ASTM D6235-04(2010)
(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
The ESC Process—This practice describes a process for characterizing groundwater contamination at sites, 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 X6 and Appendix X7 for illustrative examples of the ESC process.)
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:
CERCLA—CERCLA remedial investigation/feasibility studies (RI/FS). (See Appendix X2.) This practice should be used in conjunction with U.S. EPA (37)
RCRA—RCRA facility investigation/corrective measures studies (RFI/CMS). (See Appendix X2.)
Note 4—The ESC process can be continued to include CERCLA feasibility studies and RCRA corrective measures studies (see Section 12), but this practice focuses on its use for site characterization. Section X1.4.5 describes the relationship of the ESC process to the DOE SAFER and EPA SACM programs for accelerating the cleanup of contaminated sites.
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 pathw...
SCOPE
1.1 Applicability of the ECS Process—This practice covers a process for expedited site characterization (ESC) of hazardous 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 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. 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 (37). 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 Table X1.1). It typically achieves significant cost and schedule savings compared to traditional site characterization. (See X1.2 and X1.3) .
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 an...
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Designation: D6235 − 04 (Reapproved 2010)
Standard Practice for
Expedited Site Characterization of Vadose Zone and
Groundwater Contamination at Hazardous Waste
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 X1.1). It typically achieves significant cost and schedule
savingscomparedtotraditionalsitecharacterization.(SeeX1.2
1.1 Applicability of the ECS Process—This practice covers
and X1.3).
a process for expedited site characterization (ESC) of hazard-
ous waste contaminated sites to identify vadose zone, ground- 1.2 Features of the ESC Process—The ESC process oper-
water and other relevant contaminant migration pathways and ates within the framework of existing regulatory programs. It
determine the distribution, concentration, and fate of contami- focuses on collecting only the information required to meet
nants for the purpose of providing an ESC client, regulatory characterization objectives and on ensuring that characteriza-
authority, and stakeholders with the necessary information to tion ceases as soon as the objectives are met. Central to the
choose a course of action. Generally, the process is applicable ESC process is the use of judgement-based sampling and
to larger-scale projects, such as CERCLA (Superfund) reme- measurement to characterize vadose zone and groundwater
dial investigations and RCRA facility investigations. When contamination in a limited number of field mobilizations by an
used as part of the Superfund response process, this Practice integrated multidisciplinary team, led by a technical leader and
should be used in conjunction with U.S. EPA’s guidance operating within the framework of a dynamic work plan that
document titled Using Dynamic Field Activities for On-Site gives him or her the flexibility of responsibility to select the
Decision Making: A Guide for Project Managers (1).The ESC type and location of measurements needed to optimize data
processisalsoapplicabletoothercontaminatedsiteswherethe collection activities. Table 1 identifies other essential features
ESCprocesscanbereasonablyexpectedtoreducethetimeand of the ESC process, and Fig. 1 presents a flow diagram for the
cost of site characterization compared to alternative ap- entire ESC process.
proaches. The ESC process has been applied successfully at a
1.3 Investigation Methods—The process described in this
variety of sites in different states and EPA regions. (See Table
practice is based on good scientific practice but is not tied to
any particular regulatory program, site investigation method or
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and technique, chemical analysis method, statistical analysis
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.01 on Surface and
method, risk analysis method, or computer modeling code.
Subsurface Characterization.
Appropriate investigation techniques in an ESC project are
Current edition approved May 1, 2010. Published September 2010. Originally
highly site specific and are selected and modified based upon
approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as D6235 – 04. DOI:
10.1520/D6235-04R10.
the professional judgement of the core technical team (in
The term hazardous waste in the title is used descriptively. The term also has
particular the technical team leader). Whenever feasible, non-
specific meanings in the context of different regulatory programs. Expedited site
invasive and minimally invasive methods are used, as dis-
characterization is also appropriate for radiologically contaminated sites and some
cussed in Appendix X3. Appropriate chemical analysis meth-
larger petroleum release sites, such as refineries. Section 4.2 further identifies types
of contaminated sites where ESC may be appropriate. See Appendix X1 for
ods are equally site specific.Analyses may be conducted in the
additional background on the ESC process.
field or laboratory, depending on data quality requirements,
The text of this practice emphasizes vadose zone and groundwater contamina-
required turnaround time, and costs.
tion because these contaminant migration pathways are the most difficult to
characterize. An ESC project should also address all other relevant contaminant
migration pathways, such as air, surface water, submerged sediments, and biota.
