Advanced Design Application and Data Analysis for Field-Portable XRF

Anatomy of a Well-Structured Project: an eight-hour Triad training for managers

Best Practices for Efficient Soil Sampling Designs

Beyond Triad: Characterization and Long Term Management of GW Contaminant Plumes

Flux Based Site Management

Spatial Analysis Decision Assistance (SADA)

Using 3-D and 4-DSite Characterization and Visualization: Planning and Execution Strategies For a Successful Project Outcome

Advanced Design Application and Data Analysis for Field-Portable XRF

This course will cover topics that are seldom discussed but that are extremely important in obtaining reliable XRF data. The course will focus on statistical data analysis, sampling design and dynamic work strategies, sampling preparation, and appropriate design and use of collaborative data sets. The goal is to make regional and state reviewers of XRF work plans (and consultants who write them) aware of the potential pitfalls as well as successful strategies for using XRF effectively in decision making. The course will aid regulators in determining whether they can accept at face value the XRF data being presented to them, as well as to consultants and State and EPA staff responsible for designing sampling and analysis strategies and drawing conclusions from the data.

Anatomy of a Well-Structured Project: an eight-hour Triad training for managers

This course is based on best business and technical practices implemented by the U.S. EPA, regulated partnership organizations, and consultants involved in the Triad community of practice over the past 25 years.  The Triad process is designed to streamline environmental restorations throughout all portions of the cleanup process for closure in a legal, technically sound, and cost-effective manner.  This new one-day course will introduce buyers, sellers, site owners and their support staff, insurance brokers, regulators, and members of the public to the basic elements of a well structured project, which makes maximum use of modern technologies and approaches.  This one-day class targets managing professionals and non-technical staff. During the course students will gain an understanding of processes used in the environmental industry and enhancements that can improve project performance. “How to” examples for improving the performance of a project during setup, site characterization, and remediation/reuse will be provided along with resources to facilitate managers as they attempt to refine the way they do business relative to bringing a contaminated site back into constructive use.

Best Practices for Efficient Soil Sampling Designs
Instructors: Deana Crumbling, Technology Innovation and Field Services Division, EPA Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation
Robert Johnson, Argonne National Laboratory.

This course will cover sampling designs for contaminated soils that go beyond simple random or “gridded” grab-sample formats. More advanced designs can reduce sampling and analytical costs while simultaneously improving data quality and usability. The course will be presented using common sense concepts rather than statistical equations. Project managers who attend will find they are more confident providing critical reviews of proposed sampling designs and communicating their data needs to contractors. The course will include a brief review of the difficulties posed by generating data from heterogeneous environmental media such as soils, sediments, and groundwater aquifers and discussion of newer technologies and best practices that outperform older strategies. Data sets from actual sites illustrate the pitfalls of older practices.

Beyond Triad: Characterization and Long Term Management of GW Contaminant Plumes
Instructors: Mark Kram, Groundswell
Gregg Gustafson, Instrumentation Northwest

This workshop will focus on several innovative assessment techniques for characterizing contaminant plume concentration and hydraulic parameter distributions with an emphasis on Triad based approaches. The course will then describe how to design and establish a long-term monitoring network within the same expedited characterization effort. Course topics include Triad based field assessments, monitoring network design, sensor based monitoring, and automated assessment of contaminant concentration, hydraulic parameters, and contaminant flux with an emphasis on remediation performance monitoring.

Flux Based Site Management
Instructors: Lynn Wood, USEPA
Ron Falta, Clemson University
Suresh Rao, Purdue University
Michael Brooks, USEPA

Managing DNAPL contaminated sites continues to be among the most pressing environmental problems currently faced.  A large volume of work has been published on DNAPL characterization and remediation techniques, most of which has attempted to respond to one or more of three fundamental questions: how to characterize DNAPL source zones, how to design and execute effective DNAPL remedial strategies, and how to monitor DNAPL remedial performance.   This workshop will examine how flux-based data can be used to address these questions and the linkage between flux-based site management and the Triad approach.  Mass flux or mass discharge data provide integrated measures of the strength of the source and the attenuation rates within the plume and enable a priori assessment ofthe benefits of source zone and plume remediation activities.

The workshop will examine concepts and methods for the collection of reliable mass flux data and the effective utilization of these data in the formulation of remedial strategies, assessment of remedial performance, and allocation of limited resources.  Specific topics will include the linkage between source zones and plumes, mass flux/discharge as a characterization and assessment tool, numerical simulators and their application for remedy selection, and field methods for measuring mass flux/discharge.  Case studies illustrating the utility of the flux-based approach will be presented and workshop participants will have the opportunity to apply state-of-the-science concepts to real-world problems, including “hands-on” experience with a newly developed screening-level model (REMChlor) for remediation evaluation.

