EN 
DE The Northern Regional Group of the Engineering Technology Association for Contaminated Site Management and Land Recycling (ITVA) meets regularly for specialist presentations and visits. At the beginning of July (5 July 2023), around 30 members accepted the invitation of coordinators Astrid Klose (BUKEA HH) and Frank Biegansky (M&P) to visit Dethlinger Teich. The clean-up of the largest chemical warfare agent contaminated site in Europe is due to start here in summer 2023. As a project participant, our Managing Director Frank Biegansky gave an exciting presentation on the background, the remediation concept and the current implementation status. After the end of the Second World War, large quantities of chemical warfare agents from a nearby air munitions centre were dumped in what was then Dethlinger Teich and then filled in.
The current progress of the work became clear to the participants during the subsequent tour of the facility and the associated infrastructure. The former Dethlingen pond has now been enclosed by a sheet pile wall. Above ground, an impressively large hall with a floor area of approx. 97 x 106 metres prevents the spread of any chemical warfare agents released into the surrounding area. The participants once again took the opportunity to inspect everything. As soon as the clearance centre is put into operation at the end of the summer, this will only be possible under considerable safety precautions and for trained specialist personnel.
The tour continued to the groundwater purification plant, which is housed in a neighbouring hall that is actually very spacious but now looks quite small next to the salvage hall. The groundwater lowered during the salvage operation is purified and reintroduced here. Trial operation is already underway. Aglaia Nagel (M&P) and Oliver Hutschenreuter (Züblin Umwelttechnik GmbH) explained the extensive process technology required to eliminate the warfare agents, their degradation products and other groups of pollutants in the water to the participants.
Although the Northern Regional Group consists of experts in the field of contaminated sites, the participants were visibly impressed by the scope of the project and the dimensions of the facility. The scheduled duration of the tour was almost doubled due to the lively discussions. After refreshments at the end of the event, final questions were clarified and a wide range of ideas from the participants were taken on board.
The next meeting of the Northern Regional Group is scheduled for mid-September. At this meeting, the members will certainly be asked for an update on the further progress of the project.
