The BBC, along with USEPA Region I, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) and the New Hampshire/Vermont District of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), evaluated many field sites where the BBC could conduct its research.

Field Site Criteria:

In order to rank these sites, six criteria were established that would be desirable for the BBC's research:

1. Bedrock aquifer readily accessible (e.g., depth to bedrock not excessive),
    
2. Good understanding of the site's hydrogeological and physical characteristics,
    
3. Good understanding of the specific contaminants present and their distribution and concentrations in situ,
    
4. Existing network of monitoring wells,
    
5. Site readily accessible for several years… without fear that remediation/litigation will impact the BBC's work,
    
6. Good understanding of the type of bedrock present (competent vs. highly fractured (weathered) bedrock, fracture characterization, sorption, permeability).

Pease History

Ultimately, it was decided that Site 32 in Zone 3 at the Pease International Tradeport in Portsmouth, NH was best suited for the BBC's field site.

Site 32, Zone 3, Pease International Tradeport in Portsmouth, NH

Site 32 is in an area formerly known as the Industrial Shop/Parking Area. The BBC is working at Site 32 under the auspices of the Federal Facilities Agreement (FFA) between the U.S. Air Force (USAF), Pease Development Authority (PDA), USEPA and NHDES. Building 113, located at Site 32, was used for equipment maintenance, which included degreasing operations. A 1,200-gallon concrete tank buried beneath the northeastern corner of the building served as a reservoir for degreasing wastes, primarily TCE. The tank contained an overflow discharge pipe that released contaminants associated with the degreasing wastes directly into the soil (overburden). The TCE migrated downward into the groundwater. A contaminant plume containing primarily TCE and its degradation products cis- and trans-1,2-DCE and VC now extends ~0.5 kilometers beyond the identified source area. The plume has migrated with the groundwater into the weathered and competent bedrock.