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PROCEDURES FOR THE REMEDIATION OFDIESEL & GASOLINE SPILLS

Emergency Response- Clear defini-tion of the procedures for response to anddisposal of waste, soil, and debris associatedwith fuel spills is necessary because incidentsinvolving the spill of diesel or gasoline arecommon occurrences. This document is in-tended only to assist DEQ employees in theperformance of their duties and should notbe considered to create or define legal rights.Typically, the local DEQ is involved at thespill site to deal with issues of containmentof the spilled fuel. Obviously, the immediateobjective is to recover any liquids possible,and ensure they do not contact surface wa-ters. Note that it is possible that heavily con-taminated soils or recovered liquids mayexhibit a characteristic which would causethem to be classified as hazardous waste (e.g.ignitability, benzene). Generally, contami-nated soil is to be excavated in a timely man-ner and containerized or placed on plasticsheeting (Visqueen) for sampling. (Contami-nated soil should be placed on and coveredwith plastic and bermed such that run-onwaters have minimal contact with the wastepile. A minimum of 10 mil sheeting thicknessis recommended.)

In the event the soil must be moved fromthe spill area for reasons of security or ac-cess, the Department may approve removalof the soil to a permitted landfill where itmay be stored for a short period- generallynot longer than fifteen days, until test resultsare obtained and appropriate disposal is de-termined. If the responsible party sends thefuel contaminated soil to a landfill with syn-thetic liner and leachate collection system,no testing other than site cleanup confirma-tion will be required. In temporary storageor transportation situations, the Solid WasteCompliance Unit should be contacted assoon as possible. In circumstances such asafter hours spills, the ECLS representativeshould evaluate available options for relocat-ing soils to acceptable locations for tempo-

rary storage prior to making clean-up deci-sions. Possible locations for temporary stor-age include local landfills, county yards, orother secured areas.

Site Characterization- The contami-nated soil should be excavated until the spillarea is visually clean. If heavy odors arepresent and equipment is available, the areashould be screened with a vapor detectiondevice such as an H-nu, OVA, or otherphoto-ionization device to look for �hotspots�. Once the waste has been removedfrom the site, soil samples must be taken fromthe area of excavation to confirm that thespill is sufficiently remediated. Generally, foreach excavation area approximately 20� X20� in size, a total of five discrete samplesare taken, one from each of the four sidesand the bottom of the excavation. For re-leases to ditches, discrete samples should betaken approximately every 20� along the ditchin the areas which have been contaminated.In general, excavated areas should not bebackfilled with soil until sample results arereceived indicating all significant contamina-tion has been removed. In the event that theexcavation could be considered a physicalhazard, one possibility might be to line thehole with Visqueen and replace the dirt in a

manner such that it could be removed if test-ing results indicate the soil needs remedia-tion.

Confirmation samples to document sitecleanup should be tested for total petroleumhydrocarbons (TPH), and organics in accor-dance with the following:

Known diesel release* TPH, Method8015 modified diesel range organics(DRO); and BTEX Method 8020. [*Al-though benzene is not typically seen indiesel at levels that are problematic,Material Safety Data Sheets for dieselindicate benzene may be present at upto 2%, and it is periodically detected.]Known gasoline release TPH, Method8015 modified gasoline range organics(GRO); and BTEX Method 8020Unknown petroleum product or crudeTPH Method 8015 modified DRO andGRO; and BTEX Method 8020; GC/MSfor purgeables/extractablesTotal lead analysis may be required if

lead contamination is suspected (i.e., leadedgasoline). In the event waste oil is spilled, theLand Protection Division (LPD) should becontacted for additional sampling require-ments. For soils which have been excavated

This publication is issued by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality authorized by Steven A. Thompson, Executive Director. Copies have been preparedat a cost of $0.2835 each. Copies have been deposited with the publications clearinghouse of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries. (dieselspill.pmd) 2/2003

PROCEDURES FOR THE REMEDIATIONOF DIESEL & GASOLINE SPILLS

and are to be disposed off-site, one grab sample should be taken forevery 20 yards of material. Up to 10 of these grab samples may becomposited together for analysis to characterize up to 200 yards ofcontaminated soil. All samples are to be obtained from the areas ofgreatest visual contamination.

If there is any reason to believe that groundwater has been con-taminated as a result of the spill or the spill is in a known groundwa-

ter protection zone, please contact theLPD for further assistance.

