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As the official publication of the Braun Intertec Analytical Laboratory, The Analytical Consultant publishes information, sampling tips and scientific articles designed to help laboratory clients improve their projects.
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braunintertec.com
THE ANALYTICAL
ConsultantVol. 7 Issue 3 A BRAUN INTERTEC PUBLICATION Fall 2011
Phase II Investigations and the Role of an Environmental Laboratory
See Phase II - Continued on page 3
The Braun Intertec environmental consulting group and analytical laboratory cross paths many times during a project lifecycle. Probably the most pivotal intersection is during the Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) step of the due diligence process. This assessment, conducted according to an American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) standard, is a subsurface environmental investigation conducted as part of a property buyer’s due diligence efforts. The Phase II ESA investigation will include some method of exposing soil and laboratory analysis – called intrusive investigation.
The major scope of most Phase II ESAs is to evaluate subsurface soil conditions and sometimes to evaluate groundwater conditions at the site to determine if a release of petroleum hydrocarbons or hazardous substances has occurred. It is a critical step for the stakeholders as it may impact schedule and cost for the property transaction and redevelopment.
The most common method for exposing soils is advancing borings with a truck-mounted drill rig. Test pits can also be dug with a backhoe to collect soil, but because this is a more intrusive method, test pits are typically only dug at vacant properties. Soil samples are collected at regular depth intervals for field evaluation and for laboratory analyses when chemicals or compounds are suspected to have been released on site. Some examples of contaminants found in laboratory analyses are petroleum hydrocarbons benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene and xylenes (at a former gas station); lead (at a former battery cracking facility); and volatile organic compounds, including tetrachloroethene (at a former dry cleaning facility). Groundwater also may be collected and analyzed during the Phase II ESA process.
When laboratory analyses are available, the environmental consultant typically prepares a report, which includes the findings, conclusions about the site conditions, and recommendations for next steps. A critical part of the data evaluation process includes discussion of the results between the environmental consultant and analytical laboratory representative. This internal relationship at Braun Intertec is relatively unique in the consulting industry.
A recent project involving a large scale Phase II ESA was the Central Corridor Light Rail Transit (CCLRT) project. Considered to be the largest public works project in Minnesota history, the CCLRT is anticipated to have many positive economic and social impacts. But the potential for environmental contamination issues raised concerns about the 11-mile line, which traverses through concentrated industrial and commercial areas between St. Paul and Minneapolis.
By Jim DeLuca and Jackie Dylla, Braun Intertec Environmental Consulting [email protected], [email protected]
A Braun Intertec technician performing environmental drilling along the CCLRT route in St. Paul, Minn.
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Lab Manager’s Corner: Proficiency Analytical Testing (PAT) Hopefully your year is going well so far, and we’ll all be lucky
enough to watch the Vikings win a few games this season. In the lab we’ve been doing our own pre-season prep. One of the many requirements of maintaining a variety of state and organizational certifications is the number of Proficiency Analytical Testing (PAT) samples we need to prepare and analyze throughout the year. PATs are blind samples that we are required to purchase, process, analyze and report to an independent third party, who then tallies the correctness of the data. This information is forwarded to the certification agencies, where the results are used to demonstrate that our lab is capable of performing method/data reporting requirements correctly so that we maintain our certification. To date in 2011 our lab has been tested on 1832 parameters, with 98.3 percent of the analyzed parameters reported to be correct.
For parameters that are not reported correctly, we are required to complete a corrective action investigation. This includes the preparation and analysis of new blind samples to demonstrate that the corrective actions have been successful. If the second attempt is unsuccessful, the laboratory would be de-certified for that particular parameter. Beyond good business, our goal is to be 100% successful in analyzing PATs, as re-purchasing these samples is expensive and the effort required to process and report them is extensive. Additionally, the added value of processing PAT samples gives us a more complete understanding of the effectiveness of our quality control practices. If you have questions about our PAT results or related topics please feel free to contact me.
Industrial Storm Water Monitoring 101
Tom Wagner, [email protected]
Protecting our natural resources and water quality is of utmost importance to the stewardship of our communities. Through regulatory actions by the Environmental Protection Agency and, locally, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), industrial storm water monitoring is required to better protect and preserve both surface and groundwater from contamination. Depending on a company’s primary Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code, public and private facility owners whose facilities have storm water discharges may be required to conduct industrial storm water monitoring.
Braun Intertec performs industrial storm water monitoring and regularly receives questions about the sampling process. Here are some commonly asked questions about our laboratory services.
Does the laboratory supply sampling containers?Yes, Braun Intertec will supply sample containers at no extra
charge, as well as provide coolers to store and ship the samples to the laboratory. Each specific analysis requires a specific type of sampling container. Please consult a project manager prior to sample collection to make sure you are using the correct container for an analysis.
