Important results of the project

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In Brazil, a lot of contaminated sites were left behind after industrial use by oil treatment and production processes. The German partner company has an extensive experience in exploration and remediation of contaminated sites. Additionally, the German partner developed an innovative rapid and cost-efficient method for the exploration of sites contaminated by mineral oil spills (Radon Method).

During the project, an extensive exchange of experience of innovative exploration methods and technologies in the site restoration sector was made possible. The exchange showed that the Brazilian partner is making stringent efforts to develop the exploration and analysis of the environment and contaminated sites. The Brazilian partners are very interested in innovations, particularly in technologies and methods that provide a rapid and cost-efficient solution for the examination of the contaminated sites. The project activities were focused on select densely populated areas in Brazil, which can look back on a long history of industrialization.

These technologies were demonstrated in workshops and exhibitions used on different sites. Measurement campaigns were carried out in several locations; among those were Sao Paulo, Cubatao and Sao Sebastiao. The main focus of the campaign was the know-how and the knowledge transfer on the conditions specific to Brazil (e.g. climatic and geological conditions). The German partner presented complex contaminated sites in Germany, e.g. the Bitterfeld Chemical Park, to the Brazilian partners. 

During the use of the exploration technologies it was determined that the specific geological, climatic and hydrological conditions have to be considered for exploration of future sites. The hydrological and weather conditions (high annual rainfall, seasonal groundwater's variation etc.), for example, cannot be compared to the levels in Central Europe. As a result of this, the explorations technologies and strategies have to be partially adjusted.

As a result of the project, partnerships between German and Brazilian participants were developed. A cooperation agreement between GICON (located in Dresden) and Insitu Remediation (located in Sao Paulo) was signed on the use of the radon method and the joint commercialization in Latin America. For the future, further development of the cooperation and the launch of innovative exploration technologies in Brazil are planned.

An additional project was initiated and subsequently supported by DEG Invest to further the cooperation in Brazil (PPP Project for exploration of contaminated sites and remediation in Brazil).

Resume

The partnership and the contacts established during the project persist and will be maintained extensively.

Up until now, efforts to develop a commercial approach with exploration technologies in Brazil have not been successful. The reasons involve a number of factors, particularly decision-making procedures by the local authorities and the company involved in the sector of remediation of contaminated sites.

The project can be summarized as follows:

There is a significant interest in Brazil in innovative technologies for the exploration of contaminated sites and their remediation. Local institutions demonstrate interest in employment and in further development of these technologies, as well as adaptation of these technologies under local site conditions. However, in our experience, the actual implementation of exploration and remediation activities is carried out at a slow pace, and in case of imminent danger.

For these reasons, the sustained commercial application of the innovative exploration technologies, especially the radon method, hasn't been a complete success, although significant potential for its application still remains. Only a long term commitment (acquisition, partnerships, and, if possible, subsidized projects by the German Government) will lead to a successful implementation (profitable and technical) of these innovative technologies.

For the above reasons, GICON, together with various partners, filed an application for a grant announced by DEG Invest, with the title "Model site for innovative exploration and evaluation of soil and ground water contamination in Brazil", and started work on the project at the beginning of 2011. The project's main purpose is the intensified implementation of the innovative exploration techniques, especially the radon method. In this context, the existing partnerships is employed and further intensified. The execution of this new project has been successful.