Martin, Tennessee
Client:
Penske Truck Leasing Co.
Terra Technologies was retained by Penske Truck Leasing Co., L.P. (Penske) to perform site investigation activities followed by remedial actions at the Penske truck maintenance facility located in Martin, Tennessee. A release from a diesel pump island reportedly occurred in December 2002. Distressed vegetation was observed on a slope downgradient of the pump island, which leads to a drainage ditch.
The purpose of the site investigation activities was to document current soil conditions at the facility in the vicinity of the release. Soil and sediment samples were collected from five sampling locations and focused on the slope leading to the drainage ditch and the drainage ditch itself. At each sampling location, a surface soil sample was collected to determine the surface concentrations of the constituents of concern. In order to determine whether the subsurface was impacted in the areas, subsurface samples were collected from the sampling locations on the slope using a hand auger. Soil samples from each sampling location were visually evaluated for evidence of impact.
The soil at the surface of the top of the slope appeared to be stained with a slight but noticeable petroleum odor. However, once the top layer of grass, organic material and soil was removed, brown clay was visible with no evidence of impact. It appeared that the grass and organic material at the soil surface near the top of the slope acted to absorb the petroleum hydrocarbons that have been carried with rainwater runoff over time. The total extractable petroleum hydrocarbon laboratory analytical results confirmed the observations made during the site investigation.
Penske requested that remedial actions be performed associated with soil impacted with petroleum hydrocarbons that was identified as part of the Phase II Site Investigation. Remedial actions to address the minor surficial impacted soil along the top of the slope were conducted in September, 2003. A Caterpillar 950 rubber tired loader was used to scrape or excavate the material along the top of the slope. The bucket of the loader was used to back-drag or scrape the material onto the asphalt lot where it could be picked up and loaded onto a truck for proper transportation and disposal.
Post excavation confirmatory soil samples were collected to ultimately determine completeness of excavation activities. The samples were analyzed for Tennessee extractable petroleum hydrocarbons (TN EPH). Review of the results indicates that all of the impacted soil was successfully removed. Site restoration activities were then performed in an attempt to re-establish grass on the slope. |
