United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Environmental Monitoring
Systems Laboratory
P.O. Box 93478
Las Vegas NV 89193-3478
EPA/600/9-91/003
February 1991
Research and Development
Subsurface Monitoring
Research
Advanced Monitoring
Systems Division
Aquatic and Subsurface
Monitoring Branch
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MONITORING RESEARCH AT THE EMSL-LV
ADVANCED MONITORING SYSTEMS DIVISION
AQUATIC AND SUBSURFACE MONITORING BRANCH
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Aquatic and Subsurface Monitoring (AMU) Branch Staff Advanced Monitoring
Systems Divisions 1
Monitoring Research at the EMSL-LV 4
Current Projects of the Aquatic and Subsurface Monitoring Branch .... 11
Surface to Borehole Geophysical Surveys for the UIC Program .... 11
Seismic Noise Studies to Detect Contaminant Migration 12
Airborne Geophysical Surveys 13
Geophysical Methods for Fracture Detection 14
Geophysics Expert System 15
Surface, Borehole, and Surface to Borehole Geophysical Methods. . . 16
Geophysical Technical Support 17
Electromagnetic Methods Development 17
Geophysical Studies for Chlorinated Solvents 18
Evaluation of Ground Penetrating Radar 19
Seismic Shear-Wave Source Development 20
Temporal Variability (Arid) and Sampling Procedures 20
Comparative Testing 21
Methods for Monitoring Agricultural Impacts on Ground Water .... 22
Data Assessment In-situ Biodegradation of Aromatic Hydrocarbons
in Soil and Ground Water 23
XRF Spectroscopy for Field Screening 24
Cone Penetrometer Evaluation 24
Ground-Water Monitoring Methods Standardization 25
Innovative Monitoring Devices for Wellhead Protection 26
Vadose Zone Monitoring 27
Field Methods for UST Investigations and Monitoring 27
Information Integration Software for Ground-Water Quality
Assessments 28
Technology Transfer and Hands-On Demonstration 29
Ground-Water Monitoring for Municipal Waste Combustion Ash .... 30
Wellhead Protection Technical Assistance/Technology Transfer. ... 30
Ground-Water Monitoring Strategies for Wellhead Protection .... 31
Vadose Zone Monitoring 32
Geophysics Technical Support 33
Well Casing Material Comparison 33
External Vapor Monitoring Sensors 34
Evaluation of Passive Vapor Samplers 35
(continued)
iii
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
In Situ Fiber Optic Field Spectrofluorometer (Luminoscope) 35
"In Soil" Diffusion Coefficient (UST) 36
Free Product Monitoring 37
Tank Issue Papers 37
Gasoline Leakage - Laboratory Model 38
UST Subcommittee - ASTH 38
Ground-Water Monitoring for Wellhead Protection 39
Monitoring Around Permeable Remediation Barrier 39
Development/Demonstration/Evaluation of Field Screening Methods . . 40
Subsurface Monitoring and Quality Assurance for RCRA 41
Molecular Spectroscopic Field Screening Methods 41
Porous Glass Suction Lysimeter 42
Site Characterization, Spatial and Temporal Variability 43
Adaptation of Prototype USRADS To Portable XRF Analyzer 44
Bioremediation of BTEX 45
IV
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AQUATIC AND SUBSURFACE MONITORING (AMV) BRANCH STAFF
ADVANCED MONITORING SYSTEMS DIVISION
Name
Discipline
Responsibilities
Joseph J. DLugosz
Richard R. Aldridge
Roy C. Baumann
M. S. (Doug) Bedinger
Regina M. Bochicchio
Glen P. Bonner
Jane E. Denne
Lawrence A. Eccles
Douglas Elliott
William H. Engelmann
Steven P. Gardner
Iris Goodman
Valerie A. Gutierrez
J. Lary Jack
Hydrogeologist
Management
Assistant
Project Officer
Assistant
Hydrologist
Geophysicist
Computer Aide
Hydrogeologist
Hydrologist
Technical
Editor
Geochemist
Geohydrologist
Environmental
Scientist
AMV Office
Manager
Engineering
Geologist
Branch Chief, Hydrogeologic
site characterization
Library Management
Financial Accounting
Aquifer properties, modeling
Field Geophysics
Computer support to AMV
Saturated Zone Hydrology
Advanced field screening
methods/vadose zone hydrology
Report review
Advanced field screening
methods/TSC coordinator
Wellhead protection/saturated
zone hydrology
UST (3 month detail from
OUST)
Branch support - all areas
Geophysics technical
support/TSC coordinator
(continued)
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Name
Discipline
Responsibilities
Aldo T. Hazzella
Charles 0. Morgan
Kenneth R. Scarbrough
Elizabeth Shatter
William R. Souza
Vivian P. Strother
Vacant
Katrina E. Varner
Geophysicist
Hydrogeologist
Geologist
Clerk-typist
Hydrologist
Clerk
Hydrogeologist
Environmental
Scientist
Surface/borehole geophysics
Database management/saturated
zone hydrology
Field methods, hydrology/
geophysics (currently on a
one year sabbatical)
TSC correspondence
Data analysis and interpretation
Clerical Support
UST/vadose zone hydrology
Advanced Innovative Monitoring
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Team flMID
Branch Chief
Deputy Branch Chief
Geophysics^)
C Saturated) Qladose)
I
C USTS
[Office]
I Manager I
I Seruice
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Editing
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Funding
Packages I
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MONITORING RESEARCH AT THE ENSL-LV
The Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory in Las Vegas (EMSt.-LV)
is conducting ground-vater monitoring research to support the Underground
Injection Control (UIC) Regulations of the Safe Drinking Uater Act; the
Ground-Water Protection Regulations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery
Act (RCRA); and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability Act (CERCLA), as amended, now commonly called Superfund. Geophysi-
cal research and technical support programs to assist Superfund hazardous
waste site investigations are also being conducted. The program includes
research into the geophysical and geochemical detection and mapping of shallow
contaminant plumes with both surface-based and dovnhole methods; the more
difficult problem of mapping deeply-buried contaminant plumes associated with
injection wells; the validity of indicator parameters for ground-water moni-
toring; monitoring methodology for the unsaturated or vadose zone; advanced
monitoring methods such as real-time, in situ monitoring of ground water with
fiber optic sensor technology; and external leak detection devices for
underground storage tanks (USTs).
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY FOR GROUND-VATER MONITORING
In situ monitoring of ground-vater contaminants with fluorescence spec-
troscopy may offer cost savings over conventional methods and has other
operational advantages, such as real-time measurement. The EMSL-LV is
sponsoring an instrument development at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and
field validation and characterization at EMSL-LV for the development of a
field-portable fluorescence instrument ("Luminoscope") which can be used with
or without fiberoptics (synchronous or emission with FOCSs), and room temper-
ature phosphorimetry, which requires a minimal amount of sample. Remote fiber
fluorescence spectroscopy involves the excitation of target substances via
fiber optic cables and the detection and measurement of the target substances
based on their fluorescence emission spectra. Fiber optic chemical sensors
(FOCSs) for measurement of nonfluorescing chemicals react with the substance
of interest and a fiber coating or other substrate to yield a product which
fluoresces. The recent development of high quality fiber optic cables at
relatively lov cost promises to make feasible the measurement of chemical
concentrations and parameter values remote from the spectroscopic instrument.
Contaminants in the part-per-billion range can be determined.
VADOSE ZONE MONITORING
Background
Vadose zone monitoring can encompass all of the hydrogeologic elements
extending from the land surface to the top of the regional water table and can
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include the unsaturated as well as locally saturated or perched water zones.
Vadose zone monitoring techniques in conjunction with other techniques also
are used for field screening, site characterization and assessment, and
ground-water contamination investigations.
AMU anticipated that under RCRA, vadose zone monitoring would be needed
in order to prevent further contamination of ground water by uncontrolled
releases of hazardous materials from waste treatment, storage, and disposal
facilities (TSDFs) and from leaking underground tanks. The first major AMU
vadose zone research effort was formally initiated during 1981, well in
advance of it becoming recognized as an essential element in protecting ground
water.
The effort in vadose zone research was a logical extension of AMW's
already established saturated zone, ground-water monitoring research effort.
As expected, reliance on the strategy of monitoring ground water in the
saturated zone clearly was becoming a demonstrated failure for preventing
contamination because the alert provided by monitoring ground water in the
saturated zone is most often too late to prevent significant degradation or
loss of recoverable groundwater resources. This was quite obvious because the
early warning provided from ground-water monitoring networks in the saturated
zone necessitate that contaminants be present at detectable levels; i.e., the
saturated zone has to become degraded.
The concept behind developing vadose zone monitoring capabilities was to
provide an early means to detect, and subsequently, intercept or remediate
contaminants before they have an opportunity to infiltrate into the saturated
zone and degrade recoverable ground water. This concept has a logical advant-
age over monitoring ground water in the saturated zone which is generally
limited to providing documentation about the extent of the contamination to
the recoverable portion of the water resource that has already occurred. By
providing an early alert for taking remedial actions, the potential costs and
the potential for loss of recoverable water resources can be greatly reduced.
Vadose Zone Monitoring Requirements
The first federal regulations for vadose zone monitoring were for
facilities permitted under RCRA that utilized land treatment as a means of
disposal for certain hazardous wastes such as sludges from petrochemical and
wood treatment operations. AMV, in cooperation with OSW's Land Disposal
Branch, prepared the first official Agency guidance on vadose zone monitoring,
"Permit Guidance Manual on Unsaturated Zone Monitoring for Hazardous 'Jaste
Land Treatment Units". AMV recognized the need for vadose zone monitoring
requirements for more than just active land treatment facilities and, subse-
quently, planned its research efforts to support the anticipated extension of
vadose zone monitoring requirements to other types of TSDFs and to external
leak detection monitoring for underground storage tanks.
As anticipated, upcoming federal regulations in preparation will
authorize Regional Administrators to extend vadose zone monitoring require-
ments, where appropriate, to most facilities permitted to treat, store, or
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dispose of hazardous wastes. This extension of federal authority follows the
lead of the more stringent California state regulations that already require
vadose zone monitoring for most hazardous and "so called" non hazardous waste
TSDFs.
National Needs
Expanded vadose zone monitoring is a key element in preventing ground-
water contamination at waste TSDFs. At most CERCLA sites, vadose zone tech-
niques are utilized widely in site screening and characterization; however, in
the life cycle of many CERCLA sites, it also should be included in the remedi-
ation and post-closure monitoring strategies. At many of the hazardous as
well as the "so called" non hazardous TSDFs permitted under RCRA, we antici-
pate that comprehensive vadose zone monitoring will eventually be included in
the complete life cycle. Vadose zone techniques also will play an expanded
role in environmental assessments of real property and in non point source
pollution investigations. Some of the more immediate objectives of our
ongoing vadose zone monitoring research follow.
CERCLA
1. Provide advanced field monitoring equipment and standardized techniques
for site screening and characterization.
2. Develop monitoring strategies along with equipment and techniques to
provide support for in situ remediation.
3. Develop post-closure monitoring strategies.
RCRA
1. Develop network and system design for life cycle monitoring of landfills
(both solid and hazardous waste) that include site characterization, linear
performance, cover performance, and post-closure strategies.
2. Develop life cycle monitoring strategies for underground tanks
(including home heating oil).
3. Provide advanced equipment, standardized techniques, and expert systems
to support life cycle monitoring.
GROUND-WATER MONITORING
The SDVA and RCRA require that underground drinking water sources be
protected from contamination. Assurance that protection is being obtained is
provided by water quality data from monitoring wells. Continued development
of new sampling techniques and equipment, improvements in understanding the
processes of ground-water contamination, and the unique character of every
monitoring situation are important considerations in obtaining ground-water
samples that are representative of in situ conditions. A number of variables
are being examined.
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Research has been directed at a better understanding of monitoring well
construction methods and their impact on monitoring. Workshops are to be
conducted in several EPA Regions that will focus on the recently completed
handbook on monitoring well construction. Studies of seasonal variability are
being conducted at several sites with different climatic and hydrologic
conditions to investigate the role of temporal variability in ground-water
monitoring. Ground-water sampling equipment and methods are being evaluated.
Site characterization, well placement, and spatial variability are other
topics under investigation.
GROUND-WATER MONITORING OF MUNICIPAL WASTE COMBUSTION ASH LANDFILLS
EMSL-LV is conducting research to identify the key issues surrounding
ground-water monitoring of municipal waste combustion (MWC) ash disposal
facilities (ash landfills or monofills). Such operations are soon to come
under Subtitle D (non-hazardous waste) of the Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act (RCRA). Research data on leaching behavior of the MWC ash is
being gathered to: 1) Provide technical guidance to operators and regulators
of MWC ash units on monitoring well sampling and leachate characterization and
2) provide scientific data to support the development of regulations for
monitoring of ground water at MWC ash disposal sites.
Early data shows that only a small number of constituents (sodium,
calcium, magnesium, potassium, chloride, sulfate and bicarbonate) account for
almost 99 percent of the mobile mass in MWC ash with the remainder holding the
potential for carrying some toxic metals. A more complete characterization of
the ash and their leachates will provide a basis for a cost-effective ground-
water monitoring strategy.
UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS
EMSL-LV has been evaluating leak detection systems for use outside USTs.
Research on leak detection methodologies is an integral part of the process to
develop regulations and guidelines. Five areas of research have been:
Instrumentation evaluation, network design, data analysis, technical guidance,
and installation of USTs for effective monitoring. Performance tests for
instruments include accuracy, precision, response time, and specificity.
Tests for other operating characteristics are being developed. Field studies
are under investigation to evaluate the background concentration of hydro-
carbon vapors and changes over time. The research for network design has
included computer modelling and physical modelling in the laboratory and in
full-scale tanks in order to determine where sensors should be placed and how
many. Data from monitoring networks are being evaluated to determine guide-
lines for setting alarm levels. Guidance for external monitoring around USTs
are being determined through reports and in conjunction with the American
Society of Testing Materials. The installation of USTs is being carefully
monitored as to get more efficient control of leak problems.
QUALITY ASSURANCE/FIELD METHODS STANDARDIZATION
The EMSL-LV is working towards the development of standards in the area
of ground-water monitoring. These standards are needed for the quality
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assurance of field investigations being performed at RCRA and Superfund sites.