Remediation of Contamination- In diesel or gasoline spills,the contaminants of concern for groundwater are primarily BTEX(benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes). These are the most mo-bile and toxic of the total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) family. Foremergency spills of diesel or gasoline, the following are acceptable,conservative clean-up numbers to protect groundwater:

Benzene 00.04 mg/kg (ppm)Toluene 20.00 mg/kg (ppm)Ethylbenzene 15.00 mg/kg (ppm)Total Xylenes 167.00 mg/kg (ppm)Where groundwater and surface water impacts are not of con-

cern at the site, 50 mg/kg (ppm) TPH is an appropriate cleanup leveland BTEX analysis is not necessary.

On occasion fuels that are spilled may contain lead; if so, testingis appropriate (The generic lead cleanup value is based on potentialexposure through ingestion).

Lead 400.00 mg/kg (ppm) Additionally, the soil cannot be left inplace if it fails the TCLP test for hazardous waste. It is possible it couldfail at 400 ppm.

Þ IMPORTANT NOTE: A variety of detection limits are usedfor the tests. Laboratory detection levels should be sufficiently sensi-tive to make the above determinations.

If the above numbers are met for soil remaining on-site, no fur-ther action is typically required. Soil that tests below these numbersmay also be generally used for backfill. If alternative concentrationsof contaminants are proposed to be left on-site or used as backfill,the proposed values must be reviewed and approved on a site-spe-cific basis by the LPD toxicologist. In this instance, the owner of theproperty to which the material will be applied must provide written ac-knowledgment that the soil to be used as fill meets the acceptableconstituent levels as determined by confirmation sampling and test-

ing results. Risk-based numbers are subject to change as new infor-mation and/or federal guidance is received or regulations take effect.

Landfill Disposal of Soils- If the excavated waste is nonhaz-ardous and to be sent to a landfill for disposal, notification and certi-fication may be required. DEQ procedures require petroleum con-taminated soil with greater than 1000 ppm TPH to be disposed atlandfills equipped with synthetic liners and leachate collection sys-tems. The generator should complete a Nonhazardous Industrial SolidWaste Certification Form and submit the form to the Solid WasteCompliance Unit. The forms may be obtained from the Solid WasteCompliance Unit, 405-702-5100. Such requests are to be signed bythe original generator responsible for the waste (or, in emergencycircumstances, a contractor representing the generator). No specificapproval or testing is required prior to disposal, if soil with greaterthan 1000 ppm TPH is disposed at a landfill with a synthetic liner andleachate collection system. Current listings of such landfills are avail-able from the DEQ, upon request. Petroleum contaminated soil withTPH less than 1000 ppm, as confirmed by laboratory analysis, may goto any landfill permitted to accept nonhazardous industrial solid waste.The generator is advised to retain analytical results that would docu-ment the nature of the waste in the event future questions arise.

Off-site Treatment- If individuals propose to biotreat exca-vated waste as an alternative to or prior to landfill disposal, theymust obtain either a solid waste processing permit or, alternatively,enter into a Consent Order with the LPD which will address theremediation proposal, provided no Oklahoma Air Quality standardswill be exceeded.** Often proposals to treat contaminated soils areof the type or magnitude where air emissions should be evaluatedand the AQD, (405) 702-4100, will need to be contacted concerningan applicability determination. The proposal would include treatmentstandards such that TPH and BTEX constituents will be at levels be-low regulatory concern. A time table and final disposition of the soilmust be included in the proposal.

The LPD has the responsibility for review and approval of anyremedial proposals submitted. (Note: OCC has responsibility forapproving biotreatment of contaminated soils on-site at UST sites ortheir regulated facilities. If the soils are transported off-site, however,the DEQ has jurisdiction.)

Spills other than gasoline or diesel- For unknown materi-als, testing for any hazardous constituents which may be in the wastewill be required. The RCRA Compliance Unit, (405) 702-5100, shouldbe contacted to determine who has regulatory authority for the re-mediation and what type of testing is necessary. Some indications ofhazardous materials are the presence of RCRA characteristics (pH,ignitability, corrosivity or toxicity), heavy metals, solvents, Poly-aro-matic hydrocarbons (PAHs) or Poly-nuclear Aromatics (PNA), woodtreating chemicals, pesticides or herbicides, or unusual odors or dis-coloration of the soil.

** Air emissions can be calculated based on contaminant concentra-tion, volume of material and thickness of material during treatment.NESHAPS would apply. National Emission Standards for Hazardous AirPollutants for Benzene- for Oklahoma, no more than 3.20 x 10 +1 ug/m3 in24 hours.