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Implementing Advanced Site Characterization Tools

Navigating this Website
1 Introduction
1 Introduction Overview
1.1 Purpose and Scope
1.2 Technologies
1.3 How to Use this Document
2 ASCT Implementation
2 ASCT Implementation Overview
2.1 Tool Selection
2.2 Tool Application
3 Direct Sensing
3 Direct Sensing Overview
3.1 How to Select and Apply Direct Sensing Tools Using this Document
3.2 Membrane Interface Probe
3.3 Optical Image Profiler
3.4 Laser-Induced Fluorescence
3.5 Cone Penetrometer Testing
3.6 Hydraulic and Groundwater Profiling Tools
3.7 Electrical Conductivity (EC) Probe
3.8 Flexible Liners
4 Borehole Geophysics
4 Borehole Geophysics Overview
4.1 How to Select and Apply Borehole Geophysical Tools Using this Document
4.2 Fluid Temperature
4.3 Fluid Resistivity
4.4 Mechanical Caliper
4.5 Optical Televiewer
4.6 Acoustic Televiewer
4.7 Natural Gamma Logging
4.8 Borehole Flow Meters
4.9 Advanced Borehole Logging Tools
5 Surface Geophysics
5 Surface Geophysics Overview
5.1 How to Select and Apply Surface Geophysical Tools Using this Document
5.2 Electrical Resistivity Imaging
5.3 Ground Penetrating Radar
5.4 Seismic Methods
5.5 Electromagnetic Surveys
6 Remote Sensing
6 Remote Sensing Overview
6.1 How to Select and Apply Remote Sensing Tools Using this Document
6.2 Drones
6.3 Visible Spectrum Camera
6.4 Camera Features
6.5 Photogrammetry
6.6 Sample Collection and Monitoring using Drones
6.7 Cost Considerations
6.8 Case Studies
7 Stakeholder and Tribal Perspectives
8 Regulatory Perspective
8 Regulatory Perspective Overview
8.1 Challenges and Solutions
9 Case Studies
9 Case Studies Overview
9.1 MIP Boring Data Allow On-Site Decisions to Fill Data Gaps and Reduce Uncertainty during Triad Approach Evaluation at Five South Dakota Sites
9.2 MIP Allows Real-Time Identification and Delineation of DNAPL Plume at a Former Naval Air Station in California
9.3 OIP-Green Probe Delineates Extent of Coal Tar NAPL at a Former Gas Manufacturing Plant in Kansas
9.4 LIF Survey with UOVOST® Provides More Accurate Representation of LNAPL Plume at a Former Bulk Petroleum Storage Facility in New Hampshire
9.5 UVOST Differentiates LNAPL Types to Allocate Financial Liabilities at a Retail Petroleum Facility in Tennessee
9.6 TarGOST Determines DNAPL Extent and HPT Confirms Site Lithology at a Former Creosote Facility in Louisiana
9.7 CPT Borings and Hydropunch Sampler Optimize Site Characterization at an Aviation Industrial Complex in California
9.8 Waterloo APS, CPT, and LIF Data Update CSM and Help Optimize Selected Remedy at a Former Refinery in Oklahoma
9.9 Conceptual Site Model Development Using Borehole Geophysics at the Savage Municipal Water Supply Superfund Site in New Hampshire
9.10 ERI Provides Data to Improve Groundwater Flow and Contaminant Transport Models at Hanford 300 Facility in Washington
9.11 Surface and Borehole Geophysical Technologies Provide Data to Pinpoint and Characterize Karst Features at a Former Retail Petroleum Facility in Kentucky
9.12 GPR Data Show Location of Buried Debris and Piping Associated with a Former Gas Holder in Minnesota
9.13 Resistivity, Seismic Exploration, and GPR Provide Data to Evaluate Clay Reserves at a Commercially Mined Pit
9.14 Seismic Refraction, Electric Resistivity, and Multichannel Analysis of Seismic Waves Provide Data to Locate Monitoring Well Locations in a Mixed-Use Area in Northern Virginia
9.15 Surface Geophysical Methods Provide Data to Identify Prospective Utility Waste Landfill Sites in Karst Terrain in Missouri
9.16 Airborne Time-Domain Electromagnetic Method Maps Sand Distribution along the Illinois Lake Michigan Shore
9.17 Drone Technology Expedites and Streamlines Site Characterization at a Former Golf Course in Missouri
9.18 High-Resolution and Thermal Aerial Images Identify Mine Openings at an Abandoned Colorado Mine
9.19 RPAS Collects Water Samples to Avoid Safety Concerns at Montana Tunnels Mine
Additional Information
Appendix A. Tool Tables and Checklists
Glossary
References
Acronyms
Acknowledgments
Team Contacts
Document Feedback

