TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM. Pamela Moss, EA Team (EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC/ CH2M HILL)

Transcription

1 EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC 2363 N. Hill Field Road, Suite 104 Layton, Utah Telephone: Fax: TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: Lynne Welsh, Department of Veterans Affairs Susan Fairclough, Department of Veterans Affairs Pamela Moss, EA Team (EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC/ CH2M HILL) DATE: 22 March 2018 SUBJECT: Carbon Canister Sampling, Analysis and Reporting in Support of the Removal Action at 0040-H, 700 South 1600 East PCE Plume AOU-1: East Side Springs, Salt Lake City, Utah 1. Introduction In 2016, a time critical removal action including a mitigation system was installed in building 0040-H Accelerated Operable Unit 1, 700 South 1600 East PCE Plume Superfund Site, as a result of elevated concentrations of tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichloroethene (TCE) detected in indoor air. Based on quarterly sampling being conducted at 0040-H, concentrations of PCE and TCE in indoor air were at or exceeding removal action limits (RALs) for the June 2017 monitoring event. The purpose of this sampling and analysis of the granular activated carbon (GAC) removed from the mitigation filtration system was to determine whether the GAC in the filtration unit was saturated and therefore, was not sufficiently adsorbing the PCE and TCE from the indoor air at the location. 1.1 Scope The scope for this task includes conducting sampling of three carbon canisters (top, middle, bottom) contained within the filtration system at 0040-H and ship the samples to the subcontract laboratory for analysis of PCE and TCE, and verify the results and provide the results in a technical memorandum including the final laboratory data report. 2. Sample Collection and Analysis Sampling of the carbon canister GAC was conducted July 19, 2017 by EA, subsequent to the changeout of the system filter unit on July 14, 2017 based on elevated concentrations of PCE and TCE reported from the June 2017 monitoring event. GAC samples were collected from the top, middle and bottom carbon canisters, tightly packed in glass jars and labeled accordingly. Samples were shipped on ice via overnight courier service to the subcontractor laboratory, Beacon Environmental Services, Inc. (Beacon), on August 31, 2017 for PCE and TCE analysis. Samples were analyzed in accordance with EPA Method SW8260C due to the nature of the GAC sample matrix and the requirement for thermal desorption of the GAC. The procedure used by Beacon for sample preparation and analysis is included in Attachment A with the analytical laboratory report. Prior to sample analysis, Beacon performed a spike recovery test to determine the desorption efficiency of the PCE and TCE from the GAC. A 55.5 milligram sample of activated carbon was spiked with 500 nanograms of PCE and TCE and 106 and 107 nanograms respectively were desorbed during analysis. 1

2 CARBON CANISTER SAMPLING, ANALYSIS AND REPORTING IN SUPPORT OF THE REMOVAL ACTION AT 0040-H TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM 700 SOUTH 1600 EAST PCE PLUME AOU-1: EAST SIDE SPRINGS, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH DECEMBER 2017 This yields a desorption efficiency of 20 percent for both PCE and TCE. The 20 percent efficiency is used to adjust the final PCE and TCE results for the GAC samples. 3. Analytical Results Analysis of the GAC samples by EPA Method 8260C generated the PCE and TCE sample results presented in Tables 1 and 2. Table 1 Nanograms (ng) of PCE and TCE in GAC Sample ID Sample Size (mg) PCE (ng)/(mg) TCE (ng)/(mg) A-0040H CARBON-TOP ,155/ ,221/0.001 A-0040H CARBON-MIDDLE ,837/ ,026/0.003 A-0040H CARBON-BOTTOM ,423/ / Table 2 Percent of PCE and TCE Adsorption by weight in GAC Sample ID PCE (%) TCE (%) A-0040H CARBON-TOP A-0040H CARBON-MIDDLE A-0040H CARBON-BOTTOM Example calculation to determine the percent adsorption by weight for A-0040H CARBON- TOP: % adsorption in GAC = mg PCE x 5 (20% desorption from GAC) x 100 (percent) = mg (GAC sample size) The results of the analysis indicate the GAC samples collected from the filtration unit are below the industry standard for carbon absorption of percent by weight without saturation of the GAC. The results indicate the GAC within the carbon canisters is not being saturated with PCE and TCE. 4. Data Verification Sample collection information and analytical data were reviewed for compliance to project requirements, completeness and accuracy of information. Sample documentation and results were complete and accurate as presented by the laboratory in the analytical laboratory report. 5. References U.S. EPA SW-846 Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Third Edition and Updates. September. 2

3 CARBON CANISTER SAMPLING, ANALYSIS AND REPORTING IN SUPPORT OF THE REMOVAL ACTION AT 0040-H TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM 700 SOUTH 1600 EAST PCE PLUME AOU-1: EAST SIDE SPRINGS, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH DECEMBER 2017 Attachments A Analytical Laboratory Report 3

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5 Attachment A Analytical Laboratory Report

