Standard Guide for Optimization of Groundwater Monitoring Constituents for Detection Monitoring Programs for RCRA Waste Disposal Facilities

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The principal use of this standard is in the identification of effective groundwater monitoring constituents for a detection-monitoring program. The significance of the guide is to minimize the false positive rate for the facility by only monitoring those constituents that are intrinsic to the waste mass and eliminate those constituents that are present in background in concentrations that confound evaluation from downgradient wells.
Federal, state and local regulations require large generic lists of constituents to be monitored in an effort to detect a release from a WMU. However, identification and selection of parameters based on site-specific physical and chemical conditions are in many cases also acceptable to regulatory agencies and result in a more effective and environmentally protective groundwater monitoring system.
Naturally occurring soil and groundwater constituents within and near a WMU area should be determined prior to the development of a monitoring program. This is important in the selection of site-specific constituents lists and avoiding difficulties with a regulatory authority regarding sources of monitored constituents.
Site-specific lists of constituents relative to the WMU will provide for the regulator those constituents which will effectively measure the performance of a WMU rather than the use of a generic list that could include naturally occurring constituents as well as those not present in the WMU.
Site-specific constituent lists often result in fewer monitored constituents (that is, monitoring programs are optimized). This process is critical to the overall success of the monitoring program for the following reasons:
The reduction of the monitoring constituents to only those found or expected to be found or derived from site-specific source material will reduce the number of false-positive results since only those parameters that could indicate a release are monitored.
The use of constituents that contrast significantly to...
SCOPE
1.1 This standard provides a general method of selecting effective constituents for detection monitoring programs at RCRA Waste Disposal Facilities. The process described in this standard presents a methodology that takes into consideration physical and chemical characteristics of the source material(s), the surrounding hydrogeologic regime, and site-specific geochemistry to identify and select those parameters that provide most effective detection of a potential release from a waste management unit (WMU).
1.2 In the following sections, complete details of evaluation of effective monitoring constituents for a groundwater detection-monitoring program were based on site-specific waste characterization.
1.3 The statistical methodology described in the following sections should be used as guidance. Other methods may also be appropriate based on site-specific conditions or for monitoring situations or media that are not presented in this document.
1.4 This practice offers an organized collection of information or a series of options and does not recommend a specific course of action. This document cannot replace education, experience and professional judgements. Not all aspects of this practice may be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged without consideration of a project's many unique aspects. The word standard in the title of this document only means that the document has been approved through the ASTM consensus process.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory requirements prior to use.

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ASTM D7045-04(2010) - Standard Guide for Optimization of Groundwater Monitoring Constituents for Detection Monitoring Programs for RCRA Waste Disposal Facilities
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D7045 − 04 (Reapproved 2010)
Standard Guide for
Optimization of Groundwater Monitoring Constituents for
Detection Monitoring Programs for RCRA Waste Disposal
Facilities
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7045; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory requirements prior to use.
1.1 This standard provides a general method of selecting
effective constituents for detection monitoring programs at
2. Referenced Documents
RCRAWaste Disposal Facilities.The process described in this
standard presents a methodology that takes into consideration
2.1 ASTM Standards:
physical and chemical characteristics of the source material(s),
D5792Practice for Generation of Environmental Data Re-
the surrounding hydrogeologic regime, and site-specific geo-
lated to Waste Management Activities: Development of
chemistry to identify and select those parameters that provide
Data Quality Objectives
most effective detection of a potential release from a waste
D6312Guide for Developing Appropriate Statistical Ap-
management unit (WMU).
proaches for Groundwater Detection Monitoring Pro-
1.2 In the following sections, complete details of evaluation
grams
of effective monitoring constituents for a groundwater
detection-monitoring program were based on site-specific
3. Terminology
waste characterization.
3.1 Definitions:
1.3 The statistical methodology described in the following
3.1.1 detectionmonitoringprogram—aprogramofmonitor-
sections should be used as guidance. Other methods may also
ing for the expressed purpose of determining whether or not
be appropriate based on site-specific conditions or for moni-
there has been a release of contaminant to groundwater. Under
toring situations or media that are not presented in this
RCRA, Detection Monitoring involves collection of ground-
document.
water samples from compliance point and upgradient monitor-
1.4 This practice offers an organized collection of informa-
ing wells on a semi-annual basis for analysis of hazardous
tion or a series of options and does not recommend a specific
constituents of concern, as specified under 40 CFR 264.98.
course of action. This document cannot replace education,
Results are evaluated to determine if there is a statistically
experienceandprofessionaljudgements.Notallaspectsofthis
significant exceedance of the groundwater protection criteria
practice may be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM
and/or background. At non-RCRA sites, monitoring is con-
standard is not intended to represent or replace the standard of
ducted in a similar manner and results are compared to criteria
care by which the adequacy of a given professional service
to determine if there is a statistically significant exceedance.
must be judged without consideration of a project’s many
3.1.2 indicator constituents—a class of analytes that, when
unique aspects.The word standard in the title of this document
detected in significant concentrations, provide an indication of
only means that the document has been approved through the
a change in organic or inorganic geochemistry that may be
ASTM consensus process.
from a waste source and supports further characterization.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.3 leachate—a liquid that has passed through or emerged
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
from solid waste and contains soluble, suspended, or miscible
materials removed from such waste.
ThisguideisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoilandRock
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.21 on Groundwater and
Vadose Zone Investigations. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved July 1, 2010. Published September 2010. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as D7045–04. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D7045-04R10. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D7045 − 04 (2010)
3.1.4 nonparametric —a term referring to a statistical tech- data, establishing an upper limit for each analyte included in
nique in which the probability distribution of the constituent in the program, and/or establishing effective monitoring constitu-
the population is unknown or is not restricted to be of a ents that will provide an indication of whether the WMU is
specified form. potentially impacting surface and groundwater in the vicinity
of the unit.
3.1.5 nonparametric prediction limit—thelargest(orsecond
largest) of n background samples. The confidence level asso-
5. Significance and Use
ciated with the nonparametric prediction limit is a function of
n, m, and k.
5.1 The principal use of this standard is in the identification
of effective groundwater monitoring constituents for a
3.1.6 outlier—a measurement that is statistically inconsis-
detection-monitoring program.The significance of the guide is
tent with the distribution of other measurements from which it
to minimize the false positive rate for the facility by only
was drawn.
monitoring those constituents that are intrinsic to the waste
3.1.7 practical quantitation limit (PQL)—the lowest level
mass and eliminate those constituents that are present in
thatcanreliablyachievedwithspecifiedlimitsofprecisionand
background in concentrations that confound evaluation from
accuracy during routine laboratory operating conditions.
downgradient wells.
3.1.8 qualified groundwater scientist (QGWS)—a scientist
5.2 Federal, state and local regulations require large generic
or engineer who has received a baccalaureate or postgraduate
lists of constituents to be monitored in an effort to detect a
degree in the natural sciences or engineering and has sufficient
release from a WMU. However, identification and selection of
training in groundwater hydrology and related fields as may be
parameters based on site-specific physical and chemical con-
demonstrated by state registration, professional certifications,
ditionsareinmanycasesalsoacceptabletoregulatoryagencies
orcompletionofaccrediteduniversityprogramsthatenablethe
and result in a more effective and environmentally protective
individual to make sound professional judgments regarding
groundwater monitoring system.
groundwater monitoring, contaminant fate and transport, and
5.2.1 Naturally occurring soil and groundwater constituents
corrective action.
withinandnearaWMUareashouldbedeterminedpriortothe
3.1.9 Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
development of a monitoring program.This is important in the
(RCRA)—PL 94-580. Found at 40 CFR 240-271. Enacted
selection of site-specific constituents lists and avoiding diffi-
November 21, 1976 and amended since, RCRA’s major
culties with a regulatory authority regarding sources of moni-
emphasisisthecontrolofhazardouswastedisposal.Itcontrols
tored constituents.
all solid-waste disposal and encourages recycling and alterna-
5.2.2 Site-specific lists of constituents relative to the WMU
tive energy sources.
will provide for the regulator those constituents which will
3.1.10 upper confidence limit (UCL)—an upper limit that
effectivelymeasuretheperformanceofaWMUratherthanthe
hasaspecifiedprobability(forexample,95%)ofincludingthe
use of a generic list that could include naturally occurring
true concentration (or other parameter). Taken together with
constituents as well as those not present in the WMU.
lower confidence limit, forms a confidence interval that will
5.3 Site-specific constituent lists often result in fewer moni-
include the true concentration with confidence level that
accounts for both tail areas. toredconstituents(thatis,monitoringprogramsareoptimized).
This process is critical to the overall success of the monitoring
3.1.11 upper limit (UL)—an upper limit of a data set of
program for the following reasons:
population (n) that may be statistically or non-statistically
5.3.1 The reduction of the monitoring constituents to only
based.
those found or expected to be found or derived from site-
3.1.12 waste management unit (WMU)—a permitted waste
specific source material will reduce the number of false-
disposal unit or temporary containment structure that is de-
positive results since only those parameters that could indicate
signedandconstructedtoinhibitthemigrationofwastestothe
a release are monitored.
adjacent environment.
5.3.2 The use of constituents that contrast significantly to
3.2 Symbols:
background groundwater eliminates those that could lead to
3.2.1 n—the number of background (offsite or upgradient)
erroneousresultsmerelyduetotemporalandspatialvariability
measurements.
of components found in the natural geochemistry of the
upper-most water-bearing zone.
