Application of Flexible Liner Underground Technologies (FLUTe) in Groundwater Contaminant Investigations
Friday, April 12, 2019
University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
Dr. Gary Robbins and Mark Higgins, University of Connecticut
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Continuing Education Credits:
This is a new course and this is the first offering. The CT State Board of Examiners of Environmental Professionals (LEP Board) has approved this course for 8.5 hours of continuing education credits (CTLEP-480). Application has been made for MA LSP credits.
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Time and Location:
Registration will begin at 7:30 AM, the program runs from 8 AM - 5:15 PM. The course will be held at University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT. Further directions and parking information will be sent to registrants.
Course Description:
Successful remediation of a groundwater contaminated site is dependent on conducting an accurate site characterization and establishing an effective groundwater monitoring program. With the abundance and constant development of new tools and methods for site investigations, it is difficult to stay informed on all available options. It can be even more difficult to choose the appropriate combination of tools and methods for a particular project. The objective of this course is to provide a detailed overview of the major FLUTe (Flexible Liner Underground Technologies) methods that can be used for characterizing and monitoring groundwater contaminated sites.
This course will begin with a review of the common issues and pitfalls associated with the use of typical bedrock and overburden wells in characterizing the hydrogeologic and groundwater contamination conditions at a site. Next, we will introduce general FLUTe liner mechanics, what FLUTe liners are made of, and how/why they are used to seal open boreholes. We will then go into greater detail for the most widely used FLUTe techniques in boreholes: transmissivity profiling to delineate flow paths, NAPL detections systems, and Water FLUTe multi-level sampling systems for discrete long-term groundwater and hydraulic head monitoring. A field component to the course will consist of a demonstration of a FLUTe Blank Liner installation. Participants will take part in setting up the essential equipment, lowering the linear into the well, and securing the linear for long term borehole sealing. Participants will also take part in a demonstration of NAPL detection. After the field demonstration the course will move back into classroom to have the participants analyze and discuss profiling data from an actual contaminated site.
Throughout this short-course, participants will gain an understanding of how these methods are implemented and what types of sites they would be most appropriate for. This will include the limitations of the FLUTe methods. Participants will also learn how to interpret the data generated from transmissivity profiling and how to effectively choose sampling intervals for multi-level wells, which ultimately will be used for long term monitoring.
Course Agenda:
- 7:30 Registration
- 8:00-8:10 Introduction
- 8:10-9:10 Issues associated with the sampling of bedrock and overburden wells used for site characterization and monitoring
- 9:10-9:25 Break
- 9:25-10:25 FLUTe Liner Mechanics—materials, installation, sealing
- 10:25-11:25 Transmissivity profiling and delineating discrete flow path
- 11:25-12:15 NAPL and FACT dissolve organic contaminant detection systems
- 12:15-1:00 Lunch
- 1:00–2:00 Multi-level sampling and the Water FLUTe system
- 2:00-4:30 Field demonstration of FLUTe linear installation
- 4:30–5:15 Interpreting flow profile data and discussion
Instructor Bios:
Dr. Gary Robbins:
Gary Robbins is a Professor of Geosciences and Natural Resources in the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT. Dr. Robbins obtained a Ph.D. at Texas A&M University in Geology specializing in Hydrogeology. He began his professional career working for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, then after obtaining his Ph.D. became an Assistant Professor at Texas A&M. He then went to California and worked for Woodward-Clyde Consultants, an environmental consulting firm. Dr. Robbins is a Registered Geologist and Certified Engineering Geologist in California and Certified Professional Geologist with AIPG, and member of many scientific societies in his field. Dr. Robbins’ is well published in the scientific literature and has received awards for his teaching, research and outreach. He is the 2016-2017 University of Connecticut Innovative Teaching Awardee. His research focus is on deciphering fractured bedrock hydrogeology and has been conducting studies in the U.S. and Italy.
Mark Higgins:
Mark received a B.S. in Geosciences in 2011 from University of Connecticut. Before returning to UConn to pursue his Ph.D., he spent six years working for Flexible Liner Underground Technologies (FLUTe). As the East Coast Field Manager, he focused on borehole transmissivity profiling methods, and multi-level sampling systems design and implementation. Mark’s former work involved environmental site characterizations across the USA, Canada, Caribbean, and Europe. His current research involves characterizing arsenic and road salt contamination in wells, analyzing bacteria in groundwater to identify contaminant source indicators, and developing numerical models to improve standard groundwater sampling practices.
