nicole...nicole news volume 1 number 1 3 caracas harald kasamas, caracas project co-ordinator...

NICOLE News Volume 1 Number 1 1

NICOLE NEWSNewsletter of the Network for Industrially Contaminated Land in Europe,a Concerted Action of the EC Environment and Climate Research and Development Programme

Volume 1 Number 1 August 1996

A European Industry Network forContaminated Land at last

Inaugural meeting of the NICOLE network on May 22nd is a runaway successNICOLE is a Europe wide initiative by industry and the European Commission to provide a forum for problem holders andresearchers to come together to find workable solutions to the problems of contaminated land. It promises to be one ofthe largest environmental networks in Europe, with an initial budget of over 650,000 ECU, of which around 55% will comefrom industry. NICOLE is open to all organisations with an interest in contaminated land, both from within and outside theEuropean Union. The first meeting of NICOLE attracted nearly 100 delegates from industry and academe from17 countries. Ambitious targets for NICOLE were set:• Eight technical workshops;• Two scientific conferences reporting progress of EU funded research;• A directory of research expertise (the NICOLE Information Base);• "NICOLE inspired" research proposals to the Environment and Climate and Standards Measurement and Testing

Programmes;• Recommendations report of research needs for the 5th Framework Programme.

All of these developments will be reported in NICOLENews which will be produced twice yearly, and moredetailed information will be available in separatepublications available to NICOLE members.

NICOLE will be at the cutting edge of contaminated landmanagement research world wide and will be a majorinfluence on the development of contaminated landmanagement approaches and research in the EuropeanUnion. It is vital for Public Research enablers to be surethat the work they are supporting addresses the needs ofindustry to develop solutions which are not only effective,but which are also cost efficient and practical.

NICOLE is your opportunity to have your say. Itsfounding members are keen to see as many enthusiasticnew members to the network as possible. If the networkis to achieve the aims and influence it seeks then itneeds your help, and help will be gratefully accepted atall levels.

More inside!!! Features inside describe NICOLE(page 6), the Newsletter and membership opportunities(page 2 & 4), the NICOLE Information base (page 3) andthe proposed programmes of Working Groups (page 7)Interview with Dr Busing of the Environment and ClimateProgramme (page 8).

EU research

Contaminated Land ProgrammesThree EU programmes support work directly relevant tocontaminated land management:• The Environment and Climate Programme;• The Standards Measurement and Testing (SMT)

Programme; and• The Biotechnology Programme.The Environment and Climate Programme currentlysupports research into in situ bio-remediation,degradation of pollutants and transport of contaminants.SMT supports the development of harmonised analyticalmethods and a number of standard reference materialsfor comparing contaminated land analyses have alreadybeen evolved. The Biotechnology Programme includesenvironmental applications of biotechnology such asmonitoring and treatment technologies for soils andwastes. There is a current call, closing 18 October 1996,for proposals in the Biotechnology Programme. Keycontacts are: Environment and Climate ProgrammeManager - Fax +32 2 296 3024; SMT ProgrammeManager - Fax +32 2 295 8072; BiotechnologyProgramme Manager - Fax +32 2 295 5365.Biotechnologies for the Environment - Fax + 32 2 2991860. Training awards are also available, contactDG XII/E - Grants Office - Fax +32 2 296 0540.

2 NICOLE NEWS Volume 1 Number 1

Welcome to your newsletterContents PageInaugural meeting of the NICOLE network 1EU research 1Calendar of events 2Welcome to your newsletter 2CARACAS 3The NICOLE Directory of Research Capabilities 3Are you eligible? 4Soil forming project in the UK 4WHO Nancy Project Office and NICOLE 5NICOLE: The Network for industriallycontaminated land in Europe

6

Environment and Climate Programme 8EEA Soil Topic Centre 8The NOBIS programme 9Risk assessment - model development 10ENEL’s mobile laboratory 11Letters 12

Calendar of events DateFirst industry sub-group meeting for“problem holding” organisations.Port of Rotterdam(see below for further details)

24 Sept 1996

WG 2 - Workshop 1Contaminant Behaviour and RiskAssessmentDr Michel Jauzein,IRH Environnement, Direction de laRecherche, NancyFax: + 33 83 50 36 99e-mail [email protected]

7/8 Nov 1996

WG 2 - Excursion 1Industrially contaminated sites in theLorraine region

8 Nov 1996

Steering Group meetingNancy, France

8 Nov 1996

WG 1 - Workshop 1Surveying contaminated sitesTNO-MEP, Apeldoorn (NL)

22/23 Jan 1997

WG 1 - Excursion 1Former gasworks, Rotterdam

23 Jan 1997

WG 1 - Workshop 2Interpreting and managing data

First half 1998

WG 3 - Workshop 1Remediation technologies

date to beannounced

WG 3 - Workshop 2Containment technologies

date to beannounced

WG 4 - Workshop 1 May/June 1997WG 4 - Workshop 2 May/June 1988

This is your newsletter, please use itPaul Bardos and Jacqui MarshThe idea for a network for industrially contaminated landin Europe was first suggested nearly two years ago. Aftera lot of hard work by the Steering Group and DGXII, wefinally have our network.Networks always seem togive birth to newsletters, soafter a suitable period ofgestation, here is NICOLENews.The chairman of NICOLE,Martin Bell has a simplemessage "NICOLE Newsis your newsletter, please useit". We want your news andyour views. We want to makesure that this newsletter is ofreal use to you and reflectsyour wishes for informationfrom the NICOLE network.We plan to bring to you:• News on pertinent

developments incontaminated landmanagement in Europe(e.g. on policy and projectfunding);

• Proceedings of NICOLEmeetings;

• Short technical articles (forexample from the NICOLEWorking Groups or aboutEuropean contaminatedland research facilities);and, importantly

• A forum for the exchangeof views and opportunitiesto find partners forresearch and otherprojects.