Standards are needed in the areas of: 1) borehole geophysics; 2) vadose zone
monitoring; 3) monitoring well drilling and soil sampling practices; 4)
determination of hydrogeological parameters; 5) monitoring well design and
construction; and 6) ground-water sample collection, handling, and field
analysis.
The laboratory is in the process of setting up a cooperative agreement
with ASTM to have voluntary consensus standards written in these areas. ASTM
has set up a new subcommittee, D-18.21 on Ground Water Monitoring, to write
standards in this area. The cooperative agreement is designed to accelerate
the development of standards in this area, to support RCRA and Superfund in
this area as quickly as possible.
NEW TECHNICAL SUPPORT
In support of the Superfund Program, technical support is provided to
the Regional Offices on various site problems. This program seeks to apply
new technologies to the resolution of problems that are inadequately addressed
using traditional methods. As a secondary goal, the technical support program
makes available to Regional Offices (primarily RPMs and OSCs) the expertise of
both government and contractor research staffs. Beside providing quick
response for technical questions, training for Regional personnel, reviews of
workplans, and field application of new technologies, etc., this program helps
to keep the research abreast of current opportunities for applied research to
be directed at real sites benefitting both the research and operational
elements of the Agency.
Plans exist, subject to future funding, for a facility at Pittman,
Nevada to serve as a staging area for technical support activities. This
envisions both the proper storage of equipment used in research and Regional
support, small scale research addressing specific Regional issues, a location
for providing "hands-on" training for Regional personnel, and the development
of training/technology transfer materials.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH PROGRAM
In research programs funded under RCRA, SDVA, and CERCLA, geophysical
techniques for determining subsurface structure and detecting and mapping
ground-water contamination are being developed, tested, and applied in field
investigations. The use of geophysical and geochemical methods for detecting
and mapping underground contamination is part of a cost-effective approach to
ground-water monitoring.
Geophysical and geochemical methods can be used to ensure proper place-
ment and completion of monitoring wells for detection and compliance
monitoring to meet RCRA Land Disposal Regulations. CERCLA requires the
assessment of ground-water contamination at uncontrolled hazardous waste sites
for remedial action. The UIC Regulations promulgated under the SDVA requires
surveys of the zone of influence of proposed new injection wells prior to
granting permits for the construction of the wells.
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Research in geophysical and geochemical methods will demonstrate and
evaluate these techniques for detection and mapping of subsurface properties
and ground-water plumes. In the area of dovnhole sensing, the research
objectives are to survey, develop, test and evaluate dovnhole sensors and
methods which can be used for hazardous waste site monitoring and for pre-
construction hydrogeologic investigations, principally using small-diameter,
shallow-depth boreholes. In the area of mapping fluids from injection wells,
several techniques are being evaluated for use on the detection of deeply
buried contaminant plumes. Magnetometers along with aerial photography have
been evaluated for locating abandoned wells in the vicinity of proposed new
injection wells.
GEOPHYSICAL TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR SUPERFUND HAZARDOUS WASTE SITE ASSESSMENT
Much of the EMSL-LV geophysical research is directly applicable to
CERCLA site investigations. To take advantage of these benefits, the EMSL-LV
has initiated a program to provide technical support in the use of geophysical
methods in hazardous waste site investigations. Support will be provided
through the Emergency Response Branch (ERB) of the Office of Emergency and
Remedial Response (OERR) to the 10 regional offices. The primary program goal
is to assist field teams from OERR/ ERB and the regional offices in performing
hazardous waste site assessments, with emphasis on better utilization of the
geophysical capabilities that these groups already have. First priority is
given to developing EMSL-LV products which will be of immediate use to field
teams already possessing some geophysical capability. Quality assurance
services for geophysical measurements will also be provided to regional office
teams on request.
ADVANCED FIELD IN SITU MONITORING METHODS
Rapid field-portable x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analytical techniques are
being developed for screening Super fund sites that may be contaminated with
toxic metals. These results will greatly facilitate Superfund field efforts
from the initial investigation through the remediation steps by being able to
readily provide on-site data.
Where field screening requires a "contour" plot of contaminant intensity
over the actual site coordinates, there is recently-developed instrumentation
that uses an XRF spectrometer in combination with an ultrasonic ranging and
data system (USRADS). Speed in developing computer generated plots is
increased about an order of magnitude over that of conventional methods.
Vith the integrated XRF-USRADS system data points are gathered typi-
cally at a rate of several data points per minute, as the site is walked in a
criss-cross pattern by the scientist. The points are sent ultrasonically from
the back-pack that contains the transmitter to an array of ultrasonic
receivers. The signals are used in a surveyor's "triangulation" calculation
to determine the exact geographical position. Each position or point in this
grid is coordinated with an XRF value. Under computer control, a plot is made
in real time that gives a contour in perspective view with the highest points
being those of the strongest signals. Such capability will save time and cost
and enable Superfund site managers to make better and much more timely
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decisions while on-site. This is an important technological tool that should
greatly speed up the site remediation process.
Surface geophysical surveying is also available as a rapidly developed
plot using an electromagnetic induction instrument linked to the USRADS.
Other geophysical devices have the potential to be linked to the USRADS. Any
improvement that produces data, either analog or digital and that needs to be
coordinated with geographical positioning, can be adapted.
In addition to x-ray fluorescence other advanced technologies use
optical fluorescence for organic compounds. Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis)
luminescence (fluorescence and phosphorescence) of organic molecules is a
technique nov being developed into field instruments for detection and
quantitation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polyaromatic hydro-
carbons (PAHs). Small portable or mobile-van instruments as they become
widely available in the 1990s, will follow for remediation work on hazardous
waste sites that might contain these contaminants.
Environmental chemical sensor development forms yet another approach to
field monitoring methods. Chemicals on suitable substrates undergo a change
when in contact with part radon contaminants and then commonly fluoresce with
very minute amounts. Such changes are readily picked up with fluorescence
instrumentation either directly or through fiber-optic coupling. The
challenges in developing environmental sensors are many since the number and
variety of chemicals encounterable are large. Each sensor is specific for one
or a class of chemicals. The major technology barrier is the proper selection
of sensor coating.
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CURRENT PROJECTS OP THE
AQUATIC AND SUBSURFACE
MONITORING BRANCH
TITLE: Surface to Borehole Geophysical Surveys for the UIC Program
GOAL: To provide geophysical methods to delineate and monitor deep
subsurface contamination associated with injection veil disposal.
RATIONALE: The Underground Injection Control Regulations require the assess-
ment of the potential for contamination of ground water from the disposal of
contaminants through injection wells. This project addresses the monitoring
of inorganic contaminants disposed of in Class 1 or Class 2 wells. Injection
zones for these contaminants are usually at depths greater than 700 meters
(2000 feet). Surface geophysical electrical methods have proven effective in
detecting inorganic contamination in the subsurface, usually at fairly
shallow depths (100 meters). The surface methods lack the resolution and sen-
sitivity necessary for monitoring at great depths. Borehole geophysical
methods can provide the necessary resolution and sensitivity, however, the
borehole methods are limited to a zone of detection that is very close to the
borehole (2 meters). Borehole to surface geophysical methods provides a tech-
nique than combines the characteristics of the two methods. Depth resolution
and deductibility will be improved over the surface method and the zone of
measurement can cover hundreds of meters laterally. This research task is to
evaluate the use of the borehole to surface d.c. resistivity methods to
delineate the deep subsurface structure, site characterization, and monitor
the deep inorganic contamination.
APPROACH: Previous work on this project has developed a new method of
treating borehole to surface d.c. resistivity data in order to provide better
deep subsurface resolution. Theoretical treatment for the effects of metal
well casings has also been developed. The equipment for conducting field
surveys at depths to 2000 feet has been developed and has successfully under-
gone extensive field calibration tests. An extensive effort has been devoted
to getting permission to conduct a field experiment at a Class 1 injection
well facility. This was met with limited success. Approval was granted and a
field experiment was conducted in October 1989 at a Dupont test well near a
Class 1 injection facility in Tennessee. The design of the experiment was to
make the surface-to-borehole measurements in the test veil and then conduct
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just surface measurements for a noise comparison near the actual injection
well. The test well measurements were obtained, however final permission for
access to the property around the injection well was denied. These results
are undergoing analysis and review, to be completed in FY91.
EPA Coordinator: Aldo T. Mazzella FTS 545-2254
(702) 798-2254
TITLE: Seismic Noise Studies to Detect Contaminant Migration
GOAL: To provide geophysical techniques to delineate subsurface contami-
nation movement associated with underground injection wells.
RATIONALE: The Underground Injection Control Regulations require the assess-
ment of the potential for contamination of ground water from the disposal of
contaminants through injection wells. This means fully understanding where
the injected contaminants are going. This project addresses the monitoring of
contaminants disposed of in Class I or Class II wells. Injection zones for
these contaminants are usually at depths greater than 700 meters (2100 feet).
Surface geophysical methods have proven effective in monitoring contamination
in the subsurface, usually at fairly shallow depths (100 meters). Previous
surveys, under a separate task, have concentrated upon the evaluation of bore-
hole to surface electrical methods for the detection of deep inorganic con-
tamination. Detection of organic contamination by these electrical methods is
not highly probable. The movement of the contaminant fluids in the subsur-
face should generate microseismic noise. This task is to evaluate whether
this microseismic noise can be detected over background noise at UIC sites.
APPROACH: The movement of injected fluids in the subsurface generates micro-
seismic noise. A considerable amount of attention and research has been
devoted to detecting this passive seismic noise for geothermal exploration and
hydrofracture monitoring over the past 15 years. The first phase of this task
will be to investigate whether this microseismic noise can be detected over
the background noise at UIC sites. An array of seismic geophones will be
place down fairly shallow boreholes (less than 200 feet) near the injection
well(s) and the signals monitored over a period of time. Permission was
obtained to conduct experiments at a nev injection well site in Lathrop,
California, about 80 miles from LBL. The injection well was completed in
May 1990 to a depth of 9700 feet and fluid injection was anticipated to begin
in about 6 months. Multiple geophone arrays have been placed around the
injection well and have been monitored continuously since June 1990. This
experiment should allow the clear identification of the background noise
before the injection process starts and better definition of any signals
associated with the deep injection process.
EPA Coordinator: Aldo T. Mazzella FTS 545-2254
(702) 798-2254
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TITLE: Airborne Geophysical Surveys
GOAL: To provide geophysical methods to monitor brine contamination of
near surface aquifers resulting from underground injection veil disposal.
RATIONALE: The Underground Injection Control Regulations require the assess-
ment of the potential for contamination of ground water from the disposal of
contaminants through injection wells. This project addresses the disposal of
brine in Class 2 wells. Near-surface brine contamination in most oil fields
can arise from a number of sources. For example, even though the practice of
disposal of brine in surface pits was banned around 1976, a brine contaminant
plume from this past practice still could be spreading throughout a region.
Contamination can also arise from the present brine disposal practice due to
poor integrity of the injection veils, improperly plugged abandoned wells, and
vertical fractures. For a typical oil field, this region can cover a 40
square mile area. Geophysical methods have proven effective in detecting
brine contamination in the subsurface. In order to distinguish between the
past and current contamination, and between different possible sources, geo-
physical data must be acquired at fairly close spacing. Many areas are
inaccessible for surface based surveys and to cover large areas can be very
expensive. Airborne geophysical methods, electromagnetic induction (EN) and
magnetometer methods, can cover large areas in a cost effective manner. This
research task is to evaluate the use of the airborne EM and magnetometer
methods to delineate the subsurface structure, the brine contamination plumes,
and to identify the possible contamination sources.
APPROACH: Under a previous project, an airborne EM and magnetometer survey
vas conducted over the Brookhaven oil field, MS. This previous project estab-
lished that usable airborne data could be obtained in this oil field produc-
tion environment. The first phase of this task (FY89) put the data into a CIS
system, started a detailed interpretation of the airborne EM and magnetometer
data, evaluated the need for ground and additional existing airborne EM sur-
veys, and correlated the data with the location of all the wells and old sur-
face brine pits. A discrepancy vas observed between the location of wells
from the Petroleum Information data base and USGS topographic maps for this
area. Historic and present air photographs also are being studied. Resolving
these location discrepancies and correlating the well locations with the mag-
netic data may take more effort than vas initially planned. Modelling inter-
pretation of the EM data is in progress. However, plans are being made with
FY90 funds to conduct ground based geophysical surveys to "ground truth" these
interpretations. At the same time it is proposed to fly a new prototype 60 HZ
airborne system developed by the USGS. The first survey provided information
about the contamination of the upper aquifer. This nev system vill sense
deeper and should provide information about the brine contamination of the
second, deeper aquifer in the area. Because of the problems locating all the
veils in the area, airborne magnetic data vill be obtained simultaneously with
the EM data. In this case, it is proposed to use a high resolution 3
component fluxgate magnetometer to provide better lateral resolution than vhat
vas obtained in the first survey. These data vill be incorporated into the
GIS system and preliminary evaluation and interpretation vill be performed.
Detailed interpretation and modelling vill be conducted in FY91. Because of
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quarter funding restrictions, FY90 funding was not in place until May, 1990.
This caused a delay of about 6 months in the project schedule.
EPA Coordinator: Aldo T.Mazzella FTS 545-2254
(?.2) 798-2254
TITLE: Geophysical Methods for Fracture Detection
GOAL: To provide surface geophysical methods to delineate subsurface
fractures at underground injection well disposal sites.
RATIONALE: The Underground Injection Control Regulations require the assess-
ment of the potential for contamination of ground water from the disposal of
contaminants through injection wells. This project addresses the disposal of
brine in Class 2 wells, however the methods could be applied to other classes
of injection wells where vertical fractures in the subsurface many exist and
provide conduits for the vertical migration of the contaminants. Surface
geophysical methods can delineate many subsurface formations and features,
such as thickness of layers, contacts and even zones of inorganic contami-
nation. However, small features such as fractures are usually not detectable
by the standard application of the geophysical methods. These fractures can
cause anisotropic behavior of the physical properties of a formation. One
would expect anisotropy in the seismic velocities and in the electrical con-
ductivity of a fractured formation. The purpose of this research task is to
evaluate the use of surface geophysical methods to measure this fracture
anisotropic behavior.
