Case study: General Electric Aircraft Engines


As part of RCRA corrective action activities at the General Electric Aircraft Engine facility in Evendale, Ohio, a study was conducted to determine the nature and extent of chlorinated VOC’s in groundwater along an upgradient boundary at the site and to identify potential sources for the chlorinated VOC’s. The field investigation was conducted in three phases. The first phase included a geophysical utility clearance, membrane interface probe (MIP) survey, and direct push soil and groundwater sampling. Results from the MIP and direct push survey were used to position monitoring wells along the northern boundary of the site. The third phase involved sampling the wells for chlorinated VOC’s.

The purpose for the MIP was to provide real time screening data from the vadose zone and perched water-bearing zone on presence of chlorinated VOC’s (ECD) and soil conductivity for characterizing subsurface lithology (EC sensor). Based on the ECD values from the MIP survey , direct push soil and groundwater samples were collected to confirm MIP results and more thoroughly characterize the spatial distribution in the study area. Direct push data as used for locating monitoring wells.

Passive diffusion bags (PDBs) were suspended in one monitoring well to evaluate the vertical distribution of chlorinated VOCs within the perched water-bearing zone.