Impact/Purpose:

The RI process is a very thorough and intensive effort to characterize the nature and extent of contamination of hazardous waste superfund sites in Region 4, and as such, significant resources are devoted towards the successful completion of the project and subsequent report discussing the findings. The findings will be used by EPA to determine further action at a site.

Description:

These projects require developing and implementing Remedial Investigation Work Plans which include the Project Operations Plan, Field Sampling and Analysis Plan, Quality Assurance Plan and the Health and Safety Plan. In general these large complex investigations involve: collecting soil, sediment, surface water, ground water and air samples; testing aquifer properties, and conducting ecological assessments and surface geophysical assessments. SESD maintains near state-of-the-art capability using the Global Positioning System (GPS) to log station locations and conduct a total site survey (site-mapping). A variety of field sampling/analytical screening techniques may be used to expedite the investigation. These techniques include direct push/geoprobe/temporary wells for groundwater screening. Analytical instrumentation includes field GCs for VOC analysis, immunoassay for PAH analyses and XRF for metals. Real time results allow real time decisions for a variety of site characterization issues while in the field. Once the field investigation is complete, SESD interprets the data and prepares the Remedial Investigation Report. Data interpretation may include developing contaminant concentration isopleth maps in two and/or three dimensions. The isopleths are coupled with the GPS data and this information is entered into a GIS database for final presentation and future data analysis. SESD also has the capability of determining remedial action alternatives for completing Feasibility Studies.

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