Symposium on Natural Attenuation of Chlorinated Organics in Groundwater.

This three-day symposium was organized by the US EPA, the USAF ALEQ, Tyndall AFB FL, and the US AFCEE Technology Transfer Division, Brooks AFB TX. Natural attenuation, the biodegradation or chemical destruction or stabilization of contaminants, can reduce contaminants to levels protective of human health and ecosystems. The symposium was intended to increase understanding of the natural attenuation process and to review methods for screening sites and making decisions to determine the feasibility of natural attenuation at chlorinated solvent-contaminated sites. The symposium obtained feedback from the regulatory and industrial communities on the appropriate application of natural attenuation and the developing protocol for natural attenuation of chlorinated organics. The symposium featured invited platform presentations covering both laboratory studies and field demonstrations conducted in support of natural attenuation at government and industry sites. The theory and principles of methods for assessing the potential for natural attenuation at contaminated sites and for confirming the efficacy of the process were discussed. The symposium presented a helpful and practical overview of natural attenuation, what is required to document it, and specific case studies. The symposium was chaired by Marty Faile and Patrick Haas US AFCEE, Technology Transfer Division, Fran Eremer and John Wilson US EPA, ORD, and Catherine Vogel USAF ALEQ.