Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
fittest” to sociology is one example (social Darwinism). Here, a spurious correlation was
used to justify discriminatory immigration legislation in the early 1900s (Hofstadter 1944).
Although the pitfalls of cross-disciplinary applications of principles are perhaps easier
to recognize, considerable care must also be taken when principles are applied within
scientific disciplines. For example, island biogeographic theory (MacArthur and Wilson
1967) can greatly assist in understanding the effects of habitat fragmentation. It does not,
however, address other factors that can significantly influence which birds reside in a frag-
ment. For example, an abundant presence of nest-robbing species could prevent certain
invaders from establishing themselves (Ehrlich et al. 1988). The lesson here is that any
principle should not be applied unless the specific processes involved at the relevant geo-
graphic scales are thoroughly understood.
16.3.3 Remediate and Rehabilitate Degraded Brownfields
If considered within the context of a mass balance—when the amount of contamination
coming into a watershed exceeds the amount of contaminants being removed from the
watershed—no progress toward sustainability can be made. The qualitative aspects of the
contamination also need to be considered. Persistent and highly toxic contaminants affect-
ing a small area may be causing more environmental damage than a less persistent and
less toxic contaminant spread over a wider area. These scenarios underscore the impor-
tance and challenges related to brownfield remediation and rehabilitation in urbanized
watersheds.
Geologic maps (Chapter 5) and vulnerability maps (Chapter 6) are the best places to start
the process of brownfield remediation and rehabilitation. When combined with the CRFs
of the chemicals at the site (Chapter 10), these tools can provide the information necessary
to select the sites with the most potential for synergy between the contaminants and the
geologic environment, and help prioritize the locations selected for rehabilitation. Besides
the environmental aspects, other factors such as commercial marketing guidelines, finan-
cial incentives, regional infrastructure and labor resources, and local community accep-
tance will also affect the prioritization process (Thomas 2002).
Brownfield remediation and rehabilitation efforts are aided by thorough investigative
and geologic forensic techniques (Chapter 5). A comprehensive Phase I ESA consisting of a
comprehensive historical review can set the stage for a detailed Phase II subsurface inves-
tigation and result in an adequate characterization of the site. Once the site characteristics
are known to their fullest extent, the selection of the remediation technology can be made
(Chapter 11).
As demonstrated by the case studies in Chapter 14, the possibility exists to remediate
and rehabilitate some brownfield sites to a nonpolluting and socially productive status.
Redevelopment alternatives must rely on the science used for remediation to guide the
proper selection of land uses. As part of the landscape, brownfields exert an influence on
its environmental and social functions. If planned and restored properly, brownfield sites
with large areas of undisturbed habitat may complement parks and natural reserves in the
effort to increase the survival of wildlife populations and the establishment of recreational
activities (Lafortezza et al. 2004). In addition, brownfields in urbanized areas have the
potential to serve as important locations for stormwater management, sensible heat reduc-
tion, and groundwater recharge.
These opportunities for brownfield reuse are available in the highly industrialized
city of Flint, Michigan, within the Flint River watershed. Here, brownfields comprise a
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