Assessment and Remediation of Miscellaneous Waste

It wasn't groundwater and it wasn't soil.  It was some gooey, tar-like substance that behaved like the LaBrea Tar Pits.  Records indicated that the site was also used as a dumping ground for everything from old typewriters to used pipe.   It was obvious that a unique approach to site characterization and remediation would be required.  Read about this and other EarthFax project experience below: 
 
STABILIZATION OF REFINERY SLUDGES. Sludges which had collected in waste-water treatment ponds at a refinery in eastern Utah were assessed to determine the physical and chemical characteristics of the sludge and underlying soil. Based on these data, a closure plan, which described stabilization of the waste, was developed and submitted to the regulatory authority. This closure plan included descriptions of the waste stabilization process, cover design, geotechnical considerations, verification of clean closure, construction quality assurance, health and safety issues, and post-closure monitoring. Technical specifications and construction drawings were prepared by EarthFax for the project. Cost estimates were also prepared by EarthFax for comparison against contractor bids. EarthFax then assisted the client in selection of a contractor to perform the work. Working under the approved closure plan, 42,000 yd3 of sludges and oil-contaminated soil were stabilized using cement-kiln dust and disposed of in an on-site closure cell. Periodic bench-scale stabilization tests were performed by EarthFax during the project to ensure compliance with the technical specifications and the closure plan. EarthFax was also responsible for the collection of quality assurance data, review of contractor quality control data, and overall engineering supervision of the project. Other pre- and post-construction activities included design and installation of monitoring wells, preparation of an as-built report, and post-closure monitoring of the disposal cell. The project was completed at a unit-cost savings of approximately 35%. The closure report resulted in issuance of a post-closure permit by the regulatory authority.

SOIL AND WASTE INVESTIGATIONS AT AN ABANDONED SMELTER. Soil and  waste piles were assessed at the site of an abandoned copper/lead smelter in Utah which had been proposed for inclusion on the National Priorities List (Superfund). Isolated piles of smelter wastes and areas with high concentrations of heavy metals were delineated and sampled as were local and background soils. Waste piles included slag, calcine, baghouse dust, and miscellaneous waste which had accumulated during operation and demolition of the smelter. Data received from the laboratories were interpreted using geochemical models to determine the effectiveness of natural soils at attenuating the migration of inorganic contaminants from the waste sources. A conceptual remedial-action plan was developed. Subsequent assessment and design efforts prepared by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency were also reviewed on behalf of the client.

BENEFICIAL REUSE OF REFINERY WASTE-WATER TREATMENT PONDS.  Two former refinery waste-water treatment ponds covering approximately 12 acres contained nearly 26,000 yd3 of non-hazardous sludges which were contaminated with a variety of TPH compounds. Concentrations of TPH ranged from 17,000 mg/kg to 25,000 mg/kg. After evaluating remediation alternatives in correlation with future land use goals, a bench-scale respirometry and treatability study was conducted to determine whether bioremediation would efficiently and economically reduce TPH concentrations to levels which would eventually allow the ponds to be put to beneficial reuse. The results of this test were positive on the condition that certain oxygenation and water recirculation criteria could be implemented. The design involved diverting a spring which originates on facility property into the ponds, thereby allowing the ponds to be regenerated with fresh water and oxygen. Based on the results of the tests and a review of the design, approval was given by the State and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to operate the ponds as designed and divert the effluent from these ponds into a jurisdictional wetlands south of the refinery operations area. Monitoring data collected by EarthFax following implementation of the project indicated that adequate TPH reductions were achieved within 30 months. EarthFax participated in this project by characterizing the sludges, conducting the respirometry tests, designing the pond recirculation conveyance system, providing construction oversight, and serving as liaison to the state regulatory authorities. Implementation of this remediation alternative provided beneficial reuse of the ponds as a backup fire water source. Additionally, the inventory of jurisdictional wetlands south and west of the refinery operations area was enhanced.

INVESTIGATION OF SLUDGES AT A POTENTIAL SUPERFUND SITE. A major drainage canal is being investigated by U.S. EPA as a Superfund site. This canal, which has been used for decades as a conveyance system, receives both permitted municipal and industrial waste water and storm water runoff from residential and industrial areas. EarthFax was contracted by one of these parties to characterize the sludges in the canal where it flows through their property in order to provide data which would assist in determining their potential liability for contributing to the overall cleanup costs. The scope of work for this project included determining the volume of sludges in portions of the canal which are adjacent to, upstream, and downstream from the client’s property; characterizing the sludges in these areas; and reviewing available historical data that would indicate how much and for how long the client used the canal as a receptacle for its industrial effluent waste. Activities included surveying cross sections of the canal on 50 foot centers for approximately 6,000 feet, collecting sludge samples for chemical analysis at selected locations along the canal, reviewing aerial photographs to document any effluent waste streams emptying into the canal from within the client’s property boundary, and interviewing personnel regarding use of the canal as a receptacle for industrial waste streams generated by the facility.

