Life-cycle framework for assessment of site remediation options: Method and generic survey

To address burdens associated with contaminated sites and issuing from reme diation activities, a lire-cycle framework (LCF) was developed, including a n approach based on life-cycle management (LCM) and an adaptation of life-c ycle assessment (LCA). Intended for application to a wide range of remediat ion options, the objective of the LCF is to broaden consideration of potent ial impacts beyond the contaminated site and over a prolonged time frame. T he LCM approach is a qualitative method for investigating remediation activ ities from a life-cycle perspective. This adaptation of the more rigorous, quantitative LCA method has involved specifying appropriate life-cycle stag es, a long-term time horizon, a spatial boundary encompassing the contamina ted site and other affected locations, a process boundary containing the co ntaminated soil, and an impact assessment method that considers site- and p rocess-related metrics. To assess the suitability of LCM as a decision-maki ng tool, six generic site remediation options were investigated: no action, encapsulation, excavation and disposal, vapor extraction, in situ bioremed iation, and soil washing. The analysis exemplified tradeoffs between the st reamlined LCM, and comprehensive, quantitative LCA approaches, and highligh ted potential environmental and human health impacts arising from the six t echnologies investigated.