Iterative High-Resolution Site Investigation and Remediation
Monday, December 4, 2017: 3:30 p.m.
102 A (Music City Center)
George Losonsky, PhD, PG
,
Losonsky & Associates, Inc., Baton Rouge, LA
Michael Kyle, PG
,
Eagle Environmental Services, Inc., Baton Rouge, LA
Raymond Sturdivant, PG
,
Eagle Environmental Services, Inc., Baton Rouge, LA
Bradley Bates, PE
,
Eagle Environmental Services, Inc., Shreveport, LA
Durwood Franklin
,
Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, West Monroe, LA
Subsurface investigation and in situ remediation technologies have historically been linked. The limitations of conventional drilling technologies led to investigations yielding insufficient data density to characterize site heterogeneities, and remediation systems with insufficient numbers of delivery points accurately placed to overcome impediments to site remediation imposed by heterogeneity. The demand for cost-effective remedial strategies has spawned an expanding array of direct push technology (DPT) tools for both investigation and remediation. Geophysical and hydrogeologic measurement tools combined with discrete sampling allow geoscientists to collect high resolution site characterization (HRSC) data and develop an enhanced conceptual site model (CSM) that accurately reflects transport and storage properties of contaminants in soil and groundwater. Subsequent refinement of the CSM using high resolution data allows remediation geoscientists to target the contaminant mass adequately within the full array of porosity and permeability textures common in both naturally deposited and anthropogenic formations.
While a complete HRSC in advance of remediation is an appropriate goal and defines an environmental management paradigm shift, many legacy, abandoned, and underfunded sites do not offer the luxury of this approach. Iterative cycles of site characterization, CSM refinement and remediation become fruitful when implemented using high density data and DPT investigative tools.
An example site in Louisiana has been the subject of iterative investigations which identified a retail gas station as the source of a petroleum hydrocarbon plume in groundwater seeping into and impacting a down-gradient stream. A dense DPT grid of in-situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) injection points near the stream bank identified localized pockets and channels of non-aqueous phase hydrocarbons not easily discernable using a traditionally drilled network of monitoring wells. Pressure and flow monitoring allowed injection of large volumes of oxidant into heterogeneous sediments. Data collected throughout the remediation effort led to a revised CSM and a cost-effective remedial strategy.
George Losonsky, PhD, PG, Losonsky & Associates, Inc., Baton Rouge, LA
Dr. George Losonsky has worked as an environmental hydrogeologist practicing site characterization and remediation for over 30 years. He has developed and implemented site closure strategies in a wide range of hydrogeologic settings throughout the USA and worldwide. His experience includes groundwater and soil gas modeling, horizontal well design, real time data investigations, and 3-D subsurface modeling.
Michael Kyle, PG, Eagle Environmental Services, Inc., Baton Rouge, LA
Mike Kyle earned a BS in Geology at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He has over 25 years of experience in solid waste facility permitting, RCRA facility investigations, oil spill contingency plans, oilfield restoration, emergency response, and triad real time data investigations.
Raymond Sturdivant, PG, Eagle Environmental Services, Inc., Baton Rouge, LA
Ray Sturdivant earned BS and MS degrees in Geology at the Universityh of Southern Mississippi. He has over 25 years experience in hydrogeological investigations, solid waste facility permitting, oil and gas investigations, triad investigations, ready for reuse determinations, UST closure assessments, water resources, corrective measures studies, and beneficial reuse permitting.
Bradley Bates, PE, Eagle Environmental Services, Inc., Shreveport, LA
Brad Bates had over 21 years of field engineering support and project management experience with numerous projects at industrial, commercial, and government facilities.
Durwood Franklin, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, West Monroe, LA
Durwood Franklin is Senior Environmental Scientist at the Louisiana Dept. of Environmental Quality in West Monroe, Louisiana. He has extensive experience managing environmental sites.
