Remediation of the former coal mine complex in Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina

Under contract to the KfW bank group, Fichtner as member of a consortium investigated, within the framework of a feasibility study, environmental pollution caused by the former Vihovici Coal Mine, on the outskirts of Mostar. In doing so, the extent of soil and groundwater pollution as well as the presence of smoldering fires in the coal seams were investigated. Proposals were put forward for remediation of the area, that had previously been used as a landfill for household and hazardous wastes, for its subsequent use for leisure activities. Based on the study results and prospective financing under the Environmental Debt-Swap Arrangement of the Government
of Germany, the consortium planned design and implementation of measures for extinguishing the smoldering fires, as well as blocking of a difficult-to-access tunnel 25 m below the ground surface, for which the technical specifications were prepared.

Remediation of a detergents tankfarm, Poland

For a detergents tankfarm, Fichtner prepared detailed engineering of groundwater recirculation for washing out detergents from the soil beneath the tank basins. This encompassed preparation of a simple pollutant transportation model for design and optimization of the extraction wells with treatment of a sidestream of the pumped out water. Furthermore, in-seepage of the cleaned groundwater over an extensive area was planned to significantly reduce remediation time by targeted elutriation of the highly water-soluble detergents.

Remediation of Rositz industrial and recycling park, Germany

On the property of the former Rositz tar processing plant, from 1917 to 1990 some 17.5 million tons of low-temperature brown coal tar, 9.23 million tons of petroleum and 620,000 tons of other materials, including 210,000 tons of sulfuric acid, caustic soda and caustic potash solutions, were processed and stored in various facilities. The known, substantial ecological damage results from the more than 70 years of production activities at this former industrial site. To prepare this property of around 44 ha for construction and development, Fichtner rendered services as follows: planning of remediation matched to future land use, from determining basic data and constraints to post-project follow-up and documentation; remediation surveys; investigation of process options; planning of pollutant containment and immobilization measures; soil management; setting up a geographical information system; coordination of interfaces to property development planners; and site supervision.

Appraisal of environmental risks at factory premises, Germany

In connection with transfer of ownership of a company, Fichtner determined whether the subsoil at the factory premises of the company to be taken over was contaminated. In an initial step, a desk study was conducted and the hazard potential for the environment, in particular for groundwater, posed by production feedstocks and auxiliary materials kept on this property was assessed. Subsequently, site reconnaissance and detailed investigations were conducted. From the evidence of environmental risks emanating from the contaminated land, it was possible to quantify subsoil contamination and attach a monetary value to it.

Returning an agriculturally-influenced watercourse to a near-natural condition, Germany

On the basis of survey documents made available to the consultant, hydraulic calculations to determine the depth of the groundwater table were prepared for various conditions ranging from minimal to 100-year discharge, taking 14 impoundments into account or without consideration of these. Primary interest focused on the impacts at times of high water on the communities and agricultural land in the catchment area of the watercourse as well as its development under consideration of complete removal of the impoundments that are provided for maintaining minimum flow at times of drought. Based on the findings of a care and development concept, a development objective for the watercourse could be defined by hydrological analyses of the catchment area as well as hydraulic calculations for the entire network of watercourses, appraisal of eco-morphological conditions, and preparation of a model under nature conservation criteria, while taking into account the various uses made of the watercourse, for example for agriculture and by the local populace and anglers.

Remediation of a landfill for chemical production residues, Germany

For remediation of a landfill, the feasibility of horizontal drilling was to be investigated. The purpose served by drilling this borehole beneath the landfill was to equip it as a soil air extraction well to prevent ingress of pollutants into the groundwater. Fichtner compared various horizontal drilling systems on the market and their suitability for the difficult geological conditions, comprising gravel and greatly agglomerated gravel with boulders, and compared these to driving a gallery using mining techniques. Furthermore, the risks were pointed out and corrective action recommended should difficulties arise.

Remediation of kerosene pollution at an air force base, Germany

From many years of operations at an air force base, substantial quantities of kerosene have seeped into the subsoil. Fichtner’s engineering services covered investigations of groundwater and surface water conditions at the location and in the vicinity, as well as planning, assisting in and monitoring removal of the oil layer from the groundwater.

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Exploratory surveys and remediation of a hazardous waste landfill, Germany

Liquid and solid pollutants from the petrochemicals and agrochemical industries had been dumped into the hazardous waste landfill and were threatening a waterworks by migrating off-site. Fichtner depicted and quantified the hydrogeological and geophysical processes in the vadose zone and in three aquifers. Following investigations into users and utilization, a complex groundwater monitoring program was developed, followed by its implementation and supervision, and an assessment was made of the risk situation for a downstream waterworks. Finally, a remediation concept was developed and this was agreed with the relevant authorities.

Remediation of a major chemical industry operating site, Germany

Over almost one hundred years of industrial activity, substantial quantities of volatile and non-volatile halogenated hydrocarbons have seeped into the subsoil to pollute groundwater and receiving waters. To make the best use of the limited resources, Fichtner rendered the following services: preparation of a three-dimensional groundwater flow and pollutant migration model; calculation of remediation scenarios; dimensioning and siting of remediation wells; protection of the adjacent river against pollutant inflow; planning, conducting and evaluating a comprehensive program for monitoring bodies of water; and depiction of hydro-chemical processes in the vadose and groundwater zones, each around 50 m thick.

Revitalization of a flowing watercourse to offset water deficits in a river-meadow forest, Germany

With the creation of a continuous watercourse 5.4 km in length, a contribution was made to offsetting the water deficit in the Leipzig river-meadow forest to return this to its natural condition. Along this watercourse, several other watercourses, two train tracks and a road were crossed and a further 13 throughflow structures built to cross the existing system of forest paths. Between these structures, a near-natural channel profile was created. This watercourse was configured according to a typical lowland river-meadow stream. Depending on time of year, its water discharge is from 150 to 500 l/s.

Monitoring industrial wastewater discharge to the sewer system, Germany

To monitor the discharge of industrial wastewaters to the sewer system, hydraulic and chemical data were measured and the software matched to the respective conditions of the catchment areas. The basis is the multi-user UBIS database register of dischargers to the sewer system developed and supplied by Fichtner, and as applied at several local authorities sanitation utilities.

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