A Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Facilities Assessment was prepared by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) identifying 131 Areas of Concern (AOCs) at the former Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 1, resulting in a corrective action consent agreement between DTSC and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to evaluate potential releases of hazardous constituents and implement corrective measures as appropriate.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were anticipated to be chemicals of potential concern (COPCs) driving the need for corrective action. A study to determine the site-specific background concentrations of metals, including arsenic, was conducted, as they were also anticipated COPCs. Historical information indicated that only four AOCs would likely be impacted by arsenic due to historical use of an arsenic containing corrosion inhibitor, W-41.

During the RCRA Facilities Investigations, arsenic concentrations in soil were shown to require additional investigation and corrective measures. Innovative sampling and analytical techniques using a field-based X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyzer were used to efficiently move through the investigation phase. To date, a greater number of AOCs than initially anticipated have arsenic in soil exceeding the established background concentration, resulting in a greater number of AOCs requiring corrective measures for arsenic.

Primary Author/Presenter:
Mary Snow
Project Manager /Geologist, P.G.
Ahtna Facility Services, Inc.
West Sacramento, California
USA

Co-Authors:
Christopher Smith, AFSI, West Sacramento, California
Anthony Blake, AFSI, West Sacramento, California
Estelle Shiroma, AFSI, West Sacramento, California
Nathan Unangst, AFSI, West Sacramento, California
Teresa O’Carroll, AFSI, West Sacramento, California
Meghann Hurt, AFSI, West Sacramento, California
Wayne Elias, US Department of Energy, Washington DC