Investigation and Remedial Approach Development for a TCE Spill Site: A Case Study

A trichloroethene (TCE) plume has been discovered inside an industrial park located in Taiwan. The objectives of this study were to characterize the solvent spill site and prepare a corrective action plan (CAP) for site remediation. The following tasks have been performed under Taiwan Soil and Groundwater Remediation Act corrective action: (1) geophysical survey to verify the existence and fate of all potential contaminant sources in the vicinity of the avionics repair shop; (2) soil-gas survey and soil/groundwater analyses to delineate the lateral and vertical extent of contaminants in the subsurface; (3) application of field screening techniques to determine the presence of dense, non-aqueous-phase liquids (DNAPLs); (4) contaminant transport modeling; (5) evaluation of the remedial options, conduction of cost analysis, and selection of the optimal treatment system. Results from the site characterization indicate that an extended TCE plume existed in site groundwater, which needs to be contained and remediated. A two-phase remedial approach has been developed. Phase I was to contain the existing dissolved groundwater plume in the surficial aquifer and initiate mass removal of DNAPLs. Phase II was to conduct feasibility studies and possibly test surfactant washing and biobarrier techniques.