Groundwater Profiling and Mobile Laboratory Services - Brochure

Groundwater Profiling and Mobile Laboratory ServicesT H E R I G H T A N S W E R S , T H E F I R S T T I M EIndustry leaders have embraced adaptive or expedited site characterization based on real-time data acquisition as the fastest, least expensive, and most effective way tocharacterize subsurface contamination. Adaptive site investigations save companiesmany thousands or even millions of dollars over investigations that use conventionallong-screened wells and fixed laboratories.Adaptive or expedited site characterization saves money over conventional methodsin three ways: 1) the site characterization takes less time, 2) the mobile lab cost persample is considerably less, and 3) the site is characterized correctly the first time, so that remediation works. At conventionally investigated sites, the first remediationstrategy often fails because the contaminant source areas, flow, and transport arenot well understood. This means that the site has to be reinvestigated, and a secondremedy implemented.Cumulative Costs for SEI and ConventionalInvestigation and Remediation1 2 3 4 5Year Year1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16Cumulative Cost ($M)Cumulative Cost ($M)0246810121416I II2RD/RARD/RA1.01.50.52.0RD/RA 2O+MO+MO+M2Comparison of Investigation Phase OnlyIII = InvestigationRD/RA = Remedial Design/Remedial ActionO+M = Operations and ManagementI2 = Subsequent InvestigationRD/RA2 = Remedial Redesign and ReconstructionSEI InvestigationConventional InvestigationSEI investigations can cost moreinitially than conventional ones,because we often analyze moresamples. But we finish faster, soour cumulative costs per projectare considerably lower.Comparison of Investigation Phase OnlySEI’s Waterloo Profiler—Better than EverVertical profiling of groundwater quality has becomethe industry standard for adaptive groundwater site investigations. The Waterloo Profiler, developed by John Cherry’s research team at the University of Water-loo, is the premier tool for vertical profiling because of its short vertical sampling interval. The profiler cancapture with pinpoint accuracy the significant changes in contaminant concentrations that can occur in just centimeters.SEI’s Seth Pitkin, one of the original members of theWaterloo team, has modified our Waterloo Profiler in a number of ways to make it even better than the original. His modifications include:Adding KPRO, a tool that provides a real-time indexof hydraulic conductivity to determine the stratigra-phy and best depths for sample collection, ratherthan relying on preset intervals Adding a gas drive pump to allow sample collectionbelow the suction limit (where the water table isdeeper than 27 feet below the surface)Modifying the screen to minimize plugging and pre-vent the downward drag of contaminating particlesUsing stainless steel tubing for sample collection,because it doesn’t absorb/desorb contaminants and cause cross-contamination the way plastic tubing does Adding a measurement of hydraulic head to bettercharacterize the flow and transport of contaminantsThese modifications have improved the profiler’s relia-bility and accuracy, and increased the data it obtains in real time to better capture the spatial variability ofsubsurface environments. In addition to the enhancedprofiler, SEI has one of the most experienced crews inthe field, ensuring that you get the information youneed to design an effective remedy the first time.How KPRO Saves Time and MoneyWhat we’ve done at SEI is pioneer a way to measure—while sampling—the index of hydraulic conductivity(IK) in real time. The IK gives us valuable informationabout the flow of water through the subsurface stratig-raphy, which plays a key role in the flow and transportof contaminants. This helps save time and money inthree ways.First, KPRO helps us select depths at which to collectsamples based on changes in stratigraphy as opposed to random or predetermined “blind” intervals. The IK and sample collection are accomplished in a singlepush to obtain data more quickly and cost-effectively.Second, KPRO helps us better understand the geologyof the site, for the creation of more accurate flow andtransport models. Finally, it tells us where impermeablezones are, so that we don’t waste our time taking sam-ples in suboptimal locations.Using KPRO to Determine the Relationship BetweenStratigraphy and Contaminant Distribution at theCiba-Geigy Superfund SiteHow SEI’s Profiler ComparesMany different profiling