AQR Color-Tec Method AQR Color-Tec Method - State Coalition for ...

AQR Color-Tec MethodCertified Training ProgramPart 1What is Color-Tec?Method Classification

Analytical Quality Levels1. The analytical method identifies thepresence/absence of a class of contaminants2. The analytical method identifies thepresence/absence of a particular contaminant3. The analytical method identifies thepresence/absence of a particular contaminant ator near regulatory clean-up levels(Portable Instruments & Test Kits)QualitativeData4. The analytical method reliably quantifies theconcentration of a particular contaminant with aknown analytical quantity to below regulatoryclean-up levelsQuantitativeData(CG/MS - Fixed and Mobile Laboratory)

AQR Color-Tec Method -ClassificationLevel 1Level 3Colorimetric Reagent Test KitProvides Qualitative DataNon-Standard (Decision quality)Identifies the presence/absence of acontaminant class (Chlorinated VOHs)Detects concentrations at or nearregulatory clean-up levels of allcompounds in that contaminant classProvides Semi-Quantitative DataStatistical analysis of the Color-Tec data to comparisondata of a known analytical quality provides estimatedconcentrations and method confidence limits

Compounds Detected With AQR Color-TecAll Chlorinated Volatile Organic HalocarbonsChlorinated AlkenesCompoundEPA MCL (µg/L)Tetrachloroethene 5Trichloroethene 5Cis-1,2-DCE 70Trans-1,2-DCE 1001,1-DCE 7Vinyl Chloride 2Chlorinated AlkanesCompoundEPA MCL (µg/L)Carbon tetrachloride 5Dichloromethane 5(methylene chloride)1,1-DCA -1,2-DCE 51,1,1-TCA 200“Total Chlorinated Compounds”

Sampling Media Applicable to AQR Color-TecColor-Tec can be used to analyze any liquid orsolid mediaSolid MediaUnsaturated soilAquifer matrixSludge/SedimentPlant tissueLiquid MediaGroundwaterPore-waterWastewaterDrinking water

AQR Color-Tec MethodCertified Training ProgramPart 2How Does Color-Tec Work?Method Description

AQR Color-Tec MethodPurge and AnalysisAmbient air entersthrough carbon filterTygonTubingColorimetricTubeHand-Operated VacuumPump (100cc)PumpHandleCarbonFilterAir FlowPurgeNeedle(long)Headspace(~30%)WaterSampleAirBubbles40 ml VOAVialPre-filtered ambient air ispurged through the sample,stripping the volatilecompounds into the headspacePCE MoleculesPump Stand

AQR Color-Tec MethodPurge and AnalysisAmbient air entersthrough carbon filterTygonTubingColorimetricTubeHand-Operated VacuumPump (100cc)PumpHandleCarbonFilterPurgeNeedle(long)Headspace(~30%)WaterSampleAirBubbles40 ml VOAVialPurged volatile compounds passthrough the headspace, needle,and tubing into the colorimetrictube where they react and causea distinct color changePCE MoleculesPump Stand

AQR Color-Tec Method Detection LimitsConfidence of AQR Color-Tec zero valuesStatistical comparison of the zero AQR Color-Tec valuesto split-sample CG/MS analytical resultsat Anderson’s Cleaners Site:Mean = 0.362 µg/LRange = 0 to 2.55 µg/LStandard Deviation = 0.736 µg/L95% UCL of the mean = 0.857 µg/L90 th Percentile Value = 1.626 µg/L95 th Percentile Value = 2.370 µg/LPercentile less than 2.0 µg/L = 93.4 %

AQR Color-Tec MethodCertified Training ProgramPart 3How is Color-Tec Used?Method Applications

AQR Color-Tec Method ApplicationsGroundwater ProfilingGroundwater Matrix Profiling (Residual Zone Mapping)Soil Matrix ProfilingField GC/MS SupportSource Area IdentificationSoil Removal SupportLong-Term Groundwater Remediation MonitoringPhytoremediation MonitoringSediment Pore Water AssessmentSoil Gas Surveys (Colorimetric Gas Detection)Long-Term Soil Vapor Extraction Remediation Monitoring(Colorimetric Gas Detection)

Collaborative Data ApproachSource-Area IdentificationStand-Alone “DefinitiveAnalysis” ApproachCollaborative Data ApproachThe low per-sample costallows for moresampling points.The secondary sourcearea is located.The increased samplingcoverage reducessampling uncertainty.Definitive analysis provides highanalytical accuracy, but samplingquantity is often limited tocontrol costsThis often results in data gapsand overall sampling uncertaintyand overall low data quality.The AQR Color-Tec datais used to focus thedefinitive analysismethods onto criticalareas.Combining AQR Color-Tec and laboratorysampling increasesoverall data quality byproviding improvedsampling coverage withhigh analytical accuracy.