ASSESSMENT AND REMEDIAL DESIGN AT AN ABANDONED MINE/MILL/SMELTER COMPLEX. An abandoned mine/mill/smelter complex in northern Utah was evaluated to determine the extent and magnitude of surface water, groundwater, and soil contamination at the site. Abandoned facilities included a slag pile adjacent to a lead/zinc/copper smelter, baghouse dust disposal areas, a tailings pond, various mill facilities (thickeners, concentrators, etc.), and mine facilities (roads, shafts, etc.). Water and soil samples were collected and isolated hazardous waste piles and contaminated areas were delineated. Data were interpreted and remedial-action measures were designed for stabilization of the site.

RCRA CLOSURE OF SLUDGES AT A PETROLEUM REFINERY. EarthFax completed the construction oversight and provided quality assurance services for a RCRA Closure at a petroleum refinery in Utah. This 16-acre unit contained approximately 140,000 yd3 of Utah-listed KO51 waste. Work involved site characterization and sampling prior to development of closure plans. Bench-scale treatability tests were also performed to evaluate stabilization reagent alternatives and to develop a conceptual design. A pilot test was conducted at the site using four of the most promising technologies determined from the bench-scale test. After data evaluation of the pilot test, full-scale plans and specifications were developed and bid packages were prepared for contractor selection. EarthFax provided detailed construction inspection and QA/QC services throughout the 18-month project, serving during this time as the client's on-site representative. A closure report was prepared following completion of site activities.

CLOSURE OF A SLUDGE POND AT A CHEMICAL SERVICES FACILITY. Design and engineering services were provided to a major wood products company at its chemical services facilities in Oregon for closure of a pond containing approximately 6,000 yd3 of waste-water sludge. Upon completion of the project, involving solidification through the use of cement, the client intends to build a warehouse over the site. The scope of work included preparation of permit documents, work plans, closure plans and specifications, construction bid documents, estimated completion schedules, estimated costs to dewater the pond, and a final closure report. In addition, bench-scale tests were conducted to evaluate the geotechnical and leachate characteristics of the solidified sludges. Construction inspection services were provided by EarthFax during the project.

PERFORMANCE OF A RCRA FACILITY INVESTIGATION. A RCRA Facility Investigation was performed at a major petroleum refinery in Utah. The regulatory authority had identified numerous solid-waste management units at the site that required additional investigation. These units contained hazardous and non-hazardous sludges, refuse, spent refinery chemicals, tank bottoms, and waste waters that had accumulated over a period of several decades. Health and safety plans, sampling and analysis plans, and work plans were prepared and submitted to the regulatory authority in accordance with the Consent Order. Sampling of the various units and interpretation of the data was completed. A refinery-wide groundwater-quality investigation was also performed, including the installation, sampling, and testing of several monitoring wells. The data collected from the new and previously-existing monitoring wells were utilized to numerically model groundwater conditions beneath the refinery as an aid in understanding the impacts of future remediation activities. Concurrently with the sampling of waste and water at the site, and in accordance with the requirements of the Consent Order, closure plans have been prepared for several of the solid-waste management units at the refinery. Bench- and pilot-scale treatability tests have been performed to determine the feasibility of various remedial alternatives. A detailed report of activities associated with the RFI was prepared and submitted to the regulatory authority.

CLOSURE OF REFINERY SOLID-WASTE MANAGEMENT UNITS. Several solid-waste management units at a petroleum refinery in northern Utah were sampled and evaluated to determine the physical and chemical characteristics of the wastes contained therein. Based on the results of the sampling effort and a subsequent feasibility study, a closure plan was developed whereby the wastes from the various units were combined, stabilized using lime-kiln dust and cement, and placed into an on-site disposal cell. The initial wastes included both high- and low-pH sludges ( with pH ranges that varied from less than zero to nearly 12). Combining these wastes resulted in initial chemical stabilization, while the additional reagents resulted in further solidification of the wastes. Reagent mixes were determined through the performance of detailed bench-scale treatability tests. Construction supervision and agency liaison were provided throughout the project, with EarthFax serving as the Owner's Representative on all issues. Approximately 230,000 yd3 of contaminated materials were included in the closure project.

