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DRAFT Geosyntec <br /> consultants <br /> 5.1.3 Sampling Equipment <br /> At each soil vapor probe location, the sample train was set up with dedicated well fittings and <br /> new NylaflowTM tubing. The NylaflowTM tubing was field screened with a PID for the presence <br /> of VOCs before each location. Field instruments (PID, multi-gas detector, and helium detector) <br /> were calibrated prior to sampling. <br /> 5.1.4 Shut-In Tests <br /> After the aboveground sampling equipment was assembled at each location, a shut-in test was <br /> conducted to test for leaks in the sample apparatus. A vacuum of approximately 80 to 100 inches <br /> of water was applied to the sampling train and the vacuum was monitored for approximately one <br /> minute. If the vacuum dissipated during the shut-in test, the aboveground fittings were tightened, <br /> and the test was repeated until the vacuum was maintained for one minute, indicating a <br /> nominally leak-free assembly. This protocol was repeated after leak testing and before sampling, <br /> to ensure the integrity of the sampling equipment seals had been preserved. <br /> 5.1.5 Leak Testing <br /> After each soil vapor sampling location passed a shut-in test, a leak test was conducted during <br /> vapor well purging. Laboratory grade helium was used for the leak test to check for ambient air <br /> leakage through the annular seal between the vapor well and the ground surface. A shroud was <br /> temporarily installed at the ground surface around each well and helium was added to the shroud, <br /> with the minimum and maximum average helium concentration ranging between 23% and 43%, <br /> respectively. The concentrations of helium in the shroud and the purge samples were measured <br /> with a field helium detector. The purge samples were considered acceptable if the helium <br /> concentration was less than 5% of the minimum shroud concentration, consistent with <br /> recommendations in the Advisory. <br /> Helium was detected in the shroud during leak testing at concentrations ranging from 2,400 parts <br /> per million by volume (ppmv) to 17.5%by volume. Fittings were re-tightened after the first <br /> purge sample was collected; however, helium continued to be detected in subsequent purge <br /> samples. Analytical results indicated that helium concentrations were less than 5% of the helium <br /> concentration in the soil vapor sample. This indicates that the soil vapor sampling methodology <br /> conformed with DTSC guidance, which states that "an ambient air leak up to 5% is acceptable if <br /> quantitative tracer testing is performed" (DTSC, 2015). <br /> 5.1.6 Purge and Sampling Rate <br /> Prior to sampling, air was purged from each vapor well to remove stagnant or ambient air and <br /> collect samples that are representative of subsurface conditions. A minimum of three well <br /> volumes were purged prior to sampling, consistent with recommendations in the Advisory. Purge <br /> volumes were calculated based on the volume of the void space in the tubing plus an estimate of <br /> the void space in the sand filter pack of each vapor well. <br /> The wells were purged by drawing soil vapor from the formation using a lung box to fill a I-liter <br /> TedlarTM bag. The purged soil vapor was screened in the field using a PID, landfill gas meter, <br /> and a helium detector. The purge volume for each sample location was recorded. Soil vapor was <br /> purged from each location at an approximate flow rate of 200 milliliters per minute (mL/min). <br /> Draft Soil and Soil Vapor Investigation 11 August 30,2019 <br />