APPROACH: The USGS, Water Resources Division (WRD) is conducting extensive
fracture hydrological research activities at the Mirror Lake, N.H. site. The
USGS, WRD, Hartford, CT Branch is being funded by the USGS Toxic-Substances
Hydrology Program to conduct and evaluate D.C. resistivity, VLF and frequency
domain electromagnetic surveys in the fractured formations at the Mirror Lake
site. This task will fund the USGS, WRD, Hartford, CT group to conduct and
evaluate the use of P, SH, and three component seismic refraction methods to
detect and quantitative describe the subsurface fractures. Preliminary
results from studies at this site are promising. A number of geophysical
surveys have been conducted to detect near-surface brine contamination at an
underground injection site in Osage Co., OK. Even though brine contamination
was observed to flow from the subsurface out onto the surface, these surveys
did not clearly delineate a brine zone in the subsurface. The brine fluids
may have been migrating upward along vertical fractures in the subsurface. It
is proposed to conduct and interpret seismic and electrical surveys in this
area at the Osage site, following the methods for fracture delineation studied
at the Mirror Lake experiments. Since previous surveys showed that electro-
magnetic surveys can be significantly affected by the cultural noise (pipe-
lines) in the oil field environment, particular emphasis will be devoted to
the seismic methods.
EPA Coordinator: Aldo T. Mazzella FTS 545-2254
(702) 798-2254
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TITLE: Geophysics Expert System
GOAL: To provide a geophysics advisor expert system for hazardous waste
site investigations.
RATIONALE: Superfund (CERCLA) as amended in 1986 requires a national program
to protect human health and environment from the hazards of inactive waste
sites and spills or releases of hazardous substances. Regional OSCs and RPMs
require monitoring techniques that quickly and effectively assess the degree
of hazard posed at waste sites. Many geophysical techniques have proven
effective in locating and mapping contamination and in determining subsurface
characterization at hazardous waste sites. The techniques are not necessarily
successful at all sites and in all cases. There are many things, such as
cultural interferences, that can influence these results and these should be
considered. A competent geophysicist is aware of these problems, however,
most OSCs and RPMs do not have this level of background. In order to check
whether a proposed geophysical survey from a contractor had reasonable merit,
a considerable amount of effort in literature search or consultation from an
additional outside geophysicist would be required. By the development of a
geophysics advisor expert system computer program, this research task is
designed to aid the non-geophysicist in the decision-making process of which
geophysical techniques should be considered for the different types of targets
and environments. This would allow the manager a simple check on whether the
proposed geophysical methods had merit, and a point for further discussions
with the contractor.
APPROACH: An IBM-PC compatible computer program, Geophysics Advisor Expert
System, Version 1.0, has been developed to advise on the use of different
geophysical techniques for hazardous waste site investigations. The program
generates a list of questions and answers, which are matrixed against the
characteristics of the different geophysical techniques to produce a weighted
recommendation of which geophysical methods to consider. This program is
currently in use. The present, second phase of this project is to introduce a
database of the physical and chemical properties of 100 toxic organic and
inorganic chemicals into the computer program. These properties have been
compiled from an extensive literature search and are currently undergoing
review. The second version of the program then will provide to the user a
menu of contaminants, and the program will have the necessary answers to
determine the best geophysical method for monitoring. Information on addi-
tional geophysical methods that were not included in the first version are
currently being researched. If sufficient data are available, these methods
will be added in the second version. FY91 funding will develop a third
revision of the program on the application of the geophysical techniques just
for site characterization. The program will be reviewed against known case
studies and the results of current research, such as the geophysical studies
for chlorinated solvents, will be incorporated.
EPA Coordinator: -Aldo T. Mazzella FTS 545-2254
(702) 798-2254
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TITLE: Surface, Borehole, and Surface to Borehole Geophysical Methods
GOAL: To provide surface and surface to borehole geophysical methods and
strategies for monitoring at RCRA hazardous waste sites.
RATIONALE: RCRA Land Disposal Regulations require the establishment of a
ground-water monitoring program at most facilities, including detection and
compliance monitoring, involving the saturated and vadose zone. Surface and
downhole monitoring techniques are required. Site characterization of the
area is of prime importance in the location of the monitoring wells and ver-
tical location of the screens. Geophysical methods have proven effective in
delineating subsurface contamination and properties. A number of new instru-
ments and techniques have been recently developed and difficulties in obtain-
ing some subsurface properties have been observed. The capabilities of these
new techniques have not been evaluated fully for hazardous waste site inves-
tigations. This research task is to develop and evaluate these new
geophysical methods for monitoring and hazardous waste sites.
APPROACH: A new transient electromagnetic (TEM) sounding instrument has
recently been developed for very shallow soundings. The first layer of
detection would be at a depth of 5 to 10 meters. In addition, a number of
theoretical TEH interpretation programs have been developed and new field data
acquisition procedures have been proposed. Under the SITE program, a LBL and
University of Utah research proposal has been partially funded on evaluating
this instrument and these interpretation procedures for hazardous waste site
investigations. LESC scientist will be involved with this project. Methods
from this project will be applied to the Pittman site, Henderson, NV. Field
TEM measurements will be conducted by LESC at the Pittman site to further
evaluate the methods and help understand the site geology. Additional bore-
holes with geophysical logging and a cone penetrometer survey will be con-
ducted at Pittman to establish "ground truth." The cone penetrometer survey
will obtain the standard geological stratigraphy and also test new penetrom-
eter geophysical tools, such as P and S wave vertical seismic profiles and
d.c. resistivity. Cone penetrometer tools that obtain subsurface vapor, soil,
and water samples may also be employed and compared with the results from
nearby boreholes. These activities will be coordinated with DRI's research
activities in this area. In pervious research conducted at Pittman, severe
interpretation limitations were encountered when radioactive borehole tools
could not be employed to obtain porosity measurements of the subsurface.
Measurement of the dielectric properties in the saturated zone can provide
porosity information, however existing tools are not designed for small diam-
eter boreholes. The minimum hole diameter is usually 5 to 6 inches. For a
vertical resolution on the order of a few inches, the depth of investigation
is also on the order of a few inches and can be considerable influenced by the
disturbed zone and the drilling method. A dielectric tool for laboratory
porosity measurements has been successfully developed at the University of
California, Davis (UCD) (A patent was issued). A proposal is being prepared
by UCD to develop'and evaluate a tool for subsurface borehole and penetrometer
application.
EPA Coordinator: Aldo T. Mazzella FTS 545-2254
(702) 798-2254
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TITLE: Geophysical Technical Support
GOAL: To provide geophysical technical support to the Regions for
hazardous vaste site investigations.
RATIONALE: Superfund (CERCLA) as amended in 1986 requires a national program
to protect human health and environment from the hazards of inactive waste
sites and spills or releases of hazardous substances. Regional OSCs and RPMs
require monitoring techniques that quickly and effectively assess the degree
of hazard po? i at waste sites. Many geophysical techniques have proven
effective in .Beating and mapping contamination and in determining subsurface
characterization at hazardous waste sites. There are a wide variety of tech-
niques and applications. Many of these are not known to Regional personnel.
The Geophysics Advisor Expert System computer program can help solve some of
the problems, particularly those that are routine. However, some sites may
require a higher level of expertise, more than that which the Regional support
contractor can provide. This task is to provide base-level support at EMSL-
LV to assist the Regions with this higher technical level of support.
APPROACH: The funding on this task is for base-level maintenance and support
of the geophysical equipment and initial site specific visits. Specific items
that LESC will perform are: (1) provide custodial care, upgrade and maintain
EPA geophysical equipment, (2) establish a calibration site and procedures for
all the geophysical equipment traceable back to NBS, (3) establish a library
of software for interpretation of the different geophysical methods, and
(4) provide geophysical technical support for the regions, this will include
review of documents and reports. More elaborate site-specific technical
support field investigations would be conducted under the Tech Support Center
site-specific program.
EPA Coordinator: Aldo T. Mazzella FTS 545-2254
(702) 798-2254
TITLE: Electromagnetic Methods Development
GOAL: To provide better electromagnetic methods for hazardous waste site
investigations.
RATIONALE: Superfund (CERCLA) as amended in 1986 requires a national program
to protect human health and environment from the hazards of inactive waste
sites and spills or releases of hazardous substances. Regional OSCs and RPMs
require monitoring techniques that quickly and effectively assess the degree
of hazard posed at waste sites. Electromagnetic induction (EM) and ground
penetrating radar (GPR) surveys have proven effective in some cases for haz-
ardous waste site investigations. The EM methods operate below 20 KHz and
give good penetration into the earth, however they suffer from resolution.
GPR (80 MHz) provides good resolution, but in many situations has poor pene-
tration. Little work has been done in the intervening frequency band. This
research task is to investigate the possibility of an electromagnetic system
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in this intervening frequency band. Such a system could provide an explora-
tion method with a better combined resolution and penetration depth capabil-
ity that could be used at hazardous waste sites.
APPROACH: In the frequency band of 100 KHz to 30 MHz, the EM response will
be dependent upon the dielectric constant and electrical conductivity. In the
first phase of this work computer programs were developed to study the EM
response at these frequencies. These programs then were used to study the
response of design parameters to different earth models. It was shown that a
transmitted loop - receiver loop system, operating in the frequency range of
100 KHz to 30 MHz, could detect changes in the dielectric properties of a
layered earth, simulating the presence of such contaminants as gasoline. The
transmitter-receiver separation was shown to be critical, operating from one
to tens of meters separation. However, the optimum separation for a partic-
ular model vas not easily determined. This would have to be determined using
multiple loop-loop separations on an actual survey. The modelling results
indicated that the most significant response occurs at the high frequency end
of the spectrum, 1 to 30 MHz. Based on these studies, a prototype system is
currently being developed. In order to check, the computer models and the
prototype system, analog scale tank model experiments are being developed.
These experiments will compare the theoretical computer model results to the
tank model measurements for a homogenous half space with various dielectric
constants. Additional experiments for a two-layer case also will be compared
with various conductivities, dielectric constants, and thicknesses. This work
is in progress. Field testing of the prototype system is scheduled for the
third year of the project. These experiments will test the system against
standard EM and GPR methods under actual cultural noise environments.
EPA Coordinator: Aldo T. Mazzella FTS 545-2254
(702) 798-2254
TITLE: Geophysical Studies for Chlorinated Solvents
GOAL: To provide better geophysical methods to detect chlorinated
organics in the subsurface.
RATIONALE: Superfund (CERCLA) as amended in 1986 requires a national program
to protect human health and the environment from the hazards of inactive waste
sites and spills or releases of hazardous substances. Regional OSCs and RPMs
require monitoring techniques that quickly and effectively assess the degree
of hazard posed at waste sites. This problem is particularly difficult if the
contaminants are buried or are migrating in the subsurface. Geophysical
methods can provide useful information for these subsurface problems. Such
geophysical methods as ground penetrating radar and complex resistivity have
detected organic contamination in the subsurface. Little work has been con-
ducted under controlled field experiments to study these responses and fully
evaluate the methods.
APPROACH: This project will fund the USGS to participate in a multi-year
(a total of 5 years) field experiment with the University of Waterloo, Oregon
Graduate Center, and Colorado State University. These other institutions are
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being funded at a level of $1,000,000 per year from private corporations. At
a site in Canada, a number of experiments with controlled spills of chlori-
nated solvents, such as TCE, will be conducted. A single solvent will be
studied at a time and its fate, transport, and remediation investigated. This
area will be monitored by geophysical techniques before and after the contam-
ination is released and after final remediation. The USGS will participate in
the surface GPR experiments and conduct the cross borehole radar tomography
experiments. The site characteristics, hydrology, and ground truth will be
evaluated by the other researchers. For example, the addition of a dye to the
chlorinated solvent will permit photographic documentation of the lateral dis-
tribution of residual liquid in the subsurface exposed by excavation. By
previously evaluating anv natural occurring temporal variations, these experi-
ments will indicate the uetection limits and resolution abilities of geo-
physical methods such as GPR and d.c. resistivity to detect and delineate
areas of subsurface contamination.
EPA Coordinator: Aldo T. Mazzella FTS 545-2254
(702) 798-2254
TITLE: Evaluation of Ground Penetrating Radar
GOAL: To provide better ground penetrating radar systems for hazardous
waste site investigations.
RATIONALE: Superfund (CERCLA) as amended in 1986 requires a national program
to protect human health and environment from the hazards of inactive waste
sites and spills or releases of hazardous substances. Regional OSCs and RPMs
require monitoring techniques that quickly and effectively assess the degree
of hazard posed at waste sites. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) surveys have
proven successful in some cases in providing high resolution data for
delineating subsurface properties at hazardous waste sites. Existing systems
could be improved to increase their range of application, and provide better
resolution and interpretation. This research task is to investigate, evaluate
and conduct testing of new radar systems designs at Superfund sites.
APPROACH: EPA Region 5 has been funding Dr. Jeff Daniels at Ohio State
University to evaluate the GPR system for investigations in the Mid-west por-
tion of the country. In the first year of this project, ORD funding was added
to Region 5 funds to start a basic investigation into improving the GPR system
for hazardous waste site surveys. Specific items that will be investigated
are 1) new antenna designs, 2) fiber optics cables for low noise, 3) a method
for improvement of data acquisition, and 4) an evaluation of a USGS processing
program for enhancement of data interpretation. In the first year of this
project, efforts are being concentrated on the new antenna designs and their
evaluation. The best designs will be field tested in the second year along
with the fiber optics transmission cable modifications. The USGS is behind on
their processing program development (item (4) above). This is not being
funded by the EPA.' The exact status of this work will be studied and possible
modifications to the coop may be required. Full evaluation of the system is
not expected until the third year along with investigations at Superfund
sites.
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EPA Coordinator: Aldo T. Mazzella FTS 545-2254
(702) 798-2254
TITLE: Seismic Shear-Wave Source Development
GOAL: To provide better seismic shear-wave sources for hazardous waste
site investigations.
RATIONALE: Superfund (CERCLA) as amended in 1986 requires a national program
to protect human health and environment from the hazards of inactive waste
sites and spills or releases of hazardous substances. Regional OSCs and RPMs
require monitoring techniques that quickly and effectively assess the degree
of hazard posed at waste sites. Seismic techniques have proven effective for
determining the subsurface site characterization at many locations. In
particular, seismic shear-wave methods in combination with compression-wave
surveys have proven very effective. A good three-dimensional shear-wave
source for use in an urban environment does not exist. This research task is
to design, develop, test and evaluate a three-dimensional shear-wave source to
conduct high resolution seismic surveys at hazardous waste sites.
