ASTM E1943-98(2015)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Remediation of Ground Water by Natural Attenuation at Petroleum Release Sites
Standard Guide for Remediation of Ground Water by Natural Attenuation at Petroleum Release Sites
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The approach presented in this guide is a practical and streamlined process for determining the appropriateness of remediation by natural attenuation and implementing remediation by natural attenuation at a given petroleum release site. This information can be used to evaluate remediation by natural attenuation along with other remedial options for each site.
4.2 In general, remediation by natural attenuation may be used in the following instances:
4.2.1 As the sole remedial action at sites where immediate threats to human health, safety and the environment do not exist or have been mitigated, and constituents of concern are unlikely to impact a receptor;
4.2.2 As a subsequent phase of remediation after another remedial action has sufficiently reduced concentrations/mass in the source area so that plume impacts on receptors are unlikely; or
4.2.3 As a part of a multi-component remediation plan.
4.3 This guide is intended to be used by environmental consultants, industry, and state and federal regulators involved in response actions at petroleum release sites. Activities described in this guide should be performed by a person appropriately trained to conduct the corrective action process.
4.4 The implementation of remediation by natural attenuation requires that the user exercise the same care and professional judgement as with any other remedial alternative by:
4.4.1 Ensuring that site characterization activities focus on collecting information required to evaluate and implement remediation by natural attenuation;
4.4.2 Evaluating information to understand natural attenuation processes present at the site;
4.4.3 Determining whether remediation by natural attenuation is the most appropriate and cost-effective remedial alternative with a reasonable probability of achieving remedial goals; and
4.4.4 Monitoring remedial progress.
4.5 Application and implementation of remediation by natural attenuation is intended to be compatible wit...
SCOPE
1.1 This is a guide for determining the appropriateness of remediation by natural attenuation and implementing remediation by natural attenuation at a given petroleum release site, either as a stand alone remedial action or in combination with other remedial actions.
1.2 Natural attenuation is a potential remediation alternative for containment and reduction of the mass and concentration of petroleum hydrocarbons in the environment to protect human health and the environment. Remediation by natural attenuation depends upon natural processes such as biodegradation, dispersion, dilution, volatilization, hydrolysis, and sorption to attenuate petroleum constituents of concern to achieve remedial goals.
Note 1: Remedial goals must be established through another process as determined by the appropriate regulatory agency.
1.3 In general, remediation by natural attenuation should not be considered a presumptive remedy. A determination of whether remediation by natural attenuation is appropriate for an individual petroleum release site, relative to site-specific remedial goals, requires site characterization, assessment of potential risks, evaluation of the need for source area control, and evaluation of potential effectiveness similar to other remedial action technologies. Application and implementation of remediation by natural attenuation requires demonstration of remedial progress and attainment of remedial goals by use of converging lines of evidence obtained through monitoring and evaluation of resulting data. When properly applied to a site, remediation by natural attenuation is a process for risk management and achieving remedial goals. Monitoring should be conducted until it has been demonstrated that natural attenuation will continue and eventually meet remedial goals.
1.3.1 The primary line of evidence for remediation by natural attenuation is provided by observed reductions in plume geometry and observed re...
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E1943 − 98 (Reapproved 2015)
Standard Guide for
Remediation of Ground Water by Natural Attenuation at
Petroleum Release Sites
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1943; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope plume geometry and observed reductions in concentrations of
the constituents of concern at the site.
1.1 This is a guide for determining the appropriateness of
1.3.2 Secondary lines of evidence for remediation by natu-
remediation by natural attenuation and implementing remedia-
ral attenuation are provided by geochemical indicators of
tion by natural attenuation at a given petroleum release site,
naturally occurring degradation and estimates of attenuation
either as a stand alone remedial action or in combination with
rates.
other remedial actions.
