Impact of Temperature on Groundwater Source Attenuation Rates at Hydrocarbon Sites

TRRP Training: 2022 Program

presented by: GSI Environmetal Inc.

Texas Risk Reduction Program regulations (TRRP; 30 TAC 350) establish consistent risk-based protocols for assessment and response to soil, groundwater, or surface water impacts associated with environmental releases of regulated wastes or substances.

Presented by GSI Environmental Inc., this popular and informative training series is a must for professionals who need a working understanding of TRRP and those needing to stay up-to-date with the latest TCEQ TRRP guidance and policies.

TRRP Training Course (2 Days): Provides an overview of the TRRP framework and step-by-step training on property assessment and response action procedures established under the TRRP rule

Attendees will become acquainted with rules, key guidance and policies covering affected property assessments, protective concentration levels, and response actions. The course material presents strategies for efficient project management in compliance with TRRP and explains the various report forms adopted by TCEQ.

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Sponsored by:
Texas Association of Environmental Professionals (TAEP) TAEP is the premier organization for environmental professionals in the State of Texas. The goals of TAEP include the advancement of the environmental profession and the establishment of a forum to discuss important environmental issues. TAEP members receive a 10% discount. Please call 713.522.6300 for the code.

Dates and Location

Dates

June 14th and 15th, 2022

Location

Crowne Plaza River Oaks 2712 SW Freeway Houston, Texas 77098 713.523.8448 http://www.crowneplaza.com/

Price and Registration

Early-Bird Price

(Paid by May 1, 2022)
$XXX

Standard Price

(Paid after May 1, 2022)
$XXX

TAEP Membership Price

$XXX

Government Price

$XXX
Lodging and meals are not
included in course cost
Published: July 2017 in Groundwater Monitoring and Remediation.
Abstract
The temperature sensitivity of microbial populations is reflected in measured source attenuation rates at hydrocarbon‐impacted sites. The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation between temperature and source attenuation rates (concentration vs. time attenuation rate over many years) of benzene and toluene by analyzing groundwater monitoring data from >2000 hydrocarbon sites. Historical monitoring records were obtained from three databases, processed to yield long‐term multiyear source attenuation rates, and then compared with representative temperatures at each site. Statistically significant and positive relationships between temperature and source attenuation rates were established for benzene and toluene, indicating that temperature does impact hydrocarbon degradation, but is one of many factors that contribute to source attenuation. There was an observed 1.1 to 1.6 times increase in attenuation rates per 10 °C increase in temperature, which is less than the rate increases predicted by the Arrhenius equation. The temperature dependence on attenuation rate is consistent with several lines of evidence that methanogenesis plays a key role in the rate of hydrocarbon source zone attenuation rather than being controlled strictly by the availability of electron acceptors. First, methanogenesis is known to be strongly influenced by temperature, with significantly higher rates up to about 35 °C. Second, the temperature‐degradation rate relationship was stronger at sites with deeper water tables (>30 ft) that are less susceptible to oxygen influx than sites with shallow water tables (<15 ft). Third, dissolved methane concentrations were higher at sites with warmer temperatures. Overall, these results provide indirect support for a conceptual model where methanogenesis is a key degradation process at hydrocarbon sites, and that attenuation of these source zones is temperature‐sensitive.