APPROACH: Based upon a number of shallow seismic studies conducted in the
past three years under another project, it became evident that a good three-
dimensional shear-wave source for shallow seismic studies was needed. The
concept of such a source exists. The USGS is developing such a source for
borehole surveys. This project will take advantage of the experience gained
in the development of the borehole source. The design of the surface source
and the software for the data acquisition system for the surface surveys will
be developed with FY89 funding, project starting date 8/89. A prototype will
be constructed, initial testing will start, and working drawings plus instruc-
tions for its operation will be written with FY90 funding. Acceptance cri-
teria of the source will involve the following field testing: Evaluate the
non-destructive aspects of its use. It should be usable on pavements without
destroying the surface. The amplitude level and repeatability of the signal
output should be sufficiently good that standard stacking techniques can be
used. The source performance will be compared to the best non-destructive
sources currently in use. The third year of the project, with FY91 funding,
will involve completion of the testing and conducting field investigations at
the Sand Creek CERCLA site in Denver, CO.
EPA Coordinator: Aldo T. Mazzella FTS 545-2254
(702) 798-2254
TITLE: Temporal Variability (Arid) and Sampling Procedures
GOAL: To provide an understanding of the statistical nature and temporal
variability of ground-water quality (especially volatile organic compounds)
in an arid environment and to provide an assessment/validation of elements of
ground-water sampling protocols.
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RATIONALE: RCRA regulations require a ground-water monitoring program at most
facilities. Results of both major parts of this research project (evaluation
of temporal variability and validation of selected elements of sampling pro-
tocol) have the potential of increasing the quality and consistency and reduc-
ing the cost of hydrogeologic data gathered in RCRA and Superfund site inves-
tigations and monitoring. Behavior of volatile organic compounds (VOCs, a
major source of ground-water contamination) in the natural environment must be
studied in order to design better monitoring networks and sampling frequen-
cies to detect contamination. Results of this arid zone temporal variability
research together with those of other EMSL-LV studies in areas with different
climatic and hydrogeologic conditions may be applied in varied settings across
the nation. Evaluation of elements of sampling protocols (well purging in
low-permeability materials, field filtration methods for ground-water samples,
and equipment decontamination procedures) should allow determination of
appropriate methods to collect representative samples in a consistent manner.
APPROACH: For evaluation of temporal variability of ground-water quality in
an arid environment, sampling points will be selected in a VOC-contaminated
aquifer and in an uncontaminated area of southern Nevada. Veils will be
instrumented and monitored. Data will be analyzed to determine their statis-
tical nature and the temporal variability of water quality. Cross-correlation
between chemical indicator parameters and dissolved constituents of the water
will be evaluated for use of indicator parameters as predictors of water
chemistry. For assessment of sampling protocol elements, experiments will
include purging in low permeability materials, field filtering, and decontam-
inating equipment. Field purging studies in a monitoring veil vill address
the extent of draw-down during purging, time of sampling during veil recovery,
and location of sampling device with respect to the screened interval; in-
situ devices that do not need to be purged will be investigated. Filtering
experiments at the field site will include a monitoring well and in-situ
devices; in-line, barrel-type, vacuum-type, and internal filters; and varied
pre-filtration holding times. Laboratory investigation of decontamination
vill involve a bladder pump exposed to a tracer fluid and the use of several
types of rinses and cleansers for varying times.
EPA Coordinator: Jane E. Denne FTS 545-2655
(702) 798-2655
TITLE: Comparative Testing
GOAL: To provide information regarding monitoring-vell sampling equipment
and procedures for obtaining representative water samples and to provide
standard test procedures for evaluating water quality sampling devices.
RATIONALE: RCRA regulations require a ground-water monitoring program at most
facilities. Good and cost-effective ground-water monitoring methods are very
important not only for RCRA sites but also Superfund and other programs that
address water-quality issues. Durable sampling devices that provide repro-
ducible results and do not degrade the integrity of the sample are needed.
For QA, standardized procedures also are needed to assure that the various
methods used are comparable. This research program is of great interest to
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EPA Program and Regional Office personnel as well as other monitoring profes-
sionals who have raised questions regarding ground-water sampling methods and
equipment and who need guidance. Several techniques exist for samples to be
collected from ground-water monitoring wells (e.g., bailing, pumping, and in-
situ samplers). In-situ samplers are significant because they generally avoid
fhe need for well purging. Results of this research will be useful for the
selection of equipment and methods that ensure cost-effectiveness and the
representativeness of collected samples to the actual water quality.
APPROACH: Ground-water monitoring literature was reviewed, and an annotated
bibliography and a sampling device matrix were prepared. Selected sampling
devices have been compared in the field at the Pittman site in Henderson, NV;
a thorough QA/QC plan was written before sampling began. Early results of the
study were reported, and quarterly sampling and evaluations of data continued.
A literature search for information dealing with sampling artifacts was com-
pleted, and a simulated well environment was constructed for development and
testing of the ground-water sampler testing protocol. Purging and sampling
experiments were conducted in a controlled laboratory environment (equipment
designed for this study) to evaluate well purging procedures appropriate to
low-permeability conditions. Results of research are included in reports and
presentations described below which are and will be used by EPA Program and
Regional Office, state, and other ground-water monitoring professionals.
EPA Coordinator: Jane E. Denne FTS 545-2655
(702) 798-2655
TITLE: Meth.-ds for Monitoring Agricultural Impacts on Ground Water
GOAL: To develop and provide monitoring strategies to assess agricultural
impacts on ground-water quality. These strategies will be among scientific
tools provided through the Pollution Prevention Initiative (PPI) for states
to use in developing locally meaningful pesticide management plans aimed
toward protecting ground-water resources.
RATIONALE: Nonpoint source pollution from agricultural activities is a major
environmental problem. Several laws, including the SDWA Amendments of 1986,
the Clean Water Act amendments, and FIFRA, address agricultural chemicals and
nonpoint source pollution. The proposed strategy for agricultural chemicals
in ground water that has been developed by the Office of Pesticides and Toxic
Substances addresses a portion of the pesticide management mandate that is
found in the environmental statutes. Effective implementation will require
development of new and cost-effective monitoring strategies, determination of
vulnerable areas, and predictive models for the fate of pesticides. Tools
developed through this research will assist state natural resource managers in
making sound technical decisions for ground-water protection under the
proposed strategy.
APPROACH: Agricultural chemical data for state and regional areas of the
nation will be accessed and reviewed. A Geographic Information System will be
used to overlay data such as those for water quality, hydrogeology, climate,
cultural development, and chemical application and other agricultural practice
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variables. Large data bases will be used to develop state level, ground-
water quality screening strategies; the system applied to Iowa will be tested
in another state. Data bases as described above will be interpreted for
regional areas of the country where other agricultural chemical in ground-
water studies (e.g., Wellhead Protection investigations, in South Dakota,
Wisconsin, or Arizona; USDA arid study; USGS NAWQA-Region 3 project for
Delmarva Peninsula; or Sustainable Agriculture pollution prevention initiative
in Region 8) could be leveraged to provide maximum results for the small
amount of funding available. Critical factors affecting vulnerability of
ground water to pesticide contamination will be evaluated. Methods for
facilitating state access to appropriate data needed to support monitoring
strategies and vulnerability assessments will be explored. Development of a
monitoring bibliography and automated access system will be investigated.
Based on the information obtained, strategies will be developed addressing
when, where, and how which chemicals should be monitored.
EPA Coordinator: Jane E. Denne FTS 545-2655
(702) 798-2655
TITLE: Data Assessment In-situ Biodegradation of Aromatic Hydrocarbons in
Soil and Ground Water
GOAL: 1) To assess natural biodegradation reactions at spill sites, 2) to
evaluate the fate of soluble hydrocarbon plumes originating from continuous
sources) 3) to implement a transport model and, 4) to produce a determinant
procedure to help guide site managers through site assessment and biocontain-
ment prediction.
RATIONALE: RCRA defines EPA responsibilities to promote understanding among
owner and operators of hazardous waste storage, treatment, and disposal facil-
ities alike. Knowledge of natural degradation process rates at petroleum
storage tank sites is currently severely limited due to the lack of a
standard, veil-tested methodology for the monitoring and quantification of
in-situ degradation rates in subsurface soil and ground-water environments.
Biocontainment of hydrocarbon contamination may proceed without intervention
from the surface under certain conditions. Natural biodegration processes can
be expected to prevent significant migration of contaminants away from the
source of contamination and that once the source of contamination is removed
natural biodegradation would eventually result in complete contaminant removal
from the affected soil or ground water. The costs associated with site clean-
up under natural biocontainment conditions would be related to the continued
monitoring of containment movement.
APPROACH: First, selection of a well defined site of contamination. Next
multilevel ground-water monitoring points will be placed in this site along
with multilevel unsaturated zone sampling points. Ultimately, collection of
data to include: The development of a methodology that could be used to dem-
onstrate biocontainment of soluble hydrocarbon plumes under a variety of
hydrogeologic conditions employing 1) site selection, 2) site hydrology,
3) mechanisms to be monitored, 4) filed investigations and collection of data,
5) contaminant plume delineation and, 6) plume monitoring. Additionally, data
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evaluations and model calibrations using biodegradation rate determination,
plume fate, and transport simulations.
EPA Coordinator: Katrina E. Varner FTS 545-2645
(702) 798-2645
TITLE: XRF Spectroscopy for Field Screening
GOAL: Provide rapid field x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analytical methods for
screening Superfund sites contaminated with metals. Provide rapid in situ
measurement techniques that will reduce sample handling. Provide management
techniques for the large data volume generated by field screening method
development.
RATIONALE: Section 311c of SARA authorizes research on detection methods for
hazardous substances in the environment. Regulations promulgating CERCLA or
SARA require the detection and quantitation of particular pollutants from haz-
ardous waste or Superfund sites. Development of rapid field screening methods
will provide on-site data and optimize Superfund efforts from the initial
investigation stage through field remediation. In situ XRF spectroscopic
methods, combined with computer-managed techniques, enable rapid site cover-
ages not feasible with traditional sampling and analytical methods. Savings
of time and money will also enable Superfund site managers to make better
decisions through minimization of efforts in data tracking, cataloging,
retrieval, display, and interpretation.
APPROACH: To more fully develop XRF spectroscopic techniques for the rapid
screening of hazardous metals at Superfund field sites, the following major
steps are planned: a short study that compares in situ field-portable x-ray
fluorescence (FPXRF) spectroscopy with conventional sample preparation and
homogenization techniques for laboratory XRF spectroscopy will be run. A
second study, of longer duration, will be run on the fundamental parameters in
XRF spectroscopy. A third step, that of providing "standardless" calibration
techniques, will be initiated, including the characterization of multi-
analyte standards. The FPXRF multi-analyte case study (begun last year), will
be completed. When the prototype USRADS-XRF spectrometer system (funded under
Y105/S01/01/01) is delivered to EMSL-LV by Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
tests and experiments at field sites will begin,, including selected Superfund
sites within the EPA Regions.
EPA Coordinator: William H. Engelmann FTS 545-2664
(702) 798-2664
TITLE: Cone Penetrometer Evaluation
GOAL: To provide methods for the detection and assessment of
contamination at Superfund sites, using a cone penetrometer tool.
RATIONALE: CERCLA as amended in 1986 requires a national program to protect
human health and environment from the hazards of inactive waste sites and
spills or releases of hazardous substances. Regional OCSs and RPNs require
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monitoring techniques that quickly and effectively assess the degree of hazard
posed at waste sites. Traditional borings require significantly more time and
expense to complete and may result in uneven holes or masking of actual bore
wall materials. Geophysical techniques using a cone penetrometer, a probe
pushed into unconsolidated sediments with various logging devices, may prove
effective in locating and mapping contamination at depth without the expense
and delay of drilling boreholes. However, methods of equating geophysical
measurements made using cone penetrometers with more traditional tools need to
be developed and/or validated prior to wide implementation. Cone penetro-
meters can provide logs of natural parameters not obtainable via conventional
drilling and eliminate some of the deleterious effects of rotary drilling and
drill mud.
APPROACH: The primary requirement is being able to make direct comparisons
between geophysical measurements made with older methods and those made with
the cone penetrometer (CPT). Essentially, electrical resistivity logs
acquired using CPT need to be compared to similar resistivity logs from a con-
ventionally drilled and logged hole. During FY89 work began on the Quality
Assurance Plan while FY90 saw the first field testing of the new CPT rig,
which became operational in the early summer. During field trials, an oppor-
tunity to evaluate the geophysical head in the detection of floating fuel oil
arose and was incorporated into the data. In FY91 the Quality Assurance Plan
will be completed, comparison measurements will be obtained, and the internal
reports and Journal Article will be prepared. During the comparison testing
various multiple electrode array spacings will be evaluated, as will various
surface to borehole resistivity configurations. Should reliable correlation
be obtained at the initial calibration hole, similar testing done adjacent to
other well-logged holes which penetrate different geologies/soils will be
needed. Once reliable correlation to traditionally obtained data and actual
sample material is achieved and reported, this technique will be available to
be used and further verified via the SCAP funded, Geophysics Technical Support
(Y105, Project 02, Task 02).
EPA Coordinator: J. L. Jack FTS 545-2373
(702) 798-2373
TITLE: Ground-Water Monitoring Methods Standardization
GOAL: To produce voluntary consensus standards for field methods in the
area of environmental monitoring of ground water.
RATIONALE: Subtitle C of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act requires
ground-water monitoring at licensed hazardous waste sites. There is an
ongoing EPA program for the quality assurance of chemical analyses produced
from these monitoring systems, but no program to assure samples are collected
correctly, or that field data gathering is performed according to a set pro-
tocol. Field data must be comparable and consistent, these standard methods
help assure that they are. This program will provide the scientific basis to
standardize the EPA approach to subsurface monitoring.