 

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9.6 TarGOST Determines DNAPL Extent and HPT Confirms Site Lithology at a Former Creosote Facility in Louisiana

Jennifer Lindquist, P.G
Leaaf Environmental LLC
Gretna, Louisiana
[email protected]
Keith Horn
Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
[email protected]
Information presented in this case study is based on investigations conducted by Leaaf Environmental, Inc. and USEPA.

Releases of creosote are suspected to have occurred at a creosote wood preserving facility (Bayou Bonfouca Superfund site) in Slidell, Louisiana, during its operational life from the late 1800s through the early 1970s. A fire occurred at the facility in the early 1970s and caused several large tanks to rupture. Creosote flowed across the site and into Bayou Bonfouca, contaminating soil, the bayou (creek and channel bottom sediments), surface water, and groundwater. The facility was abandoned after the fire.

Several investigations were completed from 1976 to 1987, and the site was added to the National Priorities List in 1982. In 1991, groundwater treatment was initiated as a remedy to clean up the creosote groundwater plume.

The groundwater treatment system continues to operate at the facility. The system recovers groundwater from two on-site recovery well arrays (arrays 1a and 2) and one off-site array (array 3) located on the opposite bank of the bayou. Approximately 100 gallons of DNAPL are recovered every month from the treatment system, and DNAPL has been observed in recovery wells in all three arrays (see Figure 9‑27).

Figure 9‑27. 1988 DNAPL plume and site features.

Recent evaluations provided information showing that groundwater cleanup goals have not been met. An assessment of remedy effectiveness showed that the pump-and-treat system is restricting DNAPL plume movement rather than remediating the plume as intended.

An investigation using TarGOST in conjunction with the HPT was performed in 2018 to approximate the extent of subsurface DNAPL and assist in assessing the effectiveness of the current remedy.  The tar-specific Green Optical Screening Tool (TarGOST) tool was selected to conduct subsurface screening in an effort to delineate the current extent of the DNAPL plume associated with the site.  The initial objectives of the investigation included:

  • field screening using existing wells and TarGOST to approximate the extent of subsurface DNAPL and
  • collection of soil, groundwater, sediment, and landfill ash samples at selected locations to confirm TarGOST findings and determine current concentrations of historical wood preserving The assessment was designed to determine the presence/absence of DNAPL and was not intended to produce quantitative results.

The HPT was added to the screening effort to estimate hydraulic conductivities and the complex fluvial subsurface lithology, which consists of inconsistent interbedded sand, silt, and clay that can trap DNAPL in unexpected locations.

The TarGOST tool was selected to characterize in situ DNAPL due to proven performance at another creosote site in Louisiana, its selective detection of creosote, its ability to provide immediate data, and its ease of use via direct push methods.  In addition, minimal investigation-derived wastes are generated. The TarGOST system makes direct fluorescence measurements by directing fast pulses of 532 nanometer (green) laser light onto the soil through a sapphire windowed probe.  If creosote is present, the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in it will absorb some of the light and emit pulses of fluorescence that are detected back through the window and are recorded by the TarGOST’s time-resolved detector. The HPT was added to the screening effort to approximate hydraulic conductivities and to estimate the complex fluvial subsurface lithology, which consists of inconsistent interbedded sand, silt, and clay that can trap DNAPL in unexpected locations.