Do the bottles have an expiration date?Yes. Bottles with preservatives should be held no longer than six
months from the date of receipt. Bottles with no preservative should be held no longer than one year.
How much sample do I collect?All sample containers must be filled to the top as this will provide
enough sample for analysis.
How do I determine what I should be sampling for?Your company’s SIC code will determine under which sector your
company falls. This sector designation will then determine what parameters should be monitored. The MPCA website can guide you through this process.
How much does the analysis cost?Our analytical laboratory has a specific fee per analyte. The type
of analysis needed will determine the cost.
How long does it take to analyze my sample?Our standard turnaround time is ten business days.
By Richard Maw, Project Scientist [email protected]
Continued on page 3
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Are there any special handling concerns for sampling materials provided?•Some sample containers contain preservatives to avoid biological breakdown of the samples. In most cases this is a small amount of
various acids. Use extreme caution when handling bottles with acids. Do not rinse the preservative out of the bottle. •Samples must be packed on ice prior to submission to the laboratory.•Ship samples to the laboratory as soon as possible after collection.
Laboratory recommendations:Complete all arrangements with the laboratory project manager as far ahead of time as possible before sampling. Laboratories may not
be familiar with all industrial sectors and may need client assistance to determine which analytical parameters and sample containers are appropriate.
By selecting the link below, you can navigate the MPCA’s 14-step procedure for compliance to industrial storm water rules. “MPCA’s Monitoring Guidance Manual for Minnesota’s Industrial Stormwater Multi-Sector General Permit,” document number: wq-strm-27 can be downloaded from this link. http://www.pca.state.mn.us/water/stormwater/stormwater-i.html
Braun Intertec Analyst Profile:Meet Chris Clark, Lab Analyst III
As an Inorganic Lab Supervisor, Chris begins each day working on his favorite analytical instrument, the ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy). The ICP-MS is a type of mass spectrometry and a highly sensitive instrument that is capable of determining a range of metals and several non-metals at concentrations below one part per billion. The most commonly requested metals for the ICP-MS are lead, copper and arsenic, usually found in drinking waters, which can be either treated city/county water or in public or private wells. When Chris isn’t working on the ICP-MS – which is about 90% of his time – he can be found analyzing samples by IC (Ion Chromatography) to test many lakes and streams, as well as industrial wastewater for anions such as sulfate, chloride and fluoride.
“I like the inquisitive nature of the job,” Chris said. “It is fun to problem solve and be able to come up with scientific conclusions for certain projects. Chris has many days where he is figuring out solutions to many of the questions that come through the Braun Intertec door.
At the end of the day, Chris enjoys hitting them out of the ballpark while playing on the Braun Intertec softball team and he joins a basketball league in the winter months. Although, he and his wife would like to travel more often, they are staying very busy with their newborn son, Landon. Chris is also an avid Minnesota Gopher football fan and can be found sitting near the end zone at all the home games.
PHASE II - Continued from page 1Braun Intertec’s environmental consulting group and analytical laboratory were selected to perform a Phase II ESA of the entire 11-mile
corridor that included the advancement of more than 500 soil borings and the analysis of approximately 900 soil samples over the course of four months. To streamline sample collection and analysis, field and laboratory personnel collaborated to establish a uniform sample naming and labeling system, which included pre-printed chains of custody and labels. Dissemination of laboratory receipts and analytical results to project personnel was accomplished using Braun Interport CustomSM, a robust document management system that allowed Braun Intertec to provide internal review of data prior to publishing to a website accessible to CCLRT project partners.
The efficient dissemination of thousands of pages of laboratory data obtained during the Phase II ESA for CCLRT was essential in obtaining more than 50 environmental liability assurance letters for parcels acquired as part of the project. In addition, results of the Phase II ESA were communicated to project partners during the design process to minimize environmental impacts to construction, reducing overall project cost.
Chris Clark running samples through the ICP-MS Instrument.
Storm water generally refers to precipitation, snowmelt and surface runoff as well as drainage.
STORM WATER - Continued from page 2
Providing engineering and environmental solutions since 1957
©2011 Braun Intertec Corporation
Questions, Requests and Comments
Thomas Wagner, [email protected]
Steven Albrecht, [email protected]
Braun Intertec Corporation11001 Hampshire Avenue SMinneapolis, MN 55438
This newsletter contains only general information. For specific applications, please consult your engineering or environmental consultants and legal counsel.
Analytical Laboratory Extended Summer Hours
The Braun Intertec analytical laboratory is open to receive samples on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until noon, extending until October 29.
Monday through Friday, our normal receiving hours are from8 a.m. until 5 p.m. If you have any questions, you may contact our lab at 952.995.2600.
If you have a special project requiring sample receipt during off hours, please contact your project manager and we’ll work to accommodate your needs.