1.3.3 Additional optional lines of evidence can be provided
1.2 Naturalattenuationisapotentialremediationalternative
bymicrobiologicalinformationandfurtheranalysisofprimary
forcontainmentandreductionofthemassandconcentrationof
and secondary lines of evidence such as through solute
petroleum hydrocarbons in the environment to protect human
transport modeling or estimates of assimilative capacity.
health and the environment. Remediation by natural attenua-
tion depends upon natural processes such as biodegradation,
1.4 The emphasis in this guide is on the use of remediation
dispersion, dilution, volatilization, hydrolysis, and sorption to
by natural attenuation for petroleum hydrocarbon constituents
attenuate petroleum constituents of concern to achieve reme-
wheregroundwaterisimpacted.Thoughsoilandgroundwater
dial goals.
impacts are often linked, this guide does not address natural
attenuation in soils separate from ground water or in situations
NOTE 1—Remedial goals must be established through another process
wheresoilscontainingconstituentsofconcernexistwithoutan
as determined by the appropriate regulatory agency.
associated ground water impact. Even if natural attenuation is
1.3 In general, remediation by natural attenuation should
selected as the remedial action for ground water, additional
not be considered a presumptive remedy. A determination of
remedial action may be necessary to address other completed
whether remediation by natural attenuation is appropriate for
exposure pathways at the site.
an individual petroleum release site, relative to site-specific
remedial goals, requires site characterization, assessment of 1.5 Thisguidedoesnotaddressenhancedbioremediationor
potential risks, evaluation of the need for source area control, enhanced attenuation.
and evaluation of potential effectiveness similar to other
1.6 Also, while much of what is discussed is relevant to
remedial action technologies.Application and implementation
other organic chemicals or constituents of concern, these
ofremediationbynaturalattenuationrequiresdemonstrationof
situations will involve additional considerations not addressed
remedial progress and attainment of remedial goals by use of
in this guide.
converging lines of evidence obtained through monitoring and
evaluation of resulting data. When properly applied to a site,
1.7 The guide is organized as follows:
remediation by natural attenuation is a process for risk man-
1.7.1 Section 2 lists referenced documents.
agement and achieving remedial goals. Monitoring should be
1.7.2 Section 3 defines terminology used in this guide.
conducted until it has been demonstrated that natural attenua-
1.7.3 Section 4 describes the significance and use of this
tion will continue and eventually meet remedial goals.
guide.
1.3.1 The primary line of evidence for remediation by
1.7.4 Section 5 provides an overview of the use of natural
natural attenuation is provided by observed reductions in
attenuation as a remedial action alternative, including;
1.7.4.1 Advantages of remediation by natural attenuation as
a remedial alternative;
ThisguideisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE50onEnvironmental
Assessment, Risk Management and CorrectiveAction and is the direct responsibil- 1.7.4.2 Limitations of remediation by natural attenuation as
ity of Subcommittee E50.04 on Corrective Action.
a remedial alternative; and
Current edition approved April 1, 2015. Published July 2015. Originally
1.7.4.3 Using multiple lines of evidence to demonstrate the
approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as E1943–98 (2010).
DOI: 10.1520/E1943-98R15. appropriateness of remediation by natural remediation.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E1943 − 98 (2015)
1.7.5 Section 6 describes the decision process for appropri- Change in Head (Slug) Tests for Determining Hydraulic
ate application and implementation of remediation by natural Properties of Aquifers
attenuation including; D4050Test Method for (Field Procedure) for Withdrawal
1.7.5.1 Initial response, site characterization, selection of and Injection Well Testing for Determining Hydraulic
chemicals of concern, and establishment of remedial goals;
Properties of Aquifer Systems
1.7.5.2 Evaluation of plume status; D4104Test Method (Analytical Procedure) for Determining
1.7.5.3 Collection and evaluation of additional data;
Transmissivity of Nonleaky Confined Aquifers by Over-
1.7.5.4 Comparing remediation by natural attenuation per- damped Well Response to Instantaneous Change in Head
formance to remedial goals;
(Slug Tests)
1.7.5.5 Comparing remediation by natural attenuation to D4105Test Method for (Analytical Procedure) for Deter-
other remedial options;
