ASTM D6235-18
Standard Practice for Expedited Site Characterization of Vadose Zone and Groundwater Contamination at Hazardous Waste Contaminated Sites

Standard No.

ASTM D6235-18

Release Date

2018

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Latest

ASTM D6235-18

Scope

1.1 Applicability of the ESC Process—This practice covers a process for expedited site characterization (ESC) of hazardous waste contaminated sites2 to identify vadose zone, groundwater and other relevant contaminant migration pathways and determine the distribution, concentration, and fate of contaminants for the purpose of providing an ESC client, regulatory authority, and stakeholders with the necessary information to choose a course of action.3 Generally, the process is applicable to larger-scale projects or contaminated sites where the ESC process can be reasonably expected to reduce the time and cost of site characterization compared to alternative approaches. The ESC process has been applied successfully at a variety of sites (see Table X1.1). It typically achieves significant cost and schedule savings compared to traditional site characterization (see X1.2 and X1.3),4 although it should be recognized that in-depth site characterization of hazardous waste contaminated sites may require a more elaborate process than ESC. 1.2 Features of the ESC Process—The ESC process operates within the framework of existing regulatory programs. It focuses on collecting only the information required to meet characterization objectives and on ensuring that characterization ceases as soon as the objectives are met. Central to the ESC process is the use of judgement-based sampling and measurement to characterize vadose zone and groundwater contamination in a limited number of field mobilizations by an integrated multidisciplinary team, led by a technical leader and operating within the framework of a dynamic work plan that gives him or her the flexibility of responsibility to select the type and location of measurements needed to optimize data collection activities. Table 1 identifies other essential features of the ESC process, and Fig. 1 presents a flow diagram for the entire ESC process. 1.3 Investigation Methods—The process described in this practice is based on good scientific practice but is not tied to any particular regulatory program, site investigation method or technique, chemical analysis method, statistical analysis method, risk analysis method, or computer modeling code. Appropriate investigation techniques in an ESC project are highly site specific and are selected and modified based upon the professional judgement of the core technical team (in particular the technical team leader). Whenever feasible, noninvasive and minimally invasive methods are used, as discussed in Appendix X2. Appropriate chemical analysis methods are equally site specific. Analyses may be conducted in the field or laboratory, depending on data quality requirements, required turnaround time, and costs. 1.4 Sites Generally Not Appropriate for the ESC Process— Generally, the ESC process is not applicable to: small petroleum release sites, real estate property transactions that require no more than a Phase I ESA, sites where contamination is limited to the near surface or there is no basis for suspecting that contaminant movement through the vadose zone and groundwater is a matter of concern, sites where the cost of remedial action is likely to be less than the cost of site characterization, or sites where existing statutes or regulations prohibit the use of essential features of the ESC process.5 1.5 Other Potentially Applicable ASTM Standards for Site Characterization—Guide E1912 addresses accelerated site 1 This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.01 on Surface and Subsurface Characterization. Current edition approved Dec. 15, 2018. Published January 2019. Originally approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as D6235 – 04(2010). DOI: 10.1520/D6235-18. 2 The term hazardous waste in the title is used descriptively. The term also has specific meanings in the context of different regulatory programs. Expedited site characterization is also appropriate for radiologically contaminated sites and some larger petroleum release sites, such as refineries. Section 4.2 further identifies types of contaminated sites where ESC may be appropriate. See Appendix X1 for additional background on the ESC process. 3 The text of this practice emphasizes vadose zone and groundwater contamination because these contaminant migration pathways are the most difficult to characterize. An ESC project should also address all other relevant contaminant migration pathways, such as air, surface water, submerged sediments, and biota. 4 This practice uses the term “traditional” site characterization to refer to the approach that has typically been used for characterizing contaminated sites at CERLA and RCRA sites during the 1980s and early 1990s. 5 The ASTM knows of no federal or state statutes or regulations that would prohibit use of the ESC process. Some elements of the ESC process may not be entirely consistent with existing federal and state guidance documents, and regulatory authorities are encouraged make appropriate exceptions. Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. 1 characterization (ASC) for petroleum release sites, and Guide E1739 addresses use of the risk-based corrective action (RBCA) process at petroleum release sites. Section X1.5.1 describes the ASC process, and X1.5.2 discusses the relationship between ESC and the RBCA process. Practices E1527 and E1528 and Guide E1903 address real estate property transactions, and X1.5.3 discusses the relationship between the ESC process and investigations for real estate property transactions. Classification D5746 addresses environmental conditions of property area types for Department of Defense installations, and Practice D6008 provides guidance on conducting environmental baseline surveys to determine certain elements of the environmental condition of federal real property. 1.6 The values stated in both inch-pound and SI units are to be regarded separately as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only. 1.7 All references in this standard to the “engineer” must be understood as referring to a qualified professional (such as an engineer, soil scientist or geologist) who has the appropriate experience and, if required by local regulations, certification. 1.8 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 or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. 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, nor should this document be applied without consideration of a project’s many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this document means only that the document has been approved through the ASTM consensus process. 1.9 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.10 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. TABLE 1 Minimum Criteria for a Project Using ASTM Expedited Site Characterization Process NOTE 1—Other site characterization approaches may include many of the below elements, but all must be present for an investigation using the ASTM ESC process. 1. A technical team leader oversees the ESC project and leads the ESC core technical team. See Fig. 2, step 1.a in Fig. 3, 6.2 and 7.1.1.

ASTM D6235-18 Referenced Document

• ASTM D5717 Standard Guide for Design of Ground-Water Monitoring Systems in Karst and Fractured-Rock Aquifers
• ASTM D5730 Standard Guide for Site Characterization for Environmental Purposes With Emphasis on Soil, Rock, the Vadose Zone and Ground Water
• ASTM D5745 Standard Guide for Developing and Implementing Short-Term Measures or Early Actions for Site Remediation
• ASTM D5746 Standard Classification of Environmental Condition of Property Area Types for Defense Base Closure and Realignment Facilities
• ASTM D5792 Standard Practice for Generation of Environmental Data Related to Waste Management Activities: Development of Data Quality Objectives
• ASTM D5979 Standard Guide for Conceptualization and Characterization of Ground-Water Systems
• ASTM D6008 Standard Practice for Conducting Environmental Baseline Surveys
• ASTM D6044 Standard Guide for Representative Sampling for Management of Waste and Contaminated Media
• ASTM D653 Standard Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
• ASTM E1527 Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment Process
• ASTM E1528 Standard Practice for Limited Environmental Due Diligence: Transaction Screen Process
• ASTM E1689 Standard Guide for Developing Conceptual Site Models for Contaminated Sites
• ASTM E1739 Standard Guide for Risk-Based Corrective Action Applied at Petroleum Release Sites
• ASTM E1903 Standard Guide for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase II Environmental Site Assessment Process
• ASTM E1912 Standard Guide for Accelerated Site Characterization for Confirmed or Suspected Petroleum Releases

ASTM D6235-18 history

• 2018 ASTM D6235-18 Standard Practice for Expedited Site Characterization of Vadose Zone and Groundwater Contamination at Hazardous Waste Contaminated Sites
• 2004 ASTM D6235-04(2010) Standard Practice for Expedited Site Characterization of Vadose Zone and Groundwater Contamination at Hazardous Waste Contaminated Sites
• 2004 ASTM D6235-04 Standard Practice for Expedited Site Characterization of Vadose Zone and Ground Water Contamination at Hazardous Waste Contaminated Sites
• 1998 ASTM D6235-98a Standard Practice for Expedited Site Characterization of Vadose Zone and Ground Water Contamination at Hazardous Waste Contaminated Sites