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APPROACH: Ten task groups have been set up under ASTM guidelines to write
draft standards in the areas of 1) borehole geophysics, 2) vadose zone
monitoring, 3) monitoring well drilling and soil sampling, 4) determination
of hydrogeologic parameters, 5) monitoring well design and construction,
6) ground-water sample collection, handling and field analysis, 7) surface
geophysics, 8) data handling and analysis, 9) monitoring well abandonment,
and 10) ground-water modelling. A person affiliated with EMSL-LV with exper-
tise in the field, has been assigned to each task group. These task groups
meet concurrently and develop draft standards for delivery to ASTM for
balloting. At the same time, they are delivered to EPA as internal reports
for dissemination and comments by the laboratories, program offices, and
regional offices. These standards will provide a means of quality assurance
of ground-water quality monitoring and are a method of transfer of knowledge
and technology from experts in various phases of ground-water monitoring.
EPA Coordinator: Steven P. Gardner FTS 545-2580
(702) 798-2580
TITLE: Innovative Monitoring Devices for Wellhead Protection
GOAL: To provide guidance to state and local managers of Wellhead
Protection Areas regarding innovative and cost effective methods of monitoring
large areas.
RATIONALE: As a result of the passage of the 1986 amendments to the Safe
Drinking Water Act a nationwide program to protect ground water resources used
for public supplies was established - the Wellhead Protection Program. EPA is
responsible for providing guidance to the state to implement and manage well-
head protection programs. Guidance for delineating WHPAs has already been
provided, and guidance for the design of monitoring networks is currently
being developed under C104/F81/01/03. Monitoring is one type of management
strategy that can be used alone, or in conjunction with land use controls, to
prevent new pollution of an aquifier and provide early detection of contami-
nation. Wellhead Protection Areas are areally extensive and innovative and
more cost effective ways of monitoring for contamination must be found. All
types of information, not just chemical analyses, must be integrated by the
Wellhead Protection Area Manager to make decisions regarding aquifier
management.
APPROACH: Literature and laboratory surveys will assess continuous monito-
ring and sample extraction devices for VHPA monitoring. Devices that can
quantify in situ analyte concentrations could have particular applicability in
monitoring the large areas of WHPA's. These devices could provide a screening
method for early detection of contaminants and may provide a large cost
savings over the traditional methods of monitoring well sampling and
laboratory analysis. This research would assess the current and emerging
technology related to innovative monitoring devices applicable to VHP program.
Various thermal, mass, electrochemical, and optical sensors will be evaluated
in terms of their development and the immediate needs of the VHP community. A
guidance document will be prepared on the use of innovative monitoring devices
in WHPA's for delivery to state and local managers implementing monitoring in
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their WHPA's. An internal report identifying promising new technologies
deserving further research and development will be delivered to EPA.
EPA Coordinator: Steven P. Gardner FTS 545-2580
(702) 798-2580
TITLE: Vadose Zone Monitoring
GOAL: (1) Provide performance criteria for equipment; (2) Provide
standardized procedures for testing performance; (3) Provide standardized
procedures for equipment installation; (4) Provide guidance for selecting
monitoring parameters; and (5) Provide monitoring strategies.
RATIONALE: RCRA regulations under Subtitle C currently require vadose zone
monitoring at land treatment facilities. This requirement is imposed in order
to protect ground water by providing an early warning for the possible migra-
tion of hazardous constituents in leachates produced from these open-end
systems. Upcoming RCRA regulations will extend vadose zone monitoring
requirements to many more types of waste facilities covered under Subtitle C
and we anticipate that they will eventually be extended to some types of
facilities covered under Subtitle D. Development and acceptance of standards
and for vadose zone monitoring equipment and installation techniques are
essential for the successful implementation of the vadose zone monitoring
strategy. This work also supports superfund.
APPROACH: Evaluate the performance and efficiency of vadose zone monitoring
equipment, determine limits for application, and establish installation pro-
cedures. Provide guidance for the selection and application of specific types
of monitoring. Develop specifications and standardized testing procedures for
equipment and incorporate into drafts suitable for presentation to ASTM for
peer acceptance. Evaluate significant vadose zone monitoring strategies pro-
posed by others and either support or refute through peer review literature or
peer review processes such as that carried out through ASTM. In particular,
evaluate (1) Transferability of ground-water monitoring-well installation
techniques; (2) Transferability of traditional installation techniques deve-
loped for agricultural studies; (3) Influence of installation techniques on
samples or measurement data representativeness; (4) Improved installation
techniques that account for site spatial and temporal variability; (5) Special
installation requirements (e.g., slant drilling, fractured rock, karst litho-
logy, etc.); (6) Dept and spacing requirements; (7) New technologies for
monitoring device installation (e.g., Flowmole); and (8) Techniques that can
be used in combination to improve system design and performance. Prepare
draft standards or detailed outlines for presentation to ASTM for acceptance.
EPA Coordinator: Larry Eccles FTS 545-2385
(702) 798-2385
TITLE: Field Methods for UST Investigations and Monitoring
GOAL: To further develop an understanding of vapor and ground-water
monitoring problems around UST and devise practical solutions for state
27
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regulators and consultants. To develop, evaluate, and streamline site
characterization techniques and procedures that will be used to determine the
need for remediation as well as the preferred method of cleanup. To provide
technology transfer of this information in a timely manner.
RATIONALE: Work will begin as the first year of a three year cooperative
agreement with the University of Connecticut. A prior cooperative agreement
was tremendously successful and the results have received national attention
and high praise. Work under this cooperative agreement will apply many of the
research results developed at the campus service stations to stations around
Connecticut, particularly to LUST Trust fund sites. There is a strong demand
for the information that will be produced by the University of Connecticut.
OUST, as well as regulators in many states, is trying to streamline remedia-
tion efforts and an integral part of this effort is the application of field-
screening techniques. Current practices stretch out the time before remedia-
tion to several months or even years. This project will be coordinated with
other UST research projects, particularly with regard to bioremediation
monitoring. The results of this research are expected to impact RCRA and
CERCLA as well as the UST program.
APPROACH: Soil-gas surveying and ground-water monitoring will be conducted
at several LUST Trust Fund sites in Connecticut. Previous research by the Pis
have resulted in modifying several field-screening techniques. These proced-
ures will undergo further evaluation and refinement as they are applied by
regulators in Connecticut. One of the research topics under investigation
will be the three-dimensional distribution of contaminants, particularly the
fraction dissolved in ground water. One aspect of that research will be the
influence of purging on delineation of ground-water contaminant plumes. New
field screening methods will be developed, the VOA headspace method will be
improved, and a new method for soil air permeability will be evaluated.
Technology transfer efforts during FY91 will include courses for state
regulators.
EPA Coordinator: Iris Goodman/ FTS 545-2623
Katrina Varner (702) 798-2623
TITLE: Information Integration Software for Ground-Water Quality
Assessments
GOAL: To provide a "toolbox" of software packages and methods for
extracting useful information from data bases of ground-water monitoring
information. To disseminate this methodology among ground-water
professionals, researchers, and policy makers.
RATIONALE: Under the Resources Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended in
1984, and The Safe Drinking Water Act Amendment of 1986, many state and local
agencies routinely collect environmental data to meet a variety of objectives.
Many large data bases are being compiled by the EPA, other Federal agencies,
the Department of Defense, and state and local governments. A need exists for
a methodology to cost effectively extract knowledge from the vast amount of
data being collected.
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APPROACH: The University of Iowa has implemented several major ground-water
quality data bases at the University of Iowa Computing Facility. These data
bases include several million chemical (analytical) measurements from
thousands of veils at ambient locations, public water supply systems and
hazardous waste sites. They have acquired additional hardware and software
resources to process, analyze, and interpret the data in these data bases.
With the assistance of existing software, they have developed procedures to
create several transformed data bases from each original data base. They have
also written numerous macro-procedures to produce plots, charts, tables,
statistical tests, and analyses of data from these data bases. What is
missing is the documentation for this step-by-step process by which data from
diverse data bases have been brought together to answer specific analytical
questions. As a part of this effort, an information-integration document will
be developed based on findings published in the open literature as well as the
results of research from the last five years of effort at the University of
Iowa, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and the US EPA.
EPA Coordinator: Steven P. Gardner FTS 545-2580
(702) 798-2580
TITLE: Technology Transfer and Hands-On Demonstration
GOAL: To provide technology transfer of current, rapidly evolving, state-
of-the-art ground-water monitoring to EPA, State, and other orofessionals
involved with ground-water monitoring.
RATIONALE: SDWA, CERCLA, and RCRA require that underground drinking water
sources be protected from contamination. Ground-water monitoring data provide
assurance that protection is being attained and may be used in assessment or
remediation of ground-water contamination. As new technology and methods are
developed and properly applied, the quality, comparability, and cost-
effectiveness of hydrogeologic data gathered in RCRA and Superfund site
investigations and monitoring, as well as in other EPA-related activities,
should be significantly improved. This project will allow a wide range of
monitoring professionals to keep abreast of state-of-the-art equipment and
methods that will enhance their ability to effectively monitor and protect
ground water.
APPROACH: Several activities are to be performed for technology transfer.
They are development of a workshop on monitoring well construction, publica-
tion of a bibliography/newsletter, co-sponsorship of the Darcy Lecture series,
and other ground-water technology transfer for hazardous waste sites. Tech-
nology transfer will emphasize topics of current concern to practicing pro-
fessionals. Monitoring topics to be covered include, but are not limited to,
unsaturated and saturated zone monitoring (e.g., soil gas monitoring, drill-
ing, and well design and installation); surface geophysical methods; site
characterization;'aquifer tests; and ground-water sample collection, handling,
and field analyses. The bibliography/newsletter described current monitoring
literature, legislation, and the Technology Support Centers and was submitted
for publication in Ground-Water Monitoring Review. Technology transfer
29
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activities will focus on the best methods for quickly and cost-effectively
providing information to those who need it.
EPA Coordinator: Jane E. Denne FTS 545-2655
(702) 798-2655
TITLE: Ground-Water Monitoring for Municipal Waste Combustion Ash
GOAL: Identify key ground-water monitoring issues pertaining to municipal
waste combustion (MWC) ash disposal facilities. Provide technical guidance to
regulators of MWC ash units on monitoring well sampling and leachate
characterization.
RATIONALE: Legislation is pending in Congress that would exempt MWC ash
from RCRA, Subtitle C (Hazardous Waste) and require EPA to develop special
regulations for MWC ash under Subtitle D (Non-Hazardous Waste). Technical
information will be required to support the development of regulations for
mrnitoring of ground water at Subtitle D MWC ash disposal facilities. Since
this is a new area with little data, this can only be obtained from a
laboratory study of leaching behavior correlated with actual ground-water
monitoring data from the disposal facilities that provide the ash samples.
APPROACH: Data on leachate characteristics from various types of existing
Subtitle D facilities which receive MWC ash have been collected and evaluated.
This initial effort has indicated that only a small number of constituents
(sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, chloride, sulfate, and bicarbonate)
account for 99 percent of the readily mobile contaminant mass associated with
MWC ash. In order to verify these results, ash samples from several active
MWC ash generators will be obtained and subjected to laboratory leaching
experiments. The objective will be to characterize the behavior of MWC ash in
standardized laboratory test procedures and to evaluate the sensitivity of
leaching results to controllable factors such as solid-liquid ratio, leaching
time, replicate analysis, and sampling frequency. In addition, the laboratory
results will be substantiated by comparison with leachate data and ground-
water monitoring data generated by each of the facilities included in the
study. The results will provide the technical basis for a cost-effective
ground-water monitoring strategy and the necessary implementation guidance
that is appropriate for RCRA Subtitle D MWC ash monofills.
EPA Coordinator: William H. Engelmann FTS 545-2664
(702) 798-2664
TITLE: Wellhead Protection Technical Assistance/Technology Transfer
GOAL: To provide technical assistance and technical transfer of
information developed during monitoring and GIS research supported by
C104/F89/01 Projects 01 and 02 and C104/F81/01 Project 03. The recipients of
this information will be state and local managers and technical staff working
in wellhead protection.
30
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RATIONALE: As a result of the passage of the 1986 amendments to the Safe
Drinking Water Act a nationwide program to protect ground water resources used
for public supplies was established - the Wellhead Protection Program. EPA is
responsible for providing guidance to the states to implement and manage well-
head protection programs. This task will provide the vehicle to transfer
information developed in other Wellhead Protection research projects to the
local managers of Wellhead Protection Areas. This will help them make
informed decisions regarding ground-water monitoring and information manage-
ment at the local level.
APPROACH: EMSL-LV operates a Technology Support Center for Monitoring and
Site Characterization, which provides assistance to EPA Regional personnel
working with sites regulated under CERCLA and RCRA. This assistance includes
geophysical, ground-water, and vadoze-zone investigations. Questions pertain-
ing to hydrogeology, contaminant chemistry, and ground-water monitoring are
also addressed. The EMSL-LV Geographic Information System Research Group is
currently providing support to the Regions for delineating WHPAs by coupling
ground-water models with a GIS system. EMSL-LV will increase its level of
technical support to include state and local agencies through:
Technical review of site-specific WHP plans, monitoring network
designs, sampling plans, delineation methodology, and source
identification and characterization documents.
Site visits to participate in routine field work, implement and
test laboratory-developed technologies, and document case-studies
research.
Preparation of educational materials to facilitate information
dissemination in such forms as electronic bulletin boards,
technical assistance documents (TADs), brochures, pamphlets, and
short courses.
EPA Coordinator: Steven P. Gardner FTS 545-2580
(702) 798-2580
TITLE: Ground-Water Monitoring Strategies for Wellhead Protection
GOAL: The purpose of this effort is to prepare a guidance document con-
cerning monitoring strategies for wellhead protection areas (WHPA). Monito-
ring is a type of management strategy that can be used in wellhead protection
areas along with land use controls for early warning and pollution prevention.
RATIONALE: As a result of the passage of the 1986 amendments to the Safe
Drinking Water Act a nationwide program to protect ground water resources used
for public supplies was established - the Wellhead Protection Program. EPA is
responsible for providing guidance to the states to implement and manage
wellhead protection programs. Guidance for delineating WHPAs has already been
provided, the next step is to develop guidance for the design of monitoring
networks. Elements of the Wellhead Protection Program include delineation of
a Wellhead Protection Area, identification of contaminant sources, selection
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of management approaches, and development of contingency plan. Monitoring
networks in Wellhead Protection Area can provide hydrogeologic information to
support area delineation, detection of unknown contaminant sources, and be
used as a management approach.
