Multi-objective decision making for soil remediation problems

M.A. van Drunen, E. Beinat, M.H. Nijboer, J.P Okx

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

After deciding whether or not a soil clean-up operation is necessary, the question remains which remedial strategy and technique should be applied. Traditionally, remediation techniques aim at reaching environmental threshold values within the shortest possible time. There is, however, a growing awareness that other aspects should be included when assessing remedial actions. Striving for optimal soil quality at a polluted site may result in the transfer of contamination to other media and a considerable use of economic and natural resources. The triple-perspective REC framework simultaneously takes into account Risk reduction, Environmental performance and Cost, and aims to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of cleanup operations. Within the REC framework, the risk reduction perspective aims at minimizing the effects of contamination and remediation on potential receptors at the site. The environmental merit perspective, which stems from a life-cycle inventory approach, aims at minimizing the use of scarce commodities and the contamination of other compartments due to remedial activities. Finally, the costs perspective aims at minimizing the total costs in terms of net present value. This paper describes the method and illustrates an application. © 2005 EPP Publications Ltd.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)349-359
Number of pages11
JournalLand Contamination & Reclamation
Volume13
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2005

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