3.2.2 k—the number of future comparisons for a single
monitoring event (for example, the number of downgradient
5.3.3 Where statistics are required, fewer statistical com-
monitoring wells multiplied by the number of constituents to parisons through well and constituent optimization enhances
be monitored) for which statistics are to be computed.
the statistical power (or effectiveness) of the monitoring
program (Gibbons, 1994; USEPA, July 1992).
3.2.3 m—the number of onsite or downgradient measure-
5.3.4 Eliminating the cost of unnecessary laboratory analy-
ments used in computing the onsite mean concentration.
ses produces a more efficient and cost-effective monitoring
4. Summary of Guide
program and minimizes the effort required by both the local
4.1 The guide is summarized as figures shown in Figs. 1-3. enforcement agency and the owner/operator to respond (either
These figures provides a flow-chart illustrating the steps used with correspondence or additional field/laboratory efforts) to
in characterizing the source material, collecting background erroneous detection decisions.
D7045 − 04 (2010)
FIG. 1 Phase I—Indicator Parameter Identification
5.4 This type of approach is acceptable to regulatory agen- are not reasonably expected to be in or derived from the waste
cies arid applicable under most groundwater monitoring pro- containedintheunit.40CFR258(a)(2)allowsapprovedStates
grams under RCRA regulations. For example, in determining to establish an alternate list of inorganic parameters in lieu of
the alternate constituent list at Solid Waste Facilities, 40 CFR all or some of the heavy metals (constituents 1-14 inAppendix
258.54(a)(l) allows for deletion of 40 CFR 258 Appendix I I to Part 258), if the alternative constituents provide a reliable
constituents if it can be shown that the removed constituents indication of inorganic releases from the unit to groundwater.
D7045 − 04 (2010)
FIG. 1 Phase I—Indicator Parameter Identification (continued)
5.5 The framework for this standard is generally based on trations of constituents in wastes managed at the waste
the guidelines established under 40 CFR 258.54(a)(l) to opti- management unit (or WMU); (2) the mobility, stability, and
mizeagroundwater-monitoringnetworkinsuchamannerasto persistence of waste constituents in the unsaturated zone
still provide an early warning system of a release from the beneath the WMU; (3) the detectability of indicator
WMU. This guidance document is, however, applicable for all parameters, waste constituents, and reaction products in
WMU, not just those associated with solid waste disposal groundwater; and (4) the concentration or contrast between
facilities. In determining the alternative constituents, consider- monitoring constituents in leachate and in background ground-
ation must be made for: (1) the types, quantities, and concen- water.
D7045 − 04 (2010)
FIG. 2 Phase II—Geochemical Properties Evaluation
5.6 An essential factor in this guide is the knowledge of the parameters that provide an early warning system of a release
quality of the potential source material [for example, the types from the unit. Details for the appropriate levels of effort
and concentrations of liquid or other leachable wastes (that is, required to characterize the waste stream or source(s) in the
leachate) within theWMU].The characterization of the source WMU are not included within this guidance document. Waste
material is critical in determining an optimum set of indicator stream and/or source data collected by the owner/operator as
D7045 − 04 (2010)
FIG. 3 Monitoring Program Implementation
wellasliquiddatafromkeycollectionpoints(thatis,sumpsor and/orthatareonlypresentinthewasteorwasteresiduum(for
natural gravity drain collection points) are an integral part of example, leachate) and absent in groundwater. The analytes
any waste characterization process. chosen must also be mobile, persistent, and easily quantifiable
in the specific hydrogeologic and groundwater regime.
5.7 Anotherkeyfactortobeusedinthisguideisknowledge
of background quality of groundwater unaffected by theWMU
6. Procedure
and knowledge of local sources other than the WMU that may
presently be impacting groundwater quality. The main objec- 6.1 This practice is used to identify and select site-specific
tive then is to choose those constituents that are derived from monitoring constituents. The practice requires site-specific
the WMU (for example, are present in the leachate or residual characterization of the liquids derived from the source (that is,
liquids) at much higher concentrations than groundwater leachate) and background groundwater geochemistry (that is,
D7045 − 04 (2010)
thetypes,quantities,andconcentrationsofconstituentspresent genic(man-made)compoundssuchasVOCs,inorganicmacro-
intheWMU).First,comparisonofmaximumdetectedleachate components, and (at a minimum) heavy metals included in 40
constituents to background prediction limits are used as a CFR §258.54 or other applicable regulation (that is, State
“first-order” process to identify indicator parameters in Regulation).
leachate that contrast significantly to background groundwater
6.2.5 If analytical data are not available, then a determina-
qualit
...

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