Background Campbell Environmental Group was contracted to investigate and remove coal tar-impacted material from a former manufactured gas plant site located in Maine's midcoast region. The gas plant was in operation from approximately 1850 to 1950. The site currently serves as a parking lot for trucks and other vehicles and is located adjacent to a beach and an inter tidal zone. CEG has performed several environmental investigations that have been conducted under the Maine DEP's Voluntary Response Action Program. During the investigations, a tar-like material was identified on the beach, adjacent to the site, and was also discovered leaching from an embankment that borders the site. The presence of this material has resulted in the completion of a remedial feasibility study and the design of a remedial system by CEG.
The purpose of the investigations were to evaluate the potential sources and extent of coal tar observed on the beach, characterize the soil, and document groundwater quality and flow. Field investigation techniques included the installation of monitoring wells across the site and the beach, excavation of several test pits on the Beach and the collection groundwater, soil, pore water, and sediment samples. Select samples were analyzed for priority pollutant metals, cyanide speciation, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), using total compound analysis methods and toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP). TCLP analysis was performed to determine the leaching potential of the metals, VOCs, and SVOCs from the soil.
