Tank Farm Pull, Contamination & Geotechnical Investigation, and Remediation of a Former Garage, UK
| Client: |
Bybrook Developments |
| Location: |
Avebury, U.K |
| Date: |
2008 |
| Project: |
Decommissioning of below ground fuel tanks, contaminated land remediation and geotechnical investigation |
Abricon first carried out an initial desk study of the former Bond’s Garage site in Avebury, Wiltshire. on behalf of the client, a residential housing developer.
The site was formerly a filling station and consequently potential hydrocarbon contamination arising from the delivery and storage of fuel was suspected.
The site was situated on a major aquifer with a groundwater abstraction point situated 50m to the south, and as a consequence it was thought that groundwater resources may be impacted by the presence of contaminants on the site.
Following the desk study report, it was decided that the below ground storage tanks would be initially removed. This provided a visual inspection of the tanks and the excavated area for evidence of leaks, as well allowing the recovery of soil samples from within the tank farm. The removal of the underground storage tanks was followed by an intrusive investigation to allow logging of cores, collection of soil samples and the installation of monitoring wells.
The intrusive investigation allowed for geotechnical data to be collected. Soakways tests were performed and the ground condition and strength parameters were assessed for foundation recommendations.
Whilst perched water was encountered on the site, strata below this was dry and the main groundwater body was not encountered despite drilling to 12 m. Groundwater samples were recovered from the perched water for subsequent analysis.
Analysis of the soils and groundwater indicated that the impacts arising from the site’s former use were limited. The main contaminated areas were in shallow soils where an above ground storage tank had been located, and within the area of the tank farm itself. Perched groundwater was impacted immediately adjacent to the tank farm only.
The results of the investigation enabled Abricon to design a remediation strategy for the site involving the use of bioremediation techniques.
The remediation phase of the project is due to go ahead in late 2008.
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