Submissions from you in any of these areas, as well asyour views on the newsletter structure itself would bewelcome. We have a letters page at the back of thenewsletter where we invite you to be as controversial asyou wish - or as conciliatory. We would be delighted tohear your suggestions for articles that we should write orinterviews that we should carry out. Just write, fax or e-mail us and let us know your views or send us yoursubmission.Photographs from top: Martin Bell, Chairman, NICOLE,Paul Bardos, Jacqui Marsh.

Late News - After the NICOLE Inaugural Meeting it was decided to form a sub-group within NICOLE for companies andother organisations which are actively addressing contaminated land problems within their own land holdings. Thesub-group will provide a forum for the exchange of views and experiences of organisations directly affected bycontaminated land problems and will work to ensure that NICOLE will remain relevant to their needs. The aims of the firstmeeting will be to identify topics and issues to be developed through the planned workshops and to review theNetherlands NOBIS Programme. To register an interest in attending please contact D. A. Laidler, NICOLE Co-ordinator bytel + 44 1928 511521 or fax +44 1928 581864.

Pictureunavailable

Pictureunavailable

Pictureunavailable


CARACASHarald Kasamas, CARACAS ProjectCo-ordinator describes our sisternetworkThe partnershipThe Concerted Action on Risk Assessment forContaminated Sites (CARACAS) in the European Unionis funded under the EU Environment and Climateprogramme. It will be carried out by 14 Member States ofthe European Union:

Austria IrelandBelgium ItalyDenmark The NetherlandsFinland PortugalFrance SpainGermany SwedenGreece United Kingdom

plus Norway and Switzerland. Each of these countries isrepresented by the national Environment Ministry andtwo scientific institutions. The United States and NewZealand have expressed their interest to co-operate withthe scientific programme of CARACAS.

ObjectivesThe primary objective of CARACAS is to improveguidelines and recommendations for assessing riskposed by contaminated land based on secure scientificknowledge. The work programme is subdivided in threephases:• Phase 1: to identify, compile, assess and review all

relevant RTD projects and scientific approaches forrisk assessment developed in the Member States ofthe European Union;

• Phase 2: to propose scientific priorities for futureprogrammes and projects of the EuropeanCommission and the EU-Member States; to stimulatetransnational co-operation between RTDprogrammes;

• Phase 3: to elaborate guidelines andrecommendations for assessing risk of contaminatedsites.

Furthermore, CARACAS will exchange information withother international initiatives in the field of contaminatedland, like the Concerted Action NICOLE, relevantISO/CEN Working Groups, the EEA Topic Centre Soil,the Ad Hoc working Group on Contaminated Land andthe relevant NATO/CCMS Pilot Studies.

Interim resultsThe Concerted Action CARACAS started on1 February, 1996, and will continue for 30 months. Theinaugural meeting of the CARACAS Co-ordination Group(40 participants from 17 countries) took place in Brusselson 28 and 29 March, 1996. At this meeting the scientificprogramme was specified and seven scientific topicgroups for specific risk assessment issues were formed.

These issues are:TG1: human toxicologyTG2: ecological risk assessmentTG3: fate and transport of contaminantsTG4: site investigation and analysisTG5: modelsTG6: screening/guideline valuesTG7: methods for risk assessment

CARACAS NewsletterTo inform all interested parties on the progress of theConcerted Action as well as to provide a platform forscientific links concerning risk assessment, a CARACASNewsletter will be issued.

Further informationIf you are interested in receiving the Newsletter, if youare working on research concerning risk assessmentissues and you are interested in collaboration within theproject, or if you just have some questions regarding theCARACAS project, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Harald Kasamas at CARACAS-office in ViennaFax: +43 1 804 93 194e-mail: [email protected]. Woelke at CARACAS-office in BerlinFax: +49 30 8903 2285

The NICOLE Directory ofResearch CapabilitiesResearch expertise, NICOLEMembers and potential collaborativeprojectsby Dale LaidlerOne of the most important objectives of NICOLE is to bewell focused and industrially relevant contaminated landR&D. The directory is one of the tools that NICOLE usesto reach this objective. The Directory is intended tofacilitate problem holders interested in collaborativeresearch in finding research partners, and forresearchers to find partners with complementaryexpertise. It will be based on information collected fromall research groups participating in NICOLE and willcontain details for each group of:• Research interests and capabilities;• Specialist facilities and equipment;• Major publications; and• Major recent and current projects.This information will be compiled as a searchabledatabase using Microsoft ACCESSTM software. Hardcopy and disk based versions of the directory will beavailable to all NICOLE Members free. The Directory willnot be available to organisations which are not membersof NICOLE. The first release of the Directory is plannedin Autumn 1996, with an update in 1998.

Please contact Mrs Marjan Euser of TNO for furtherinformation on the Directory. Fax: +31 55 5493 410

4 NICOLE News Volume 1 Number 1

Are you eligible?NICOLE membership: costs andwhat you get for your moneyNICOLE will be the foremost European forum forproblem holders and solution finders to establish links ina non-competitive and co-operative atmosphere. Thenetwork will cross both industry sector and disciplineboundaries - as well as geographical borders. Itsmeetings and its information base will be the foundationof a new contaminated land community in Europe.Membership of NICOLE is open to companies andorganisations with potential contaminated land problems;technology developers or service providers; and Nationaland European Trade Associations. Membership for thefull duration of this phase of NICOLE (till 1999) costsonly a single subscription 10,000 ECU. There’s a 50%discount for companies from Eastern Europe - they paya single subscription fee of 5,000 ECU.

