Remediation of a petroleum spill to groundwater at a fuel distribution terminal (Long Island, USA) using pump-and-treat and complementary technologies

A petroleum leakage to groundwater of up to 4000 m 3 was discovered in November 1987 at a fuel terminal site on Long Island, USA. A pure petroleum product pool of up to 1 m in thickness was floating on the water-table, and associated dissolved hydrocarbon and halogenated hydrocarbon plumes appeared to extend in three directions from source areas within the site. Risk assessments indicated that some local private wells were threatened by the migration of a dissolved petroleum plume. The petroleum spill is being treated using pump-and-treat technology with associated free product recovery, soil vapour extraction, air sparging wells and intrinsic bioremediation techniques. The treatment is proving to be successful, with half the petroleum free product being recovered and protection of the local residents and groundwater achieved.