EMERGENCY-RESPONSE ENGINEERING SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH PIPELINE FAILURES. EarthFax has provided emergency-response engineering and construction management services associated with the failure of major delivery pipelines carrying crude and refined products. Leaks occurred due to both catastrophic failure and long-term corrosion. EarthFax provided sampling and assessment services, supervised excavation of contaminated soil, designed and supervised installation of groundwater remediation systems, coordinated efforts with local, State, and Federal regulatory agencies, and served as lead technical advisor to the client. Services have been provided on five major pipeline leaks, including leakage in lines delivering refined product from Utah to the northwestern US and delivering crude from Colorado to Utah. Services were typically provided under extremely tight time schedules in order to allow rapid repair of the failure and a return of affected roads, lands, and other infrastructure to normal conditions. Long-term monitoring and remediation services have also been provided as required.

HAZARDOUS WASTE LANDFILL CLOSURE AT A PETROLEUM REFINERY. According to closure plan requirements previously approved by the regulatory authority under 40 CFR 265 Subpart G, construction management, sampling, surveying, and field testing services were provided to close a RCRA hazardous waste landfill at a petroleum refining facility. Closure activities were aimed at determining whether hexavalent chromium existed in the landfill soils. Approximately 2,500 yd3 of soil and debris were excavated from the 0.5 acre site. The excavated material was removed in 12 lifts of 8-10 inches each. Each lift was tested for hexavalent chromium using field analytical techniques prior to being excavated. Sample locations for each lift were determined using a computer generated random grid node system. Additionally, any debris which contained or was suspected of containing liquids, sludges, soils, or other potential contaminants were sampled and analyzed for hexavalent chromium. Because no hexavalent chromium was encountered during the excavation or during previous soil boring analyses, excavation of the landfill ceased when undisturbed native soils were encountered at the site. A final report was submitted to the client in compliance with post-closure plan requirements.

SOIL RESPIROMETRY TESTS AT A PETROLEUM REFINERY LANDFARM. Bench-scale respirometry tests were conducted on soil samples collected from a 3-acre landfarm facility operated by a petroleum refiner. These tests were conducted to determine the extent to which hydrocarbons present in the soil would degrade under continued land farming. Measurements of carbon dioxide evolution and oxygen consumption were conducted to determine the overall metabolic activity and mineralization achieved by indigenous soil microorganisms. Chemical analyses were performed at the beginning and at the end of the bench-scale tests to determine what levels of hydrocarbon degradation had been achieved. Results obtained through respirometry and analytical testing were used to recommend a nutrient amendment protocol at the landfarm which would achieve target remediation levels within the allotted time frame.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE ENGINEERING SERVICES AT A PIPELINE RELEASE IN A WETLAND AREA. EarthFax assisted in responding to a release of diesel from a major transportation pipeline to a wetland area adjacent to the north shore of the Great Salt Lake. An estimated 4200 gallons of diesel fuel were released through a pin-hole leak in an 8-inch pipeline which conveys refined fuel products from Salt Lake City, Utah to Spokane, Washington. A total of 22 acres of land were affected as a result of the release. Responsibilities on this project included implementing containment measures, delineating the extent and magnitude of contamination, evaluating remediation alternatives, managing remediation activities, documenting the work, and providing agency liaison. Two unique aspects of the project included responding to the release using low-impact methods in the sensitive wetlands and transitional wetland zones, and implementing controlled-burn activities as an acceptable remediation technology. Rather than using vehicles to transport absorbent pads and booms into the marsh areas, EarthFax used mules to carry these materials to their places of deployment and to recover them after they had become saturated with hydrocarbons. Using mules during the containment and recovery phases of the project significantly reduced the impact of these activities on the area. After containment and recovery activities had been maximized, consideration was given to alternative site remediation technologies. The key issue in determining which remediation technology to use was the pending annual migration of waterfowl to the area. In order to avoid the potential for wildlife becoming immersed in free-standing hydrocarbon product, it was determined that a controlled burn using gelled fuel emitted by a helitorch would be the most efficient and timely method of reducing this inherent risk. Using the helitorch as an ignition system for implementing the controlled burn was very successful in reducing impacts to the site during the remediation phase of the project. Following completion of the controlled burn, soil and water samples were collected to evaluate whether the controlled burn had reduced hydrocarbon contamination in the area to acceptable levels. Analytical results indicated that the controlled burn had achieved this objective in all but one small portion of the affected area. Consequently, once this small area dried out in the late summer and vehicular access was feasible, this area was disked using farm equipment and fertilizer was added to enhance bioremediation of the remaining hydrocarbons. The area was subsequently monitored to ensure that hydrocarbons fell within acceptable levels.