Remediation and background values for the management of contaminated sites

The term natural background value (NBV) refers to the distribution of a substance in environmental matrices where the anthropogenic component is undetectable or negligible. The determination of background values in soils and groundwater is also of interest in the management of contaminated site remediation and diffuse pollution management plans. Legislation assigns to the territorially competent Arpa the definition of background values in cases of confirmed natural or diffuse anthropogenic phenomena. Indeed, Legislative Decree no. 152 of 2006 allows that, under certain natural geological conditions, some substances may present concentrations exceeding the contamination threshold values (CSC).
Background values are therefore a diagnostic tool that is integrated into the reconstruction of the preliminary conceptual model as a necessary knowledge process for defining potential contamination and for identifying the most appropriate remediation actions for contaminated sites, alongside other management practices for a contaminated site: their identification is in fact a prerequisite for temporary or permanent safety measures and for remediation itself, where necessary, for the correct management of contaminated sites.
How to define them and in which cases the background values provided for by Legislative Decree 152/2006 are applicable is of fundamental importance for the management of contaminated sites, to such an extent that it is a tool inextricably linked to the very definition of remediation of a contaminated site.

Session Chairs

Paolo Ferrecchi, General Director ARPAE
Cristina Govoni, Emilia-Romagna Region

Program

10.30 Opening remarks
Irene Priolo, Councillor for the Environment, Territorial Planning, Mobility and Transport, Infrastructure of Emilia-Romagna Region

10.40 Introduction
Paolo Ferrecchi, General Director ARPAE

10.50 Regulatory framework: what background values are and how to manage them
Federico Peres, Studio Butti e Peres of Verona

11.10 The role of SNPA and synergies with the ministry and regions in managing background values
Pietro Cucumile, Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security

11.30 Background values, geological compatibility, and contaminant index: an exit strategy for the environmental review process 
Maurizio Guerra, ISPRA

11.50 Focus on Abruzzo Region: how background values are managed
Lucina Luchetti, Arpa Abruzzo

12.10 Round table with:
Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security
ISPRA
Emilia-Romagna Region
ARPAE

12.30 Conclusions