4 5
ACERCLApreliminaryassessment/siteinspections(PA/SI)oraRCRAfacility This practice uses the term “traditional” site characterization to refer to the
assessment(RFA)isgenerallyrequiredtoprovideinformationsupportingadecision approach that has typically been used for characterizing contaminated sites at
to initiate the ESC process. (See Appendix X2). CERLA and RCRA sites during the 1980s and early 1990s.
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D6235 − 04 (2010)
TABLE 1 Minimum Criteria for a Project Using ASTM Expedited Site Characterization Process
NOTE 1—Other site characterization approaches may include many of the below elements, but all must be present for an investigation using theASTM
ESC process.
1. A technical team leader oversees the ESC project and leads the ESC core technical team. See Fig. 2, step 1.a in Fig. 3, 6.2 and 7.1.1.
2. Project objectives, data quality requirements, and performance criteria are defined by some process that includes ESC client, regulatory authority, and stake-
holders. See Step 1b in Fig. 3 and 6.3.
3. The technical team leader and an integrated multidisciplinary core technical team with expertise in geologic, hydrologic, and chemical systems work together,
as areas of expertise are needed, in the field and throughout the process. See Fig. 2,Step2in Fig. 3, and 7.1.
4. Intensive compilation, quality evaluation, and independent analysis and interpretation of prior data are used to develop a preliminary site model. See Step 3a in
Fig. 3 and8.1–8.5
5. Dynamic work plan, approved by ESC client and regulatory authority, provides framework for use of multiple complementary, site-appropriate geologic and hy-
drologic investigation methods, along with rapid site appropriate methods for containment analysis. See Step 4 in Fig. 3, 8.6, 9.2.4, and Appendix X3.
6. ESC project is based primarily on judgement-based sampling and measurements to test and improve the concepts and details of the evolving site model. See
Steps 5 and 6 in Fig. 3, 3.1.16, 6.3.1, and X1.4.4.1.
7. Quality control procedures are applied to all aspects of ESC data collection and handling, including field work for geologic and hydrologic characterization. See
Steps 5 and 6 in Fig. 3, 9.2.6, 10.1.2, and Appendix X4 and Appendix X5.
8. Field data collection is initially focused on geologic and hydrologic characterization of vadose zone, groundwater and other relevant contaminant migration path-
ways (and on identifying contaminants of concern, if they are not already known), followed by delineating the distribution, concentration, and fate of contaminants,
based on knowledge of the relevant contaminant migration pathways. This effort typically requires no more than two field mobilizations. See Steps 5a and 6a in Fig.
3 and Sections 10 and 11.
9. Field data are integrated, analyzed, and interpreted daily to refine the evolving site model and are used to optimize the type and location of subsequent field
data collection until project objectives have been met. See Steps 5b and 6b in Fig. 3 and 10.1.3.
10. Final site model provides ESC client, regulatory authority, and stakeholders with the information required to choose a course of action based on risk analysis
of regulatory standards-based cleanup criteria. See Section 12.
1.4 Sites Generally Not Appropriate for the ESC Process— tions of property area types for Department of Defense
Generally, the ESC process is not applicable to: small petro- installations, and Practice D6008 provides guidance on con-
leum release sites, real estate property transactions that require ducting environmental baseline surveys to determine certain
no more than a Phase I ESA, sites where contamination is elements of the environmental condition of federal real prop-
limited to the near surface or there is no basis for suspecting erty.
that contaminant movement through the vadose zone and
1.6 The values stated in both inch-pound and SI units are to
groundwater is a matter of concern, sites where the cost of
be regarded separately as the standard. The values given in
remedial action is likely to be less than the cost of site
parentheses are for information only.
characterization, or sites where existing statutes or regulations
1.7 This practice offers an organized collection of informa-
prohibit the use of essential features of the ESC process.
