Maska US

Tetrachloroethane (PCE) contamination stemming from operations on the Maska U.S., Inc. (Maska) had significantly impacted the environment in the region.  The Site was the focus of more than a dozen environmental investigations by different firms from 1990 to 1997.  Heindel and Noyes drew upon these studies as well as their own work to develop a comprehensive conceptual model of the type, location and degree of contamination on the site, which served as the basis for the State’s approval of remediation on the property.

H&N is using a combination of institutional controls and remediation technologies to address the problem.  Contaminated soils were excavated from a leachfield where chemicals had been deposited over the years. Two Soil Vapor Extraction and Air Sparging systems were established to address free phase that was believed to have migrated through cracks in the floor, penetrated leaking floor drain discharge pipes, and seeped through the anti-vibration footings of the former industrial dry-cleaning equipment.  H&N also created new technologies such as the Groundwater Heating system, which utilized steam from the building to raise the soil and water temperature in the source area.  The result was an increase in the volatilization rate of the PCE, thereby reducing the operation time of the SVE / AS systems by at least one year.

Overall the clean-up efforts at this site have been an unqualified success.  Remediation activities, including Soil Vapor Extraction and Air Sparging systems, resulted in an estimated 98% reduction in the absorbed and dissolved phase PCE on-site.  The site is currently being monitored on a bi-annual basis.