Researchers in universities and independent researchorganisations, and national and EU research fundingbodies can participate without payment of a membershipfee.

The benefits of membership can be divided into twocategories: (1) state-of-the-art documentation and (2)research development and support; influence andnetworking - both for those carrying out research andthose who have research needs.

Tackling the problemsof contaminated landin a practical and cost

effective way

Written outputs will be:• 8 Workshop proceedings (the technical coverage of

the Working Groups is outlined on page 7);• Conference proceedings for the two scientific

conferences;• Good practice guidance;• Directory of Research Capabilities (see page 3)• Recommendations reports for Environment and

Climate and SMT Programmes, Call 2; and for the5th Framework Programme; and, of course,

• The bi-annual newsletter.These documents will be open to and available free toNICOLE members. Non-members will have to wait forgeneral publication and pay full publication prices. Somepublications may be restricted to NICOLE members only.In addition, any of NICOLE’s members will not have topay registration fees for meetings and conferencesalthough they will be expected to pay their own expensesof participation.

As well as access to the state-of-the-art meetings anddocumentation, there are other major membershipbenefits. NICOLE aims to define the contaminated landresearch agenda for Europe, not just in terms of generalrecommendations, but with a series of researchproposals from its membership intended to secure amajor part of the research funding available. Theseproposals will use NICOLE not only to position studies so

that they meet both industry's needs and EU programmerequirements, but also to secure the best researchexpertise available and firm commitments of industrialbacking. These proposals ensure that the best use ismade of scarce Public and Private Sector resources intackling the problems of contaminated land in a practicaland cost effective way.

There will be duties and conditions for members, as wellas benefits. NICOLE is not intended to be a marketplace for technology and service vendors. All membersmust be willing and able to discuss their research andtechnological development activities and needs in theopen forum of NICOLE and undertake not to participatefor commercial gain.Please contact Mrs Marjan Euser of TNO for furtherinformation on membership applicationsFax: +31 55 5493 410

Soil forming project inthe UKThe UK's Department of the Environment has recentlycommissioned a two year programme of research toexamine the use of soil forming materials in thereclamation of mineral workings and derelict land incircumstances where native soils have been lost in thecourse of mineral extraction or industrial activity. TheUniversity of London, Wye College and ForestryCommission Research Division have been jointlyappointed to undertake the project.

The investigation will be divided into two parts: the firstphase will involve the collection, collation and review ofexisting experience and technical knowledge; while thesecond phase will investigate practical aspectspertaining to use of materials with detailed site studiesexamining "best practice". A wide range of geologicalmaterials will be considered in order to determine theirsuitability for a range of after uses requiring theestablishment of a vegetation cover.

The project will also consider the appropriateness ofusing waste materials as amendments to assist inrestoring the soil-plant system and natural cycles of thesoil. These will include sewage sludges, dredgings,wood residues and animal manures.The objective will be to produce technical, scientific,planning and procedural guidance for the use of soilforming and waste materials for a selection of afteruses.

Dr Nigel Bending would welcome information onapproaches adopted towards the reclamation of siteselsewhere in Europe where the unavailability of nativesoils has necessitated the use of alternative materialsas surface cover (contact details page 12).


WHO Nancy ProjectOffice and NICOLEAn opportunity for mutualcollaborationSince its creation, the World Health Organisation(WHO) has been involved in many aspects of publichealth protection. Preventing illness from chemicallycontaminated soil is just one of these areas. Theprincipal interests of WHO are shown in Figure 1.Toxicological assessments are becoming part of theprocedure used in many countries to determine thelevels of safe exposure.The WHO EuropeanCentre for Environmentand Health, NancyProject Office in Franceis interested in theengineeringapproaches to identifyand participate in thecleaning up ofcontaminated land, andsees NICOLE as anideal opportunity tobring together the manyplayers in this field.

There are numerousoccurrences of actual or threatened risks to publichealth from contaminated land and within the EuropeanRegion of the WHO, an immeasurable number of siteshave become open to widerscrutiny. The number of sitesthroughout Europe requiringremedial treatment is a taskgreater than the capability ofany single organisation.Therefore, an important wayforward to protect health andto return land to economicuses is for people to worktogether.

The interests of the WHO Nancy Project Office inNICOLE are to share its experiences with those of boththe research and private sector members in providingadvice and assistance that can be used throughoutEurope. In particular, it is hoped that advice fromresearch and field experience will enable the transfer ofsustainable techniques for field use in those countrieswhose economies are in transition. It is also hoped thatNICOLE can take a positive role in the promotion ofworkable standards for measuring land contaminationand the identification of realistic approaches todetermining when intervention and clean-up arenecessary, and how to implement them.

We are currently preparing a briefing paper fornon-specialists on the subject of health protection fromcontaminated land and this will form one contribution tothe initial work of the NICOLE network. The WHO alsohas an extensive source of toxicological,

epidemiological and occupational health advice thatcan be drawn upon and this can be of benefit to theWorking Groups. The WHO Nancy Project Office isworking extensively in Eastern Europe and itsexperience of the situations in these countries shouldprovide an additional dimension to the relevance of thework produced by the Working Groups and possible,subsequent research activities. It is also hoped thatindustrial participants in the network will consider thepossibility of twinning arrangements between industrialoperators to share knowledge on land clean-up and assuch, the closer relationships fostered betweenorganisations may have complementary benefits.Research teams, too, could explore the possibility oftwinning with Eastern European counterparts,

especially sinceseveral EasternEuropeancountries are, ormay well be infuture, able toparticipate in EUresearchprogrammes.

