The use of explosives in military training and research is critical to the Army’s mission to deploy, fight, and win our nation’s wars and to protect our country from enemy forces. Military munitions waste is an unavoidable byproduct of this process that, if left unchecked, can harm both humans and the environment. Consequently detecting and remediating contaminated soil is a national priority that both the Army and our nation rely on ERDC to address. Over time, ERDC has become a world-class developer of innovative detection and remediation technologies. It is now offering for license some of the most effective systems to come out of its labs. In addition to purifying soil and groundwater that has been toxified by munitions, these technologies address some of the most common pollutants, such as toxins from industrial pipeline leakage.
Before they can be remediated, harmful contaminants must first be identified. Scientists and engineers at ERDC have developed novel methods using DNA aptamers and high-performance liquid chromatography to detect conventional explosive contaminants, as well as newer, more elusive explosive compounds. For soil remediation, ERDC has developed a safer alkaline hydrolysis method to break down and absorb contaminants on-site. ERDC has also developed a breakthrough remediation material that uses a biogenic template to remove heavy-metal contamination.
Together, these technologies are expected to play a vital role in years to come. By 2026, the global environmental remediation market is expected to reach USD 158.8 billion, at a compound annual growth rate of 8.7%. Key factors fueling this growth include increasing government initiatives for environmental protection and a growing focus on environment-friendly industries. The US environmental cleanup and remediation market alone is projected to reach USD 31.82 billion by 2026.
Explore some of ERDC’s advanced technologies below to see how your company can become part of the solution.
