Case studies in using alternative sampling technologies

Traditionally, site assessments for delineating petroleum hydrocarbon releases have been conducted in several phases. One way to improve the traditional assessment and remedial investigation methodology is to utilize alternative sampling techniques such as drive point sampling, combined with on-site field analytical methods. There are several drive point sampling technologies which have been used successfully in the past several years to collect both soil and groundwater samples. These drive point techniques include the Geoprobe trademark, Hydropunch trademark, Cone Penetrometer Testing (CPT) and KV trademark Sampling System. Utilized in combination with an on-site mobile laboratory equipped to conduct headspace analysis by EPA method 3810, these drive point sampling methods provide immediate, real-time data at a lower cost per data point. This paper presents three case studies in utilizing the Geoprobe trademark as an alternative sampling technology to gather both soil and groundwater data to delineate site contamination and provide for more informed, remedial solutions. In two of the cases (retail service stations), remediation by groundwater pump and treat had been on-going for several years with little remedial progress. The use of the alternative sampling technologies provided the needed information to expedite site clean-up. The remaining site is a petroleum refining facility where an active recovery system was planned. In this case, the data provided through the expedited assessment provided imperative design information