ASTM D6235-18
(Practice)Standard Practice for Expedited Site Characterization of Vadose Zone and Groundwater Contamination at Hazardous Waste Contaminated Sites
Standard Practice for Expedited Site Characterization of Vadose Zone and Groundwater Contamination at Hazardous Waste Contaminated Sites
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The ESC Process—This practice describes a process for characterizing hazardous waste contaminated sites8, that provides cost-effective, timely, high-quality information derived primarily from judgement-based sampling and measurements by an integrated, multidisciplinary project team during a limited number of field mobilizations. (See Appendix X1 for additional background on the ESC process, its distinction from traditional site characterization, and its relationship to other approaches to site characterization and Appendix X5 and X6 for illustrative examples of the ESC process.)
4.2 Determining Appropriateness of ESC—The ESC process should be initiated when an ESC client, regulatory authority, and stakeholders determine that contaminants at a site present a potential threat to human health or the environment and the ESC process will identify vadose zone, groundwater, and other contaminant migration pathways in a timely and cost-effective manner, especially when decisions concerning remedial or other action must be made as rapidly as possible. Situations where the process may be applicable are as follows:
4.2.1 ESA—Sites where environmental site assessments (ESAs) conducted by using Practice E1527, Practice E1528, and Guide E1903 identify levels of contamination requiring further, more intensive characterization of the geologic and hydrologic system of contaminant migration pathways. Section X1.5.3 discusses the relationship between ESAs and the ESC process.
4.2.2 Petroleum Release Sites—Large petroleum release sites, such as refineries. The user should review both this practice and Guide E1912 to evaluate whether the ESC or ASC process is more appropriate for such sites.
4.2.3 Subsurface Radioactivity—Sites or facilities with subsurface contamination by radioactivity.
4.2.4 Other Subsurface Contamination—Other sites or facilities where contaminant migration in the vadose zone and groundwater is a matter of concern and heterogeneity of the vadose z...
SCOPE
1.1 Applicability of the ESC Process—This practice covers a process for expedited site characterization (ESC) of hazardous waste contaminated sites2 to identify vadose zone, groundwater and other relevant contaminant migration pathways and determine the distribution, concentration, and fate of contaminants for the purpose of providing an ESC client, regulatory authority, and stakeholders with the necessary information to choose a course of action.3 Generally, the process is applicable to larger-scale projects or contaminated sites where the ESC process can be reasonably expected to reduce the time and cost of site characterization compared to alternative approaches. The ESC process has been applied successfully at a variety of sites (see Table X1.1). It typically achieves significant cost and schedule savings compared to traditional site characterization (see X1.2 and X1.3),4 although it should be recognized that in-depth site characterization of hazardous waste contaminated sites may require a more elaborate process than ESC.
1.2 Features of the ESC Process—The ESC process operates within the framework of existing regulatory programs. It focuses on collecting only the information required to meet characterization objectives and on ensuring that characterization ceases as soon as the objectives are met. Central to the ESC process is the use of judgement-based sampling and measurement to characterize vadose zone and groundwater contamination in a limited number of field mobilizations by an integrated multidisciplinary team, led by a technical leader and operating within the framework of a dynamic work plan that gives him or her the flexibility of responsibility to select the type and location of measurements needed to optimize data collection activities. Table 1 identifies other essential features of the ESC process, and Fig. 1 presents a flow diagram for the entire ESC process.
FIG. 1 Overview of the Expedited Site...
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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: D6235 − 18
Standard Practice for
Expedited Site Characterization of Vadose Zone and
Groundwater Contamination at Hazardous Waste
1
Contaminated Sites
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6235; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope measurement to characterize vadose zone and groundwater
contamination in a limited number of field mobilizations by an
1.1 Applicability of the ESC Process—This practice covers
integrated multidisciplinary team, led by a technical leader and
a process for expedited site characterization (ESC) of hazard-
2 operating within the framework of a dynamic work plan that
ous waste contaminated sites to identify vadose zone, ground-
gives him or her the flexibility of responsibility to select the
water and other relevant contaminant migration pathways and
type and location of measurements needed to optimize data
determine the distribution, concentration, and fate of contami-
collection activities. Table 1 identifies other essential features
nants for the purpose of providing an ESC client, regulatory
of the ESC process, and Fig. 1 presents a flow diagram for the
authority, and stakeholders with the necessary information to
3 entire ESC process.
choose a course of action. Generally, the process is applicable
to larger-scale projects or contaminated sites where the ESC 1.3 Investigation Methods—The process described in this
process can be reasonably expected to reduce the time and cost practice is based on good scientific practice but is not tied to
of site characterization compared to alternative approaches. any particular regulatory program, site investigation method or
The ESC process has been applied successfully at a variety of technique, chemical analysis method, statistical analysis
sites (see Table X1.1). It typically achieves significant cost and method, risk analysis method, or computer modeling code.
