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Community Park Arsenic Contamination
Birdseye view of excavation in progress
After excavating arsenic-contaminated soil, a geo-membrane liner and clean soil were added. The entire park was covered with a clean-soil layer, two feet deep
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This total site remediation project along a major city's waterway was performed over a four-month time period. Site preparation included setting up the base of operations and storage area; constructing a material handling/soil staging area; installing noise, dust and environmental impact mitigation barriers; demarcating areas to be excavated; and verifying utility locations both on and adjacent to the property. MARCOR also cleared and grubbed a 1.5-acre swath of large trees greater than six inches in diameter that bordered the southern perimeter of the site. In addition, MARCOR constructed a temporary access road (500 feet long, 24 ft. wide by 2 ft. thick gravel, underlain by a 16-oz. non-woven geo-textile fabric), which was large enough and long enough to allow two-way traffic for trucks and dump trailers. Jersey barriers were used on both sides to maintain the constructed roadway.
A doublewide site entrance gate was installed at the southern end of the stabilized construction entrance adjacent to the site. A flagman trained in all aspects of traffic control was always present.
A decontamination pad was constructed for trucks transporting material to and from the site. The pad was approximately 12' x 40' and was equipped with pressure washers of sufficient flow (2,000+ psi) to remove residual soil and debris from tires, sidewalls, and tools or other equipment. All wash water and over-spray from the decontamination operation was captured and contained for subsequent disposal.
Soil excavation tasks included loading and transport of the arsenic-contaminated soil, assisting CH2M HILL personnel in the collection of confirmation samples, and handling/managing all wastes generated at the site. Soil exhibiting **XRF field results less than 454 mg/kg remained on-site, as directed by CH2M HILL. Soil with arsenic present at concentrations that exceeded 454 mg/kg was removed for proper off-site disposal.
Material management and on-site handling/staging performed by MARCOR included, but was not limited to, the following: excavation, backfilling, and grading of soil; removal of sanitary sewer and water supply lines, concrete curbing, asphalt, and various other materials; management of the excavated soil, reinforced concrete pipe, spent/used materials, and miscellaneous materials from demolition activities; and load-out/transport of excavated soil, reinforced concrete pipe, asphalt, spent/used materials, and miscellaneous other materials to an approved disposal facility. MARCOR also transported and disposed of decontamination rinsate, which was stored in a 20,000-gallon Baker tank prior to disposal.
Dewatering was required during installation of the new, 42-inch HDPE storm drain line, which now bisects the site in an east-west orientation from West McComas Street to the edge of the Middle Branch of the Patapsco River. An average volume of 30,000 gallons of groundwater per day per 200 linear feet of trench excavation was extracted during the installation process.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) for this project included hard hats, eye protection, hearing protection, safety vests, and safety shoes.
The project was completed safely, on schedule, and to the full satisfaction of the property owner and consulting firm.
* High Density Polyethylene Plastic
** X-Ray Fluorescence (spectroscopy)