APPROACH: This project will include four tasks. These include contacting
state and local agencies which are implementing or trying to implement a VHP
program, develop the background information for monitoring network design,
develop and discuss case studies and prepare a guidance document for distri-
bution to the states. Case studies will be funded with 5 or 6 small coopera-
tive agreements to municipalities. These municipalities will design a monit-
oring network for their wellhead protection area based on their unique hydro-
geology and contaminant distribution. These case studies will be tracked by
LESC and included in the monitoring strategy document. Municipalities funded
in FY89 include Littleton, MA; Dover, NH; Stevens Point, VI; Springfield, MO;
and Souix Falls, SD. A case study in Salt Lake County, UT may be funded to
design a monitoring system in a confined hydrogeology. Additional funding for
this case study will come from RSKERL and Region 8. The confined case study
will be written up in a separate technical assistance document.
EPA Coordinator: Steven P. Gardner FTS 545-2580
(702) 798-2580
TITLE: Vadose Zone Monitoring
GOAL: (1) Provide performance criteria for equipment; (2) Provide
standardized procedures for testing performance; (3) Provide standardized
procedures for equipment installation; (4) Provide guidance for selecting
monitoring parameters; and (5) Provide monitoring strategies.
RATIONALE: RCRA regulations under Subtitle C currently require vadose zone
monitoring at land treatment facilities. This requirement is imposed in order
to protect ground water by providing an early warning for the possible migra-
tion of hazardous constituents in leachates produced from these open-end
systems. Upcoming RCRA regulations will extend vadose zone monitoring
requirements to many more types of waste facilities covered under Subtitle C
and we anticipate that they will eventually be extended to some types of
facilities covered under Subtitle D. Development and acceptance of standards
and for vadose zone monitoring equipment and installation techniques are
essential for the successful implementation of the vadose zone monitoring
strategy.
APPROACH: Evaluate the performance and efficiency of vadose zone monitoring
equipment, determine limits for application, and establish installation pro-
cedures. Provide guidance for the selection and application of specific types
of monitoring. Develop specifications and standardized testing procedures for
equipment and incorporate into drafts suitable for presentation to ASTM for
peer acceptance. -Evaluate significant vadose zone monitoring strategies pro-
posed by others and either support or refute through peer review literature or
peer review processes such as that carried out through ASTM. In particular,
evaluate (1) Transferability of ground-water monitoring-well installation
32
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techniques; (2) Transferability of traditional installation techniques deve-
loped for agricultural studies; (3) Influence of installation techniques on
samples or measurement data representativeness; (4) Improved installation
techniques that account for site spatial and temporal variability; (5) Special
installation requirements (e.g., slant drilling, fractured rock, karst litho-
logy, etc.); (6) Dept and spacing requirements; (7) New technologies for
monitoring device installation (e.g., Flowmole); and (8) Techniques that can
be used in combination to improve system design and performance. Prepare
draft standards or detailed outlines for presentation to ASTM for acceptance.
EPA Coordinator: Larry Eccles FTS 545-2385
(702) 798-2385
TITLE: Geophysics Technical Support
GOAL: To provide geophysical technical support to Regional hazardous
waste site investigations.
RATIONALE: Regional OSCs and RPMs require investigative and monitoring tech-
niques which are able to provide information on subsurface pollutants at
Superfund sites. Geophysical techniques have proven to be effective in
detecting and defining subsurface wastes quickly and economically, and are
generally employed early in the overall investigative program. However, geo-
physics is a highly technical field having a wide variety of individual tech-
niques and applications not generally known to Regional personnel. While the
Regional contractor can often handle routine geophysical work, some problems
require a higher level of expertise. This task provides the Regions with that
higher level of geophysical support needed in such circumstances. It also
provides for assistance in developing QA/QC plans which insure quality
geophysical work is obtained from Regional contractors.
APPROACH: Geophysical support to assist in planning, conducting special
geophysical surveys, or to provide QA/QC assistance is provided through LESC,
DRI, USGS, COE, and EPA ENSL-LV personnel. Mechanisms, to provide technical
support, are in place with all of these organizations to take advantage of
specialized expertise that lies in each. This is necessary due to the large
number of different geophysical techniques that could be considered in an
investigation. Some of the geophysical techniques are as follows: ground
penetrating radar, EM, d.c. resistivity, magnetometry, seismic surveys, and
borehole geophysical loggers. This task provides for the overhead, workplans,
assistance, and reports for these SCAP technical support activities. Other
tasks under this project provide for related activities. FY91 funding levels
are estimates; all FY-91 funds will be from regional offices requesting the
technical support (SCAP funds estimated at $100K) or OSWER (Technical Support
Center funds, estimated at $300K).
EPA Coordinator: J. Lary Jack FTS 545-2373
(702) 798-2373
TITLE: Veil Casing Material Comparison
GOAL: To provide guidance on the effects of various well casing materials
on water quality sample integrity for varying hydrogeochemical conditions.
33
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RATIONALE: SDVA, CERCLA, and RCRA require that underground drinking water
sources be protected from contamination. Assurance that protection is being
attained is provided by water quality data from monitoring wells. These wells
should provide representative water samples and should not themselves produce
contamination. EPA Program Office and Regional personnel as well as others
involved with ground-water monitoring have expressed concern regarding the
effects of well casing and screen materials on the validity of water quality
samples. At least one Region is currently being challenged over its well
casing materials position. The combination of field and laboratory research
should provide effective answers to questions about appropriate well casings
and screens for various hydrogeochemical conditions.
APPROACH: Laboratory and field studies will be conducted that go beyond the
preliminary EMSL-LV research efforts with the Illinois State Water Survey and
National Water Well Association. A field comparison of 304 and 316 stainless
steel, fiberglass, PVC, and PTFE casing for low level volatile organic and
metallic parameters is to be done at a former, permitted hazardous waste dis-
posal facility near Wilsonville, IL. A long-term PVC casing field test will
be done to evaluate casing integrity in ground water with low levels of
organic contaminants. Laboratory studies will compare different casing and
screen materials under a variety of conditions. Frequency and timing of
sample collection will be selected with consideration of field ground-water
sampling procedures. Results will be compiled in a guidance document.
EPA Coordinator: Katrina E. Varner FTS 545-2645
(702) 798-2645
TITLE: External Vapor Monitoring Sensors
GOAL: Evaluate various sensors that are used for external vapor
monitoring of petroleum hydrocarbons. In order to 1) provide information, 2)
further characterization, and 3) develop a classification system on individual
sensor types (i.e., fiber optic, semiconductors, and pelistors). Provide a
usefulness scale for consumers.
RATIONALE: Subtitle C of RCRA requires EPA to promulgate regulations for
owners and operators of hazardous waste storage, treatment, and disposal
facilities. These regulations are found in 40 CFR, part 264. Evaluation
of sensors will help in that effort, by screening methods and the optimization
of field efforts. Various field-deployable devices will be available commer-
cially which will monitor the classification and concentration of hydro-
carbons. There is a current need to provide information to a vide and diverse
range of consumers concerning external vapor monitoring sensors. These con-
cerns lead to discoveries of information for both the positive and negative
points about a particular sensor, therefore the consumer can make a more
informed decision.on what type to use for his applications.
APPROACH: Study and evaluate various sensors for sensitivity and specifity
levels of petroleum hydrocarbons. In doing so, further developmental efforts
in advancement of external vapor monitoring devices. Areas of concern
include: 1) precision and accuracy, 2) limits of detection, 3) false positive
34
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and/or false negative data, and 4) potential interferences. Studies to be
performed in laboratory controlled climates; evaluating temperature and
humidity, the major interferants with many sensors. Methane will also
beevaluated as it too has posed problems. The work will be performed by the
Mellon Research Institute of Carnegie Mellon University.
EPA Coordinator: Katrina E. Varner FTS 545-2645
(702) 798-2645
TITLE: Evaluation of Passive Vapor Samplers
GOAL: To produce a report that compares at least three types of passi"<*
samplers that could be used for soil-gas monitoring. To describe the major
interferents (e.g. moisture), the optimal time interval for exposing the
sensors, and the precision as veil as accuracy for the samplers evaluated.
RATIONALE: The use of passive vapor samplers has considerable potential for
soil-gas surveys and vapor monitoring around UST. Some of these samplers are
currently being used, however, there has been distrust and criticism of the
data they generate. The major variables that influence the results will be
addressed and they include: time of exposure in the subsurface, interferents,
and variability between sensors of the same type. The product of this
research is intended to be a Tank Issue paper for UST specialists that pro-
vides an understanding of the capabilities and limitations of passive vapor
samplers.
APPROACH: This laboratory study is divided into two phases and has been
conducted at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The first phase was the
development of soil columns for the investigation of hydrocarbon vapor diffu-
sion with different temperature and moisture contents. The second phase,
being conducted in FY91, will evaluate the precision, accuracy, and variabil-
ity of passive vapor samplers. Other questions that will be addressed include
the influence of humidity and time of exposure on the resulting data.
EPA Coordinator: Katrina E. Varner FTS 545-2623
Iris Goodman (702) 798-2623
TITLE: In Situ Fiber Optic Field Spectrofluorometer (Luminoscope)
GOAL: Provide advanced-design portable UV-visible Spectrofluorometer
(Luminoscope) capable of in situ field screening for poly aromatic hydro-
carbons (PAH's) in water, soils, and waste materials. Provide improved lumi-
nescence analytical methods, including synchronous luminescence for less spec-
tral overlap and improved PCA and PAH "fingerprints." Provide technology
transfer for commercial manufacturing of the advanced Luminoscope and
Luminescence PCB methods for standardization by ASTM.
RATIONALE: Subtitle C of RCRA requires EPA to promulgate regulations for
protecting ground water from releases of hazardous waste. Development of
rapid portable field spectrofluorometers will support RCRA remediation
efforts, enabling more timely on-site decision making. This will also provide
a method for 1) rapid field screening by luminescent techniques; 2) screening
35
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samples at abandoned waste storage, treatment, and disposal facilities; and 3)
rapid evaluation of RCRA sites and personnel for potential exposure to
hazardous materials in emergency response situations. Therefore, lumines-
cence screening of waste materials and samples at abandoned sites is a highly-
desired rapid spectrofluorometric field method and is essential to keep field
analysis costs down and to shorten the time before implementing RCRA
remediation procedures.
APPROACH: The first modification of the commercial Luminoscope was delivered
to EMSL-LV at the end of FY90 as prototype I. With synchronous scanning and
reduced spectral overlap, this version has field deployability from a trailer
(AC-power). Demonstrations will be scheduled at Regional field sites.
Further modifications of the Luminoscope would be cost-effective steps to
advance in situ field capability. Following the trend toward smaller instru-
ments, prototype II will be downsized and be battery powered to provide full
field portability. A laptop computer will be adapted for data collection,
spectral display and control and management functions of the Luminoscope. By
early 1991 design engineering will be completed for repackaging the compo-
nents of the advanced prototype into a compact carrying case (8 kg or 17 Ib
weight). A companion case will be designed to contain the battery pack and
store the controlling laptop computer. The result will be two carrying cases
of about equal weight for very easy portability to the field screening site.
Use of either a 5-meter long quartz fiber optic probe for in situ measurements
or cuvette for micro-extracted samples will allow immediate luminescence
determinations. In addition, all new luminescence techniques developed in the
laboratory in the course of instrument modifications will subsequently be
field tested. Emphasis will be placed first on in situ analysis of PCBs and
PAHs in water, soil and waste materials. This will be followed by applica-
tions to luminescence detection of crude oil contamination, particularly since
oil spills are now being given increased attention from the recent turnaround
in oil exploration.
EPA Coordinator: William H. Engelmann FTS 545-2664
(702) 798-2664
TITLE: "In-Soil" Diffusion Coefficient (UST)
GOAL: 1) To determine the "in-soil" diffusion coefficients of trichloro-
ethylene and butane. 2) Try to establish a functional relationship between
concentration levels, location of contaminants and time of contamination. The
results vill be used to predict concentration levels at depths and the time
sequence of contamination associated with spills or leaking tanks from con-
taminant releases at the soil surface. 3) Attempt to scale down the apparatus
and define the barrier effects.
RATIONALE: The Office of Underground Storage Tanks (OUST) is now placing
emphasis on remediation of UST sites. This study will provide valuable
information for remediation as well as monitoring.
APPROACH: Six small-scale cylindrical containers will be constructed for
test chambers. These cylinders will be filled with a mixture of sand and silt
to produce a porosity of .25 to .40. Then, a constant source of chemical con-
taminate (vapor) will be placed at the bottom of each cylinder. The cylinders
36
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will be equipped to measure the diffusion rate of the gas through them using
ports in the side of the cylinder. During these experiments external factors
(i.e., temperature, humidity and soil moisture) will be controlled. Once the
initial tests are completed we will build smaller scaled versions to test the
barrier effects.
EPA Coordinator: Katrina E. Varner FTS 545-2645
(702) 798-2645
TITLE: Free Product Monitoring
GOAL: To field test ?nd improve on a device that can measure accurately
and quickly the thickness of a free product plume on a shallow aquifer. To
test methods for measuring free product thickness in order to delineate its
distribution in these dimensions. To develop and evaluate a well pack that
will optimize the monitoring and skimming of fuel in the water table.
RATIONALE: The Office of Underground Storage Tanks (OUST) is focusing on
remediation of UST sites. This project would support that emphasis by
providing a quick screening tool for delineation of free product at an UST
site. It also would help determine the progress of remediation efforts and
improve the practice of free product skimming.
APPROACH: A prototype device will be evaluated and improved. Tests will be
conducted in the laboratory and in the field at a fuel spill in Michigan. The
results will be compared to other approaches including ground penetrating
radar. This device will consist of two tubes, one inside the other. The
inner tube will be rotated to expose the detectors (dye material or electric
sensors) that will indicate fuel thickness. Research also will be conducted
to evaluate the influence of hydrophobic well-construction materials in free-
product monitoring and in improved recovery of free product by skimming off
the water table. Field tests will also be conducted to evaluate various
tracers for free product and their value in site characterization studies.
EPA Coordinator: Iris Goodman/ FTS 545-2623
Katrina E. Varner(702) 798-2623
TITLE: Tank Issue Papers
GOAL: To provide products to the public that will help transfer the
research findings of EMSL-LV to UST problems. The goal is to intermittently
publish issue papers that focus on the practical information needs of
regulators and practitioners.
