Ecosystem services consideration in the remediation process for contaminated sites

• Published in: Journal of environmental management 2021-05, Vol.285, p.112102-112102, Article 112102
• Main Authors: Harwell, Matthew C., Jackson, Chloe, Kravitz, Michael, Lynch, Kira, Tomasula, Jewel, Neale, Anne, Mahoney, Michele, Pachon, Carlos, Scheuermann, Karen, Grissom, Gregory, Parry, Kristen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Conservation of Natural Resources; Contaminated site; Ecosystem; Ecosystem services; EnviroAtlas; Environmental benefits; Environmental Restoration and Remediation; Remediation
• ISSN: 0301-4797; 1095-8630
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112102

In 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Science Advisory Board recommended activities to advance consideration of ecosystem services (ES) to enhance existing remediation and redevelopment processes in the U.S. This article examines advancements in the decade since, focusing on providing those involved in cleanup of contaminated sites a basic understanding of ES concepts and guidelines for considering ES at cleanup sites using a new, four-step transferable framework. Descriptions, including activities for site teams and case study applications of ES tools, are presented for each step: (1) identify site-specific ES; (2) quantify relevant ES; (3) examine how cleanup activities affect ES; and (4) identify, select, and implement solutions (e.g., Best Management Practices). The goal of this article is to provide site cleanup stakeholders, including project managers, contractors, and site responsible parties, with a stronger foundation and shared understanding to consider ES during the cleanup process for their given site. Anticipated outcomes include identifying ES benefits to inform management and tradeoff analyses, a reduction in unintended impacts on ES during site operations, and attention to developing a robust suite of ES relevant for site reuse. •Provides a shared understanding on use of ecosystem services (ES) to help in cleanup processes.•Guidelines given for using ES concepts to improve environmental remediation decision making.•Presents a transferable, 4-step ES evaluation framework for consideration at contaminated sites.•A variety of tools can evaluate ES at remediation sites; no single tool will provide complete results.•Examples demonstrate how ES impacted by cleanups can be examined using publicly available tools.