Kenneth Harris

Publication Date

3-1992

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

David Dunn, Thomas Nicholson, John Russell

Comments

Access granted to WKU students, faculty and staff only.

After an extensive unsuccessful search for the author, this thesis is considered an orphan work, which may be protected by copyright. The inclusion of this orphan work on TopScholar does not guarantee that that orphan work may be used for any purpose and any use of the orphan work may subject the user to a claim of copyright infringement. The reproduction of this work is made by WKU without any purpose of direct or indirect commercial advantage and is made for purposes of preservation and research.

See also WKU Archives - Authorization for Use of Thesis, Special Project & Dissertation

Degree Program

Department of Public Health

Degree Type

Master of Science

Abstract

The USEPA specifies SW-846 method 3810 (Headspace Analysis) for screening field samples and determining relative BTEX values. Unfortunately it is time consuming and awkward and in eight years of practice this author has never seen it used. Among other things, method 3810 requires special containers, sample blanks at each location, aluminum foil seals, and heating the samples to 194°F for one hour prior to PID analysis.

In reality the preferred field method involves simply taking readings out of the sample hole or the sample itself, noting the value, and pursuing the zero ppm goal. There is often little or no regard given to factors that influence these readings, such as humidity, temperature, soil type, instrument calibration, or operator experience.

The purpose of this research was to use a modified PID sampling protocol compatible with current industry practices, apply it in field operations, and compare field values with laboratory values to determine whether any correlation exists. Correlations would then be used to construct a curve to predict soil BTEX from PID readings.

It is important to note that this research did not seek to forecast or reproduce exact laboratory values but only examined whether there were correlations. Neither did it attempt to validate any any specific sampling method or instrument except that used by the researcher.

Questions to be Answered

The research attempted to answer specific questions as well as provide information useful in future studies. Relevant questions included:

  1. Does a positive correlation exist between field measurements and laboratory values for BTEX?
  2. Is the correlation stronger for any specific BTEX component?
  3. Can the data identify a PID detection level below which soil and laboratory BTEX may be reliably predicted to be <1.0 ppm? Hypotheses Three working hypotheses were developed for the study: H1: A positive correlation will be found between PID field values and laboratory soil analyses. H2: One BTEX component will more strongly correlate. H3: A PID detection level will be identified below which it may be reliably predicted that laboratory BTEX will be <1.0 ppm for any component.

Disciplines

Environmental Studies | Public Health

Download

Share

COinS