RATIONALE: There is a strong need in the UST program to provide timely
information to a wide range of people involved with underground storage tanks.
A tremendous number of owner/operators, consultants, and regulators have an
interest in this subject. Most of these people are new to the field and there
is a variety of information "nuggets" related to ground water, soils, hydro-
carbon chemistry, etc. that they would find helpful.
APPROACH: A series of papers will be produced through the Environmental
Research Center in cooperation with OUST and other ORD laboratories. They
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will be published and distributed by CERI. These issue papers will be based
on field experience as well as research and are expected to represent the
"state-of-the-knowledge" on relevant UST topics. A paper may be developed
and written by one person or a group of experts but in any case each paper
will receive considerable review.
EPA Coordinator: Iris Goodman/ FTS 545-2623
Katrina E. Varner(702) 798-2623
TITLE: Gasoline Leakage - Laboratory Model
GOAL: To provide time-lapse videos and computer graphics on results of
physical model testing. The tests will quantitatively characterize hydro-
carbon liquid and vapor movement in the vadose zone and across the water table
with small- and moderate-size physical models.
RATIONALE: Assessment and characterization of UST sites can be improved by
examining how variables such as fuel type, leak rate, moisture content, tem-
perature, and backfill relates to the distribution of contaminants. This
project not only allows information to be gathered to address those variables
but also enhances the ability to distribute this information by providing
video records that can be viewed as stand-alone videos or used as a segment in
other videos.
APPROACH: This work has been conducted at Arizona State University but will
switch to the University of Nevada - Las Vegas during FY91. The project
involves controlled laboratory experiments where petroleum fuel is leaked into
glass-walled tanks filled with various backfill materials. Parameters that
are varied in the sand-tank apparatus include: fuel type, leak rate, mois-
ture, and soil distribution as well as permeability. Time-lapse video photo-
graphy will record liquid movements in the tanks. Gas samples will be perio-
dically withdrawn from a network of sampling ports throughout the tank and
analyzed by gas chromatography. In addition, computer graphics will be
developed based on the findings.
EPA Coordinator: Iris Goodman/ FTS 545-2623
Katrina E. Varner(702) 798-2623
TITLE: UST Subcommittee - ASTM
GOAL: To accelerate the development of ASTM standards related to
underground storage tanks (UST). The goal is for ASTM to generate consensus
standards that can be referred to by state regulations. The standards will be
primarily related to leak detection monitoring, site assessment, and
remediation.
RATIONALE: The responsibilities for carrying out the UST program are pri-
marily in the hands of the states. EPA can provide assistance by working on
guidance that is based on the consensus of interested parties. ASTM provides
an ideal opportunity to bring together regulators, vendors, researchers etc.
to develop standards. By supporting this project, EPA can help set the agenda
for standards development but not have to take on the full burdens of cost and
effort to produce this guidance.
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APPROACH: The Underground Storage Tank Subcommittee of ASTM has been active
in the past and has produced a Standard Guide and Standard Practice for leak
detection monitoring. The future effort will be to support the development of
standards under task groups related to site assessment and remediation as well
as leak detection monitoring. The states are facing many common questions
such as procedures for streaming and improving their remediation efforts. The
ASTM Task Groups, as an example, will reach a consensus and publish such
procedures. This effort is shared by OUST and the Edison Laboratory which
will provide confounding.
EPA Coordinator: Iris Goodman/ FTS 545-2623
Katrina E. Varner(702) 798-2623
TITLE: Ground-Water Monitoring for Wellhead Protection
GOAL: To provide states and local municipalities with technologies and
methods that will enable them to monitor for potential contamination in their
wellhead protection areas.
RATIONALE: The 1986 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act provide for the
implementation of Wellhead Protection Programs around public water supply
wells. One option for management of a wellhead protection area is the instal-
lation and operation of a ground-water monitoring network. Methodologies need
to be developed to help local entities design and implement monitoring systems
for these Wellhead Protection Areas. Systems are also need to management data
developed by these monitoring systems.
APPROACH: A Data Base Management System for Wellhead Protection will be
designed and tested. An assessment of monitoring devices that can cheaply
provide information on contaminant concentrations in the really extensive
Wellhead Protection Areas will be performed. A project will be started to
provide technical assistance and technical transfer to the State and local
agencies implementing Wellhead Protection.
EPA Coordinator: Steven P. Gardner FTS 545-2580
(702) 798-2580
TITLE: Monitoring Around Permeable Remediation Barrier
GOAL: This study will conduct ground-water monitoring around a permeable
peat barrier designed to remove petroleum contaminants from the ground water.
RATIONALE: There is a need to evaluate passive methods of remediation at UST
sites. This study will investigate the innovative use of various permeable
barriers as a remediation tool. The study will be conducted in cooperation
with EPA's lab in'Edison, New Jersey. EMSL-LV will be responsible for the
monitoring aspects while Edison will support the development of the various
approaches. The barrier installation costs will be paid for by the U.S. Army
at the Fort Bragg study site similarly the RP will pay the costs at any other
study sites.
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APPROACH: An initial study has been conducted that defined the physical and
chemical characteristics of several peats and determined their capacity to
adsorb petroleum hydrocarbons. This study will include the monitoring of
dissolved hydrocarbons in ground-water up gradient, on the sides, and down
gradient of permeable barriers that have peat, carbon, and time-released
fertilizer.
EPA Coordinator: Iris Goodman/ FTS 545-2623
Katrina E. Varner(702) 798-2623
TITLE: Development/Demonstration/Evaluation of Field Screening Methods
GOAL: (1) Develop and evaluate x-ray/UV-visible fluorescence
spectroscopic methods and technologies for Superfund sites; (2) Transfer the
new technology to the user community by encouraging the commercial licensing
of the technologies; (3) Continue developmental work on advancing the
technology to achieve cost-effectiveness to the degree necessary to facilite
commercialization of those technically superior field monitoring methods that
currently lack cost-effectiveness.
RATIONALE: Section 311(b) of SARA requires EPA to establish . . ."a program
of research, evaluation, testing, development, and demonstration of alter-
native or innovative treatment technologies . . .". Accordingly, the "SITE"
program (Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation) was developed. The
Monitoring and Measurement Technologies phase of SITE addresses this require-
ment. The magnitude of environmental screening potentially required by the
swelling number of Superfund sites is staggering. Development of compact,
portable spectroscopic instrumentation and sensitive chemical sensors is
urgently needed to respond to this accelerating need for Suoerfund site
screening (EMSL-LV has supported early development of chemical sensors as well
as advanced prototype spectrometers which has facilitated their commercializ-
ation). The need remains to further develop and improve the down sizing and
portability of field screening instruments, as well as related technical
improvements in chemical sensors.
APPROACH: Innovation in field monitoring systems has advanced in electronic
designs featuring faster speed, miniaturization, increased sensitivity, more
computer control of the data management, as well as substantial improvement in
the instrument's detector. Advances in field screening instrumentation
include the September 1990 delivery of the "Luminoscope," an advanced proto-
type field-deployable spectrometer for screening of PCBs or PAHs and other
moleculer contaminants. Developed by DOE-ORNL, it will be taken to the field
(including Regional Superfund sites) to provide real-time screening of water
or moist soil in situ (using a 5-meter long fiber-optic probe), yielding
either fluorescence or phosphorescence spectra, or synchronous scanning spec-
tra. Another advanced prototype instrument, planned for demonstration and
evaluation in the field (including EPA Regional Superfund sites), is the
ultrasonic ranging and data system (USRADS) interfaced to an x-ray fluores-
cence (XRF) metals analyzer (spectrometer). Developed also through an IAG
with DOE-ORNL, this portable prototype will provide very rapid production of
a 3-D contour plot, using computer graphics capability (field trailer). A
1-2 orders of magnitude increase in speed and efficiency will result with this
system, over conventional XRF data linked to geographical surveying points
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(USRADA-XRF delivery is expected in November 1990). Another new candidate for
advancing field monitoring systems include novel chemical films and coatings
on the sensor that respond to UV-visible light when contacting PCBs or PAHs.
EPA Coordinator: William H. Engelmann FTS 545-2664
(702) 798-2664
TITLE: Subsurface Monitoring and Quality Assurance for RCRA
GOAL: To provide subsurface monitoring methods and guidance assurance for
RCRA site evaluation, monitoring, and remediation.
RATIONALE: Subtitle C of the RCRA as amended in 1984 requires EPA to
promulgate standards for protecting ground water from releases of hazardous
waste. On-going revisions to the ground-water monitoring regulations require
development and standardization of subsurface monitoring techniques for site
monitoring and assessment. Parameters affecting analytical results need to be
identified and quantified, if possible.
APPROACH: Develop unsaturated zone monitoring equipment specifications,
performance standards, and sitting criteria. Evaluate and explain the
temporal and spatial variability present in the analysis of ground-water
samples. Examine the effects of monitoring well drilling methods and casing
material selection on the sample. Test and compare existing and new in situ
ground-water samplers. Prepare standard methods for vadose zone and saturated
zone monitoring and submit proposed methods to Subcommittee D18.21 on Ground-
Water Monitoring of ASTM for acceptance as voluntary consensus standards.
EPA Coordinator: Steven P. Gardner FTS 545-2580
(702) 798-2580
TITLE: Molecular Spectroscopic Field Screening Methods
GOAL: Provide rapid molecular spectroscopic (UV-vis-near IR) fieldable
and portable instrumentation and methods for screening for the following
hazardous materials: PAHs, PCBs, and other halogenated aromatic compounds,
phenols, selected pesticides, uranium, and other heavy metals.
RATIONALE: Section 311c of SARA authorizes research for detecting hazardous
substances in the environment. Advanced in situ field screening and moni-
toring methods and instrumentation allow major savings in time and analysis
costs and more efficient selection of samples if confirmation by other methods
is desired. Many Superfund sites contain hazardous PAHs from heavy petroleum
oils, tars, creosotes, and both PAHs and PCBs from incinerated and noninciner-
ated organic refuse, and from discarded electrical transformers. Development
of spectroscopic techniques such as luminescence-based methods will permit
rapid on-site and possibly in situ analysis, enabling more timely on-site
decision making and cost savings. These methods may also be used for rapid
screening of samples to be sent to the laboratory. Application of such
methods in the laboratory, upon meeting the QA/QC requirements of laboratory
testing, should also result in time and cost savings.
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APPROACH: Two approaches are being evaluated for contaminants, such as PAHs
and PCBs. One involves luminescence (fluorescence and phosphorescence), with
portable instrumentation to obtain on-site, in situ data. Major classes of
luminescent materials, or even individual compounds, will be distinguished
through wavelength selectivity or phosphorescence lifetimes. Luminescence is
especially applicable to PAHs and PCBs since they have relatively high quantum
yields and strong spectral structure. More portable, sensitive and selective
instruments suitable for screening applications will be used for PAHs and PCBs
in soil and water. Protocols for luminescence analysis of PAHs and PCBs for
detection, classification and quantitation for screening will be refined for
possible ASTM tests. The other approach (with Ed Poziomek, ERC) involves lum-
inescence (or color changes) of sensor films coated with contaminant-specific
reagents. The technology barrier is the coating chemistry that provides sel-
ectivity and sensitivity. Success here should allow considerable choice in
the physical sensor itself (fiber optics or portable UV lamp). Spectroscopic
methods will also include synchronous fluorescence, as well as infrared, UV-
visible absorption, and surface-enhanced Raman.
EPA Coordinator: William H. Engelmann FTS 545-2664
(702) 798-2664
TITLE: Porous Glass Suction Lysimeter
GOAL: To provide a prototype porous glass element for a suction lysimeter
that has increased efficiency for collecting target contaminants with an
acceptable operating capability over an adequate range of soil moisture
content.
RATIONALE: RCRA regulations under Subtitle C currently require vadose zone
monitoring at land treatment facilities to detect and remediate hazardous
constituents in leachates before they reach and contaminate ground water. It
is anticipated that vadose zone monitoring requirements will eventually be
extended to other types of facilities regulated under Subtitle C and to some
regulated under Subtitle D. Currently available suction lysimeters that are
used to collect soil-pore liquid samples utilize a porous ceramic element
which has a very poor efficiency with respect to the collection of hydrophobic
organic compounds. Several researchers have attempted to overcome this
problem with modest success with options that compromise other operational
characteristics. Advances in vitreous (glass) materials could be used to
develop a porous material especially designed to optimize the efficiency with
respect to the collection of hydrophobic organic contaminants in the vadose
zone. Development of a porous glass suction lysimeter element could have
advantages over those currently in use: (1) small pore size easily attain-
able, (2) can be made strong and durable, (3) can control interaction with
many target contaminants, (4) can optimize operating range with respect to
collection of hydrophobic organic contaminants, (5) can be mass produced
inexpensively, and (6) quality can be controlled.
APPROACH: An updated review of the theory of operation of suction lysimeters
will be performed along with a review of applicable elements of multiphase
flow relevant to collecting hydrophobic, hydrocarbon contaminants in unsatur-
ated porous media. The information developed from this review will be used to
make a preliminary determination of optimum pore size and surface properties
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that will be necessary to provide the desired operational characteristics for
porous element material. A review of literature for possible existing glass
formulations applicable to producing the desired properties for the porous
element will also be performed. From these reviews, possible formulations
will be selected from which to produce the desired material. The materials
produced will be tested and evaluated for the desired properties. If early
results indicate that the desired material for a -rototype porous element is
obtainable, the research will focus on materials development. If no reason-
able expectation of success is indicated at this time, termination of the
project at the end of the first budget period, which is one year, will be
considered. If indications are that a suitable material or combination of
materials can be developed, fabrication into a form suitable for use as an
experimental suction lysimeter will be performed. This will be followed by
testing at properly equipped laboratory facilities and in collaboration with
expertise in vadose zone monitoring; e.g., L.G. Everett at U.C. Santa Barbara
or J.C. Parker at Virginia Polytech. If laboratory testing indicates that the
material is suit-able for use in making a useful suction lysimeter, an opera-
tional prototype will be fabricated and demonstrated in the field.
EPA Coordinator: Larry Eccles FTS 545-2385
(702) 798-2385
TITLE: Site Characterization, Spatial and Temporal Variability
GOAL: To provide a practical, field-tested methodology for site charac-
terization which will allow consistent collection, analyses, and
interpretation of site data and to provide current monitoring information
regarding spatial and temporal variability for assessment of volatile organic
contamination in a large urban, industrialized area with a sub-humid
environment.
