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4th Quarter 2006 Report <br /> Thrifty#172 <br /> Page 4 <br /> During the current sampling episode, TPHg, benzene, and MTBE were detected in offsite well <br /> MW-9 for the first time since the third quarter 2004. Prior to the third quarter 2004, TPHg, <br /> benzene, and MTBE were not detected in well MW-9 since 1996. The reason for the appearance <br /> and disappearance of these constituents is uncertain. Thrifty will continue to monitor well MW- <br /> 9. <br /> Since the third quarter of 1997, Thrifty has analyzed for oxygenates di-isopropyl ether(DIPE), <br /> ethyl-tert butyl ether(ETBE), tert-amyl methyl ether(TAME), and tert-butanol (TBA), and <br /> MTBE by method 8260B. The alcohols (ethanol and methanol) were analyzed by ASTM <br /> standard D285. The SJCEHD requested these analyses. Laboratory results indicate no alcohols <br /> or oxygenates (besides MTBE) were detected above the laboratory detection limit. In a letter <br /> dated December 9, 2004, the SJCEHD indicated that methanol may be discontinued as a <br /> sampling requirement, but that ethanol must continue to be analyzed for since it is a fuel additive <br /> at the site. The SJCEHD further required that ethanol must be analyzed by EPA Method 8015. <br /> Ethanol was not detected using EPA Method 8260B. Dissolved lead was detected at 0.005 mg/L <br /> in well MW-11. <br /> Possible New Release or Active Source <br /> In the 1st quarter of 2005, Thrifty noted dramatic increases in TPHg(130,000 ug/L) and MTBE <br /> (122,000 ug/L) concentrations in well MW-3 that may indicate that a new release occurred or an <br /> offsite active source is contributing dissolved hydrocarbons to the area of well MW-3. During the <br /> current quarter, MTBE was detected in wells MW-3 (14 ug/L), MW-4 (19 ug/L), MW-6 (2.6 <br /> ug/L), MW-9 (5.8 ug/L) and MW-I1 (109 ug/L). <br /> Further evidence of a recent release is provided by the use of BTEX ratios that are used as a <br /> means to compare the relative age of gasoline releases into the subsurface. The most common <br /> method is the cumulative BTEX ration that is described as B+T/E+X. Site investigations <br /> indicate that values between 1 and 6 or above are supportive of a recent release and that values <br /> less than 0.5 usually indicate a release older than about 8 to 10 years (Kaplan et. al. 1997, <br /> "Forensic Environmental Geochemistry: Differentiation of Fuel Types, Their Sources and <br /> Release Time;" Robert D. Morrison: "Forensic Techniques for Establishing the Origin and <br /> Timing of Contaminant Release"). The table provided below provides B+T/E+X ratios based on <br /> the groundwater samples collected during sampling events beginning in May 2005. <br />