Andrew M. Adinolfi, P.E., GEI Consultants, Inc., 1021 Main Street, Winchester, MA 01890, Tel: 781-721-4074, Fax: 781-721-4073
Jamie D. Vallee, GEI Consultants, Inc., 1021 Main Street, Winchester, MA 01890, Tel: 781-721-4000 Fax: 781-721-4073  

Management of chemical and geologic site data in a versatile electronic format is becoming a cost-effective option for most environmental assessment projects, due to recent market trends and advances in technology. Historically, cost-effective electronic data management was limited to GIS-based systems for large, data-intensive sites. Recent market trends that favor the use of electronic databases on projects of smaller scope include faster-paced brownfields-driven cleanup, a greater number of clients and regulatory agencies requiring deliverables in electronic format, and the consolidation of decades worth of data for older sites. Recent technology developments include improved software products, more powerful desktop computers, and the availability of lab-generated electronic data deliverables (EDDs).  We present an approach to database management developed as a response to these trends, geared toward the end use of project decision-making. Proprietary Microsoft Access®-based software is used for initial data compilation. Geologic observations, survey data, and other project specific information are stored in one database, and chemical data are stored in a separate database. A cross-linking database is created to run queries related to spatial and temporal distribution of contaminants. The results may then be exported to preferred software for presentation in tabular or graphical format, preparation of CADD drawings, further analysis such as modeling or risk calculations, and preparation of project deliverables such as boring logs. The approach presented here has been found to be most beneficial for projects entailing multiple properties, , consultants, and/or phases of assessment. Three case studies are presented. Efforts of the entire project team, including management and staff trained in database software, were found to be integral to the success of this approach. Licensed software packages for data storage, analysis, and presentation are also required.

Development of Environmental Process Screening Model Software

Raymond G. Ball, Ph.D.,P.E.,L.S.P., ECSMarin, 27 Midstate Drive, Suite 218, Auburn, MA 01501, Tel: 508-832-6022, Email: rball@ecsmarin.com

As fundamental understanding of environmental processes and associated design equations are developed by researchers, it is imperative that useable design software follow, so as to advance the basic efficiency and accuracy of the environmental design process. The software described here is one effort to attain this goal. This paper presents an overview of the first environmental process screening model software written fully in the Java language for use on the internet, company intranets, or on the desktop. A modular approach to development of the software is being taken so as to make the addition of future modules for other processes programmatically efficient. The first module, an environmental process screening model for the multi-component liquid-phase and vapor-phase granular activated carbon (GAC) adsorption processes, is presented. The software is fully self-contained and has a graphical user interface and database of chemical property information required for the specific process modeling module (eg. adsorption).

Screen shots of the user interface used to design the GAC adsorption process, and a case study will be presented (if sufficient data is available at conference time). Plots of predicted dynamic GAC adsorption column results as compared to actual field results collected at a gasoline station in Massachusetts are presented. Particular attention is paid to the removal of MTBE in the presence of high concentrations of BTEX, dissolved oxygen, and high   total organic carbon. Different types of GAC, including specialty GAC products, may be evaluated for their adsorption potential regarding MTBE.

Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR) Environmental Web-Based Data Management System

Ann Bernhardt, AMEC Earth & Environmental, 239 Littleton Rd. Suite 1B, Westford, MA 01886 , Tel: 978-692-9090 x306, Fax: 978-692-6633, Email: ann.bernhardt@amec.com
Heather Sullivan, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 696 Virginia Road, Concord, MA 01742-2751 , Tel: 978-318-8543, Fax:  617-647-8663, Email: Heather.L.Sullivan@nae02.usace.army.mil
Matt Walsh, Matthew.T.Walsh@nae02.usace.army.mil, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 696 Virginia Road, Concord, MA 01742-2751, Tel:  978-318-8647, Fax: 617-647-8663 

Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR) Environmental Web-Based Data Management System.  Ann Bernhardt, AMEC Earth & Environmental.  AMEC Earth & Environmental developed a web-based data management system that provides Internet access to groundwater study data at the Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR).  The site features real-time query, data download, and report building features. Other components of the project include integration of GIS software and environmental data generated by multiple contractors at MMR.  This project will support the groundwater study work AMEC continues to do at MMR under the National Guard Bureau contract.

The Camp Edwards training area at the MMR is a 14,000-acre site with unexploded munitions and potentially other environmental issues as a result of over 60 years use as a military training facility. AMEC has been working at the site since 1997 in support of the Army National Guard.  

The major tasks assigned under this contract are:

• Implementation of the Impact Area Groundwater Study Workplan
• Remediation of the Small Arms Training Area
• Rapid Response Actions
• Management of the Innovative Technology Evaluation Program

Under the data management project, a web interface provides access to data generated by multiple contractors that has been compiled into a central database.  As an example of the scope of this project, AMEC developed a database of over three million records of sampling data from over 15,000 soil, sediment, surface water, and groundwater at over 500 monitoring wells.  The site will be available for public viewing and will be accessible via the Groundwater Study Program at Camp Edwards site at http:/groundwaterprogram.org.

Various Applications of Soil Contaminant Database Developed For Central Artery/Tunnel Project

Ken S. Chin, P.E. – Bechtel/Parsons Brinckerhoff, 185 Kneeland Street, Boston, MA  02111 , Tel:  617 951-6486; Email:  KSCHIN@bigdig.com
Richard G. Christian, P.E., LSP – Camp Dresser & McKee Inc., 50 Hampshire Street, Cambridge, MA  02139, Tel:  617 452-6268; Email:  christianrg@cdm.com
Andrea E. Sewall, LSP – Camp Dresser & McKee Inc., 50 Hampshire Street, Cambridge, MA  02139, Tel:  617 452-6261; Email:  sewallae@cdm.com

The Massachusetts Highway Department and Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, under the auspices of the United States Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, are nearing the completion of the construction of a 7.5 mile urban highway corrider which will replace Boston’s elevated Central Artery (Interstate 93) with a new eight to ten lane underground expressway, and a new four lane tunnel (Interstate 90) beneath Boston Harbor connecting South Boston to Logan International Airport in East Boston. To support the Project in managing the excavation and disposal of over 15 million cubic yards of soil materials, one of the largest environmental assessment programs in the country was initiated in the early 1990s to determine the chemical characteristics of soil located within the planned alignment for the Project.  As part of this work, more than 2,300 soil borings were installed and over 8,000 soil samples were collected and analyzed for a comprehensive range of chemical contaminants, including volatile organic compounds, acid/base neutral compounds, total petroleum hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls and heavy metals.  

During the subsurface drilling investigations conducted for the Project, the soils encountered were characterized as fill materials and naturally occurring soils that exhibited properties largely influenced by numerous anthropogenic activities.  The chemical testing program showed that these activities, such as vehicular traffic and industrial/manufacturing activities, resulted in soils primarily contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons and metal compounds.  In portions of the alignment, historic documentation indicates that rubble from the Great Fire of 1872 and dredge spoils from Boston Harbor were also sources of these fill materials. As part of this work, an extensive database of soil contaminant data was developed to determine the concentration or range of concentrations of specific chemical constituents present in urban soils found in downtown Boston.  These results were primarily used to delineate the limits of contaminated areas impacting the planned construction areas.  In later phases of the Project, the soil contaminant database has been used by the Project to support various soil management activities, as well as by the regulatory community to support the development of guidelines and criteria governing the management of contaminated soils in Massachusetts.  This paper focuses on the numerous applications of this database throughout the course of the Project, as well as potential future applications for both the regulatory and scientific communities.   

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