Hillis-Carnes was contracted to provide Environmental Consulting Services, including a subsurface investigation at the aviation fuel tank field located at Salisbury Regional Airport. The facility consists of a 15,000-gallon aviation gasoline (AV-Gas) underground storage tank (UST) and a 20,000-gallon jet fuel UST located adjacent to the runway. The purpose of the investigation was to evaluate subsurface soil and groundwater conditions in the vicinity of the tanks to determine whether releases from the UST system had occurred.

To perform the investigation, Hillis-Carnes mobilized a Geo-Probe® Model 6625 drilling rig to collect soil and groundwater samples from selected locations around the USTs. The team evaluated site conditions by monitoring wells for liquid-phase hydrocarbons (LPH) using an interface probe and screening for volatile organic vapors with a photoionization detector (PID). Soil samples were also field-screened and evaluated using visual and olfactory observations for evidence of petroleum impacts. Representative soil and groundwater samples were subsequently submitted for laboratory analysis.

Following completion of field activities and laboratory testing, Hillis-Carnes prepared a comprehensive report summarizing the investigation procedures, subsurface conditions encountered, field screening results, laboratory analytical data, and overall conclusions. Based on the findings, Hillis-Carnes determined that the contaminants detected were not associated with significant leaks from the USTs or their associated piping. Instead, the limited contamination observed was likely due to minor, chronic surface spills during routine fueling operations over the life of the tanks.