It isacknowledgedthat manycountries arenow developingstandards andclean-up

techniques which first and foremost are intended toprotect public health from conceivable, realistic risks.

The WHO Nancy Project Officeis pleased to see thisdevelopment and wishes,through its collaboration with theNICOLE network, to assist inpractical ways to support thistrend further, not only inWestern Europe, but alsobeyond.The principal contact withinWHO on matters relating toNICOLE is:

Dr Philip Rushbrook,Waste Management and Soil Pollution,WHO European Centre for Environment and Health,Nancy Project Office149 rue Gabriel PériF-54500 Vandoeuvre-lés-NancyFranceFax: +33 83 15 87 73e-mail [email protected]

This article contains the personal opinions of the author,Dr Philip Rushbrook, and does not necessarily reflect theviews of the World Health Organisation.

to avoid human injuryfrom direct contact

with chemicalcontaminants

Figure 1. Contaminated land - principal interests of WHO.

the contaminationof drinking water

the contamination ofagricultural soils as an entry route into

the food chain

the development of toxicological

assessments

site remediationin Europe

a task greater than thecapability of any single

organisation


NICOLE: The Network for IndustriallyContaminated Land in EuropeWhat is NICOLE?NICOLE has been created to bring together problemholders and researchers throughout Europe who areinterested in all aspects of contaminated land.A new Concerted Action of the Environment and ClimateRTD Programme of the European Commission, it beganon 1 February 1996. NICOLE is industry-led and willprovide a forum for the dissemination and exchange ofscientific and technical knowledge and ideas relating to

all aspects of industrially contaminated land. Hithertoresearch into contaminated land problems has not beenfully co-ordinated across industry/academic andnational/international boundaries - NICOLE aims torectify this. Membership will be open to industrialcompanies that need information; academic andindependent research organisations carrying out relevantresearch; National and European Industrial TradeAssociations; representatives of National andEU research programmes who plan and fund research;and vendors of remediation advice and processes.

NICOLE will organise 2 scientific conferences where theprogress of EU-funded projects relating to contaminatedland will be reported. In addition NICOLE WorkingGroups will establish a series of workshops on particularaspects of contaminated land. There are currently fourworking groups. The first, WG1, is concerned with siteassessment and characterisation. Contaminantbehaviour and risk assessment are the interests ofWG 2, and WG 3 will be involved with control methods(remediation and containment).

Measurement and monitoring will be the subjects for thefourth Working Group (WG4). Network participants willbe able to choose with which Working Group/s they wishto be affiliated. NICOLE also produces a bi-annualnewsletter NICOLE News, which is produced by theCentre for Research into the Built Environment,Nottingham Trent University.

Who does what in NICOLEThe structure and organisation of NICOLE is shown inFigure 1. To reflect the orientation of NICOLE industrialrepresentatives are in a majority on the SteeringGroup. The network chairman is Mr Martin J Bell of ICIChemicals and Polymers Ltd, UK; other industrialrepresentatives are Ing Guiseppe Frego, ENEL SpA;Dr Manuel Bravo, Repsol SA; Dr Francis Klein, UsinorSacilor (LECES); Ir Cees Buijs, Port of Rotterdam;Mrs Patricia de Bruycker, Solvay SA. The leaders ofthe 4 Working Groups are drawn from universities andresearch institutes:WG1 Dr Henk Leenaers, TNO-MEPWG2 Dr Michel Jauzein, Institut de Recherche

HydrologiqueWG3 Professor Jean-Michel Lebault, Universite de

Technologie de CompiegneWG4 Professor Brian Alloway, University of Reading.

Mr Johan van Veen and Mrs Marjan Euser of TNO willprovide the secretariat to the Steering Group,conferences and network administration.

Site Assessment& Characterisation

European Commission Member State Agencies

NetworkCoordinator

Working Groups

Measurement & Monitoring

Control Methods(Remediation & Containment)

Contaminant Behaviour &Risk Assessment

Network Participants

Scientific AdvisoryGroup

SteeringGroup

NetworkSecretariat

WG1 WG3 WG4WG2

Figure 1. Structure and Organisation of NICOLE.


(continued from page 6)The Technical Coverage of the Four Nicole Working GroupsPlease feel free to contact any of the Working Group Leaders.

WG 1 Site Assessment andCharacterisation

Led by Dr Henk Leenaers, TNO-MEP, The Netherlands

Scope• Initial reconnaissance surveys to establish the

presence of contamination and its dispersion• Methodologies to assess the extent of contamination

quantitatively• Interaction of site assessment and characterisation

with contaminant behaviour and risk assessment(WG 2)

IssuesSetting clear goals for site investigations, and surveyprotocols and procedures; the use of historicalinvestigations; geological and geohydrologicalconditions; use of statistical and geostatisticaltechniques; use of soil information systems and GIS;and the reliability of data.Contact Fax: +31 55 5493 390

WG 2 Contaminant Behaviour andRisk Assessment

Led by Dr Michel Jauzein, IRH, France

Scope• Understanding and prediction of the behaviour and

migration of contaminants from sources to exposedpopulations and ecosystems

• Use of this understanding and predictive knowledgeto assess hazards and risks for human health and theenvironment

IssuesCollation and structuring of an integrated methodologyfor risk assessment based on a more coherent andrational body of information; development of a morewidespread and better understanding of the use of riskassessment techniques; development of enhancedmethods for assessing potential impacts on public,occupational and environmental health issues as well asthe sustainability of ecosystems.

