SUMMARY OF THE REMEDIATION TECHNOLOGIES DEVELOPMENT FORUM
PHYTOREMEDIATION ACTION TEAM
CHLORINATED SOLVENTS SUBGROUP
CONFERENCE CALL

June 21, 2001
1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

On June 21, 2001, the following members of the Remediation Technologies Development Forum's (RTDF's) Phytoremediation Action Team, Chlorinated Solvents Subgroup, met in a conference call:

Linda Fiedler, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Jim Jordahl, CH2M Hill, Inc.
Steve Rock, EPA
Keith Rose, EPA

Also present was Michelle Arbogast of Eastern Research Group, Inc. (ERG).


DISCUSSION ON THE SUBGROUP'S PROTOCOL, POTENTIAL DEMONSTRATION SITES, AND MEMBERSHIP EXPANSION

For several months, the Chlorinated Solvents Subgroup has been working on a document that describes what tests need to be performed to determine whether phytoremediation is appropriate to use at a contaminated site. Bob Tossell has led this effort, call participants said, and they greatly appreciate his work. During the last conference call, Subgroup members started questioning whether the scope of the document should be curtailed. While the original intent was to provide a thorough introduction to phytoremediation concepts, test methodologies, and research approaches, Steve Rock said, it might be more useful to create a concise protocol that uses a "checklist" format. Rock suggested tailoring the Chlorinated Solvents Subgroup document after the TPH in Soil Subgroup protocol. This document, available at www.rtdf.org/public/phyto/protocol/protocol99.htm, consists of a 3-page text that describes how to design a phytoremediation project, accompanied by about 20 pages of supporting appendices. Call participants responded favorably to Rock's suggestion, and agreed that the following steps should be taken to further the development of the Chlorinated Solvents Subgroup's document:

  1. Jim Jordahl will ask Tossell to distribute the most recent version of the Subgroup document to Subgroup members. In addition, if time permits, Jordahl and Tossell will modify the existing text to fit the format used in the TPH in Soil Subgroup protocol. This draft protocol will also be distributed to Subgroup members.


  2. Subgroup members will review the text they receive and be ready to comment by the next conference call.

If significant work needs to be done to finalize the protocol, Linda Fiedler said, EPA's Technology Innovation Office might be able to hire contractors to assist in the effort. Call participants agreed that the protocol should be completed as soon as possible so that groups interested in performing phytoremediation studies can use the protocol as a guide. At least one group, the Center for Waste Reduction Technologies (CWRT), appears to be interested in performing a demonstration project. CWRT is currently communicating with CH2M Hill, Inc., about this possibility; Jordahl agreed to keep Subgroup members abreast of any progress toward establishing a demonstration site. If all goes smoothly, he said, CWRT might be ready to initiate field activities in spring 2002. Fiedler said that Lee Newman knows of other site owners who are interested in performing demonstration projects. Fiedler will ask Newman to follow up on these leads.

Call participants talked about expanding the membership of the Chlorinated Solvents Subgroup. Once a draft protocol is established, they agreed, more people should be invited to comment on the draft and participate in Subgroup activities. Jordahl agreed to create an invitation letter and distribute it to Subgroup members for approval. Fiedler asked whether the invitees should be asked to participate as Steering Committee members or as reviewers. Rock suggested eliminating the distinction, and just referring to all who participate as members.


MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS