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| Resource Library > chemistry > TRIAD (Rapid Site Characterization) |
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What is Rapid Site Characterization (RSC)?
An accelerated procedure for delineating contamination at a site that has gained wide acceptance by the. regulator community. It is also one of the new efforts currently being pursued by AFCEE/TDV Chemistry.
- Often referred to as the Triad approach, or accelerated site characterization
- Is part of the Air Force's increased efforts to utilize a performance based management (PBM) approach for environmental restoration, which is a systematic approach to accelerate the environmental cleanup program
- Rapid Site Characterization can take a site from SI to FS in one year. AFCEE/TDV Chemistry developed the incremental sampling strategy.
Components of RSC (e.g., dynamic work strategies and field test kits) are even included as Best Management Practices in EPA's Green Remediation: Best Management Practices for Surface Excavation and Surface Restoration. RSC can significantly reduce the time it takes installations to achieve cleanup goals by using:
- Systematic Project Planning
- Dynamic Work Strategies
- Real-Time Data Analysis
What are the Benefits of RSC?
Traditionally, site characterization and environmental remediation activities require a considerable amount of time and resources in preparing detailed plans followed by sample collection for analytical laboratory analysis. By using real time decision making and field laboratories, RSC can:
- Streamline investigations
- Save money
- Reduce restoration timeframes
When Should I Use RSC?
Consider using RSC when it is apparent that site characterization or remedial design options are anticipated, and you are still in the planning stages. Planning should include:
- Remedy considerations so that data for remedy selection can be gathered concurrently with characterization data
- All stakeholders
- Rapid turnaround on-site analytical technologies
What is Systematic Project Planning?
Systematic project planning is the first step in implementing RSC. It requires building a team of multidisciplinary technical staff (e.g., engineers, risk assessors, and hydrogeologists) as well as regulators with the appropriate skill set for the project.
NOTE: Regulators are critical to the success of the project as strategies cannot be designed without understanding the regulatory aspects of the project. Once the team has been selected, it is critical to plan a meeting where you should:
- Identify any stakeholder concerns
- Discuss available site information
- Develop an initial site conceptual model that identifies contaminant sources and plume locations
- Identify the project objectives, data type, and quality of the data to be collected
- Identify potential remedial options and exit strategies on known property end use objectives.
What is a Dynamic Work Plan?
The second step in the RSC process is the creation of the dynamic work plan for the project. The work plan is the basis for the RSC so it must allow for flexibility, and plan for potential contingencies. The dynamic work plan should:
- Identify the data needs and data quality objectives (DQOs)
- Identify the project goals, such as site reuse plan, likely remedies, and exit strategies
- Identify data management activities to achieve project objectives
- Emphasize investigation completion
- Enable flexibility and allow contractors to make field decisions
- Identify possible contingencies and "what if" scenarios
- Employ clear logic
- Demonstrate that the sampling plan supports project objectives
- Have an adaptable strategy
- Document goals and DQOs
- Identify the degree of contamination delineation
- Document the remedy selection and land use controls selection
What are Real Time Measurements?
Real time measurements allow analytical data to be collected in the field using mobile laboratory equipment. To ensure the most representative data is collected, be sure to consider:
- Selection of appropriate field technologies: time and money can be saved by selecting appropriate screening. technologies, sampling locations, and understanding the site
- Every sample collected leads to a decision: samples should not be taken that have no decisive impact
- Flexible sampling and analysis plan that clearly identifies sampling locations and contingencies
- Qualitative data combined with laboratory confirmation
- Real time data analysis must focus on data quality and appropriate screening locations that represent site
- Analytical quality is not the same as data quality
- Data representation: data must demonstrate an understanding of the site heterogeneity and specific site conditions
- On-site laboratory analysis, field test kits, and/or rapid turn-around for any off-site laboratory analyses
Challenges to Implementing RSCs
- Changing goals and objectives
- Coordinating a multi-disciplinary team and regulatory team together
- Up-front time commitment, particularly for the initial team meeting
- Time commitment for development of the dynamic work plan
- Quick evaluation of data after the field collection begins
Keys to a Successful RSC
- Documented goals and decision logic
- Balanced planning and investigation
- Empowered field team that understands the decision logic
- Dynamic work plan needs to illustrate the logic and have a logical sample design
- Ensuring good working relationship exists among all individuals involved in the project
- Detailed and defined DQOs to manage uncertainties
Examples of Air Force Sites Where RSC Has Been Successfully Used
Zone 4 Groundwater (Charleston AFB)
AFCEE executed an RSC at this site to more accurately delineate the areal extent of chlorinated volatile organic compound (CVOC) contaminants in groundwater, determine if two apparently distinct groundwater CVOC plumes had separate sources, and determine the fate of CVOC contaminants in the vicinity of a drainage ditch. AFCEE employed direct push technology to rapidly install borings for groundwater sampling and an on-site laboratory which analyzed samples in real-time, generating definitive-level quality data. Sample locations were guided in part by the results of the previous sample. The flexibility of this approach allowed completion of the supplemental site investigation more quickly than if the traditional approach had been utilized.
What Can AFCEE/TDV Chemistry Provide in RSC?
- Identify the data needs and data quality objectives of the project
- Identify the project goals, considering issues such as site reuse plan, likely remedies, and exit strategies
- Identify potential data management tools and activities to identify possible contingencies and "what if" scenarios
- Develop a flexible sampling and analysis plan that clearly identifies sampling locations and contingencies
- Identify the required laboratory and field analyses for the potential contamination
- Assist with selecting appropriate field technologies
Coming Soon to AFCEE/TDV Chemistry
- AFCEE Rapid Site Characterization Guidance
- AFCEE Rapid Site Characterization Decision Support Training Tool
- Innovative Technologies That Can Help With RSC
RSC Tools and Resources
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