Site-Specific Technical Report (A003) for Bioslurper Testing at Site 24, Edwards AFB, California

Abstract : This report summarizes the field activities conducted at Edwards AFB, for a short-term field pilot test to compare vacuum-enhanced free-product recovery (bioslurping) to traditional free-product recovery techniques to remove light, nonaqueous-phase liquid (LNAPL) from subsurface soils and aquifers. The field testing at Edwards AFB is part of the Bioslurper Initiative, which is funded and managed by the U.S. Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence (AFCEE) Technology Transfer Division. The AFCEE Bioslurper Initiative is a multisite program designed to evaluate the efficacy of the bioslurping technology for (1) recovery of LNAPL from groundwater and the capillary fringe, and (2) enhancing natural in situ degradation of petroleum contaminants in the vadose zone via bioventing. The main objective of the Bioslurper Initiative is to develop procedures for evaluating the potential for recovering free-phase LNAPL present at petroleum-contaminated sites. The overall study is designed to evaluate bioslurping and identify site parameters that are reliable predictors of bioslurping performance. To measure LNAPL recovery in a wide variety of in situ conditions, tests are being performed at many sites. The test at Edwards AFB is one of at least 35 similar field tests to be conducted at various locations throughout the United States and its possessions. The intent of field testing is to collect data to support determination of the predictability of LNAPL recovery and to evaluate the applicability, cost, and performance of the bioslurping technology for removal of free product and remediation of the contaminated area. The on-site testing is structured to allow direct comparison of the LNAPL recovery achieved by bioslurping with the performance of more conventional LNAPL recovery technologies. The test method included an initial site characterization followed by LNAPL recovery testing.