Ultra-Trace PCB Sampling

1
Ultra-Trace PCB Sampling
2
Why High Volume Sampling?

• Increased demand for detecting lower
  concentrations of contaminants in waters and
  sediments
• Need to integrate water samples both spatially
  and temporally
• Challenge of collecting solid fraction from water
  column in analytical volume
• Ability to capture discrete timepoints
• Field proven logistically feasible

3
Traditional High Volume Systems
TOPS USGS
Infiltrex Axys technologies
4
Key Components of HVS systems

• Precision pump flow and volume monitoring
• Solids separator Glass fiber filter wound or
  flat disk
• Dissolved phase filter XAD resin or
  Polyurethane foam

5
Issues with HVS Systems

• Mechanical solids separation with filters biases
  dissolved phase extraction and provides
  inconsistent results
• XAD resin is costly and prone to field and lab
  contamination
• Pump systems -too large and often unreliable
• Centrifuge options too large for most field
  projects

6
Polyurethane foam vs. XAD

• PUF material is field proven in air and water
  studies
• PUF is significantly less expensive
• PUF material has better recoveries in dynamic
  spike studies (PAHs, PCBs, Dioxins, Pesticides)
• PUF material is less prone to field and lab
  contamination

7
XAD Resin vs. PUF media
Recovery
Dioxin compounds
8
Dynamic Field Spiking of PUF media
Recovery
Dioxin compounds
9
Vortex Efficiency Study

• Experiment was conducted at CAS laboratories in
  Kelso, WA
• Done to evaluate the efficiency of a Krebs vortex
  separator to remove suspended sediment.
• Particle standards from 0.1 micron to 180 microns
  were mixed in 5 gallon carboys and sampled pre
  and post vortex separator.
• 40 sample sets were completed to evaluate
  efficiency.
• A LISST particle analyzer was used to sample the
  suspended sediments pre and post vortex
  separator.
• The LISST particle analyzer measures particles
  using a laser and presents both concentration and
  particle size distribution data.

10
Test Set-up
LISST 100X HVS System Solids Sample
11
Results Pre Vortex
12
Results Post Vortex
13
Vortex solids separation
Vortex systems provides consistent separation of
solids with minimum disturbance to dissolved
phase The vortex cylinder utilizes pressure from
the pump and does not require independent
propulsion (eg. centrifuge) Vortex systems are
easily field maintained and cleaned.
14
Vortex Separator Recovery modeled
()(Krebs Engineers)
15
Gravity Consulting HVS systemPR-2900
Picture 1 Gravity PR-2900 System Overview
Vortex Separator Solids chamber Flat
Disk Filter (142 mm) Dissolved Phase Trap
(PUF)
16
Projects using Gravitys HVS system

• Snake River NPDES studies
• Willamette River CERCLA project
• Port of Longview/Lost Angeles CERCLA Department
  of Energy - multiple nuclear sites
• Department of Defense multiple navy facilities
• Upper Columbia River RCRA study
• Passaic River CERCLA Project
• Gulf of Mexico MC252 spill - NRDA

17
Passaic River
Heavily industrialized segment of river
containing PCBs, dioxins, heavy metals, and
other hazardous substances from historical and
ongoing sources
18
Upper Columbia River
Historic mining operations associated with heavy
metal, PCBs and organic contamination. Study was
conducted over 160 miles of river