WG 2 will interact with the CARACAS network(described on page 3). The WG2 work plan is featured inan article on page 10.Contact Fax: +33 83 50 36 99

WG 3 Control Methods (Remediationand Containment)

Professor Jean-Michel Lebeault, Universite deTechnologie de Compiegne, FranceScope• To survey remediation technologies• To develop methodologies to assess the benefits and

limitations of remedial techniques• Treatment effects on contaminant behaviour and risk

assessment (with WG 2)• The measurement and monitoring of remedial

techniques (with WG 4)

IssuesParticular interest in bio-remediation and containmenttechniques; integration of remedial techniques toproduce hybrids with enhanced performance and assisteffectiveness; a wider cost-benefit debate for examplecomparing "extensive" and "intensive" approaches fordifferent types of application.Contact Fax: +33 44 20 48 13 and +33 44 23 19 80

WG 4 Measurement and Monitoring

Led by Professor Brian Alloway, University of Reading,UK.Scope• State-of-the-art of monitoring and analysis for organic

and inorganic contaminants in soil, sediment, waterand air

• Collation and dissemination of published informationon standard methods and protocols

• Identifying research needs for the enhancement ofmonitoring and analytical techniques where this isseen to be necessary

• Interaction with site assessment and characterisation(WG 1) and contaminant behaviour and riskassessment (WG 2).

IssuesDealing with a wide range of existing methodologiesfrom different countries and international bodies; optimaluse of measurement and monitoring techniques;opportunities for cost reduction; development ofmeasurement and monitoring strategies; directmeasurements of environmental impact such asmeasures of soil function and eco-toxicity.Contact Fax: +44 1734 316 660 or +44 1734 316 666


Environment andClimate Programme,Second CallPaul Bardos interviewsDr Busing of DGXIIDGXII is the Directorate General of the EuropeanCommission responsible for Science, Research andDevelopment. Its work concerned with contaminatedland is mainly dealt with under the Environment andClimate Programme. Dr Busing kindly agreed to spend alittle time telling NICOLE News about the forthcomingsecond phase of the Environment and ClimateProgramme.What is the Environment and Climate programme?"The EC R&D Programme 'Environment and Climate' isone of the 19 specific programmes organised within theFourth Framework Programme of the EuropeanCommission, covering the period 1994 to 1998."What type of contaminated land research is alreadyfunded by the Environment and Climate programme,and how much does this cost?"At present two concerted actions [NICOLE andCARACAS] and more than 10 shared-cost researchcontracts are supported by the programme. The averageCommunity support is in the order of 500,000 ECU perproject. The programme includes research topics suchas 'measurement and transport of pollutants','degradation of pollutants' and 'bio-remediation' ".Will the Environment & Climate programme fundmore research related to contaminated landmanagement?"A second phase of the Programme (1997-98) willcontinue contaminated land research in the areasalready mentioned. A call for proposals will be publishedmid-September [1996], with a deadline for proposals of15 January 1997."What research topics will be funded?"Detailed information will be given in the workprogramme and information package that willaccompany the call for proposals."How much will be spent on new contaminated landmanagement research?"The amount which will be spent strongly depends on thenumber and on the quality of the proposals submitted tothe programme."How do researchers and industry find out more andget involved?"Contact details for obtaining further information from thesecretariat of the Environment and Climate Programmewill be published in the Official Journal with the call forproposals. Those interested may also be able to keepabreast of events, and indeed find potential collaboratorsand partners, through the NICOLE network."How will NICOLE assist the second call?"NICOLE can, for example, identify the main researchand development needs for contaminated landmanagement from industry's point of view, and canprovide a forum to discuss and develop proposals,which, of course, have to be within the scope of the workprogramme."

What other Commission programmes will fundresearch relevant to contaminated landmanagement?"The research and development programme onStandards, Measurement and Testing could also supportwork in areas related to contaminated land, especiallywhen standardised or harmonised analytical proceduresare required." [Editor’s note: There will be an articleabout this programme in the second issue of NICOLENews.]What are DGXII's plans for further contaminated landmanagement research after the end of theEnvironment and Climate Programme?"Financial support from the European Commission forfuture research and development in the field ofcontaminated land strongly depends on the real needsfor this work identified at a European level, which arebeing considered in the current deliberations onFramework 5, in which NICOLE is participating."

EEA Soil Topic CentreThe Soil Topic Centre of the European EnvironmentAgency has wide ranging interests in the monitoring ofsoil quality across the European Union. It is led by Spainwith contributions from Ireland, Denmark, UnitedKingdom, Austria, France, Germany and Greece. Itsactivities have been agreed by the EEA in Copenhagenand the Member States, and each country of the EU hasa contact who reports to the Centre. The objective for theCentre in relation to contaminated sites, is to improve thelevel of reliable information to assist in preparing aEurope-wide assessment of the extent of thecontaminated land, the level of contamination and ofremediation being achieved.

The possible tasks for the Topic Centre, as proposed inthe Scoping Study, were discussed at the CommonForum for Contaminated Land in Europe at Maastricht in1995. The Common Forum holds regular meetings forthose involved in contaminated land in governmentdepartments and agencies; specifically covering issuesof relevance to Member States of the EU. It pointed outthat finding an acceptable common approach will bedifficult. The Topic Centre will build on initiatives such asWaste-92 study (carried out for DGXI of the Commissionin 1992/93) the Scoping Study, the Vienna questionnaireand results from the Ad Hoc Working Group and theCommon Forum.

