Monday, March 31, 2008 : 2:40 p.m.
An Innovative Hot Spot Remedial Approach for a Wood Treating Site in Mississippi
Recalcitrant contamination zones (“Hot Spots”), which for
the purpose of this presentation are defined as localized areas within plumes
where high constituent concentrations impede the achievement of treatment
and/or natural attenuation objectives, are a common problem at many sites
undergoing corrective action. The
occurrence of “Hot Spots” can lengthen the time required for groundwater
remediation and/or monitoring, and more importantly the time required for site
closure. This presentation focuses on an
innovative approach for addressing “Hot Spots” at an active
wood treating facility (Site) in Historical releases of wood
treating chemicals at the Site resulted in soil and groundwater contaminated
with pentachlorophenol (PCP) and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Following 13 years of groundwater treatment system
operation, and diminishing effectiveness of the system towards achievement of
site closure objectives, a plume evaluation was conducted. The evaluation demonstrated that the plume
itself was stable and that natural attenuation was occurring. The lead regulatory agency agreed with the
recommended change in corrective action approach from active treatment (i.e.,
pump-and-treat) to Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA). However, due to the presence of three hot
spots, an approach was developed for in-situ soil and groundwater treatment at
the identified hot spot areas to reduce the concentrations of PCP and PAHs
within the plume, and as a way to increase the efficacy of MNA as the ultimate
site remedy. Samples were collected at the
Site in 2006 for a comprehensive bench-scale treatability study. The results of the treatability study indicated
that a combination of
sodium persulfate and calcium peroxide would be effective in decreasing the
site constituent concentrations while at the same time would not interfere with
the observed natural attenuation already occurring at the site. The presentation
will describe the results of the field pilot-scale treatment process that was
initiated in May 2007.
Norman D. Kennel, PG, Premier Environmental Services, Inc. Norm Kennel, P.G. is a Senior Geologist/Branch Office Manager for Premier Environmental Services, Inc.'s Collierville, Tennessee office. He has a B.A. in Geology from the University of Iowa, and a Masters of Engineering Management degree from Christian Brothers University. He has over 20 years of environmental experience including the development of standard as well as innovative remedial technologies. He has directed the installation, start-up, operation and monitoring of remote treatment systems.
Thomas Clayton Richardson, International Paper Company Tom Richardson is a remediation project manager for International Paper's corporate Environment, Health & Safety program. He has a B.A. in Environmental Sciences from the University of Virginia and a M.S. in Hydrology from the University of Arizona. Tom has over 20 years experience in environmental remediation projects including site investigation, modeling, corrective action systems, monitoring, and regulatory compliance.