Evaluation of Nature/Extent of Jet Fuel Contamination
- Type of Services
Investigation and Risk-Based Corrective Action
- Project Location
Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, TX
- Client
DFW Airport Board
The DFW Airport Board received an Enforcement Action from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), alleging discharges of jet fuel. The Action required the evaluation of the nature and extent of jet fuel contamination in the Central Terminal Area in accordance with Texas Risk Reduction Program (TRRP). Argus implemented a response to the Action while minimizing impacts to ongoing $2.6 billion Capital Development Program (CDP) activities. We developed a conceptual site model that predicted jet fuel releases and migration at DFW. The model was used to direct subsurface investigation and resulted in a $1.2 million savings.
The Affected Property Assessment Investigation identified and inspected preferential pathways, located sources of contamination, delineated the contaminants, and determined the groundwater classification. Argus also developed a Response Action Plan (RAP) identifying objectives, evaluating institutional controls/remedial alternatives and a monitoring protocol. The RAP proposed a combination of plume management zones, institutional controls, physical controls and active high vacuum extraction remediation to address contamination. We also used our knowledge of fuel systems to work with DFW in implementing methods to prevent future releases including operational protocols and a new leak detection system on the hydrant fueling system. Argus designed the multi-phase extraction (MPE) remedial system to recover the Jet-A fuel in the extremely low permeability soils. During the four-month startup period, Argus removed from the subsurface a combined 5,174 pounds of total petroleum.