mining Transmissivity and Storage Coefficient of Non-
1.7.5.6 Implementation of a continued monitoring program;
leaky ConfinedAquifers by the Modified Theis Nonequi-
1.7.5.7 Evaluation of progress of remediation by natural
librium Method
attenuation; and
D4106Test Method for (Analytical Procedure) for Deter-
1.7.5.8 No further action.
mining Transmissivity and Storage Coefficient of Non-
1.7.6 Section 7 lists keywords relevant to this guide.
leaky Confined Aquifers by the Theis Nonequilibrium
1.7.7 Appendix X1 describes natural attenuation processes;
Method
1.7.8 Appendix X2 describes site characterization require-
D4372Specification for Flame-Resistant Materials Used in
ments for evaluating remediation by natural attenuation;
Camping Tentage (Withdrawn 2002)
1.7.9 Appendix X3 describes considerations for designing
D4448GuideforSamplingGround-WaterMonitoringWells
and implementing monitoring for remediation by natural at-
D4658Test Method for Sulfide Ion in Water
tenuation;
D4700Guide for Soil Sampling from the Vadose Zone
1.7.10 Appendix X4 describes sampling considerations and
D4750Test Method for Determining Subsurface Liquid
analytical methods for determining indicator parameters for
Levels in a Borehole or Monitoring Well (Observation
remediation by natural attenuation;
Well) (Withdrawn 2010)
1.7.11 Appendix X5 describes the interpretation of different
D5092Practice for Design and Installation of Groundwater
lines of evidence as indicators of natural attenuation;
Monitoring Wells
1.7.12 Appendix X6 describes methods for evaluation and
D5269TestMethodforDeterminingTransmissivityofNon-
quantification of natural attenuation rates; and
leaky Confined Aquifers by the Theis Recovery Method
1.7.13 Appendix X7 describes example problems illustrat-
D5270Test Method for Determining Transmissivity and
ing the application and implementation of remediation by
Storage Coefficient of Bounded, Nonleaky, Confined
natural attenuation.
Aquifers
D5434Guide for Field Logging of Subsurface Explorations
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
of Soil and Rock
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
D5473Test Method for (Analytical Procedure for) Analyz-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
ing the Effects of Partial Penetration of Control Well and
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
Determining the Horizontal and Vertical Hydraulic Con-
bility of any regulatory limitations prior to use.
ductivity in a Nonleaky Confined Aquifer
2. Referenced Documents E1599Guide for Corrective Action for Petroleum Releases
2 (Withdrawn 2002)
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E1689Guide for Developing Conceptual Site Models for
D888Test Methods for Dissolved Oxygen in Water
Contaminated Sites
D1125Test Methods for Electrical Conductivity and Resis-
E1739Guide for Risk-Based Corrective Action Applied at
tivity of Water
Petroleum Release Sites
D1293Test Methods for pH of Water
E1912Guide forAccelerated Site Characterization for Con-
D1452Practice for Soil Exploration and Sampling byAuger
firmed or Suspected Petroleum Releases (Withdrawn
Borings
2013)
D1498Test Method for Oxidation-Reduction Potential of
Water
3. Terminology
D1586Test Method for Penetration Test (SPT) and Split-
Barrel Sampling of Soils 3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
D4043Guide for Selection of Aquifer Test Method in
3.1.1 assimilative capacity—a semi-quantitative estimate of
Determining Hydraulic Properties by Well Techniques
the potential mass of hydrocarbons per unit volume of ground
D4044Test Method for (Field Procedure) for Instantaneous
water that can be metabolized by aerobic and anaerobic
biodegradation under existing site conditions.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
the ASTM website. www.astm.org.
E1943 − 98 (2015)
3.1.2 attenuation rate—measured reduction in concentra- stable, or expanding similar to the first line of evidence
tionormassofacompoundwithtimeordistanceexpressedas suggested by NRC (1993).
an amount of reduction per unit time or per unit distance.