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7 The Leaders in Soil Gas Surveys and Vapor Intrusion Monitoring EA Engineering, Science & Technology Beacon Analytical Report 7995 E. Prentice Avenue, Suite 206E Date: September 19, 2017 Greenwood Village, CO Attn: Pamela Moss Beacon Project No Project Reference: Samples Collected: July 19, 2017 Veteran s Administration, Utah Samples Received: September 1, 2017 Analyses Completed: September 13, 2017 EPA Method 8260C All samples were successfully analyzed using thermal desorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD-GC/MS) instrumentation to target a custom compound list following EPA Method 8260C. Laboratory results are reported in nanograms (ng) of specific compound per sample. Laboratory QA/QC procedures included internal standards, surrogates, and blanks based on EPA Method 8260C. Analyses and reporting were in accordance with BEACON's Quality Assurance Project Plan. Reporting limits The reporting limit (RL) for each compound is equal to the limit of quantitation (LOQ), which is 10 nanograms (ng), and the limit of detection (LOD) is 5 ng. Table 1 provides survey results in nanograms per sample by sample-id and compound name. The RLs represent a baseline above which results meet laboratory-determined limits of precision and accuracy. Any measurements above the upper calibration standard are estimated; however, these values are reported without qualifiers because all reported measurements are relative to each other and are appropriate to meet the project objectives. The sample weights used for analyses are in the table below. A-0040H Carbon A-0040H Carbon A-0040H Sample Top Middle Carbon Bottom Weight (mg) Calibration Verification A mg sample of charcoal was spiked with 500 ng of trichloroethene and tetrachloroethene, and approximately 20% of the spike was recovered (see Table 1). Method Blanks Laboratory method blanks are run with each sample batch to identify contamination present in the laboratory. If contamination is detected on a method blank, measurements of identical compounds in that sample batch are flagged in the laboratory report. The laboratory method blank analyzed in connection with the present samples revealed no contamination. 2203A Commerce Road, Suite 1, Forest Hill, MD USA P F BEACON-USA.COM

8 BEACON ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. Veteran's Administration Utah Project Details Samples were collected on July 19, Sample collection times are found in the Chain of Custody Form (Attachment 1). Three (3) samples were received by BEACON on September 1, A weighed amount of sample from each of the sample IDs was thermally desorbed, then analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) equipment, in accordance with EPA Method 8260C, as described in Attachment 2. BEACON's laboratory analyzed each sample for the targeted compounds; analyses were completed on September 13, Attachments: -1- Chain-of-Custody Form -2- Laboratory Procedures ALL DATA MEET REQUIREMENTS AS SPECIFIED IN THE BEACON ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. QUALITY ASSURANCE PROJECT PLAN AND THE RESULTS RELATE ONLY TO THE SAMPLES REPORTED. BEACON ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES IS ACCREDITED TO ISO/IEC 17025:2005, AND THE WORK PERFORMED WAS IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO/IEC 17025:2005 REQUIREMENTS. THIS REPORT SHALL NOT BE REPRODUCED EXCEPT IN FULL, WITHOUT THE WRITTEN APPROVAL OF THE LABORATORY. RELEASE OF THE DATA CONTAINED IN THIS DATA PACKAGE HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE LABORATORY DIRECTOR OR HIS SIGNEE, AS VERIFIED BY THE FOLLOWING SIGNATURES: Steven C. Thornley Laboratory Director Patti J. Riggs Quality Manager Beacon Project Page 2 of 7

9 Table 1 Beacon Environmental Services, Inc. 2203A Commerce Road, Suite 1 Forest Hill, MD USA Analysis by EPA Method 8260C Client Sample ID: LB_ charcoal spiked 500 ng A-0040H CARBON-TOP A-0040H CARBON-MIDDLE A-0040H CARBON-BOTTOM Project Number: Lab File ID: K K K K K Received Date: 9/1/2017 9/1/2017 9/1/2017 Analysis Date: 9/13/2017 9/13/2017 9/13/2017 9/13/2017 9/13/2017 Analysis Time: 13:06 13:46 14:06 14:27 14:48 Matrix: Air Air Air Air Sample Weight (mg): Units: ng ng ng ng ng COMPOUNDS Trichloroethene < ,221 3, Tetrachloroethene < ,155 21,837 35,423 Results in nanograms (ng). J = Values below limit of quantitation (LOQ) but above limit of detection (LOD). B = Detected in method blank. Beacon Project Page 3 of 7

10 Attachments Beacon Project Page 4 of 7

11 Attachment 1 Chain of Custody Form Beacon Project Page 5 of 7

12 Beacon Project Page 6 of 7

13 Attachment 2 LABORATORY PROCEDURES FOR SORBENT SAMPLES Following are laboratory procedures used with BEACON sorbent samplers, which are analyzed using U.S. EPA Method 8260C as a guidance document, a capillary gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric method, modified to accommodate high temperature thermal desorption of the adsorbent cartridges and to meet the objectives of reporting semi-quantitative data. This procedure is summarized as follows: A. Adsorbent samples are loaded with internal standards and surrogates prior to loading the autosampler with the samples. The loaded samples are purged in a helium flow. Then the samples are thermally desorbed in a helium flow onto a focusing trap. Any analytes in the helium stream are adsorbed onto a focusing trap. B. Following trap focusing, the trap is thermally desorbed onto a Rxi-624Sil MS 20m, 0.18 mm ID, 1.00 micron film thickness capillary column. C. The GC/MS is scanned between 35 and 300 Atomic Mass Units (AMU) at 3.12 scans per second. D. BFB tuning criteria are those stated in method SW C. System performance and calibration check criteria are met prior to analysis of samples. A laboratory method blank is analyzed after the daily standard to determine that the system is contaminant-free. E. The instrumentation used for these analyses includes: Agilent c Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer; and Markes TD100-xr thermal desorption system. Beacon Project Page 7 of 7

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