Advanced imaging to close historic JP-4/jet fuel site

Former Quonset Point Naval Air Station fuel storage area
North Kingston, Rhode Island

Challenge

Large concrete underground storage bunkers were used to store jet fuel at this historic naval air base. Fuel releases impacted soil and groundwater, and LNAPL migration to nearby Naragansett Bay was a concern. Subsurface Environmental Solutions, LLC (SES) was retained as a sole-source expert consultant to define the nature and extent of JP-4 impacts and determine if further remediation was needed or if site closure was feasible. SES negotiated an LNAPL work plan with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM), and deployed Laser-Induced Fluoresence (LIF) in concert with multiple complementary technologies to move the project toward closure. SES employed a modified EPA Triad LIF investigation to quickly define the limits of LNAPL migration, and then zero in on LNAPL distribution in the more heavily impacted source area. Despite years of prior assessment and remediation, SES was able to develop a 3-Dimensional image of the extent of jet fuel in just five field days. SES created a parallel boring procedure to calibrate the LIF data, and collected frozen core samples to measure residual saturation by centrifuge and water drive methods.

SES Value Added

• Directed Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIF) assessment using EPA Triad methodologies
• Calibrated LIF results using ex-situ Ultra-violet Fluorescence (UVF) and fixed analytical laboratory methods
• 3D Visualization with Surfer and Voxler
• Total and potentially recoverable LNAPL volume estimates
• Demonstrated “no-impact” to marine environment
• Presented results and recommendation to RIDEM
• Recommended site closure to client and regulatory agency

Client

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
New England District