Case Studies

With more than 30 years of professional experience, the staff members at Darcy Environmental have specialized in environmental consulting for business throughout North America, Asia and Europe.  Its clients include international and Fortune 500 companies.  The typical services include but not limited to: Phase I ESAs, Phase II subsurface investigations, EHS compliance and audits, hydrogeological investigations, groundwater flow and contaminant fate and transport modeling, vapor intrusion evaluation and mitigation, UST investigations and closures, no further remediation (NFR) determination, state-of-art remedial system design and installation, and expert witness support. Please contact Darcy Environmental for more information about how its expertise will benefit your project.

Soil and Groundwater Remediation with Chlorinated Solvents – Adrian, Michigan, USA

The historical manufacturing activities in a large chemical factory resulted in site soil and groundwater impact with pollutant plumes migrating into the River Raisin.  Staff from Darcy Environmental developed a conceptual site model, conducted comprehensive investigations to characterize the complex site geology and hydrogeology.  The nature and sources of the impacts in soil and groundwater with chlorinated solvents were assessed.  A detailed risk assessment was conducted and groundwater modeling was performed to obtain site-specific soil and groundwater cleanup criteria.  The feasibility study was performed and soil and groundwater remediation measures were identified.  The selected remediation measures (with design and installation) were implemented.  Currently staff from Darcy Environmental are conducting long-term monitoring for remediation system performance and mixing zone compliance, as well as vapor intrusion mitigation system design and installation.

The specific roles of Darcy Environmental staffs include, but not limited to followings:

  • Conducted site hydrogeological investigations and remedial investigation;
  • Characterized the site geology and hydrogeology;
  • Identified the sources for soil and groundwater impacts;
  • Evaluated risks for all exposure pathways;
  • Designed and installed KMnO4 treatment zone to minimize the impact to the wetland;
  • Designed and installed zero-valence iron permeable reactive barrier (PRB) to prevent plume venting to a nearby river;
  • Conducted groundwater fate and transport modeling to establish the site-specific soil and groundwater cleanup criteria in the source areas of soil and groundwater impact;
  • Performed feasibility study to select the remedial measure in the source areas;
  • Designed and installed a soil vapor extraction and air sparging (SVE/AS) remedial system to cleanup soil and groundwater contamination;
  • Performed system monitoring and maintenance for the installed PRB and SVE/AS remedial systems;
  • Prepared a SPCC plan;
  • Conducted facility-wide emission evaluation for siloxanes;
  • Applied permits-to-install for the new reactors and remedial system;
  • Evaluated vapor intrusion risks;
  • Conducted sub-slab depressurization system (SSDS) pilot test and full-scale system design; and
  • Provided expert witness service in the litigation process.

Soil and Groundwater Remediation with Chlorinated Solvents – Livonia, Michigan, USA

The accidental PCE spill in May 1991 from a delivery truck at a dry cleaner facility resulted in site soil and groundwater impact with pollutant plumes migrating toward a downgradient apartment complex.  The insurance company for the PCE delivery company was requested by the court to clean up the soil and groundwater impact and obtained a site closure from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) on the spill release.  Beginning in 1994, staff from Darcy Environmental conducted comprehensive investigations to characterize the site geology and hydrogeology.  The nature and sources of the impacts in soil and groundwater were assessed.  The detailed risk assessment was evaluated.  A soil vapor extraction and air sparging (SVE/AS) remedial system was designed and installed to clean up the soil and groundwater impact both on-site and off-site.  The long-term groundwater and remedial system monitoring was performed.  Contaminant fate and transport modeling related to the site closure activities was performed.  The MDEQ finally closed the spill release in 2012.

The specific roles of Darcy Environmental staff include:

  • Conducted site hydrogeological investigations
  • Characterized the site geology and hydrogeology;
  • Evaluated risks for all exposure pathways;
  • Designed and installed a soil vapor extraction and air sparging (SVE/AS) remedial system to cleanup soil and groundwater contamination;
  • Conducted groundwater fate and transport modeling to assist in site closure
  • Performed system performance monitoring for the installed SVE/AS remedial systems;
  • Prepared remedial action plan and obtained site closure from the MDEQ on the spill release; and
  • Provided expert witness service in the litigation process.

 Soil and Groundwater Remediation with Chlorinated Solvents – Panyu, Guangzhou, China

The historical manufacturing activities at a large manufacturing facility resulted in site soil and groundwater impact with multiple pollutant plumes migrating into off-site properties including surface water bodies used for fish farming.  Since 2009, staff from Darcy Environmental developed a conceptual site model and completed comprehensive investigations to characterize the complex site geology and hydrogeology.  The nature and sources of the impacts in soil and groundwater with chlorinated solvents were assessed.  An on-site wastewater collection system and treatment plant was designed and constructed to ensure the wastewater discharge’s compliance with the Chinese discharge standards.  A detailed risk assessment was performed and the feasible soil and groundwater remediation measures were identified.  With both design and installation, the implemented remediation measures included  (1) KMnO4 soil remediation in the source area; (2) off-site groundwater intercept trench dewatering remedial system; and (3) off-site groundwater extraction remedial systems.  Currently the staff from Darcy Environmental are performing remedial system operation and maintenance, and conducting the long-term groundwater and remedial system monitoring.

