Rula A. Deeb, Ph.D., BCEEM Senior Associate Technology and Applied Research Leader Malcolm Pirnie, Inc.

Rula Deeb is a Senior Associate at Malcolm Pirnie, Inc. focusing on Applied Research, Strategic Consulting and Environmental Services to Counsel. Dr. Deeb’s technical expertise includes the cross-media fate and transport of environmental contaminants. Dr. Deeb’s work on emerging contaminants has promoted awareness and improved the understanding of the sources, occurrence, fate and transport and behavior of these compounds (including MTBE and other fuel oxygenates, perchlorate, NDMA, 1,4-dioxane, etc.) in natural and treatment environments. Dr. Deeb received her Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley in Civil and Environmental Engineering where her research focused on substrate interactions of gasoline aromatics (mainly benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes) and gasoline oxygenates (mainly, MTBE and ethanol). Her research has been recognized with awards from the National Science Foundation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Water Environment Federation, American Society of Civil Engineers, American Society for Microbiology, American Association of University Women, Air and Waste Management Association and the American Chemical Society. Dr. Deeb was selected as a National Science Foundation Engineering Education Scholar for Excellence in Engineering Education. She is the recipient of the 2007 Berkeley Engineering Innovation Young Outstanding Leader Award.

Presentation Description
Alternative Endpoints At Complex Sites: A Case Study At Watervliet Arsenal
This presentation will provide a brief overview of alternative endpoints and metrics for groundwater remediation at complex sites. A case study at Watervliet Arsenal will be presented in detail.

Watervliet Arsenal is located in Watervliet, New York. During a RCRA Facility Investigation (RFI) at the Arsenal, groundwater contaminated with chlorinated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was discovered within the bedrock adjacent to the downgradient site boundary. Rock core analytical data has shown that much of the VOC mass that initially migrated preferentially along the interconnected fracture network is now present as dissolved and sorbed mass in the low permeability shale bedrock due to diffusive mass transfer to the rock matrix. Based on groundwater and rock core data collected to date, more than 99 percent of the VOC mass is present in the rock matrix. The presence of the VOCs in the bedrock matrix presents many technical and regulatory challenges when it comes to how to remediate the problem and how to define success. Failure to treat the VOC mass in the matrix will result in a continuous diffusive transfer of VOCs from the bedrock matrix into the groundwater over an extensive time period. In addition, it should be recognized that, although USEPA Maximum Contaminant Limits (MCLs) or equivalent state standards are always the ultimate objectives, it is unlikely that MCLs will ever be achieved in a reasonable timeframe by any remediation technology in matrix-dominated fractured bedrock environments. For example, removal of more than 90 percent of the contaminant source mass, if possible, would likely still result in the exceedance of MCLs at the boundary monitoring wells. This suggests that mass-based metrics (i.e., reduction of source mass and/or reduction in flux) may be the only viable measures by which remedial programs in fractured bedrock should be evaluated and by which eventual site closure could be achieved in a reasonable timeframe. At the Watervliet Arsenal, mass-based metrics have been utilized to formulate an exit strategy for a corrective measure utilizing in-situ chemical oxidation with permanganate that is acceptable to both the regulatory community and the Arsenal. Performance criteria developed for the Site include delivery, distribution and residence time of permanganate over a specified period of performance and groundwater monitoring consisting of six bedrock wells located along the downgradient property boundary instrumented with three-zone, multi-level monitoring systems. In addition to measuring mass-discharge along the property boundary, integrated mass flux measurements were conducted to evaluate treatment efficacy. A regulatory exit strategy decision process was developed and agreed to by stakeholder agencies and formally incorporated into the Site Corrective Measures Monitoring Plan. Use of this approach has allowed the Arsenal to move forward with a remedial program that clearly articulates the performance objectives and metrics while providing for an exit strategy if the performance objectives are not achieved.