Visualization of Subsurface Impacts Is Key to Designing An Effective Remediation Solution

Successful environmental cleanup projects are a result of thorough and well developed understanding of the distribution of impacts. A good investigation strategy is designed to provide a higher density of data, thereby avoiding confusing data gaps. Fewer investigation data points can lead to misinterpretations of subsurface plume geometry, a miscalculation of contaminant fate and transport mechanisms and timing, and an underestimation of costs to remediate the impacts. It’s important to promote the implementation of thorough investigations that incorporate a greater amount of subsurface soil and groundwater screening data at early project phases, which avoid the “blinders” that can sometimes result from an improperly designed or incomplete well network. To know how to clean it up, you have to know exactly where all of the impacts lie in the subsurface. Experienced environmental consultants at complex PCE and TCE chlorinated solvent contamination sites, like dry cleaners, know that a small increase in early costs to support a better investigation plan will pay off exponentially during the subsequent cleanup phase.

Key strategies to enhance the environmental process:

  1. Promote a higher data density derived from grab sampling methods during investigation to yield a more precise understanding of contaminant distribution, thereby allowing the installation of permanent wells after we already know where the impacts are located.
  2. Implement 2D fate and transport models early on to get a rough idea of the downgradient extent of impacts as you scope groundwater investigative phases.
  3.  Employ the use of state of the art 2D or 3D visualization tools to not only help identify data gaps and plan for next phases; but also to create accurate graphic depictions for reports to help explain the conceptual site model to your clients and regulators.
  4. Collect key hydrogeological and geochemical parameters from the subsurface early on, which can be input to groundwater modeling tools if larger-scale plumes are under study.

for Liz with Legend

 


About the author:
mainjeffEnvironmental Expert

Jeff Carnahan, L.P.G.
866-888-7911
jcarnahan@enviroforensics.com

Jeffrey Carnahan is a Vice President and the Director of Technical Services at EnviroForensics, Mr. Carnahan holds a M.S. in Geology and is a Licensed Professional Geologist (LPG) with 17 years of environmental consulting and remediation experience.  Mr. Carnahan’s expertise has focused on the investigation and interpretation of subsurface releases of hazardous substances for the purpose of evaluating and controlling the risk and cost implications to his clients.  While managing sites ranging in size from retail gas stations and dry cleaners to large manufacturing facilities, Mr. Carnahan has amassed extensive experience working with releases of chlorinated solvents within voluntary and enforcement cleanup programs for various State agencies and the U.S. EPA.  In his role as Director of Technical Services, Mr. Carnahan leads, supports and encourages the entire EnviroForensics team of experts as they guide their clients through the process of turning environmental liabilities to assets.


EnviroForensics is an environmental engineering firm specializing in soil and groundwater investigation and remediation and vapor intrusion assessment and mitigation. EnviroForensics has all have the tools available to us to perform the highest caliber science in the market today, which allows designing and implementing clever, innovative and effective solutions to PCE and TCE contamination. EnviroForensics® has pioneered and perfected the utilization of Comprehensive General Liability insurance policies as a resource to pay for the high costs associated with soil and groundwater investigations, remediations, and legal defense. 

Groundwater Remediation to Exceed $14 billion in 2015

8HIn 2015, over $14 billion is projected by analysts to be spent worldwide to remove metals, VOCs and other contaminants from groundwater. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a major component of the chemicals of concern and are present in over 2/3 of all superfund, EPA Resource Recovery Act and Department of Defense sites. Besides VOCs, metals, including: arsenic, chromium, lead, zinc, nickel, and cadmium are also a leading chemical concern in groundwater. Groundwater remediation is a way to clean-up these once spilled chemicals using a variety of techniques, including: thermal, biological, chemical, and physical technologies.

The United States is said to be the world leader for groundwater remediation and is expected to be the largest global market in 2015 and beyond. With this groundwater remediation market growth, it can be expected that some unqualified companies will look to capitalize. It is important for those looking to hire qualified experts to choose the right company for their particular problem. It will be even more important in the future to ask some key questions when evaluating potential groundwater remediation experts, whether it is an environmental consultanting firm to engineer the remediation, a vendor to perform subcontracted remedial activities, or the developer of a new remedial technology.

These questions should include…

  1. What type of remedial work has the company conquered (VOCs, metals, other chemicals of concern)?
  2. Have they actually implemented groundwater remedial efforts successfully, rather than simply designed and implemented failing approaches?
  3. How many regulatory closures have they procured on behalf of their clients?
  4. In how many states has the chosen remedial technology been accepted or denied by regulatory agencies, or by the US EPA?
  5. Do they have any references of work or prior scenarios they are willing to share?
  6. How long have they been in the business?
  7. What are their core values/would you feel comfortable taking on a business relationship with them?

By performing appropriate due diligence through asking a few small questions, those parties responsible for performing and paying for groundwater remediation can be confident that they are hiring a responsible and qualified team and avoiding opportunistic and unprofessional carpetbaggers.


