CHARM - Chromium in Asopos groundwater system: remediation technologies and measures LIFE10 ENV/GR/000601

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1 CHARM - Chromium in Asopos groundwater system: remediation technologies and measures LIFE10 ENV/GR/ Project description Environmental issues Beneficiaries Administrative data Read more Contact details: Contact person: Daniel MAMAIS Tel: Fax: mamais@central.ntua.gr Project description: Background In Greece, as around the world, groundwater systems are threatened by a combination of excessive abstraction and chemical pollution. The Asopos River Basin, in the region of Sterea Ellada, is one of the most threatened water systems (surface and groundwater) in the country. Unlimited use of water for agriculture, uncontrolled industrial activity and abstraction for drinking purposes have significantly impacted the quantity and quality of the water. Most importantly, the groundwater system of Asopos contains high concentrations of chromium and hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI), which can reach levels of up to 100 microns/l. This has, understandably, caused public concern, particularly since part of the groundwater is abstracted for human consumption. The Ministry of Environment, Energy, and Climate Change has established Environment Quality Standards (EQS) for the surface water and Emission Limit Values (ELVs) for the relevant industries, but has not established respective threshold values for the groundwater. The possibility that the background level of chromium in the aforementioned groundwater system is naturally elevated (due to the area s geochemical characteristics) makes it difficult to determine rational pollution thresholds, and to implement appropriate remediation technologies and measures. Objectives

2 The overall aim of the CHARM project was to establish threshold values for chromium in the Asopos River Basin, and to address delays in the implementation of the Groundwater Directive (2006/118/EC) (GWD). Innovative technologies and methods will be applied to estimate the natural background levels of chromium in the Asopos River Basin and appropriate remediation technologies will be then tested and evaluated. Specific objectives were to: evaluate the properties of the soil and the groundwater to assess their contribution to the potentially high natural background levels of chromium; develop a widely applicable and rational methodology for the determination of threshold values in accordance with the guidelines of Annex II of the GWD; identify relevant polluting activities and their loads in the area; demonstrate different technologies for the remediation of groundwater bodies with high concentrations of hexavalent chromium; and establish a Programme of Measures for the Asopos River Basin, including chromium removal technologies along with supplementary administrative and legal instruments, with the active participation of interested stakeholders. Results The CHARM project significantly contributed to solving the problem of hexavalent chromium pollution in the Asopos River Basin. The project team identified the properties of both groundwater and soil in the area, developed a methodology for establishing threshold values for chromium, and demonstrated different technologies for the remediation of groundwater with high levels of hexavalent chromium. A detailed Programme of Measures (PoMs) for the river basin of Asopos was established, based on a long consultation process with the relevant stakeholders. The project team defined the natural background levels of chromium in the Asopos River Basin, thereby increasing the scientific knowledge about its geological and physico-chemical characteristics (groundwater and soil) and how these contribute to background levels of chromium). With this new knowledge, the project beneficiaries proposed threshold levels for total chromium and hexavalent chromium in groundwater. A study of the extent of chromium pollution in the Asopos River Basin was completed, including the identification of the main natural and anthropogenic sources, and an estimation of the generated chromium loads and their transport in the aquatic environment. A high hexavalent chromium pollution hotspot was identified (the first found in the area), confirming the presence of severe anthropogenic pollution. Five pilot units were established and these were used to demonstrate five different innovative technologies for the remediation of chromium-polluted soil and groundwater, including the use of polyphenol-coated nanoscale zero valent iron (nzvi). The CHARM team developed a PoMs, an integrated plan based on the project's results and encompassing technical, administrative and legislative aspects, for the remediation and monitoring of the Asopos groundwater system. The Programme incorporates, for example, provisions for an environmental register of industries and an inventory of point sources of pollution, the construction of a centralised industrial waste treatment plant, a reformed environmental permitting system, and an effective environmental auditing system. The

3 Programme of Measures was communicated to the region of Sterea Ellada and to the Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy. Through the Programme, the project results are already being incorporated into the Greek legislative framework, for instance, the Ministry is revising JMD 20488/2010 Protection of Asopos River Basin. The first-ever groundwater remediation project in Greece has been approved through a Ministerial Decision for the remediation of the identified pollution hotspot. The project's outcomes significantly contribute to the application of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD; 2006/60/EC) and Groundwater Directive (GWD; 2006/118/EC) in the Asopos River Basin, though the methodology for determining threshold values of chromium that is also applicable throughout the EU. Long-term environmental benefits arise from the removal of hexavalent and total chromium from groundwater, the implementation of a monitoring programme for groundwater and surface water bodies, and positive effects on the fauna and flora of aquatic ecosystems and human health. Long term economic benefits are expected for the area's industries using the new remediation technologies, as they contribute to the efficient treatment of industrial wastewater, and create a market for companies that will construct and install such treatment units. Municipalities and farmers will benefit from the application of low-cost groundwater treatment technologies. In the longer term, it can indirectly reduce health expenditure and increase land values. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Communication Plan (see "Read more" section). Environmental issues addressed: Themes Risk management - Site rehabilitation - Decontamination Water - Water quality improvement Keywords water pollution decontamination groundwater Target EU Legislation Water Directive 2000/60 - Framework for Community action in the field of water policy ( ) Directive 2006/118 - Protection of groundwater against pollution and deterioration ( ) COM(2012)673 -"A Blueprint to Safeguard Europe's Water Resources"

4 Natura 2000 sites Not applicable Beneficiaries: Coordinator Type of organisation Description Partners National Technical University of Athens University The National Technical University of Athens is the oldest and most prestigious school of engineering and technology in Greece. It has contributed significantly to the scientific, technical and economic development of Greece since its establishment in The university also runs a Sanitary Engineering Laboratory (SEL), and a Laboratory of Metallurgy. Since 1981, the SEL has been engaged in extensive research in the fields of sustainable water management, water pollution control and waste water (municipal and industrial) treatment, disposal and reuse. In parallel with its traditional research in process metallurgy, the Laboratory of Metallurgy has been active since 1990 in the field of environmental management and rehabilitation of sites affected by mining and metallurgical activities. Research activities in this area cover a wide range of issues, including investigating and assessing risk at sites contaminated with metals, developing preventive and remedial techniques for acid mine drainage problems, as well as developingf remediation techniques (chemical and biological) for metal-polluted waters, sediments and soils. Both laboratories have participated in numerous LIFE and EU research projects and both are accredited by the Hellenic Accreditation System (E.SY.D) according to ISO Technical University of Crete, Greece Secretariat for water of the Hellenic Ministry of Environment, Energy, and Climate Change, Greece Region of Sterea Ellada, Greece Intergeo LTD, Greece FMC Foret S.A., Spain A-Mentor LTD, Greece

5 Administrative data: Project reference LIFE10 ENV/GR/ Duration 01-SEP-2011 to 31-AUG Total budget 2,708, EU contribution 1,337, Project location Sterea Ellada(Ellas) Attiki(Ellas) Read more: Project web site Project's website Publication: After-LIFE Title: After-LIFE Communication Plan Communication Plan Editor: NTUA Athens No of pages: 8 Publication: After-LIFE Title: After-LIFE Communication Plan (Greek Communication Plan version) Editor: NTUA Athens No of pages: 8 Publication: Layman report Title: Layman report Editor: NTUA Athens No of pages: 22 Publication: Layman report Title: Layman report (Greek version) Editor: NTUA Athens No of pages: 24 Publication: Technical report Title: Project's Final technical report Year: 2016 Editor: National Technical University of Athens No of pages: 96 Project description Environmental issues Beneficiaries Administrative data Read more