Project Experience

Hexavalent & Trivalent Chromium Contamination

Challenge

AcuityES was asked to evaluate site conditions at a RCRA solid waste management unit (SWMU) to assess geochemical parameters associated with the environmental release of a chromic and hydrofluoric acid based process solution to soil and groundwater. Historical groundwater sampling conducted at the SWMU produced highly fluctuating and anomalous hexavalent and trivalent chromium concentration trends.

Action

AcuityES conducted low flow sampling at the SWMU and evaluated groundwater chemistry parameters relative to hexavalent and trivalent chromium concentrations. AcuityES’s assessment identified an outside source that was introducing a strongly reducing surfactant to groundwater which influenced the SWMU soil and groundwater geochemistry, resulting in significant contaminant concentration shifts from predominantly hexavalent chromium to predominantly trivalent chromium.

Results

The project resulted in the identification of an outside source that was contributing to the anomalous hexavalent and trivalent chromium concentration trends. The client was able to take steps and repair the unit which was responsible for the previously unknown surfactant release.