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Economic and environmental benefits from commercialisation of a smouldering remediation process for heavily contaminated soil

Summary of the impact

Research by Dr Switzer since 2009 has led to scale-up and commercialisation of a new smouldering combustion-based remediation technology: Self-sustaining Treatment for Active Remediation (STAR). STAR is sold commercially by SiREM, a division of Geosyntec Consultants, Inc. that has an exclusive worldwide licence. Since its commercial launch in 2010, STAR has [text removed for publication] and now employs 5 staff. Clean-up rates for STAR far exceed those of other methods, achieving 99.9+% destruction of contaminants in the soil and delivering cleaned soil suitable for reuse.

Submitting Institution

University of Strathclyde

Unit of Assessment

Civil and Construction Engineering

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Environmental Sciences: Environmental Science and Management, Soil Sciences
Engineering: Environmental Engineering

Earthworm applications: harnessing ecosystem services

Summary of the impact

The applied use of earthworms in soil restoration, bio-monitoring, agro-ecosystems and organic waste management has had wide-reaching impact on the commercial sector and the public. A variety of commercial groups (such as the Forestry Commission and BAE Systems) have benefitted from this research in both the UK and abroad. In addition to this, earthworm research has also reached the public domain through outreach activities and media coverage. For example, this UoA was involved in a National Open Air Laboratories campaign. Our earthworm identification guide produced in collaboration with the Natural History Museum in London has now been widely distributed and used.

Submitting Institution

University of Central Lancashire

Unit of Assessment

Geography, Environmental Studies and Archaeology

Summary Impact Type

Environmental

Research Subject Area(s)

Environmental Sciences: Environmental Science and Management, Soil Sciences
Engineering: Environmental Engineering

African swine fever risk reduction as an exemplar of cogent policy advice

Summary of the impact

RVC's Veterinary Epidemiology, Economics and Public Health team (VEEPH) has been at the forefront of applying and evaluating new techniques for modelling disease risk, for policy and decision makers to use in surveillance and control of animal and zoonotic infections. Application of their recommendations, including European `Commission Decision' legislation, is contributing to ensuring that Europe remains free from African swine fever (ASF). The status of FAO Reference Centre in Veterinary Epidemiology, awarded by the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation in 2012, recognises the RVC as a centre of excellence in this field and reinforces its role in guiding policies relating to animal health.

Submitting Institution

Royal Veterinary College

Unit of Assessment

Agriculture, Veterinary and Food Science

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Economics: Applied Economics

Improved Soil Management Planning through Enhanced Spatial Information

Summary of the impact

Cranfield's research on improved soil management planning through enhanced spatial information has influenced policy development, allowed the adoption of new approaches to soil mapping, and enhanced the management of strategically important land assets. The research has provided key input to policy development nationally, within the European Union and across the globe. It has developed new technologies which have been used to survey soils at the scale of complete countries, saving significant cost and survey time compared to conventional methods. Cranfield's modelling has also supported the management of strategic land assets such as military training areas, and soil-related geohazards related to road networks and other linear infrastructure at the regional and national levels.

Submitting Institution

Cranfield University

Unit of Assessment

Agriculture, Veterinary and Food Science

Summary Impact Type

Environmental

Research Subject Area(s)

Mathematical Sciences: Statistics
Environmental Sciences: Environmental Science and Management, Soil Sciences

Environmental Radioactivity: Regulation and Protection

Summary of the impact

The science conducted in environmental radioactivity and radioecology ranges from the development and deployment of detection systems to the characterisation and implementation of radiological risk assessment tools. This has led to impacts in international standards, regulation development and regulation enforcement, including: advising the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) on hot particle hazard, risk, detection and recovery; developing the framework for environmental protection through the International Commission on Radiological Protection; developing standard specifications for the manufacture of environmental monitoring equipment for the International Electrotechnical Commission; and providing training courses through the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Submitting Institution

University of Stirling

Unit of Assessment

Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences

Summary Impact Type

Environmental

Research Subject Area(s)

Mathematical Sciences: Statistics
Chemical Sciences: Other Chemical Sciences
Engineering: Environmental Engineering

Increased productivity, profitability and environmental sustainability of commercial soil-based greenhouse production systems

Summary of the impact

Newcastle research into improving commercial soil-based greenhouse productivity has led to an increase in profitability (due to higher yields and lower costs) and a significant reduction in the negative environmental impacts of commercial, organic and other soil-based greenhouse crop production systems in Europe (UK, Greece and Crete). Newcastle's research has led to improved profits to UK organic tomato farmers estimated to be up to £100,000/ha/year and has allowed large scale organic greenhouse production to be a viable option to meet the demands of the UK organic market. In Greece increased profits are estimated at €25,000 per ha/year and in Crete the estimated value of reduced soil disease control and pest management is €110,000 per ha/year.

Submitting Institution

Newcastle University

Unit of Assessment

Agriculture, Veterinary and Food Science

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Biological Sciences: Plant Biology
Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences: Crop and Pasture Production, Horticultural Production

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