3.1.15 receptor—persons, structures, utilities, ecological
receptors, and water supply wells that are or may be adversely
3.1.3 conceptual site model—awrittenorpictorialrepresen-
affected by a release.
tation of an environmental system and the biological, physical,
and chemical processes that determine the transport of con-
3.1.16 remedial goals—remediation objectives established
stituentsofconcernfromsourcesthroughenvironmentalmedia to protect human health and the environment. Remedial goals
to environmental receptors within the system.
may be concentration-based target levels applied at specific
points throughout the plume or performance-based criteria,
3.1.4 constituents of concern—specific petroleum constitu-
such as demonstrated containment of the solute plume or
ents that are identified as posing a potential risk to human
demonstrated reduction in concentrations of constituents of
health or the environment.
concern over time within the plume or with distance from the
3.1.5 corrective action—actions taken to identify and clean
source area.
up a release of petroleum. These activities include site
3.1.17 remediation/remedial action—activitiesconductedto
assessment,interimremedialaction,remedialaction,operation
protect human health, safety, and the environment. These
and maintenance of equipment, monitoring of progress, and
activities include evaluating risk, making no further action
termination of the remedial action.
determinations, monitoring, and designing and operating
3.1.6 electron acceptors—elements or compounds that are
cleanup equipment.
reduced by receiving electrons produced by the oxidation of
3.1.18 remediation by natural attenuation—aremedywhere
organic compounds through microbial metabolism or abiotic
naturally occurring physical, chemical, and biological pro-
chemical oxidation processes.
cesses will achieve remedial goals. The use of natural attenu-
ationprocessesasaremedialactionalsohasbeendescribedby
3.1.7 expanding plume—configuration where the solute
a variety of other terms, such as intrinsic remediation, intrinsic
plumemarginiscontinuingtomoveoutwardordowngradient
bioremediation, passive remediation, natural biodegradation,
from the source area.
passive bioremediation, etc. Remediation by natural attenua-
3.1.8 institutional controls—the restriction on use or access
tion does not include remediation methods that require human
(for example, fences, deed restrictions, restrictive zoning) to a
intervention beyond monitoring.
site or facility to eliminate or minimize potential exposure to a
3.1.19 secondary lines of evidence—geochemical indicators
constituent(s) of concern.
of naturally occurring biodegradation and estimates of natural
3.1.9 monitoring points—a monitoring well or other moni-
attenuation rate.
toring device placed in a selected location for observing
3.1.20 sentinel well—monitoring points established at a
parameters such as liquid levels or pressure changes, or for
location(s) between the leading edge of the solute plume and a
collecting liquid samples. The monitoring point may be cased
sensitive receptor (for example, drinking water well) to ensure
or uncased, but if cased the casing should have openings to
thattherewillbetimeforotherremedialactionstobetaken,if
allow flow of borehole liquid into or out of the casing
the plume does migrate beyond predicted boundaries.
(modified from Test Method D4750).
3.1.21 shrinking plume—configuration where the solute
3.1.10 natural attenuation—reductioninmassorconcentra-
plume margin is receding back toward the source area over
tionofacompoundingroundwaterovertimeordistancefrom
time and the concentrations at points within the plume are
thesourceofconstituentsofconcernduetonaturallyoccurring
decreasing over time.
physical, chemical, and biological processes, such as;
3.1.22 source area—thelocationoffreephaseliquidhydro-
biodegradation, dispersion, dilution, sorption, and volatiliza-
carbons or the location of highest soil and ground water
tion.
concentrations of constituents of concern.
3.1.11 optional lines of evidence—solute transport
3.1.23 stable plume—configuration where the solute plume
modeling, estimates of assimilative capacity (to estimate the
margin is stationary over time and concentrations at points
mass of BTEX and other constituents of concern degraded),
within the plume are relatively uniform over time or may
and microbiologic
...
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