Science Inventory

Demonstration of the Use of Test Results from the Leaching Environmental Assessment Framework (LEAF) to Develop Screening-Level Leaching Assessments

Citation:

Garrabrants, A., D. Kosson, K. Brown, D. Fagnant, G. Helms, AND S. Thorneloe. Demonstration of the Use of Test Results from the Leaching Environmental Assessment Framework (LEAF) to Develop Screening-Level Leaching Assessments. WASTE MANAGEMENT. Elsevier Science Ltd, New York, NY, 121:226-236, (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2020.12.016

Impact/Purpose:

The Leaching Environmental Assessment Framework (LEAF) provides a more accurate assessment of the leaching of inorganic constituents of potential concern (COPCs) thru evaluating characteristic leaching behavior reflecting site-specific environmental drives and information on how the waste is being managed. use of environmental drivers and how the waste is managed of the leaching of inorganic COPCs for waste treatment, beneficial use, or land disposal. This manuscript demonstrates the use of LEAF data for site-specific assessment for evaluating waste treatment or use for either RCRA or CERCLA policy decisions.

Description:

A location-based illustration of the use of LEAF data for deciding potential treatment or use of contaminated soil from a copper and lead smelter is provided as a complimentary paper on the methodology for conducting a screening assessment using LEAF. The results from the screening are refined assuming that (i) granular materials leach through equilibrium partitioning with percolating contact water, and (ii) monolithic materials, such low permeability solidified/stabilized soils, leach through diffusion-based mass transport to water contact interface on the external monolith interface. Therefore, scenario assessments present an opportunity to demonstrate treatment effectiveness by considering both physical and chemical retention characteristics of the material. The LEAF data results in a source term that can inform waste or material management evaluations for treatment, use, or land disposal.