schedule savings compared to traditional site characterization Appropriate investigation techniques in an ESC project are
4
(see X1.2 and X1.3), although it should be recognized that highly site specific and are selected and modified based upon
in-depth site characterization of hazardous waste contaminated the professional judgement of the core technical team (in
sites may require a more elaborate process than ESC. particular the technical team leader). Whenever feasible, non-
invasive and minimally invasive methods are used, as dis-
1.2 Features of the ESC Process—The ESC process oper-
cussed in Appendix X2. Appropriate chemical analysis meth-
ates within the framework of existing regulatory programs. It
ods are equally site specific.Analyses may be conducted in the
focuses on collecting only the information required to meet
field or laboratory, depending on data quality requirements,
characterization objectives and on ensuring that characteriza-
required turnaround time, and costs.
tion ceases as soon as the objectives are met. Central to the
ESC process is the use of judgement-based sampling and 1.4 Sites Generally Not Appropriate for the ESC Process—
Generally, the ESC process is not applicable to: small petro-
leum release sites, real estate property transactions that require
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
no more than a Phase I ESA, sites where contamination is
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.01 on Surface and
limited to the near surface or there is no basis for suspecting
Subsurface Characterization.
that contaminant movement through the vadose zone and
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 2018. Published January 2019. Originally
approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as D6235 – 04(2010).
groundwater is a matter of concern, sites where the cost of
DOI: 10.1520/D6235-18.
remedial action is likely to be less than the cost of site
2
The term hazardous waste in the title is used descriptively. The term also has
characterization, or sites where existing statutes or regulations
specific meanings in the context of different regulatory programs. Expedited site
5
characterization is also appropriate for radiologically contaminated sites and some prohibit the use of essential features of the ESC process.
larger petroleum release sites, such as refineries. Section 4.2 further identifies types
1.5 Other Potentially Applicable ASTM Standards for Site
of contaminated sites where ESC may be appropriate. See App
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D6235 − 04 (Reapproved 2010) D6235 − 18
Standard Practice for
Expedited Site Characterization of Vadose Zone and
Groundwater Contamination at Hazardous Waste
1
Contaminated Sites
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6235; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 Applicability of the ECSESC Process—This practice covers a process for expedited site characterization (ESC) of hazardous
2
waste contaminated sites to identify vadose zone, groundwater and other relevant contaminant migration pathways and determine
the distribution, concentration, and fate of contaminants for the purpose of providing an ESC client, regulatory authority, and
3
stakeholders with the necessary information to choose a course of action. Generally, the process is applicable to larger-scale
projects, such as CERCLA (Superfund) remedial investigations and RCRA facility investigations.projects or When used as part
of the Superfund response process, this Practice should be used in conjunction with U.S. EPA’s guidance document titled Using
Dynamic Field Activities for On-Site Decision Making: A Guide for Project Managers (1). The ESC process is also applicable to
other contaminated sites where the ESC process can be reasonably expected to reduce the time and cost of site characterization
compared to alternative approaches. The ESC process has been applied successfully at a variety of sites in different states and EPA
regions. (See (see Table X1.1). It typically achieves significant cost and schedule savings compared to traditional site
4
characterization. (Seecharacterization (see X1.2 and X1.3).), although it should be recognized that in-depth site characterization
of hazardous waste contaminated sites may require a more elaborate process than ESC.
1.2 Features of the ESC Process—The ESC process operates within the framework of existing regulatory programs. It focuses
on collecting only the information required to meet characterization objectives and on ensuring that characterization ceases as soon
as the objectives are met. Central to the ESC process is the use of judgement-based sampling and measurement to characterize
vadose zone and groundwater contamination in a limited number of field mobilizations by an integrated multidisciplinary team,
led by a technical leader and operating within the framework of a dynamic work plan that gives him or her the flexibility of
responsibility to select the type and location of measurements needed to optimize data collection activities. Table 1 identifies other
essential features of the ESC process, and Fig. 1 presents a flow diagram for the entire ESC process.
1.3 Investigation Methods—The process described in this practice is based on good scientific practice but is not tied to any
particular regulatory program, site investigation method or technique, chemical analysis method, statistical analysis method, risk
analysis method, or computer modeling code. Appropriate investigation techniques in an ESC project are highly site specific and
are selected and modified based upon the professional judgement of the core technical team (in particular the technical team
leader). Whenever feasible, noninvasive and minimally invasive methods are used, as discussed in Appendix X3X2. Appropriate
chemical analysis methods are equally site specific. Analyses may be conducted in the field or laboratory, depending on data quality
requirements, required turnaround time, and costs.
1.4 Sites Generally Not Appropriate for the ESC Process—Generally, the ESC process is not applicable to: small petroleum
release sites, real estate property transactions that require no more than a Phase I ESA, sites where contamination is limited to the
near surface or there is no basis for suspecting that contaminant movement through the vadose zone and groundwater is a matter
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.01 on Surface and Subsurface
Characterization.
Current edition approved May 1, 2010Dec. 15, 2018. Published September 2010January 2019. Originally approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 20042010
as D6235 – 04.04(2010). DOI: 10.1520/D6235-04R10. 10.1520/D6235-18.
2
The term hazardous waste in the title is u
...
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