For further information on the Soil Topic Centre contact:Mr Anton Azkona, EEA, Kongens Nytorv 6,1050 Copenhagen K, DenmarkFax: +45 33 36 7199For further information on the WASTE 92 study contact:M A Piavaux, Waste Management, DGXIFax: +32 2 299 1068


The NOBISprogrammeIngrid Halbersma tells us aboutindustry and government inpartnership in the Netherlandstackling the problems ofcontaminated landNOBIS is an acronym for "Dutch Research ProgrammeIn-situ Bioremediation". The NOBIS mission is twofold:to reduce the cost of soil remediation by applyingbiotechnological in-situ techniques in a large scale,extensive approach, and to strengthen the exportposition of Dutch trade and industry inknowledge-based products and services. Developing,demonstrating and evaluating innovative remediationstrategies, methods and techniques are the ways inwhich NOBIS aims to achieve its mission. Users andsuppliers in the soil remediation market have formed aconsortium to work together onprojects. We need an optimalinput of available top levelknowledge in the Netherlands. Amarket-steered researchprogramme based on co-operation between public andprivate parties should ensure thatthis knowledge is used in aproblem and results oriented way.

Public-private co-operationOne of the basic principles of the NOBIS programme isthe formation of groups to work co-operatively onsolutions to actual projects. Universities and technologyinstitutes carry out research, developers and end-usersgenerate solution aimed ideas, authorities and end-users determine the efficiency and relevance withregard to their policy, and finally developers andexecuting parties mould the ideas into reliabletechniques. Groups from these institutions andorganisations were given three opportunities to submitproject proposals (in 1995 and 1996). This proved to bea success. 48 project proposals were submitted by48 consortia, which represent 55 companies andinstitutions.

Programme developmentThe AD-NOBIS study, the results of which becameavailable in May 1995, identified the most importantbottlenecks in the application of in-situ bioremediationtechniques from an inquiry, market research, aliterature study and visits abroad. The study enabledthe objectives of the research programme to be clearlydefined.An important aim of the programme is that an initialdemonstration of the current feasibility of in-situremediation of easily degradable substances (mineraloil, BTEX, aromatic compounds) develops intoresearch on the degradation of difficult substances(chlorinated hydrocarbons, polyaromatic hydrocarbons)and to apply in-situ techniques in heterogeneous,poorly permeable types of soil. The projects accepted

in 1995 and 1996 are equally distributed over theabove mentioned contaminants and types of soil.

The bottlenecks in the application of the techniques asidentified in the AD-NOBIS study form another majorarea of investigation. These bottlenecks have beenclustered in so-called "lines of research" - that isresearch subjects for which solutions have to be foundin the corresponding research projects. For everyselected research project an inventory is made of itscontribution to the solution of the bottlenecks. Thisresults in a matrix in which the distribution of the pointsof research over the identified bottlenecks can bechecked and, if required, adjusted. Should identicalthemes be tackled in different projects, the essentialcohesion between the projects and the desiredexchange of knowledge and experience can bestimulated.Before 1995 the programme was steered passively -project proposals were awaited and subsequently aselection made. More active steering of the content ofthe programme may be required in future. A moredetailed understanding of the market may highlightcertain types of contaminants or soil characteristics

that require investigation. Lines ofresearch that do not get sufficientattention in the proposals submitted willhave to be stimulated. For example,tools to characterise and monitorphysico-chemical and biologicalprocesses are essential to judge thefeasibility of in-situ techniques, todesign processes and to engineer andrealise installations. A long-term,extensive approach to controlling and

reducing risks can only be successfully implementedwhen adequate methods and techniques are availableto monitor and control processes in the soil.

FinancesThe Dutch government supports NOBIS with Dfl. 25million. Trade and industry have to contribute at leasthalf this amount to the financing of the programme, sothat over Dfl. 37.5 million will be available up to the endof 1998. So far 23 projects have been selected fromthe project proposals that were submitted, togetherrepresenting nearly Dfl. 20 million. 13 projects haveactually started and the remaining projects will startbefore the end of the third quarter of 1996.Valuable achievements of the NOBIS programme todate are the co-operation patterns developed and themore open exchange of knowledge and experience. Asthe problem and result oriented research evolves, theNOBIS association, its board, its programmemanagement and especially its numerous participantswill be stimulated to continue their work withenthusiasm. The ambitious and socially relevant aimsof NOBIS form an inspiring goal.

Ingrid Halbersma Fax: +31 182 573 447

Dfl. 37.5 million availableup to the end of 1998

23 projects selected...13 started


Risk assessment -model developmentSome thoughts from Michel Jauzein,the chairman of NICOLE WorkingGroup 2Soil contaminations are diversified due to differenthistorical conditions. These historical conditions includespace, time and human factors. Depending on thenature of the pollution sources, the presence ofpollutants in soil systems can be local or diffuse (spacefactors). The potential impact of such contaminationscan be acute, chronic or insignificant depending on thelevels and the dynamics of pollutant concentrations inthe environment (time factors). Lastly the pollutionevents can be accidental or generated by technical,economic or political limitations (human factors).

The main stages of the management of suspectedpolluted sites are:• identification of the polluted sites,• preliminary assessment for preventative actions,• monitoring of suspected sites before remediation• hierarchisation of sites for actions• risk assessment concerning human health and

environment (natural and built)• site characterisation• remediation actions,• control and monitoring of sites after remediation.We need tools to make the preliminary assessment toevaluate the necessity and urgency of preventativeactions. We need qualitative risk assessment methodsfor the hierarchisation of potentially polluted sites. Weneed a consensus for the quantitative risk assessment ofcontaminated land. And we also need quality referencesfor environmental media.

