Lessons Learned from PFAS Analysis of Groundwater at Multiple Sites
Tuesday, August 6, 2019: 11:20 a.m.
Jack Sheldon
,
Antea Group, West Dess Moines, IA
Caron Koll, , LSP-MA, PG-NH, PG-PA, CPG
,
Antea Group, Syracuse, NY
John Estes
,
ELM, Antea Group, Saint Paul, MN
Background. Groundwater collected from 19 US sites with past use of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF), and analysis of per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) provides opportunity for trend analysis and lessons learned. During the sampling program, 72 groundwater samples were collected using the same sampling method and analyzed by the same analytical laboratory on the same brand of AFFF. Yet, lack of an apparent data trend suggests there are other influences on the suite of PFAS detected in groundwater.
Approach. Over a three-year review period, potential PFAS source areas from past AFFF use were identified at hundreds of sites in the mid-west and surveyed. Nineteen sites were selected for further PFAS source, nature and extent investigations based on risk to a potential sensitive receptor.
Results/Lessons Learned. Details of the sampling programs and the challenges of sampling under complex scenarios will be discussed. Graphical presentations of the data and trend analysis will be provided to identify possible causes for the wide variation of PFAS suites detected in groundwater from the same AFFF. The viability for and challenges surrounding PFAS source fingerprinting will be discussed.
Jack Sheldon, Antea Group, West Dess Moines, IA
Jack Sheldon is a Senior Remediation Specialist with Antea Group located in West Des Moines, Iowa. He has over 36 years of experience in the fields of environmental microbiology and remediation. Jack has a BS in Bacteriology & Public Health and an MS in Environmental/Industrial Microbiology from Wagner College in Staten Island, NY. In his current role, he advises on remediation technology selection, performance, and optimization across the US and abroad. His key technology areas are bioremediation and chemical oxidation. Jack has authored numerous papers and posters, and co-authored two best-selling books on bioremediation.
Caron Koll, , LSP-MA, PG-NH, PG-PA, CPG, Antea Group, Syracuse, NY
Over the span of 34 years, Caron has developed focused environmental response actions, and managed hundreds of environmental investigations and remedial projects in the Northeast and Midwest United States, and South America. She has experience serving a wide spectrum of industrial clients including: chemical manufacturing, oil and gas, energy, automotive, transportation, and general manufacturing. Contingent on client needs and regulatory drivers, she is an account leader and manages, directs, and oversees the development and implementation of environmental remedial investigations including conceptual site models, feasibility studies, permitting, remedy design, remedy implementation, and remedy operations through to post closure.
John Estes, ELM, Antea Group, Saint Paul, MN
John Estes has over 22 years of experience in the environmental consulting industry. As a manager for the firm’s Decision Analysis & Cost Modeling services and a key member of our AA4S team, John supports client needs associated with forecasting costs across individual or portfolios of assets. In his cost modeling work, John utilizes various industry-accepted decision analysis/cost modeling simulation software packages, including @Risk, Crystal Ball, ModelRisk, and RACER.
