PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Toxic residues from the former production of the pesticide, Lindane, present a pollution risk at the Bailín landfill, in Spain’s Aragon region. A pollution plume is now emerging which is contaminating soil, water and aquifers. Significant levels of diffuse pollution are also present in the surrounding soil and water. New methods for mitigating such pollution problems are sought that could not only tackle the Bailín hazard, but also be replicated elsewhere, where similar problems exist.
OBJECTIVES
The main aim of the DISCOVERED LIFE project was to design, install and operate a prototype pollution mitigation system that would use is In-Situ Chemical Oxidation (ISCO) with alkaline activation to restore water quality in aquifers that have been contaminated by lindane from landfill sites. Once the pilot test is completed, and all information and results have been collected and interpreted, the project would assess the technical and economic feasibility of a full scale programme of aquifer remediation in the polluted area.
Project actions would focus on: demonstrating the feasibility of ISCO techniques in lab and field conditions; carrying out risk reduction assessments according to specific environmental quality indicators; preparing innovative approaches for adapting ISCO technologies to the existing pollutant mixture; assessing the full-scale applicability and effectiveness of these techniques (via evaluation of ratios such as cost/effectiveness/times, cost/treatment times/energy consumption, and feasibility/efficiency of the pollution reduction); and analysing the applicability and transferability of these techniques to the decontamination of similar sites.
RESULTS
DISCOVERED LIFE demonstrated the feasibility of the In-Situ Chemical Oxidation (ISCO) approach for soil remediation in an area polluted with pesticides and other contaminants.
The project team tested the ISCO technique at field scale with satisfactory results: reductions between 90% and 99.99% were achieved in the concentrations of the main contaminants (benzene, chlorobenzene, and the pesticide HCH).
ISCO tests eliminated, in a single month, the equivalent pollution that is at present treated on a regular basis for an estimated period of two to five years. This could result in significant economic savings. Considering the results attained, the investment required and the environmental and social potential benefits, the economic indicators were positive. Therefore, the full-scale remediation of the Bailin landfill in the Aragon region (Spain) is highly likely.
In addition, the project team disseminated information on the ISCO processes and the project’s results at local, regional and international level. They organised and made a major contribution to the 13th HCH & Pesticides Forum.
Moreover, the documentary film entitled ‘Discovering lindane: the legacy of HCH production’ produced in the project framework has been screened many times, including at film festivals (it won a Premio Félix de Azara award in 2016 in the category of social mass media), as well as finding a large audience online.
