Uncertainty Estimation in a Remediation Process: A Case Study |
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| Authors: | Luca Bonomo Paola Butelli Laura Romele Sabrina Saponaro |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Politecnico di Milano — Dipartimento di Ingegneria Idraulica, Ambientale, Infrastrutture Viarie e del Rilevamento — Sez. Ambientale, piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 32 — 20133 Milano, Italy;2. e-mail: luca.bonomo@polimi.it, Tel. +39 02 23996403, Fax + 39 02 23996499;3. e-mail: paola.butelli@polimi.it, Tel. +39 02 23996420, Fax + 39 02 23996499;4. e-mail: laura.romele@polimi.it, Tel. +39 02 23996422, Fax + 39 02 23996499;5. e-mail: sabrina.saponaro@polimi.it, Tel. +39 02 23996432, Fax + 39 02 23996499 |
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| Abstract: | A case study concerning the reclamation of a brownfield for residential purposes is presented. Because a high contamination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) was detected in soil, a remediation process is necessary. Bench-scale treat-ability tests were carried out in order to evaluate performances of some remediation technologies on this specific matrix, and particularly for the removal of high-molecular-weight PAHs. Biodegradation studies allowed the evaluation of PAH abatement in a slurry phase treatment, the amount of abiotic losses and the effect of macronutri-ents and bioaugmentation on the removal efficiency. The experimental study was performed in compliance with a Quality System, based on ISO 9001:2000 and ISO/ EC 17025:1999; validation of the analytical method provided the expanded uncertainty of the removal efficiency, varying from nearly 13 to 21%, depending on the compound considered. Experimental results showed a high removal efficiency for all PAHs; the addition of nitrogen and phosphorous increased the removal rate and the efficiency for high-molecular-weight PAHs, whereas no remarkable differences were observed in total (abiotic + biotic) removal of light compounds. |
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| Keywords: | Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons biological treatment analytical method quality parameters. |
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