Prior to field work, the fluorescence response of a sample of recovered creosote was measured via TarGOST. The resulting response was high, indicating that TarGOST would readily detect the NAPL in situ. The field survey was initiated in March 2018. Screening was conducted using the TarGOST within the footprint of the DNAPL plume as estimated in 1988. Thirty-three locations were screened during five days in March and April 2018. An additional 14 locations were screened during four days in November 2018 (see Figure 9‑28). The maximum screening depth was 55 ft below ground surface, coinciding with a clayey cohesive unit into which the creosote has not historically penetrated. Confirmation soil and groundwater sampling, as well as soil logging, were conducted at approximately 25% of the screening locations to confirm the TarGOST observations and identify contaminants within the creosote plume.

Figure 9‑28. 2018 TarGOST sample locations and current plume interpretation.

While the DNAPL plume has not been fully delineated, the TarGOST defined the extent and relative amount of DNAPL present at sampled locations both on and off site (see Figure 9‑29). This information will be used when evaluating the effectiveness of the current remedy. The HPT confirmed the site lithology that was described in the 1980s and 1990s.

Figure 9‑29. TarGOST and HPT log showing creosote fluorescence and water pressure responses.

Natural organic material can and does fluoresce similarly, but not identically, to creosote, and this occurred to some extent at this site. Organic clay, which exhibited high fluorescence, was observed in confirmation samples at one location. Roots and organic debris, which exhibited variable fluorescence, were observed in confirmation samples at several locations (see Figure 9‑30 and Figure 9‑31). The time-resolved fluorescence waveforms generated by the TarGOST, along with advanced analysis of these waveforms such as cluster diagrams, played a key role in discerning between the target DNAPL and organic matter. Confirmation sampling was essential to eliminate false interpretation of organic matter fluorescence. For each log with a response that was not confirmed with a soil boring, a determination as to whether DNAPL was “maybe present” or “likely present” was made based on the degree to which the unconfirmed logs were similar to the logs for confirmed DNAPL.

Figure 9‑30. TarGOST and HPT log showing organic clay fluorescence near the surface.

Figure 9‑31. Wavelength scatter for organic clay and creosote.

The total costs for the two TarGOST screening investigations, including soil and groundwater confirmation sampling, at the site was approximately $233,000. Specifically, the cost of the TarGOST equipment, operator, direct-push rig, and crew totals approximately $7,000 per day. The remaining costs included personnel; analytical for ash characterization, soil, groundwater, and sediment sampling; on-site utility location; and characterization and removal of investigation-derived wastes. Cost savings could be affected by reducing the number of confirmation samples to the minimum recommended (10%).

The advantages of using TarGOST at this site were as follows:

  • allowed for a relatively rapid assessment of the extent of the DNAPL plume
  • easily deployed via a standard direct-push drilling rig
  • ability to provide immediate data
  • minimal investigation-derived wastes
  • reduced cost by approximately 60% compared to traditional sampling and analysis methods
  • reduced field time required to gather the information by approximately 75% compared to traditional methods
  • minimized public exposure at sampling locations adjacent to public park
  • allowed the objectives of the investigation to be met in a timely and cost-effective manner

9.6.1 Source Information

Tar-specific Green Optical Screening Tool (TarGost), Dakota Technologies (DTI 2017).

Fifth Five-Year Review Report for Bayou Bonfouca Superfund Site, Slidell, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. USEPA, July 2016.

Site Investigation Submittal, Bayou Bonfouca Superfund Site, Slidell, Louisiana. Leaaf Environmental, Inc., May 14, 2018.

Additional Site Investigation Work Plan, Quality Assurance/Quality Control Plan and Technical Sampling & Analysis Plan, Bayou Bonfouca Superfund Site, Slidell, Louisiana. Leaaf Environmental, Inc., August 2018.

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