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Mobile Analytical Services

Case Studies

Case Study #1

Buried Drum Removal & Disposal Project

The project involved a large-scale removal and disposal of buried drums at a former industrial site located in central Michigan. The scope of work required the characterization, removal, and disposal of nearly 7,000 buried drums. The project managers chose to screen the majority of the drums for a variety of waste compatibility parameters (including Waste Characterization and Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedures (TCLP) to determine disposal options. In addition, the analysis of verification soil samples was required by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to document remaining levels of contamination at the excavation sites. Ambient air samples were also required for volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds throughout the course of the excavations to monitor air quality for nearby residential property owners. The results of the individual analyses were available for daily review by the project staff. The results were tabulated on a daily basis to direct removal activities for the next day. By project end, more than 4,000 soil and ambient air samples were analyzed by the mobile laboratories. In evaluating the cost effectiveness of utilizing a fleet of mobile laboratories for this project, let’s examine the most obvious values first, i.e., cost per sample. For simplicity, we well assume 4,000 samples were analyzed. The project required a maximum turnaround time of twenty-four hours for each sample because of the need for real time data for field decisions.

Case Study #2

Soil Gas Analysis

This site was an operating Air Force Base facility located in central Utah. An initial site investigation revealed the presence of volatile organic compounds in the soil. The project managers chose to delineate several contaminated plumes on the site by collecting soil gas samples utilizing hydraulically driven soil probe rigs. The samples were collected in Tedlar bags for storage and delivery to the mobile laboratory. The samples were then analyzed for volatile organic compounds. The results of the individual analyses were available for daily review by the project staff. The results were tabulated on a daily basis to direct drilling activities for the next day. By project end, more than 190 samples were analyzed by EPA Method 8260. In evaluating the cost effectiveness of utilizing a mobile laboratory for this project, let’t examine the most obvious values first, i.e. cost per sample. For simplicity, we will assume 190 samples were analyzed. The project required a maximum turnaround time of twenty-four hours for each sample because of the need for real time data for field decisions and the 24-hour holding time restriction for vapor samples collected in Tedlar bags.

Case Study #3

Mobile Soil Washing

This site consisted of a former service station truck stop with hydrocarbon contamination resulting from leaking underground storage tanks (USTs). After the USTs were removed, a site investigation was performed that indicated the need for substantial soil remediation to mitigate the residual contamination. It was also assumed that an active groundwater treatment system would be required. Through the process of preparing the Remedial Action Plan (RAP),it was determined that a mobile on-site soil washing technique operated by an experienced soil washing firm would best address the site’s remediation criteria related to cost, technical feasibility, and timeliness.

Subsequently, the soil washing firm negotiated a fixed price process fee basedon 5,500 cubic yard (cy) requiring soil washing to remediate the soils. Given that the unit rate did not allow for excessive reprocessing of soils that failed to test below the state established cleanup criteria, the soil washing firm decided to utilize an on-site laboratory to provide real-time quality control (QC) analytical data for the processed materials. Soil contamination levels at the site significantly exceeded state enforcement standards in soil media. In addition, laboratory data obtained by previous consultants indicated benzene contamination in excess of 6,000 parts per million (ppm).

The system processed soils at a rate of thirty-nine cubic yards per hour with QC samples being collected every hour for analyses in the mobile laboratory. The samples were analyzed for BTEX, 1,2-dichloroethane, gas range organic (GRO) and diesel range organics (DRO). The results were reviewed by the soil washing firm’s site manager for compliance with the cleanup criteria. If the results for any given lot exceeded the criteria, that particular lot was flagged for rewashing. If consecutive QC samples failed to meet the criteria, operations were halted and a system diagnoses performed. By project end, 6,000 cubic yards of soil were processed over a forty-five day period, and the mobile laboratory analyzed 232 sample by SW-846 method 8021 and Wisconsin’s
modified methods for GRO and DRO.

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Location

160 Veterans Blvd.
South Haven, Michigan 49090
Phone: (888) 685-1628
Fax: (269) 637-5664

This facility has a full internal security system monitored 24/7/365 to insure the safety and integrity of our clients data. Also, when our mobile laboratories and corporate vehicles are not mobilized to a job site they are housed at the South Haven corporate facility.

Commitment to Quality

The goal of the NAL Quality System is to ensure that business operations are conducted with the highest standards of professionalism in the industry. To achieve this goal, it is necessary that NAL provide not only scientifically sound, well documented, and regulatory compliant data, but also provide the highest quality service experience available in the industry, NAL’s Quality System is designed to provide a framework for continuous improvement within the organization, minimize systematic error, and to encourage constructive, documented problem solving.