tion or a series of options and does not recommend a specific
1.5 Other Potentially Applicable ASTM Standards for Site
course of action. This document cannot replace education or
Characterization—Guide E1912 addresses accelerated site
experience and should be used in conjunction with professional
characterization (ASC) for petroleum release sites, and Guide
judgment. Not all aspects of this practice may be applicable in
E1739 addresses use of the risk-based corrective action
all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to
(RBCA) process at petroleum release sites. Section X1.5.1
represent or replace the standard of care by which the
describes the ASC process, and X1.5.2 discusses the relation-
adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor
shipbetweenESCandtheRBCAprocess.PracticesE1527and
should this document be applied without consideration of a
E1528 and Guide E1903 address real estate property
project’s many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the
transactions, and X1.5.3 discusses the relationship between the
title of this document means only that the document has been
ESC process and investigations for real estate property trans-
approved through the ASTM consensus process.
actions. Classification D5746 addresses environmental condi-
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
The ASTM knows of no federal or state statutes or regulations that would
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
prohibit use of the ESC process. Some elements of the ESC process may not be
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
entirely consistent with existing federal and state guidance documents, and
regulatory authorities are encouraged make appropriate exceptions. bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
D6235 − 04 (2010)
FIG. 1 Overview of the Expedited Site Characterization Process
D6235 − 04 (2010)
2. Referenced Documents ESC project, as appropriate, with approval by the ESC client
7 and regulatory authority. This definition is the same as for
2.1 ASTM Standards:
chemical(s) of concern used in Guide E1912, except that
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
“contaminants of concern” is the more common usage in
Fluids
hazardous waste site investigations.
D5717 Guide for Design of Ground-Water Monitoring Sys-
3.1.2 dynamic field activity—a project that combines rapid
tems in Karst and Fractured-Rock Aquifers (Withdrawn
on-site data generation with on-site decision making and is
2005)
initiated through a process that includes systematic planning
D5730 Guide for Site Characterization for Environmental
and development of a dynamic work plan (Adapted from U.S.
Purposes With Emphasis on Soil, Rock, the Vadose Zone
EPA (1)).
and Groundwater (Withdrawn 2013)
D5745 Guide for Developing and Implementing Short-Term 3.1.2.1 Discussion—This practice focuses on dynamic field
activities as they relate to site characterization
Measures or Early Actions for Site Remediation
D5746 Classification of Environmental Condition of Prop-
3.1.3 dynamic work plan—a site characterization work plan
erty Area Types for Defense Base Closure and Realign-
including a technical program that identifies the suite of field
ment Facilities
investigation methods and measurements that may be neces-
D5792 Practice for Generation of Environmental Data Re-
sary to characterize a specific site, with the actual methods
lated to Waste Management Activities: Development of
used and the locations of measurements and sampling points
Data Quality Objectives
based on on-site technical decision making.
D5979 Guide for Conceptualization and Characterization of
3.1.3.1 Discussion—Thedynamicworkplan,whichmustbe
Groundwater Systems
approved by the ESC client and regulatory authority, provides
D6008 PracticeforConductingEnvironmentalBaselineSur-
a clearly defined framework (including geographic area, maxi-
veys
mumdepth(whereappropriate),standardoperatingprocedures
D6044 Guide for Representative Sampling for Management
for specific methods) within which the ESC technical team
of Waste and Contaminated Media
leader, supported by the appropriate technical core team
E1527 Practice for Environmental SiteAssessments: Phase I
members, has flexibility and responsibility to select the types
Environmental Site Assessment Process
and locations of measurements to optimize data collection
E1528 Practice for Limited Environmental Due Diligence:
activities. In contrast, a traditional site characterization work
Transaction Screen Process
plan typically contains prescribed numbers and locations for
E1689 Guide for Developing Conceptual Site Models for
field measurements, samples, and monitoring wells. (See
Contaminated Sites
Section 9).
E1739 Guide for Risk-Based Corrective Action Applied at
3.1.4 environmental receptor—humans or other living or-
Petroleum Release Sites
ganisms potentially exposed to and adversely affected by
E1903 Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase
contaminants because they are present at the source(s) or along
II Environmental Site Assessment Process
contaminant migration pathways. (E1689)
E1912 Guide forAccelerated Site Characterization for Con-
3.1.5 environmental site assessment (ESA)—the process by
firmed or Suspected Petroleum Releases (Withdrawn
which a person or entity seeks to determine if a particular
2013)
parcel of real property (including improvements) is subject to
3. Terminology
Recognized Environmental Conditions.
3.1.5.1 Discussion—This practice refers to ESC Phase I/II
3.1 Definitions of Terms S
...
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