Antea Group

Eight UST Sites Closed or On-Track for Site Closure using PetroFix

Case study highlights:

  • Case studies of eight UST sites closed or on-track for site closure using PetroFix, including contaminants treated, approach, remedial design and results
  • Antea Group applied PetroFix using in situ application methods which included direct push injections through grid and barrier arrays and excavation emplacement
  • Why Antea Group readily adopted a promising new remedial amendment for site closures

This multi-site case study reviews eight underground storage tank (UST) sites where the leading global environmental consulting firm Antea® Group has closed the site or positioned it to be on-track for closure using PetroFix. Antea Group is amongst the first environmental consulting companies to recognize and adopt PetroFix as a tool to rapidly reduce PHC impacts and achieve remedial objectives in groundwater. Applying PetroFix with economic efficiency, the company successfully advanced a portfolio of legacy UST release sites through the closure process over a short timeframe. In this effort, Antea Group sought and obtained approvals through multiple state regulatory agencies, self-completed the designs to determine dosing and injection layouts, implemented PetroFix treatments using different in situ application methods, and conducted performance monitoring to demonstrate remedial objective attainment.

PES case stuy

PlumeStop Application Paves The Way For Redevelopment

Case study highlights:

  • Design Verification Testing (DVT) from REGENESIS contributes to achieving remediation goals
  • Flux-based predictive modeling used to optimize remediation to meet two-year timeline
  • Highly successful remediation solution using colloidal technologies paves the way for property redevelopment

This case study reviews a contaminated chlorinated solvent site in northern California where advanced design verification testing and predictive modeling methods were used to guide a remarkably successful in-situ remediation effort. Complete reduction of chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs) in the treatment areas and remedial objectives achieved allowed redevelopment of the property. The primary CVOC chemicals of concern were tetrachloroethene (PCE) and degradation products, trichloroethene (TCE), cis-1,2-dichloroethene (cis-DCE), and vinyl chloride (VC). PES Environmental, Inc. (PES) of Novato, California, was selected by the developer as their Environmental Consultant for this project. When PES engaged REGENESIS on this project, a better understanding of contaminant flux was needed. By understanding the contaminant flux, a cost-effective remediation plan could be designed, specifically engineered to achieve a project goal. In this case, the goal was to fully remediate the CVOCs in the target treatment areas within two years following application of the treatment approach.

CGRS truck

PetroFix Applied to Active UST Basin, Quickly Meeting Cleanup Goals

Case study highlights:

  • Innovative tank basin flooding method fully treats gasoline contaminants at active gas station site
  • PetroFix was injected into the wells at a controlled rate with minimal pressure – just 3 PSI on average
  • PetroFix is chemically compatible with the existing UST system on this site

This case study reviews an active gasoline station in Colorado where stained soils were discovered during the replacement of the underground storage tank (UST) spill buckets. After considering multiple options, CGRS, a leading environmental consulting firm, developed and implemented an innovative, low-risk, and highly cost-effective treatment program utilizing PetroFix® to address the groundwater contamination in situ. Contamination associated with this release was later confirmed within and adjacent to the UST basin with benzene, ethylbenzene, xylenes, and MTBE concentrations in groundwater detected above the Tier 1 risk-based screening levels. As a result of these groundwater impacts, further corrective action was warranted. The site and UST system where the release occurred is fully operational and groundwater contaminants were mostly contained within the active UST basin. However, some contaminants had migrated into the surrounding soils (predominantly clayey sand) and weathered bedrock (claystone). Consequently, a remediation approach was needed that would be minimally disruptive, chemically compatible with the active UST system, and highly effective.

PetroFix application

No Further Action Granted, Allowing Site Redevelopment to Move Forward

Case study highlights:

  • PetroFix rapidly reduces PHC contaminants to achieve closure goals and avoid future disruption and cost exposure
  • EnviroForensics, an Indianapolis-based environmental consulting firm expert in developing site closure strategies, was contracted by the town to pursue regulatory closure
  • PetroFix treatment eliminated the need for costly groundwater monitoring and unnecessary time and disruption to document plume stability

This case study reviews four orphan underground storage tanks (USTs) that were discovered at a former gas station site slated for redevelopment in a Southern Indiana town. Since the site was scheduled for redevelopment, it was necessary to eliminate future cost and disruption and demonstrate plume stability and Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA) conditions. EnviroForensics was contracted by the town to pursue regulatory closure. Since the site was scheduled for redevelopment, it was necessary to eliminate future cost and disruption and demonstrate plume stability and Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA) conditions. EnviroForensics decided to treat these low-level, residual impacts by injecting PetroFix® into the underlying groundwater. Following completion of the application design using PetroFix Design Assistant online software at www.petrofix.com/design, Enviroforensics mobilized to the site and completed the application in July 2019.

gas station

PetroFix Reduces Benzene 99% Positioning Site to Achieve Closure

Case study highlights:

  • PetroFix is chosen as the final remediation solution to achieve site closure
  • Low injection pressures maintained throughout the application
  • With 99% benzene plume reduction maintained, the site is positioned to achieve closure status

This case study reviews a retail petroleum station with a petroleum hydrocarbon plume in groundwater originating from the UST pit and extending offsite across a roadway and onto another commercial property. After evaluating a range of remedial options, the environmental consultant CGRS specified PetroFix as the most economically feasible option to quickly remediate the benzene plume and achieve site closure. Prior to the PetroFix treatment, CGRS performed numerous remediation activities between 2003 and 2019, including, excavation, air sparge system pilot testing, soil vapor extraction, in-well oxygen diffusion systems, pilot and/or full scale injections of carbonbased and chemical oxidizing mixtures. The combination of these remediation activities substantially reduced much of the soil and groundwater contaminant mass over time. However, the overall magnitude and extent of the benzene plume persisted above the site closure objectives, prompting further remediation. CGRS worked directly with REGENESIS to design the in situ remediation.

