Geochemical Studies

Since its founding in 1979, SSP&A has pioneered the application of geochemistry to the field of hydrogeology.

We provide expert services in geochemistry for environmental problems associated with:

Hazardous waste disposal;
Chemical and petroleum manufacturing;
Wood treatment;
Coal gasification;
Mining and acid mine drainage;
Saltwater intrusions;
Surface-water and sediment contamination.

Services that we offer for Geochemistry

SSP&A's team of geochemists are recognized experts in the field of environmental forensics, and provide services associated with:

Evaluation of the origin(s), fate, and transport of contaminants;
Geochemical and isotopic fingerprinting;
Analysis of environmental problems caused by the presence of compounds such as: PCBs, PCPs, creosotes, perchlorate, nitrate, MTBE, BTEX, arsenic, mercury, lead, and chlorinated and non-chlorinated solvents;
Interpretation of chemical congeners (PCBs, Dioxins);
Chronological evaluations;
Analysis of organic / inorganic interactions;
Evaluation of geochemical conditions;
Evaluation of DNAPL and LNAPL sites;
Assessment of the natural and enhanced attenuation of contaminants;
Geochemical modeling;
Litigation support.

Featured Projects

Agrico Chemical Company Pensacola, Florida

The Agrico Chemical Company (Agrico) site in Pensacola, Florida, was listed on the National Priorities List in 1989. Superphosphate fertilizer and sulfuric acid were produced at the site starting in the early 1900s. The acidic process wastewater containing fluoride was discharged to ponds. One public supply well was shut down in the late 1950s due to low pH. At the time, operations at the Agrico site were suspected as a source of the low pH. SSP&A used the concentrations of fluoride measured in groundwater down-gradient from the Agrico site to define the extent of impacts from past operations that took place at the Agrico site.

Fate and Transport of PCBs in the Subsurface

In the late 1980s, groundwater in the vicinity of over 50 compressor stations along the pipeline was found to contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at concentrations in excess of the drinking-water standards. The contamination was from PCB-containing lubricating oils used during normal pipeline operation. In 1998 SSP&A was retained to evaluate groundwater and soil contamination at compressor stations along this underground gas pipeline system extending from the Texas Gulf coast to New Jersey and to develop remedial alternatives for those sites.

RCRA Investigation of Former Refinery Site Casper, Wyoming

For a RCRA Facility Investigation (RFI) of this former BP-Amoco refinery, SSP&A provided technical support in geochemistry, groundwater, and geology, and participated in Collaborative Process meetings with Wyoming State agencies regarding Soda Lake, a former discharge point for refinery effluent.

ReSolve Site

North Dartmouth, Massachusetts

Contamination at this former chemical reclamation facility included DNAPL and dissolved-phase VOC contamination of soil, a 10-acre plume of dissolved VOCs in bedrock groundwater and a 7-acre plume in overburden groundwater emitting from former on-site disposal facilities. Work included: an assessment of geochemical and hydrogeologic data to identify the potential extent of DNAPL and dissolved phase contaminants; analyses of aquifer tests; development and calibration of a three-dimensional numerical groundwater flow and particle-tracking model; modeling analyses of alternate extraction well scenarios; and design of an extraction well system considering performance objectives, wetland issues, and risk of DNAPL remobilization. SSP&A also served on an Expert Committee assembled to provide state-of-the-art advice on DNAPL issues.