Cost ComparisonConventional vs. Collaborative Data ApproachStand-Alone “DefinitiveAnalysis” ApproachCollaborative Data Approach48 AQR Color-Tec Samples($25 each)24 Laboratory Samples($100 each)6 LaboratorySamples($100 each)Total Cost = $2,400Total Cost = $1,800

Plume DelineationUsing Vertical ProfilingVertical ProfilingCollection of discrete samples at multiple depths and locations todefine the lateral and vertical extent of a contaminant plumeUsed with in-fieldsample analysis,the real-time dataallows for immediatedecisions regardingsubsequentlocations

Remediation and Monitoring In-field confirmation ofcleanup objectives Segregation of soils for varioustreatment options Reduce long term monitoringcosts by substituting Color-Tecanalysis for laboratory analysisfor selected sampling events

AQR Color-Tec MethodCertified Training ProgramPart 4Method Procedures

Heating Samples and TubesHeating samples increases contaminant volatilityto maximize purge efficiency, while heating tubesincreases tube sensitivity. Set up water bath Maintain temperature at 104 o F Heat sample tubes using a VOAas a water bath Heat sample vials for about oneminute before analyzing

Water Sample Preparation Fill two VOA vials to ~75%capacity with water sample Seal VOA vials tightly Heat sample vials and tubeHeadspaceWater

Soil Sample PreparationHeadspace Place ~30 gram soil sample in vial Add water to ~75% capacity invial Seal VOA vials tightly Shake to mix soil and water Heat Sample vials and tubeWaterSoil

Carbon FilterThe carbon filter to prevents positive interferencefrom potential contaminants in ambient airBreak both ends of a carbon filter tube.Connect a carbon filter luer assembly to thecarbon filter tube.Attach the carbon filter assembly to a purgeneedle by inserting the carbon filter assemblyluer fitting into the purge needle luer fitting.The carbon filter is re-used for multiple purgecycles.

AQR Color-Tec MethodAssembly DiagramTygonTubingColorimetricTubeHand-OperatedVacuum PumpPumpHandleCarbonFilterPurgeNeedleExtraction NeedleAssemblyHeadspace(~30%)WaterSamplePump Stand

Sample Purging MethodologySamples are purged using 50cc, 100cc, or 200ccvolumes.Refer to Section 7 of the Color-Tec Manual 50cc Purge Volume – Always start with 100cc Purge Volume – Not always needed 200cc Purge Volume – Low-level samples only

Reading The TubesRefer to Section 8 of the AQR Color-TecManual Very Low Concentrations Low to Medium Concentrations High Concentrations Recording Tube Readings Purge Volume Correction Factors

AQR Color-Tec MethodCertified Training ProgramPart 5QA/QC Procedures

QA/QC ProceduresRefer to Section 11 of the AQR Color-Tec Manual Method Performance andAnalytical Confidence Negative Interference(Xylenes/Toluene) Positive Interference(Ambient Air) Duplicate Sample TestingProcedure

AQR Color-Tec MethodCertified Training ProgramPart 6Data Interpretation

Estimating Sample ConcentrationsRefer to Section 9 of the AQR Color-Tec ManualColor-Tec ReadingEstimated Concentration (µg/L)0 ND5000High-end on M-Tube >20,000

Estimating Sample Concentrations Comparison of Color-Tec to GC/MS using dryclean siteinvestigation data (540 split sample pairs) Color-Tec zero values (240 samples):22% (13 samples) = Detected by GC/MS (below MCLs)78% (53 samples) = Not Detected by GC/MS The highest GC/MS concentrations undetected by Color-Tecwere:GC/MS Concentration PCE – 3.0 TCE – 1.16 Cis 1,2-DCE – 2.75 Vinyl chloride – 1.0Color-Tec Range (µg/L) Quantity ofReadingData Pairs(N)LowHigh0 ND 3 2400.1 1 5 120.2 2 34 310.5-0.7 2 111 611 8 234 392 18 180 173 15 400 214-15 30 3300 2925-100 290 28000 39200-300 8930 61920 13Total Quantity of Data Pairs 502

Estimating Sample Concentrations

AQR Color-Tec MethodCertified Training ProgramQuestions?E-mail Perry Kelso atpkelso@aqrcolortec.com