PetroFix preventative application

PetroFix Provides Preventative Treatment for Pipeline Installation

Case study highlights:

  • PetroFix prevents recurring contamination
  • PetroFix application allows installation of new pipeline
  • Spray application of PetroFix onto walls and floor of pipeline corridor post-excavation

This case study reviews a new underground pipeline that was to be installed across a complex chemical plant in southwestern Germany. It was found that part of the pipeline would intersect an area of soil and groundwater impacted with petroleum hydrocarbons and BTEX compounds. The impacted soils and groundwater in the immediate vicinity of the piperun would be removed through excavation and dewatering. However, residual contamination would be left in place beside and below adjacent existing structures, where excavation could not be progressed for structural/geotechnical reasons. The residual contamination in these soils represented an ongoing secondary source of contamination, which could diffuse and desorb into the groundwater and re-contaminate the excavated area. This could result in contamination of the clean backfill around the pipeline, plus the granular pipe-bedding material would provide a conduit through which re-contaminated groundwater could spread further across and potentially beyond the site.

Gas station site

No Further Action Achieved at Gas Station Site

Case study highlights:

  • Collaboration between PPM Consultants and REGENESIS resulted in substantial cost savings while achieving the no further action goal
  • REGENESIS Remediation Services implemented a highly-controlled injection program
  • Following the application and subsequent monitoring, the treatment objective was met

This case study reviews a gasoline service station near the Mississippi River in central-eastern Louisiana that was contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs) detected in soil and groundwater. Further investigation phases were performed to define the magnitude and extent of the PHC plume, confined to predominantly fine-grained soils (i.e., silt and clay) in the upper 15 feet below ground surface (bgs). In 2015, PPM Consultants, Inc. (PPM) submitted a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) to remediate benzene (i.e., the primary PHC of concern), in soil and groundwater. In the CAP, PPM proposed an in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) and aerobic bioremediation treatment approach utilizing PersulfOx® and ORC Advanced®. The ISCO to bio treatment approach was nearly 50% more cost-effective than the installation of either dual-phase extraction or ozone sparging systems, two possible approaches considered by PPM prior to determining the final remedy.

PetroFix in situ PRB replaces cut-off wall design to benefit redevelopment project

Case study highlights:

  • 40m long in situ barrier installation completed within 5 days
  • Small working footprint – no disruption to construction works
  • This alternative solution provides immediate and long-term groundwater treatment
  • GE Awards 2020 winner: The judges commented on the innovative method and recognised the reduced programme and significantly reduced quantities of soil sent to landfill, minimising environmental impact

At the site of a former storage and distribution depot in Coventry, the soils and groundwater were impacted with petroleum hydrocarbons from previous site usage, which included a petrol filling station that had been located just north of the site and also across part of the site itself. Cundall created a multi-phased remediation strategy with Alto Construct to deal with the soils and asked REGENESIS to carry out the groundwater remediation. REGENESIS installed a PetroFix activated carbon permeable reactive barrier at the edge of the site to capture and promote the biological degradation of high levels of dissolved phase contamination migrating on-site, to protect the redevelopment site as well as the adjacent river.

A Fuel Spill Caused by a Truck Rollover in Montana Receives No Further Action Following PetroFix Application

Case study highlights:

  • No further action received
  • Potential impacts to scenic river eliminated
  • 2400 pounds of PetroFix applied to fuel spill excavation

This case study reviews a semi-truck that was hauling gasoline and diesel and overturned into a dry irrigation ditch in Montana. The diesel tanks ruptured and released fuel into the ditch, impacting the shallow water table with petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs), including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX). The irrigation ditch feeds a larger irrigation canal that empties into the Yellowstone River. In response, an area of approximately 2,500 square feet area was excavated and approximately 800 tons of the grossly impacted soils were removed. Following the emergency response effort, Pioneer Technical Services, Inc. (Pioneer) reviewed the emergency response report, completed a site inspection and met with the property owner to discuss the emergency response clean-up reconstruction methods and materials to be used.

Combined ISCR and in situ sorption of a PCE plume on school grounds in Northern Italy

Case study highlights:

  • Safe and easy co-injection of PlumeStop and S-MicroZVI
  • 50m long in situ barrier was applied with minimal interference with the school activities
  • Significant and rapid decrease of PCE concentrations in all 3 monitoring wells immediately downgradient

An ongoing manufacturing facility located within a major Italian city created a widespread tetrachloroethene (PCE) contaminant plume in the underlying aquifer. The highly aerobic aquifer has inhibited natural attenuation, with no daughter products detected even after many years. Environmental company TAUW is in charge of this site and has implemented hydraulic containment within the factory grounds, as required by law. However, there remained a need to target the plume beyond the site boundary, for which they outlined an in situ solution in collaboration with Prof. Marco Petrangeli Papini from Università La Sapienza di Roma.