tools, drill rigs,and crews out there claim to have themost precise, reliable, and cost-effectiveequipment. We’ve done a comparison ofour profiler and the other tools available.Although ours is not the best tool forevery job, we believe it is superior to theother options for most groundwaterinvestigations.Comparison of Groundwater Sampling CapabilitiesOther GeoprobeSEI’s Waterloo ScreenWaterloo Profiler Rotosonic Cone Point GeoprobeProfiler Vendors Drilling Hydropunch Penetrometer* Sampler MIPReal-time Yes. Uses water No. No. No. Yes. Infers stra- No. No. Measureshydrostratigraphy to measure tigraphy from electrical data (IK) hydraulic the mechanical conductivityconductivity. properties of soil. only.Multiple samples Yes. Yes. Yes. No. Yes. Yes. Yes.per pushPrecise point Yes. Yes. No. No. No. No. Yes.sample (screen 1/4"-2". 1/4" only.length) <2"Multiple data Yes. Specific No. No. No. Yes. Electrical No. Yes.sets per sample conductance, resistivity, mechani- Electrical con-(standard dissolved O2, cal properties of ductivity anddeliverable) pH, oxidation- soil, total aromatics, detectorreduction video logging, response to potential, hydraulic conduc- volatilizedIK, rate of tivity, rate of compounds.penetration. penetration.Hydraulic head Yes. No. Yes. No. Yes. Yes. No.measurementElectronic data Yes. No. No. No. Yes. No. Yes, butdeliverables See above. See above. detectorresponse notin media-specific units.Plug-resistant Yes. Tip and No. No. No. No. No. n/aports screen modi-fied to resist clogging.Collects water Fair. Poor. Fair. Poor. Fair. Fair. No. Gassamples in low k measurementsconditions only.Collects water Yes. No. Yes. Yes. No. Yes. Yes.samples below the suction limit* Depth limitationsFor each collectiondepth, SEI recordshydraulic head, spe-cific conductance, pH,dissolved oxygen, andoxidation-reductionpotential as well as the index of hydraulicconductivity.Fast Mobile Lab Delivers Fixed-Lab QualityOur mobile field lab goes beyond screening data to provide fixed-laboratory-quality data in just minutes,instead of the days and weeks fixed labs require. Ourexperienced chemists can process groundwater samplesfor most contaminants at rates of up to 50 samples aday. With this speed, our lab can provide near-real-time data to help the team in the field decide where tosample, and when to stop.We are most often asked to analyze samples for VolatileOrganic Compounds (VOCs). The workhorse that we use is the industry standard Hewlett Packard 5890Series II gas chromatograph (GC). We prepare andconcentrate samples using a solid phase micro extrac-tion (SPME) technique that strictly adheres to EPASW846 8000 standards. This method is fast and pro-vides highly accurate results (even at low ppb levels) for soil, air, and water samples.An adaptive field investigation is only as fast as its slowest component. To minimize analytical run times,our chromatographic system uses a dual configurationwith two injectors, columns, and FID detectors (we canalso use PIDs and ECDs), which allows for twice thesample throughput normally achieved with a GC. Foran analyte list consisting of chlorinated solvents andthe BTEX compounds, we can complete a sample run,consisting of two sample results, in less than 12 minutes.One might assume that there is a premium to pay forfixed-lab accuracy at faster-than-fixed-lab turnaroundtimes. In fact, our analysis costs between 20 and 60 percent less per sample than a traditional laboratory.Leading the IndustryAt SEI, we are always working to advance our services,from lab analysis to profiling. We regularly enhance our equipment and conduct research on our materialsand techniques to stay in the forefront of the ground-water profiling industry.For more information about our groundwater profilingand mobile laboratory services, please contact us. Weare happy to provide references and price quotes uponrequest.Confirmation analysis of our mobile laboratory by conventionalGC/MS fixed-lab techniques yielded a Relative Percent Difference(RPD) of 16% (the EPA acceptance criterion is 30%) and a corre-lation coefficient of 0.99.Phone / 802.229.4541Fax / 802.229.5417Web Site / www.stone-env.com535 Stone Cutters WayMontpelier, Vermont05602 USAChlorobenzeneLinear FitR2 = 0.991Slope = 0.99102 103 104105104103GC/MS (µg/L)SEI Field GC (µg/L)Our mobile laboratory handles a full suiteof analytes faster and less expensively—butjust as accurately—as a traditional fixedlab. Our near-real-time data helps the fieldteam modify the sampling plan to home inon the contaminant plume more quickly.