From qualitative risk assessment to integratedtechnico-economical optimisation of remediation

scenariosEven though the general procedure of risk assessmentis easy to describe, the practical application of it isdifficult because of the many parameters involved andthe extensive data requirements. Using the basic idea ofbalancing risk factors concerning sources, fates andeffects of pollutants, it might be interesting to develop aflexible tool on a step by step analysis of risks; from thepreliminary evaluation of contaminated sites to theselection of remediation options.For preliminary risk assessment, many countries havedeveloped qualitative or semi-quantitative riskassessment methods to support their contaminated landpolicy. These qualitative methods are mainly based onranking systems. A limited number of quantitative orqualitative parameters are necessary to rank a set of riskfactors including the hazard of pollution sources, thetransfer and persistence of the pollution within theenvironment, and the presence of potential targets.Although a lot of tools are available for the variousstages of the risk assessment procedure it is difficult toselect individual tools and connect them in acomprehensive and validated way. The development of

fugacity models, the use of complex multi-componentmulti-phase pollutant transport models, the simulation ofdose-response relationships on single targets or onecosystems, the use of Quantitative Structure ActivityRelationships are just some of the many interesting toolsthat could be utilised in integrated risk assessment.

Innovative numerical tools could be an interesting way tosolve integration problems linked to exposure analysisand risk assessment. The use of neural networks for theprobabilistic prediction of exposure pathways, riskassessment through fuzzy logic systems and thecombined use of geostatistics and GeographicalInformation Systems (GIS) are potential developments ofrisk assessment methods. The aim of any modelsdeveloped in future should be the cost-effectivereclamation of contaminated land and the reduction ofpotential hazards to humans and the environment.

Numerous European research teams are working infields connected with environmental risk assessment,and European membership governments needinformation to formulate their policies on contaminatedland. Consequently, it is important to promote technicaland scientific exchanges between policy makers,scientists and industrialists to discuss and obtain aconsensus for environmental risk assessment ofcontaminated land making the best use of availableknowledge on the transport, exposure and effects ofpollutants on human health and the environment (naturaland built). This is the aim of the Working Group 2 ofNICOLE (see page 7).

Our first workshop will be organised around the theme“needs and existing tools for the risk assessment ofindustrially contaminated land”. A first set ofpresentations will be devoted to the contaminated landpolicy of different countries and the associated riskassessment methods. The approaches and their in situvalidation will be discussed from the point of view ofadministrative and industrial representatives. A secondset of presentations will be focused on technical andscientific tools available for risk assessment. Innovativemethodologies, pollutant behaviour models, exposureand dose-response models will be presented byresearch organisations. Then, their potential applicationto risk assessment of contaminated land will bediscussed by participants.(see page 2 for date andcontact details).

We hope that this introduction paper will promote youractive participation as a call for papers, posters andcontributions. To participate in this first workshop, youcan send an abstract indicating the title and the authors(address, telephone and fax) to:Dr Michel JauzeinIRH Environnement11 bis rue Gabriel Péri, B.P. 28654515 VANDOEUVRE-LES-NANCY, FRANCE


ENEL's mobileLaboratoryDescribed by Ing Guiseppe Frego,ENELENEL SpA. is responsible for the production,transmission and distribution of electricitypower throughout Italy. Over the years thecompany's research centres and its associatedcompanies have developed instrumentation forthe control of atmospheric pollution, equipmentand laboratories for chemical and geotechnicalanalyses. Because we often wish to makemeasurements on-site rather than transportsamples to a laboratory we need mobilelaboratories. However, their operatingeffectiveness has to be validated and inter-laboratory (permanent and mobile)comparisons carried out. Collaborative studieswith other organisations in Europe have givenus interesting results for contaminated sites. Inconjunction with our subsidiary companies(CISE, ISMES) we participated in the EUREKAEU 674 - EUROENVIRON - ADVANCEDMOBILE ANALYTICAL LABORATORY(AMAL).

The project, which concluded in 1995, developed andevaluated the effectiveness and operation of mobilelaboratories. Methods and equipment specially createdfor the in-field characterisation of contaminated sitesranging from rapid screening methods to moresophisticated analyses such as Inductively CoupledPlasma - Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), GasChromatography - Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), X-rayFluorescence Spectrometry (XRF), SFE, PSA, etc.)were verified. Fitting mobile laboratories withpenetrometric units for geotechnical research was ofparticular interest.

The culmination of the AMAL project was ameasurement exercise held in Leipzig, Germany duringOctober 1994. Mobile laboratories from Denmark(Danish Technological Institute and the Force Institute),Finland (Technical Research Centre), the UnitedKingdom (Fisons plc and AEA Technology) and Italy(ISMES and CISE) took part. CCR of ISPRAco-ordinated the exercise. The participants carried outconsiderable work to define a complete list (AMALTechnical Procedure List) of sampling and analyticalprocedures. A total of 53 technical sampling andanalysis procedures were defined.

The positive experience we gained at Leipzigencouraged us to develop two mobile laboratories. Wealways follow clearly defined procedures, with uniformdocumentation which allows verification at any time.

For further information contact the author at ENELFax: +39 831 517 305

For the sampling and analyses carried out in ourmobile laboratories the workflow is:• definition of the collecting points• drawing of samples (surface and deep waters, soil,

waste, subsoil air, sludges, etc.)• sampling labelling, recording, storage and

distribution to the testing laboratories• processing of analysis results and preparation of

test reports for daily briefings.

