Hydrocarbon (Fuel/ Oil) Testing and Assessment

Name: Ruddlesden Geotechnical
Price range: $

Total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) and polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) chemicals, derived from fuels/ oils, are key contaminants of concern in both human health and controlled waters risk assessments.

In common with all contamination risk assessments, the assessment of TPH and PAH contamination starts with the desk study, which might include a petroleum storage licence search, to identify whether or not there are any records of underground fuel storage on-site.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be monitored with a photo-ionisation detector (PID).

The vapour inhalation can be as important as the ingestion pathways in consideration of human health risks. The physio-chemical properties, including half-life and soil-partition coefficient, need to be considered in controlled waters risk assessments.

Remedial measures might include source removal/ treatment and/ or barriers (capping, membranes etc.).

Case Study

TPH, PAH, VOC and SVOC Testing for Contamination Risk Assessments

Extensive speciated total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH), polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), volatile organic compound (VOC) and semi-volatile organic compound (SVOC) soil and groundwater testing was undertaken as part of the contamination investigation and assessment for a former railway station and bitumen emulsion depot in Somerset. The locations of the samples and suites of the laboratory testing were targeted, based on the conceptual site model (CSM) and site observations. The laboratory testing was supplemented with in-situ VOC testing using a photo-ionisation detector (PID). The results of the laboratory testing, which was UKAS accredited, were used as part of the human health and controlled waters risk assessments, so that appropriate remedial measures could be provided. All of the analysis and reports were approved by the local authority, NHBC and Environment Agency.