RATIONALE: RCRA regulations require a ground-water monitoring program at most
facilities, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are commonly found in
contaminated ground water. Therefore, the temporal and spatial behavior of
these chemicals and site characterization of a VOC-contaminated area are
important factors to be considered when designing a monitoring system as well
as evaluating and interpreting data. State-of-the-art monitoring information
is needed to make scientifically valid and cost-effective decisions for
Investigating and monitoring subsurface and ground-water conditions at RCRA
and Superfund sites. Temporal variability and site characterization research
results from this project, together with those from other EMSL-LV studies in
areas with different climatic and hydrogeologic conditions, may be applied
throughout the country to improve the consistency and comparability of ground-
water monitoring data. Region 5 is also very interested in site-specific
results of this study.
APPROACH: An approximately 10-square mile area of southeast Rockford, IL was
selected because i-t overlies an extensive sand and gravel aquifer (typical of
many hazardous waste sites) contaminated with volatile organic compounds.
Both public water supply and private wells have been contaminated by a number
of industrial sources. State-of-the-art hydrogeologic and chemical data col-
lection and interpretive methods will be used in the project which will be
conducted in three phases. The first is reconnaissance (including compilation
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of existing data and use of field contamination survey techniques) and devel-
opment of hydrologic and geochemical monitoring systems. Survey methods will
include analyses of soil gas, ground-water headspace, and aquifer core mate-
rials. Results will be integrated with hydrologic and chemical data collected
during veil tests to estimate spatial variability in contaminant sources. A
real-time meteorologic and hydrologic data measurement system will be
installed to maintain continuous records. The second phase will include use
of a CIS and modeling for refinement of sampling well and piezometer arrays.
Monitoring of the temporal variability of the spatial distribution of the
principal organic contaminants will be initiated. Synoptic experiments under
pumping and nonpumping conditions will be designed to estimate the effects of
transient flow regime. Results will be reported in an article comparing
sampling and surveillance methods. The third phase will consist of data anal-
ysis, refinement and repetition of the synoptic experiment, and provision of a
conceptual model. A guidance document for methods to characterize sites and
assess contamination will be prepared based on study results.
EPA Coordinator: Jane E. Denne FTS 545-2655
(702) 798-2655
TITLE: Adaptation of Prototype USRADS to Portable XRF Analyzer
GOAL: Adapt the ultrasonic ranging and data system (USRADS) to a field-
portable x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer to provide rapid field screening of
metallic contaminants at Superfund sites (prototype I). Modify USRADS to
down-sized proportions for more ease of portability and lower power
requirements (prototype II).
RATIONALE: Section 311c of SARA authorizes research on developing improved
methods of detection of hazardous substances in the environment. The most
time-consuming step in using data generated by a portable XRF analyzer in the
field is determining the location of the measurement and loading it, along
with the XRF data, into a computer for processing. The adaptation (inter-
facing) of the USRADS to the XRF will greatly enhance (1-2 orders of magnitude
increase in speed) field screening methods and further optimize field data
presentation efforts, from the initial Superfund site investigation through
the remediation process. This will greatly save on time and costs and enable
Superfund site managers to make more timely and better decisions in the field.
APPROACH: The USRADS, developed at DOE-ORNL and licensed for manufacturing
to ChemRad, Inc., has a very high potential for adaptability to a number of
conventional or advanced field-portable sensing systems. To accomplish this
adaptation, several computer interfaces (hardware modules) need to be devel-
oped, along with the specialized programming software to allow computer acces-
sion of the XRF data points linked to locational data from the USRADS. Three
hardware developments are needed: 1) USRADs interface to field instruments
with analog outputs (e.g., EM-31 terrain conductivity Meter), 2) USRADs inter-
face with a RS232'serial port for digital information (e.g., Columbia X-MET
880 XRF analyzer), 3) USRADs interface in the master receiver to allow it to
work with any personal computer without the need for a custom interface card.
Since the need for the above custom interface card will be eliminated, any
IBM-compatible computer will work, including laptop portables which currently
have no expansion slots. The acceptance testing program for the modified
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system will include field testing the USRADS interfaced with the X-NET 880.
After delivery of the first prototype USRADS/XRF system, work will continue to
dovn-size the USRADS interface using integrated circuits, for example, to
replace circuit boards. Weight will be reduced along with power requirements
(battery-pack).
EPA Coordinator: William H. Engelmann FTS 545-2664
(702) 798-2664
TITLE: Bioremediation Monitoring of BTEX
GOAL: To develop methods of monitoring benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene,
and xylene (BTEX), major components in petroleum, by analyzing soil, soil gas
(vapor), and ground water. Generate field tests and field methods for the
identifying the occurrence and concentration of BTEX. Develop and design
protocols monitoring BTEX bioremediation in through field tests and pilot
studies.
RATIONALE: Currently, regulations focus on total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH)
in soil, rather than BTEX, the carcinogenic components of petroleum. BTEX is
also the most water-soluble fraction of petroleum, therefore the most
threatening to the ground water supply. Plus, BTEX is easily biodegradable in
dissolved oxygen and the residual may be less of a toxicological threat than
the BTEX. Focusing regulations on BTEX vould have the following advantageous
effects: 1) considerable cost savings since only a fraction of TPH needs to
be cleaned up, 2) promotion of in-situ naturally occurring bioremediation,
3) LUST sites would decrease at a greater rate since emphasis would be placed
on BTEX as the contaminant, 4) a smaller group of contaminants to research in
field measurement, site assessment, remediation, and last but not least,
5) the regulations could target congressional as well as the public's concerns
on the management of contaminants.
APPROACH: Test available techniques and devices in the laboratory as well as
with field conditions for site characterization and bioremediation monitoring
of soil, soil gas (vapor), and ground water. Hodify existing techniques if
they are insufficient or in need of revisions. Test existing methods of
analysis including but not limited to: 1) immunoassay test, 2) disc tech-
nique, utilizing a modified luminoscope, 3) BTEX sensor system, and 4) filter
fluorometer or modified luminoscope. The first year effort will be to monitors
site undergoing active bioremediation, develop protocols, and assist ASTH's
Subcommittee on UST to have protocols become ASTH standards.
EPA Coordinator: Katrina E. Varner FTS 545-2645
(702) 798-2645
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SUPPLEMENT TO
SUBSURFACE MONITORING RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
ADVANCED MONITORING SYSTEMS DIVISION
AQUATIC AND SUBSURFACE MONITORING BRANCH
TITLE: Site Characterization for Hazardous Waste Sites
GOAL: (1) Provide new methodologies that utilize fractal
geometry to characterize and quantify heterogeneity in natural
geologic formations to improve network design of monitoring
systems. (2) Provide advanced techniques for scientific
visualization of three dimensional groundwater systems using
fractal interpolation to further the understanding of contaminant
transport as applied to monitoring methodologies.
RATIONALE: Superfund (CERCLA) regulations require a program to
protect the environment from hazardous waste substances at
inactive waste sites. One of the primary requisites for
efficient monitoring of contaminant migration in the subsurface
environment at these sites is a thorough hydrogeologic site
characterization. Among the most difficult sites to
characterize are those with highly heterogeneous aquifers. The
greatest difficulty lies in the interpretation of ground-water
data collected in these aquifers because measured aquifer
parameters, such as hydraulic conductivity, are variable,
depending on the scale of the measurement. Emerging developments
in the field of fractal geometry have the potential to provide
scaling parameters for heterogeneous environments that will allow
quantification of aquifer parameters over the range of scales
normally encountered at field sites. These scaling methods will
reduce uncertainties in field measurements, and provide better
ways to design monitoring strategies. Complete characterization
of heterogeneous aquifers requires three dimensional imaging of
data. Advances in the field of scientific visualization, such as
ray-tracing, volume rendering and animation will improve the
interpretation of complex three-dimensional modeling of ground-
water data. The further development of these kinds of
hydrologic methods will provide scientists, monitoring
professionals, and managers with powerful tools for visualizing
and monitoring the migration of contaminants in complex
hydrogeologic environments.
APPROACH: The first phase of this project will develop new
methodologies using fractal geometry to characterize and
quantify heterogeneity as it occurs in natural geologic
formations. The primary focus will be to examine current
conceptual models of heterogeneous aquifers, such as those that
incorporate random fractal distributions of aquifer parameters
based on fractional Gaussian noise (fGn). Models of natural
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geologic materials with fractal characterizations for the
distribution of aquifer parameters will be computer generated at
large scales, and subsets will be used to determine efficient
ways to produce the characteristics of the distribution using
sparse data. Field measurements, taken at several different
scales, will be used to determine if there is, in fact, a fractal
nature to the measurements. Together these techniques will
allow measurement of aquifer parameters at local scales to be
more accurately converted to regional scales, and will aid in the
proper design of monitoring networks. In conjunction with the
fractal characterization techniques, advanced methods of
scientific visualization will be investigated. These methods
include three dimensional ray-tracing of surfaces, four
dimensional volume rendering of solid structures, and animation
using state-of-the-art graphic hardware and newly developed
algorithms. The challenge in applying advanced visualization
techniques to data obtained from subsurface monitoring
activities is that there is never enough data and it is almost
never equally spaced. Advanced visualization techniques require
a very high density of data. New techniques will be developed
that will allow interpolation of sparse data onto a much denser
grid for accurate visualization. In order to handle the
tremendous amounts of data involved in these methods, new
interpolation algorithms will be developed using fractal
interpolation. The most promising techniques use Iterated
Function Sets to develop the fractal equivalent of conditioned
data sets. The final phase of the project will integrate all of
the above procedures for technology transfer of non-intrusive
site characterization methods for monitoring network design to
appropriate Federal, state, and local agencies.
EPA Coordinator: William R. Souza FTS 545-3162
(702) 798-3162
TITLE: Quantitative Methods for Monitoring Network Design
GOAL: Provide new methods that use coupled stochastic
simulation/optimization models to improve monitoring network
design for contaminated sites.
RATIONALE: RCRA regulations under Subtitle C and Subtitle D
currently require the establishment of a ground-water monitoring
program at most facilities, including detection and compliance
monitoring, involving the saturated and vadose zone. Ground-
water systems contain significant uncertainties that should be
considered in the design of a monitoring network. Because of
the heterogeneous nature of aquifers, it is impossible to
predict with certainty the path of a contaminant in ground water.
Uncertainties arise because cost constraints limit the amount of
hydrogeological information that can be gathered. In addition,
natural variability of subsurface properties limits our
understanding of site specific contaminant transport. The net
effect of incomplete information is that the success of any
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monitoring network cannot be predicted absolutely, it is thus
more appropriate to design a monitoring network that has a high
probability of detecting ground-water contamination. Scientific
methods that use a stochastic numerical flow and transport model
as well as an optimization model will aid in the design of
reliable ground-water monitoring networks. Presently, most
models are limited to sites that can be represented by a two-
dimensional, vertically-averaged conceptual model. In many
sites, there is a significant vertical component of flow, and a
fully three-dimensional model is needed. The further development
of predictive models will provide scientists and monitoring
professionals with powerful hydrologic tools for monitoring the
migration of contaminants in complex hydrogeologic environments.
APPROACH: Preliminary work has been completed on a method for
designing monitoring networks that uses the USGS Method of
Characteristics model and a Monte Carlo technique. This project
will develop extensions to this method. The major development
effort will replace the MOC model by a three-dimensional flow and
transport model. The new code will additionally handle large,
highly heterogeneous hydraulic conductivity fields. The current
method considers two design objectives: the number of wells in
the network and the probability of detection. The method will
be extended to also explicitly consider the level of
environmental exposure by minimizing the volume of aquifer
contaminated. The enhanced method will be applied to a series of
generic hydrogeological scenarios to develop screening rules for
locating monitoring wells. Then the enhanced method will be
applied to one or more specific sites to demonstrate its
practical utility and to verify the screening rules developed
from generic site analysis.
EPA Coordinator: William R. Souza FTS 545-3162
(702) 798-3162
TITLE: Toolbox for Environmental Monitoring Using Ground-
water Models
GOAL: Provide a set of predictive ground-water models that
can be used in the evaluation of data requirements, and in the
design of cost-effective monitoring network design.
RATIONALE: RCRA regulations under Subtitle C and Subtitle D
currently require the establishment of a ground-water monitoring
program at most facilities, including detection and compliance
monitoring, involving the saturated and vadose zone. The cost of
monitoring and remediation is quite significant, and there is a
need for reliable and cost-effective methods for monitoring
contaminants in the subsurface environment. Specifically,
methods are needed that will quantify the reliability of data
and the predictions on which the data is based. Predictive
mathematical models, which combine simulation modeling with
geostatistics, are ideally suited for the design of monitoring
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strategies. Research and interest in predictive models has
picked up in the last few years; however, these models are not in
wide-spread use among practitioners. Predictive models are
complex, involving the use of ground-water mechanics,
geochemistry, numerical solutions, and geostatistical methods.
The practicing hydrologist cannot be expected to develop
expertise in all of these areas. The development of a set of
user-friendly computer programs will free the practitioner from
the need to develop individual solutions to very complex
technical problems. The further development of these kinds of
hydrologic methods will provide scientists and monitoring
professionals with powerful tools for monitoring the migration of
contaminants in complex hydrogeologic environments.
APPROACH: This project will develop a toolbox of predictive
mathematical models. This approach is based on the idea that the
development of a predictive model consists of a number to
technically complicated but well-defined parts that can be
automated in a way that can be used by professional scientists.
Initially the models will use sets of aquifer parameters for the
most commonly encountered cases. Such cases include two and
three dimensional steady-state flow; the transport of
conservative solutes; and the transport of adsorbing solutes in
heterogeneous porous media. The main focus will be on the
development of computer models to help guide the practitioner in:
(1) the analysis and testing of data, (2) the development of a
reasonable model to describe spatial variability, (3) the testing
of various modeling assumptions (e.g., is there recharge?)
against the data and the "calibration" of the model, and (4) the
solution of the boundary value problem with statistical inputs.
This project will also rely heavily on the innovative use of
computer graphics to communicate the results of modeling to ;the
user. This will make it easier to understand the meaning and
implications of both the modeling assumptions and results.
EPA Coordinator: William R. Souza FTS 545-3162
(702) 798-3162
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