Spatial Analysis Decision Assistance (SADA)
Instructor: Fred Dolislager, The Institute for Environmental Modeling, University of Tennessee

Integrating GIS, human health/ecological risk assessment, geospatial analysis, sample design, and decision analysis.

Purpose: This class will provide basic methodology training in a variety of subjects, including spatial analysis, risk assessment, decision analysis, and sampling design. During the class, we will cover the following subjects and tie them together in a "beginning to end" decision framework.

• Initial sample designs
  We will cover classic sampling designs including random, aligned and unaligned grids, targeted designs, search designs, and calculation of number of samples. These methods include both the surface and subsurface.
• Data Exploration
  After initial sampling has been conducted, we continue with an overview on data quality and management, visualization, and basic statistical methods. Basic elements of GIS are covered as well.
• Spatial Modeling
  We extend the data-based assessments into the realm of continuous spatial models that provide estimates and uncertainty evaluation across the entire site. We discuss deterministic methods and stochastic approaches. A basic introduction is provided to geostatistical analysis and issues of spatial uncertainty and their role in decision making are presented.
• Risk Assessment
  Students are taught the basic methodology in human health and ecological risk assessments. In addition, we present how to perform risk assessments within a classical (tabular) as well as spatial context using both the data and models as the basis for exposure concentrations.
• Decision Analysis
  The students are presented with a collection of decision frameworks to tie the previous methods together in a rigorous framework that can provide a defensible and transparent path to a remedial decision. Basic issues in developing remedial designs are covered.
• Secondary Sample Designs
  Part of the decision process is to assess the value added of additional samples. Students will cover a set of secondary sampling designs that seek to further refine or confirm various aspects of the assessment or decision outcome.

In addition to a basic training in these areas, the class will provide references, study guides, and other resources for students to continue their education on their own after the class is complete. SADA 5 is windows freeware that has been sponsored by a number of federal sponsors including the NRC, EPA, and the DOE. SADA has over 15,000 downloads in the US and abroad and has contributed to the solution of a variety of spatial specific environmental problems. More information can be found at http://www.tiem.utk.edu/~sada/index.shtml.

Using 3-D and 4-D Site Characterization and Visualization: Planning and Execution Strategies For a Successful Project Outcome
Instructors: Todd Halihan, Oklahoma State University
Stuart McDonald, Aestus, LLC

Successful Triad-based projects typically involve visualizing site characterization data in 3-D (x, y, z data at fixed point in time) and 4-D (x, y, z data viewed over time). Many new site characterization/data visualization tools have become available which can facilitate cost savings during all phases of an environmental remediation project. However, clear decision rules for selecting appropriate methodologies, based on technical merits and costs, are not commonly available.  

Additionally, data collection techniques and data management protocols are relatively complicated relative to the current industry standard of visualizing data in a 1-D and/or 2-D framework. These issues have resulted in a situation where more time and money have been spent on many of these projects trying to manage problematic data sets versus collecting additional meaningful field data and facilitating improved understanding of subsurface conditions. This has oftentimes led to perceived failure of this approach.

Therefore, this workshop examines proper project planning and execution protocols that are critical for a successful project yielding useful 3-D/4-D results and completed within budget and on schedule.

Topics discussed include but are not limited to:

• Changes necessary relative to field data collection techniques and data quality control (QC)
• The importance of spatial data accuracy and consistent coordinate systems; includes discussion of GPS and standard land survey methods
• Currently available precision site characterization methods, including direct push probes, MIPs, geophysical techniques, and others
• Currently available range of back-end computational methods/software options for site visualization in 3-D and 4-D
• Example case studies from actual environmental sites will be visualized in 3-D and 4-D using a portable “geowall” which involves the use of a specialized screen, 2 offset synchronized projectors and polarized goggles for attendees wishing to “see in 3-D.”

This workshop is designed to address issues pertinent to both technical project personnel and program/policy managers. Participants will leave this workshop knowing how to properly manage a Triad approach to site characterization using conventional and newly available tools and 3-D/4-D data visualization services. These techniques yield more accurate site conceptual models which naturally lead to more cost effective, technically sound, and rapid site remediation and subsequent closure or property reuse/transfer.