We attach particular importance to the role of theQuality Control manager, who works alongside theCo-ordinator, and, in practice, monitors any givenaspect of the measurement programme, even for workcarried out over an extensive area, through thedocumentation available (Sampling Master Log).At present ENEL is developing two mobile laboratories:Mobile Unit No. 1 - this vehicle is for chemical analysisand is equipped with:• FIA-Flow Injection Analyser to determine the

chemical parameters of liquids• XRF-X-ray Fluorescence Analyser for the analysis

of metals present in environmental matrices• GC-Gas Chromatography unit to determine the

organic compounds in environmental matrix.Mobile Unit No. 2 - this vehicle is for geotechnicalanalyses and is equipped with:• Soil sampler equipped with piston engine for core

sampling up to a depth of 5-6m• trailer mounted and penetrometric soil drill for

drawing off gas, solids and liquids• PID-Photo-Ionisation Detector for analysis of ionised

gases extracted from the soil• PSA-Potenziometric Stripping Anodic to analyse

metals present in water• Portable Gas-Chromatography for examination of

the environmental matrices (water and gas).In conclusion our experience has shown that theacquisition of rapid results is the most efficient way ofreducing the management costs relating to theproblems linked to contaminated sites. Therefore,developing the potential of mobile laboratories capableof producing results in minimal times may constitutethe most financially viable research path.


LetterBox

The Editor NICOLE NEWSCentre for Research into the Built EnvironmentThe Nottingham Trent UniversityBurton StreetNottinghamNG1 4BUUnited Kingdom

Are you doing too much sampling?Sir,I have observed with some concern the number ofresearch projects devoted to improving analyticalcapability for measurement of contaminants in soilsand groundwater. In many cases the aim is tomaximise the accuracy of the analysis of the totalquantity of contaminant present in a sample. I suggestthat the real uncertainties, and therefore researchpriorities, in the process of assessing the risks fromcontaminated land lie elsewhere.In addition to the variability between differentlaboratories carrying out the same analysis even underthe same protocols, there are significant uncertaintiesin sample design and in the assessment of exposureeffects which dwarf those due to analytical accuracy.The use of a high sample density to high standards ofaccuracy is often quite inappropriate and serves only tolull the unwary into a false sense of security.Martin J Bell,ICI Chemicals & Polymers Ltd.

A question of balance.Sir,Assessment of the feasibility of (innovative) remediationis largely based on a comparison of the expected endresults in terms of concentrations of contaminants in soiland groundwater. These concentrations are specified inall kinds of regulations and laws.If a risk assessment reveals that remedial action isrequired, then remediation needs to be optimised.Optimisation can only be done when an objectiveassessment procedure is available that weighsalternative remediation options on all these criteria. Tointroduce feed-back in remediation such a procedureshould also provide a tool to evaluate on- going andcompleted remediations. In this way further developmentof new strategies and concepts will be stimulated. Up to

now a lot of work has been done on these separatecriteria, however an integral method is not yet available.The Dutch NOBIS-programme has adopted thedevelopment of such an integral procedure to evaluateremediation alternatives.Cees Buijs,Rotterdam Municipal Port Management[Editor’s note: see page 9 for a feature on the NOBISprogramme. NOBIS contact Fax: +31 55 5493 390]

The rate and extent of biodegradation ofcontaminants in subsurface zones.Sir,Zeneca is currently carrying out a review and evaluationof the state of the science of degradation within thesubsurface. This review will try to identify gaps in theknowledge and what research may be necessary to fillthose gaps. Our concern is particularly with the saturatedzone (including the capillary fringe) and our primeinterest is likely to include halogenated pesticides,thiocarbonates and other nitro and halogenated aromaticcompounds.Having identified what research may be needed the longterm aim of the project is to develop a methodology todemonstrate and evaluate the rate and extent ofbiodegradation by indigenous microbial populations.It is anticipated that this will be a three year project andwe are seeking academic and industrial collaboratorswho can demonstrate a good complementary fit to thework. If you would like to find out more please contactme.Dr. Mike Evans, Zeneca Ltd., Brixham EnvironmentalLaboratory, Freshwater Quarry, Brixham, Devon,TQ5 8BA. Fax: + 44 1 803 882974

Are there any service providers, or risk assessmentspecialists who would care to write in and comment?Paul Bardos, Editor, NICOLE News.

Contact details for Soil Forming Project described onpage 4.Dr Nigel Bending,Wye College, c/o 6 Lyndhurst Court, 33 Avenue Road,Abergavenny, Gwent, NP7 7DA.Fax: +44 1873 853162.

NICOLE News (ISSN pending) is published twice a year by the: Centre for Research into the Built Environment, The Nottingham Trent University,Burton Street, Nottingham, NG1 4BU. Tel: + 44 1159 418418; Fax: + 44 1159 486510; e-mail: [email protected]: Paul Bardos Deputy Editor: Jacqui MarshNICOLE News informs members of NICOLE and those interested in the network about the network's activities and other developments of interest incontaminated land management. NICOLE News is supported by the EU Programme on Environment and Climate and members of NICOLE.NICOLE News is intended to serve as a platform for debate in the network. Your ideas, articles and letters are very welcome! Please send them to theeditor or deputy editor. The deadline for publication is May 1st and October 1st each year.Subscription details NICOLE News is circulated free to members of NICOLE. Otherwise its subscription costs per year are: £50 within the EU;£55 elsewhere within Europe; £60 world-wide. Please contact the deputy editor for further information.Printed by Minta’s The Printers Ltd., NottinghamCopyright Policy Copying of articles in NICOLE News is permitted, with no charge made, providing that editor's permission obtained and appropriateacknowledgement of author and origin is given.Legal notice Neither the Commission of the European Communities nor NICOLE or its membership, nor any person acting on their behalf isresponsible for the use which might be made of the information given in good faith in this newsletter.Advertising and Sponsorship Policy NICOLE News does not carry advertising. However enclosures can be included with the newsletter. A chargeis made for this service. NICOLE News will consider offers of sponsorship. In both instances please contact the editor for further information.NICOLE News reprints are available from the editors at a cost of £10 each including post and packing

nicole...nicole news volume 1 number 1 3 caracas harald kasamas, caracas project co-ordinator...

Documents