored. Benefits for Landscape Designer: Combination of native plants with phytoremediation plants can create windbreaks, views, and ecological habitats Develop green zones in urban and industrial areas Create or restore wetlands Develop community awareness groups to create parks, gardens, and green belts Involve community in planning for phytoremediation Obviously, close contact and interaction with phytoremediation specialists, such as the Army Corps of Engineers and private remediation companies, is critical to a successful design and logical implementation.  For example, trees that might remove heavy metals from the soil, to be later harvested, would not be appropriate near schools or playgrounds.  Ecological design principles apply when designing for phytoremediation, for example (ECO): Place & local conditions shape design Use nature to influence design Input from community Preserve/restore history of site Moderate use or influence of technology Case Studies The Army Corps of Engineers have conducted a study using wetlands plants to extract TNT and other explosive contaminants from the soil and ground water at the Volunteer Army Ammunition Plant (VAAP), Chattanooga, TN.  Cattails, in full sunlight, were able to extract all TNT, and other explosive contaminates steadily from the soil in full sunlight.[5] The cattails in their native habitat extracted more explosive material from the groundwater than in controlled laboratory experiments.  The conclusion was the increase in extraction was due to natural interaction between microbes, plants, and photolytic mechanisms. Other plants for phytoremediation and their application[2]: Location Plants Application Chernobyl, Ukraine Sunflowers Helianthus annus Phytoremediation at pond near nuclear disaster removed radioactive strontium and cesium Trenton, NJ Indian Mustard Brassica juncea Extracted lead from brown field location Dearing, KS Poplars Populus spp. One acre test site removed lead, zinc, and cadmium from an abandoned smelter Rocky Flats, CO Sunflowers and mustard Filtration from landfill site; removed Uranium and Nitrates   References [1] http://www.wes.army.mil/el/resbrief/phytovol.html [2] Iowa Technology Evaluation Report, Oct 1997 [3] RTDF, http://www.rtdf.org/public/phyto/phyprocs.htm [4]The Scientist, Mar. 01, 1999 [5] US Army Corps of Engineers http://www.wes.army.mil/el/resbrief/phytovol.html     Air TOP Background Air quality improvement is one of the most important aspects to the our personal health and that of our environment.  The average adult breathes over 3,000 gallons of air every day.  Children breathe even more air per pound of body weight and are more susceptible to air pollution. (EPA)  As a result, a push for improved air quality began decades ago and is now strictly monitored by the EPA and other government agencies.  Corporations and municipalities will receive, if they meet air quality requirements, government grants and subsidies.  On the downside, failure to meet air quality standards will result in the loss of those same dividends and rewards. Reasons to be concerned with poor air quality (EPA):   Acid Rain   Haze & Visibility     Clear Day Hazy Day Global Warming Ozone Depletion Toxic Air Pollutants Radiation Indoor Air Quality Smog, Particles, & Other Common Pollutants Case Study Lichens as indicators of improving air quality (SV, p. 82) Accumulate substances in measurable quantities Available in sufficient quantities over a wide area Present throughout the year Various sensitivities to a contaminant Biologists have been studying the use of lichens as an indicator or air quality for more than three quarters of a century.  In the case of an industrial remediation site in Sudbury, Canada, Lichen growing on balsam poplars (Populus balsamifera) were studied extensively. Studies of ten trees across the site, each carefully examined and the percentage of lichen was recorded.  An index value was assigned to each recording qualifying the richness of the lichen communities.  Values were then assigned to air quality based on the health of the lichen communities and the amount of contamination taken into the lichen. Recommendations In order to monitor air quality around a remediation site, a variety of studies should be conducted, including: health of plant materials, fungi, bacteria, chemical composition of the air, and wildlife.  Careful control will ensure the future use and health of a site. Other Sources TOP (Nash) Nashville.gov http://www.nashville.gov/mdha/bf_epa_pilot.htm (NY) New York City Dept of City Planning http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/wrp/wrp.html EPA http://www.epa.gov/ http://www.epa.gov/air/concerns/ http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/ (ECO) Principles of Ecological Design, 2003 (AHD) The American Heritage Dictionary, 2001 (SV) Restoration and Recovery of an Industrial Region, NY 1995