The specific roles of Darcy Environmental staff include:

  • Developed a conceptual site model;
  • Conducted site hydrogeological investigations;
  • Characterized the site geology and hydrogeology;
  • Identified the sources for soil and groundwater impacts;
  • Evaluated risks for all exposure pathways;
  • Designed and constructed process wastewater collection system for the entire facility;
  • Designed and constructed on-site wastewater treatment plant to treat the site process and sanitary wastewater before discharge to the municipal wastewater collection system;
  • Implemented KMnO4 oxidation treatment in the on-site soil source area;
  • Designed and installed groundwater intercept trench dewatering remedial system on the off-site properties;
  • Designed and installed groundwater extraction and treatment remedial systems in two separate areas off-site;
  • Performed system monitoring and maintenance for the installed groundwater remedial systems; and
  • Provided long-term groundwater monitoring.

Industrial Facility Remediation and Risk Assessment, Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada

Staff from Darcy Environmental conducted site remedial investigations to evaluate the multiple sources of soil and groundwater contamination associated with the long-term usage of chlorinated solvents in this industrial facility.  The remedial measures implemented at the facility included chemical oxidation, soil vapor extraction and pump and treatment.  The site was redeveloped by the local municipality for town houses.  Staff from Darcy Environmental developed a site-specific degradation model to consider the potential fates of the residual chlorinated solvents in site soil and groundwater.  A site-specific risk assessment was conducted to assess the risks for the town house residents.  The site became the first industrial to residential redevelopment site approved by the MOEE Toronto District Office.

Industrial Site Vapor Intrusion Risk Mitigation and Due Care Implementation, Warren, Michigan

Staff from Darcy Environmental conducted site remedial investigations to evaluate the soil, groundwater and soil gas contamination associated with the historical usage of chlorinated solvents in this industrial facility.  Specifically a vapor intrusion mitigation measure was selected to comply with the due care requirements.  Staff from Darcy Environmental conducted a sub-slab depressurization system (SSDS) pilot test, and designed and installed the full-scale SSDS with 7 RadonAway HS2750 fans.  The SSDS successfully mitigated the vapor intrusion pathway risk for the site.  Darcy Environmental prepared a Documentation of Due Care Compliance (DDCC) on behalf of the site owner.  The DDCC was approved by Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes & Energy (EGLE).

Phase I ESAs, Phase II Subsurface Investigations, and EHS Compliance and Audits, Industrial Facilities in USA

Staff from Darcy Environmental have been retained as the environmental consultant to work on this international company’s many industrial sites throughout USA.  On behalf of this client, staff from Darcy Environmental conducted Phase I ESAs and Phase II subsurface investigations, performed EHS compliance audits, prepared SPCC plans, and implemented remedial measures for the facilities’ compliance.

Vapor Intrusion Mitigation and No Further Remediation Determination in Chicago, Illinois

Staff from Darcy Environmental conducted remedial investigations for redevelopment sites in Chicago area.  Particularly, the risks from vapor intrusion were evaluated.  Vapor intrusion measures including active sub-slab depressurization system (SSDS) were designed and installed at these sites.  The no further remediation (NFR) determinations were successfully obtained for IEPA for these sites.

UST Investigations and LUST Closures in Michigan

As a qualified environmental professional, staff from Darcy Environmental have represented a client in performing UST investigations and obtained LUST closures for dozens of LUST sites in Michigan.  With knowledge and expertise in assessing the releases from the LUST sites, Darcy Environmental staff conducted investigation in accordance with the Part 213 regulations, and successfully obtained release closures for many sites.

Environmental Compliance Audit in a Manufacturing Facility in Chennai, India

An international company from USA was in a process acquiring a manufacturing business in Chennai, India.  Staff with Darcy Environmental performed a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment and Environmental Compliance Audit for this manufacturing facility.  The information from this compliance audit played an important role in the client’s decision in setting up its business in India.

Project Management Consulting for a Construction Project in Dalian, China

A fortune 500 company was constructing its first membership store in Dalian, China.  Staff with Darcy Environmental was retained to conduct a Phase I ESA, and provide project management consulting service which involving on-site construction supervision and technical assistance in permitting approval processes.  The store was successfully opened per client’s schedule.

Soil and Groundwater Self-Monitoring Investigation Projects in Suzhou and Kunshan, China

The Soil Pollution Prevention and Control Law of the People’s Republic of China went into effect on January 1, 2019.  It authorizes the local Ecological and Environmental Departments to develop directories of entities subject to priority regulation for soil pollution in their respective administrative regions, disclose them to the pubic, and update them in due course.  The entity on the priority regulation list needs to develop and implement a soil and groundwater self-monitoring plan and submit the monitoring data to the local ecological and environmental authority.  Darcy Environmental recently completed soil and groundwater self-monitoring investigations for two industrial facilities in Suzhou Industrial Park and Kunshan Economic Development District near Shanghai, China.  The soil and groundwater self-monitoring investigation includes (1) identifying key environmental measures and key potential pollution areas at the facility; (2) drilling necessary soil borings and installing groundwater monitoring wells; (3) collecting soil and groundwater samples for required testing; and (4) preparing and submitting the self-monitoring investigation report to the local Ecological and Environmental Department on behalf of the facility.