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Remediation of PCE in Soil
2

Remediation of PCE in Soil

Remediation of PCE in Soil

(OP)
thread193-39462: dry cleaning solvent (PCE) remediation

While digging at a construction site, we encountered soil contaminated with 1% PCE,at a depth of 16 feet. Soil is wet but no groundwater accumulation in the cavity. Since time is of the essence and it is not a regulated site, can we add hydrogen peroxide with ferrous sulfate in the cavity, before closing it? if yes, what would be the quantities. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

RE: Remediation of PCE in Soil

Your soil has 1% PCE?  That's 10,000 ppm.  Now it's a regulated site.

I strongly urge you to contact someone with experience in this area.

In No. CA, the screening level for PCE in deep soil is 0.7 or 17 mg/kg (depending on whether or not the gw affects drinking water).  You have many magnitudes greater than that.

Have you determined the extent of the contamination?  How do you know it isn't affecting gw?

Unless you can answer those questions, I can't see how you can consider closing the excavation.

RE: Remediation of PCE in Soil

This has the flavor of a troll.
If not, BJindal, I appologize in advance. Can a moderator please close this thread, as greenone posted the appropriate response.

RE: Remediation of PCE in Soil

I'm not sure why a non-moderator would argue for this thread to be closed.  The direct answer to your question is as stated.  Under the clean water act, if you have knowledge or suspecion of ground water contamination, the owner/operator has an obligation to report.  Depending on the site location, you may be able to clean this up to risk-based cleanup standards, but this will require that you do some research on the risk potential (i.e., what's the source, what's the travel pathway, where's the receptor and what are the receptors).

I'd never think this a troll post.  However, if you want some measure of assistance, you'd need to provide more information. That said, until you get the local/state environmental agencies involved, what you get from this site will just be speculation.

These can be interesting assignments. That said, it's not quite as simple as dumping in some hydrogen peroxide.  You may find air-sparging more effective, but this is all moot until you identify the source.

Good luck.

f-d

¡papá gordo ain't no madre flaca!

RE: Remediation of PCE in Soil

I agree with Fattdad...Keep the thread open. I would like to read the follow up.  

RE: Remediation of PCE in Soil

(OP)
Thanks for all the responses. Govt. agency was contacted. Appropriate response was implemented and site is closed. Thanks again.
PS: This thread should be considered closed.

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