concentration goals. We have shown that rhizosphere treatment will proceed faster than non-
rhizosphere and fertilizer-alone treatments.
These data have been provided to the EPA-RTDF working group on Phytoremediation of
Petroleum.
6.7 Approach to Regulatory Compliance and Acceptance
To gain acceptance by the regulatory community, field data must demonstrate the effectiveness
of phytoremediation under conditions that can be applied to potential full-scale treatment sites
(Rock and Sayre, 1999). A primary purpose of these ESTCP demonstrations was to collect and
evaluate data that is relevant to many cold-region cleanup sites. During the early phase of the
demonstration, interactions with regulatory officials and RTDF members highlighted the
challenges in monitoring these sites. In Alaska, regulations regarding use of low-cost
remediation strategies are evolving and are, to a degree, subject to the interpretation of the front-
line regulator. Earlier regulations concerning sampling frequency and protocols were developed
to address more aggressive treatment technologies, such as incineration or biotreatment in a
mixed bioreactor. Sampling requirements, which have typically been one grab (non-composited)
sample for each 50 cubic yards (cy) of treated soil, are being modified to better describe surface
soils and less aggressive treatment techniques. For more passive systems, such as rhizosphere-
enhanced treatment, where the soil is not mixed during treatment, grab samples are not as
appropriate as they are for well-mixed systems. Our sampling plan addressed this issue by taking
both grab and composite samples, as well as soil-sock samples, at described intervals. Recently.
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation requested information on this technology to
address remediating former storage tank pads at a number of villages.
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