Q&A: Emerging Contaminants & Remedial Technology at Battelle

What types of pioneering work in emerging contaminants is reflected in Langan’s presence at the Battelle conference?

In recognition of some our work in emerging contaminants, I will have the opportunity to chair the session on “Combined Treatment of Emerging Contaminants with CVOCs.” I think this is an important issue, as emerging contaminants are frequently part of multi-contaminant plumes. This may be particularly important to our industrial and commercial clients, who often have to deal with chlorinated solvent plumes that also contain 1,4-dioxane or even PFAS. Developing experience and expertise in dealing with these plumes is critically important.

What has Langan contributed to the industry?

Recently, we performed a laboratory anaerobic biotreatability study at the Langan Treatability Facility at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) whereby we showed that we could degrade the chlorinated solvent plume with the addition of vegetable oil and microorganisms. This approach did not degrade the 1,4-dioxane in the plume. With Langan’s internal R&D funds, we continued the study with NJIT Professor Mengyan Li, Ph.D., who showed that the experimental microcosm bottles could be made aerobic and with the addition of propane could readily degrade the 1,4-dioxane. This is a potentially innovative and far-reaching finding, as this is a common problem at remediation sites across the US.

What else is going on with Langan at the Battelle Conference?

Two aspects of our work are notable in Langan’s set of presentations. First, our leadership in the use of remedial technology at Brownfield sites continues to shine through. From Joe Good of our New York City office, we again see a presentation of an injection strategy at a redevelopment site. Second, earlier this year, Matt Ambrusch from our Parsippany headquarters was elected national President of the Sustainable Remediation Forum (SuRF). In turn, Matt is leading a panel discussion on the role of sustainable remediation at industrial sites.

Answer provided by Stewart Abrams, PE, Principal/Director of Remediation Technology
Stewart Abrams has close to 40 years of experience in site remediation, groundwater remediation, Brownfield redevelopment, water treatment, and engineering design. He is an expert in remedial technology, with particular emphasis on bioremediation, chemical oxidation/reduction technologies, soil vapor extraction, and air sparging.