Underground Tank Subsurface Investigation 

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When steel heating oil tanks are buried in the ground there is a high probability that there will be oil in the ground too. Performing a subsurface investigation is the best way to determine the impact to soil and groundwater and the extent of the contamination. Taking core samples every 4 feet gives you a good representation of the soil composition and allows you to screen for contamination at any depth up to 30-feet. We can install soil borings in most types of soil. Subsurface explorations typically consist of the drilling five soil borings and screening of the soils with a PID. Field screening is performed on the samples via the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MADEP) Jar Headspace Screening Procedure for the presence of Total Volatile Organic Vapors (TVOVs) associated with petroleum contamination. If samples show reading above the acceptable range then samples are submitted to the laboratory for analysis for EPH and VPH.
If groundwater is impacted CommTank can install additional soil borings completed as permanent groundwater monitoring wells. In order to evaluate current petroleum concentrations in the site’s groundwater all wells were purged and sampled using a dedicated disposable bailer per MassDEP Standard References for Monitoring Wells. The wells were allowed to stabilize prior to sampling in accordance with protocol.
The installation of groundwater wells can also be used for In-situ Chem-Ox Monitoring. In order to evaluate the influence of the chem-ox inoculations and potential migration pathways, monitoring wells are used to take baseline measurements for pH and dissolved oxygen (DO). Micro-wells are used to determine the feasibility of injecting hydrogen peroxide and for measuring soil permeability. Micro-wells can also be used to screen soil for vapors.
Even stains under Aboveground Storage Tanks (AST) can be evaluated using subsurface investigation techniques. The area selected for the installation of the soil borings is typically within a stained portion of soil surrounding the AST. The objective is to determine whether or not the oil that created the stain has migrated and impacted the soil below the AST.
For more information about our Underground Tank Subsurface Investigation service, call CommTank at 1-800-628-8260. Or you can reach us by email at sales@commtank.com.
CommTank, Inc.
84 New Salem Street
Wakefield, Ma. 01880
www.commtank.com