About the authors:
mainjeffVP of Technical Services at EnviroForensics and Vapor Intrusion Expert

Jeff Carnahan, L.P.G.
866-888-7911
jcarnahan@enviroforensics.com

Jeffrey Carnahan is a Vice President and the Director of Technical Services at EnviroForensics. Jeff holds a M.S. in Geology and is a Licensed Professional Geologist (LPG) with 17 years of environmental consulting and remediation experience.  Mr. Carnahan’s expertise has focused on the investigation and interpretation of subsurface releases of hazardous substances for the purpose of evaluating and controlling the risk and cost implications to his clients.  While managing sites ranging in size from retail gas stations and dry cleaners to large manufacturing facilities, Jeff has amassed extensive experience working with releases of chlorinated solvents within voluntary and enforcement cleanup programs for various State agencies and the U.S. EPA.  In his role as Director of Technical Services, Jeff leads, supports and encourages the entire EnviroForensics team of experts as they guide their clients through the process of turning environmental liabilities to assets.

micheleStaff Geologist

Michele Murday
866-888-7911
mmurday@enviroforensics.com

Michele Murday is a staff geologist at EnviroForensics. Michele has performed project tasks such as extensive site investigation, delineation studies, and remediation at dry cleaner/chlorinated solvent facilities using traditional methodology in Indiana; correspondence with clients, project managers, and regulators; and preparation of technical reports. Michele has performed multiple Phase I and Phase II investigations, where she conducted Geoprobe® soil sampling and groundwater investigations and historical property research for property transactions. Michele’s activities included, developing site health and safety plans, gauging groundwater levels, utilizing survey equipment to determine on-site groundwater flow, determining soil and groundwater sampling locations, determining constituents to be analyzed based on information discovered during research and on-site observation, lithologically classifying soils, collecting soil and groundwater samples, installed groundwater monitoring wells, and completion of a soil and groundwater sampling report. Michele holds her Bachelor of Science in Geology, is OSHA certified, has Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response training and is a member of Indiana Association of Environmental Professionals.


EnviroForensics is an environmental engineering firm specializing in soil and groundwater investigation and remediation and vapor intrusion assessment and mitigation. EnviroForensics® is the leading environmental engineering company in the country addressing environmental liabilities and finding funding by locating and bringing to your defense old insurance policies. EnviroForensics® has pioneered and perfected the utilization of Comprehensive General Liability insurance policies as a resource to pay for the high costs associated with soil and groundwater investigations, remediations, and legal defense.

Out with the Old, In with the New: EPA Drops 2005 ASTM Standard from AAI Rule

EPA LogoThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has amended the standards and practices for conducting Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) for satisfying All Appropriate Inquiry (AAI) under CERCLA. The final rule, published October 6, 2014, officially removed the reference to the previously accepted ASTM E1527-05, making ASTM E1527-13 the acceptable standard for completing Phase I ESAs. The new rule will become effective October 6, 2015.

Consultants, landowners, and prospective purchasers have been walking the confusing line of using both ASTM E1527-05 and ASTM E1527-13 to satisfy AAI since the EPA adopted a new rule in December 2013, which allowed for the use of either standard to satisfy AAI. The effective date of the recent amendment to no longer allow the use of the 2005 standard gives interested parties one (1) year to make the transition to exclusive use of the 2013 standard.

The primary differences between E1527-05 and E1527-13 are:

  1. The 2013 standard specifically identifies vapor migration as a type of release and potential source of impact to the subsurface, making vapor migration a potential recognized environmental condition.
  2. The 2013 standard clarifies definitions within the 2005 standards and adds new definitions, revising the potential scope of assessment. Notably, the term “Controlled Recognized Environmental Condition” was added to include past releases that have satisfied regulatory requirements, but left contaminants in place, such as the use of an Environmental Restrictive Covenant (ERC).
  3. The 2013 standard requires a more extensive regulatory file review for the site and surrounding properties.

The Final Rule is published in the Federal Register.


About the Author

Project Manager and Due Diligence Expert

Midwest, East Coast & South East
Darci Thomas, L.P.G.
866.888.7911
dthomas@enviroforensics.com

Darci Thomas has over 16 years of experience in environmental management, geologic studies, and associated fields. Darci has focused her career on working closely with stakeholders in real estate transactions to manage environmental risk and liability during due diligence activities. She is proficient in field activity management from soil and groundwater sampling events to well installation, site investigation activities, indoor air quality monitoring, and building investigations for lead based paint, asbestos, and microbial contamination. Darci works hard to provide aggressive and innovative solutions. Contact Darci Thomas for more information on  Environmental Due Diligence.


EnviroForensics is an environmental engineering firm specializing in soil and groundwater investigation and remediation and vapor intrusion assessment and mitigation. EnviroForensics® is the leading environmental engineering company in the country addressing environmental liabilities and finding funding by locating and bringing to your defense old insurance policies. EnviroForensics® has pioneered and perfected the utilization of Comprehensive General Liability insurance policies as a resource to pay for the high costs associated with soil and groundwater investigations, remediations, and legal defense.