Environmental Assessment and Remediation

	The projects described here are a small, select group of the hundreds of projects undertaken that represent EAR’s diverse experience. EAR’s expertise ranges from innovative site investigations using a wide variety of methods to design and construction of remediation systems, to evaluating impacts to surface water from groundwater contamination. EAR has presented site information and results at many community meetings, industrial, and academic conferences. EAR’s work is frequently published in peer-reviewed journals, and it is used by USEPA and the Interstate Technology & Regulatory Commission (ITRC) as examples of successful management and training materials. EAR’s experience is best illustrated through representative projects completed by the firm. Brief summaries of several projects are provided below.

	Saline Surface Water Impact - Investigation and Remediation, Hampton Bays, NY After the Suffolk County Department of Health Services (SCDHS) detected high concentrations of MTBE in a Hampton Bays well, EAR was contracted by the NYSDEC to investigate the extent and fate of the MTBE contamination. Because of the innovative investigative and remedial approached adopted at the Hampton Bays site, it was recently used as a demonstration site for the joint NYSDEC – ITRC – LIGRI workshop entitled MTBE and TBA Comprehensive Site Assessment and Successful Groundwater Remediation. EAR has also recently been awarded the esteemed 2004 National Ground Water Association (NGWA) Outstanding Groundwater Remediation Award for this project. EAR performed an accelerated site assessment procedure (ASAP) using direct push methods, guided in the field by MTBE and TBA analysis results obtained from their on-site mobile laboratory. After evaluating the ASAP results, EAR installed a vast, three dimensional monitoring network to further delineate the contamination and provide future sampling locations. The ASAP results showed that a mixed fuel oxygenate plume, including methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and its degradation product, tert-butyl alcohol (TBA), extended over 2,500 feet towards the Tiana Bay. Based on the results of EAR’s ASAP investigation and modeling, the NYSDEC requested the installation of an Interim Remedial Measure (IRM) to prevent further impact to the Tiana Bay. For the IRM, EAR designed and constructed a large, innovative, sequential air-stripping bio-augmented granulated activated carbon (bio-GAC) treatment train capable of removing the existing high concentrations of both MTBE and TBA at high flow rates and across the range of temperatures experienced at the site. EAR also collaborated with the SCDHS and the Cornell Co-operative extension of Suffolk County (CCESC) to assist in determining the impact to Tiana Bay. On a barge operated by the SCDHS and using direct-push methods, numerous temporary sampling points were installed to document lithologic conditions and to determine the distribution of the fuel oxygenates under the Tiana Bay. Using the targeted discharge area, pore water geochemical, temperature and resistivity profiles were generated to further
	refine the fresh water discharge zone. Subsequently, ultrasonic seepage meters were installed in the bay sediments on the areas of discharge to quantity the specific discharge.Additional information regarding this site can be found at www.fueloxrem.com

	Fresh Water Stream Impact - Investigation and Remediation, Yaphank, NY Subsurface investigation work conducted by Suffolk County Department of Health Services (SCDHS) in 2001 revealed elevated concentrations of MTBE and tert-amyl methyl ether (TAME) in groundwater. Subsequent investigations contracted by the NYSDEC delineated an extensive fuel-spill related plume migrating toward the head waters of a sensitive fresh water stream. EAR was contracted by the NYSDEC to continue with the subsurface investigation, supplement the current monitoring network, and investigate the impact to the River. EAR’s investigation included a gain/loss study using stream bed piezometers and seepage meters installed by EAR and direct push method sampling throughout the river. The results from these studies provided the NYSDEC with the necessary information required to conclude that the discharge provided an unacceptable risk to the environment. EAR was then instructed to implement an interim remedial measure to prevent further impact to the River. EAR designed a dual air sparge/soil vapor extraction curtain and conducted a pilot test to confirm the preliminary design. The entire system, including system components was installed in a subsurface chamber. This design resulted in minimal impact to the park and nearby residents where the stream impact was located, while effectively addressing the contaminant plume.

	Residential Impact - Investigation and Remediation, Lindenhurst, NY EAR provided emergency response services to a residential dwelling that had been impacted by vapor intrusion from a gasoline leak at a nearby gasoline station. In less than 24 hours, EAR responded to the site with construction and drilling crews and installed an emergency system of vapor abatement wells and vapor extraction blowers. After emergency measures were completed, an ASAP investigation was conducted. Upon completion of the ASAP investigation, EAR designed and constructed two separate groundwater extraction and treatment systems. The ASAP results indicated that the extent of impacted groundwater extended about a mile from the source. Results from this site investigation and the design and installation of the remediation system were used as (1) a training example at the MTBE Remediation Charrette, co-organized by NYSDEC and LIGRI and held at Stony Brook University in June 2002, and (2) as training course material for USEPA’s learn-to-model web site.

	Public Water Supply Impact and Remediation, Suffolk County, NY When the primary well field for a local Town was threatened by MTBE contamination, the NYSDEC contacted EAR to quickly identify the source and develop a course of action in accordance with NYSDEC policy. EAR immediately responded by implementing an ASAP that employed direct-push temporary sampling points and real time analytical results through the use of a on-site mobile laboratory. After installing 108 temporary sampling points and 25 multi-level sampling points within a one-month period, EAR identified two service stations approximately 3,000 feet away as dual sources. EAR then created a three-dimensional model of the hydrogeologic conditions and designed a recovery system of nine recovery wells and six re-injection wells to address the contamination discovered. Prior to the start of the district’s pumping season, EAR completed construction and began operation of the remediation system under severe winter conditions and within the allotted time and budgetary constraints. The remedial system performed as designed, and the “smart pump and treat” strategy used at this site was presented at the 1998 Fourteenth Annual Conference on Contaminated Soils at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and it was published in a peer reviewed journal.

	New York State Superfund Site– Patchogue, New York This was an abandoned industrial metal plating facility on the NYSDEC’s Inactive Hazardous Waste Registry. Soil at the site was impacted from past activities and required investigation and removal operations. EAR performed soil and groundwater sampling along with the excavation of impacted soil for a private client. All work was completed with the oversight of the NYSDEC Div. of Hazardous Waste Remediation. Cleanup of the site was been completed in accordance with NYSDEC guidelines. Successful remediation of the site was achieved and a closure petition was submitted to the NYSDEC. As a result of EAR’s activities the site was successfully de-listed from the NYSDEC Inactive Hazardous Waste Registry.

	New York State Superfund Site– Hauppauge, New York This site is an active metal manufacturing/ finishing facility on the NYSDEC’s Inactive Hazardous Waste Registry. Soil and groundwater at the site were impacted with chlorinated hydrocarbons from previous releases at the site. EAR performed a soil gas survey and multilevel well installations to define the vertical and horizontal extent of contamination. Subsequent to the investigation a soil vapor extraction/air sparge system was design and constructed. All work was completed with the oversight of the NYSDEC Div. of Hazardous Waste Remediation and the owner’s engineer. Cleanup of the site has progressed as planned and a closure request is pending.