Workshop # 1: The Indoor Air Exposure Pathway from Chlorinated Solvent Contaminated Groundwater

Sheila Gaston, Marion Galant, Raj Goyal,  Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment  (CDPHE), John Student, City of Denver, Henry Schuver, EPA Headquarters, Helen Dawson,  EPA Region 8, Bill Alexander, Versar Inc., CO, Kathy Koerber,  Environmental Standards, Inc., Valley Forge, PA, Blayne Hartman, HP Labs, Solana Beach, CA

There continues to be a lot of national discussion on this recently discovered exposure pathway.  Soil gas, which is generated from contaminated groundwater, can infiltrate homes and accumulate to levels that can be a health risk to the residents.  There are many factors that affect the accumulation of these chemicals and several ways of evaluating this exposure pathway.  This workshop is intended to be a forum to discuss and share all of our different perspectives and experiences in dealing with this issue.  The presenters include representatives from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, EPA Headquarters, EPA Region 8, environmental consultants, city government and technical experts.

Workshop # 2: Theory and Use of Field Portable X-ray Fluorescence for Soil Analysis

Debbie Schatzlein, Sr. Applications Chemist, NITON Corporation, Billerica, MA
Volker Thomsen, Sr. Application Scientist, NITON Corporation, Billerica, MA

This workshop will cover the application of field-portable x-ray fluorescence spectrometry to soil analysis.  We begin with basic theory of x-ray fluorescence and an overview of the applications for this instrumental method of chemical analysis.  This will be followed by a discussion of the instrumentation along with elements of radiation safety.   Statistical aspects of the measurements will be discussed.  Finally, an overview and discussion of EPA SW-846 Method 6200 will be presented.  Hands on use of the instruments will be promoted through several practical exercises.

Workshop # 3:  In-Situ Chemical Oxidation Workshop

William B. Kerfoot, Ph.D., LSP,  K-V Associates, Inc.,  Michael Marley, John Cookson, Jr., Kenneth Sperry, Xpert Design and Diagnostics, LLC     

To provide up-to-date information on in-situ chemical oxidation, this all-day workshop combines vendor presentations with professional consultant experience.  Four major oxidants will be considered:

Permanganate - MNO₄ ^-
Persulfate – S₂O₈^2-
Hydrogen peroxide – Fenton’s Reagent – H₂O₂
Ozone – O₃  

In-situ chemical oxidation using ozone, Fenton’s Reagent, persulfate, permanganate or combinations can be an effective innovative technology for destroying organic contaminants within the groundwater aquifer where they occur.  Each oxidant requires certain design considerations for proper application.  This workshop concentrates on the following topics.

Oxidant chemistry principles
Available oxidants/compound stoichiometry
Oxidant selection/site evaluation
Laboratory bench-scale tests
Field pilot tests
Regulatory concerns
Case histories and time to closure

Presentations will be made by vendors who supply equipment and consulting firms with specific site experience.  Case studies will be presented where design and operational issues will be discussed.

Workshop # 4: Workshop on Current Spectrochemical Techniques for Determining Heavy Metals in Sediments and Soils

Ramon M. Barnes, University Research Institute for Analytical Chemistry, Amherst, MA

This workshop will describe spectroanalytical chemistry techniques for measuring toxic and heavy metals, specifically arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury, in sediments and soils. An overview of the analytical sequence, sampling, sample preparation, and spectrochemical analysis will be presented. Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) atomic emission spectroscopy (AES) and mass spectroscopy (MS) theory, operation, and methods will be described with a laboratory tour of typical instrumentation. EPA methods using ICP-AES and ICP-MS will be discussed and compared with alternative spectrochemical approaches. Measuring stable and radioisotope distributions in soils by ICP-MS will be described. Identification of chemical forms (speciation) using selective extraction, chromatographic and other separation tactics will be evaluated with selective metal detection and plasma sources. Specific examples of particle size distributions of elements in sediment cores obtained by field-flow fractionation ICP-MS also will be illustrated. Limitations and other analytical issues based on spectrochemical analysis of contaminated sediments and soils will be examined.

Workshop: 5: Practical Remediation of Volatile Organic Compounds in Soil and Groundwater

Richard Sloan, Remediation Manager, Lyondell Chemical Company
Ellen Moyer, Ph.D., P.E., Senior Project Manager, Tighe & Bond, Inc.
Richard Woodward, President, Sierra Environmental Services, Inc.

This workshop will explore timely, cost-effective remediation of VOC-contaminated sites. Effective remediation requires thorough definition of the unique features of each site; well-defined short- and long-term remediation goals; flexible design that can readily accommodate change; early source control; technology sequencing based on technical effectiveness and cost; and field process measurement and control.  Ex situ and in situ, physical, chemical, and biological remediation technologies will be covered through presentation of a number of actual case studies.  The case studies will emphasize the management process and the factors that are critical to successful remediation.  Case studies will describe remediation of sources and plumes associated with underground fuel storage tanks, chlorinated solvent releases, and other situations.  In many cases, although a mixture of VOCs may be present in the groundwater, one chemical or class of chemicals drives the remediation process due to the concentrations, the physical properties, or the risk factors associated with that chemical or class of chemicals.  The workshop will deal with the full range of VOCs but will focus on benzene, methyl tert butyl ether, trichloroethylene, acetone, and 1-2-dichloroethane, as well as naphthalene (a light semi-VOC), as representative compounds.

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