SEE...The Difference!

Stell Environmental Enterprises, Inc.

Project Description

Wastes from processes at this facility were improperly disposed of in an unpermitted landfill constituting a violation of Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulations. Delineation of the volume of waste and impacted soil, and waste characterization to identify disposal requirements were necessary to determine remedial options and their respective costs.  SEE experience includes design and implementation of field investigations using on-site laboratories to provide real-time data to guide delineation of waste and contaminated soil.

 

Background soil samples were analyzed for metals concentrations by an on-site laboratory using x-ray diffraction (XRF) methods to establish background soil screening levels for comparison to metal concentrations found in trench soil samples.  Concentrations of metals detected in post-excavation samples were compared to approved background levels to ensure that trenching fully delineated the extent of impacted soils.

 

Two crews excavated 120 trenches totaling more that 2 miles in length, and collected approximately 650 soil samples for on-site XRF analysis during a 46 day field effort.  The on-site laboratory analyzed metals concentrations in each soil sample with a turn-around-time of approximately 20 minutes.  Sample through put averaged 14 samples per day, limited primarily by the trench excavation rate.  The short turn-around-time of approximately 20 minutes minimized excavation crew standby time thereby maximizing field efficiency. Analysis of soil samples using an on-site laboratory resulted in fewer samples being subcontracted to an off-site laboratory for analysis.  This advanced field screening approach greatly decreased the overall project analytical expense.

 

Soil and waste were delineated and characterized using multiple excavation teams and an on-site laboratory to provide real-time analytical data.  This ensured delineation of contamination in a single mobilization effort.

 

Maximizing field efficiency, reduction in overall project analytical expense, and delineation of contamination in a single field effort resulted in a considerable reduction of site characterization costs for the client.  Successful completion of this RCRA facility investigation formed the basis for a remedial action plan, implementation of which would bring this facility into compliance with RCRA regulations.

Soil Sampling

Soil and Waste Characterization of Unpermitted Landfill, RCRA Facility Investigation, Gallup, New Mexico

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