What We Do / Consulting / Agricultural Chemical

Agricultural Chemical Investigations and Remediation

WCEC has over 24 years of experience in agricultural chemical investigations and remediation at over 200 sites. In addition, WCEC’s locations in rural and metropolitan areas of the midwestern United States facilitates our ability to stay well-informed regarding current agricultural operations and practices.

Agricultural chemical investigations are often complex in nature and can involve multiple, high-risk potential source areas. The list of chemicals potentially handled at agricultural chemical facilities is extensive and diverse, including nitrogen-based fertilizers and pesticides. WCEC is experienced in investigation, delineation and remediation of impacts by these common agricultural chemicals as well as by a wide range of other agricultural chemicals including: unique pesticides; fungicides and bactericides; chlorinated pesticides; urea carbonates; pentachlorophenol (PCP); dioxins and furans; and sulfometuron methyl (SFM).

WCEC’s agricultural chemical experience includes Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs), pre-construction sampling, remedial investigations, corrective action development and implementation, profiling and disposal of agricultural chemicals and ACRRA reimbursement facilitation for our clients. Specific project tasks have included:

• Delineation of soil impacted by agricultural contamination using soil borings and/or test pits

• Field screening analysis of soil and groundwater (nitrate nitrogen, pH, specific conductance, temperature, dissolved oxygen)

• Groundwater, soil and sediment sample collection for mobile- and fixed-base analytical analysis

• Investigation and monitoring of agricultural chemical contamination in the groundwater table and buried resource aquifers. Methods have included hydraulic conductivity testing, natural attenuation evaluation, dissolved plume modeling, and sealing and replacement of contaminated or at-risk wells

• Contamination Impact Surveys to evaluate the potential pathways of agricultural chemical contamination to human health, surface water, groundwater and other potential receptors

• Preparing bid specifications for and overseeing soil remediation including in-situ bioremediation and small- and large-scale excavations

• Land application of rinsate and soil with agricultural chemical impacts. Coordination activities have included identifying agricultural land suitable for impacted rinsate or soil; obtaining approval from land owner(s), responsible party(s) and township and county representative(s); and calculating appropriate agronomical spreading rates

• Agricultural chemical waste characterization, profiling and disposal

• Pre-construction sampling and soil excavation

• Facilitation of agricultural chemical permitting