Resistivity Imaging Identifies Potential Contaminant Transport Pathway

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Resistivity Imaging maps potential subsurface transport pathway in south-central Oklahoma

Lithochimeia was retained to investigate complaints of strong hydrocarbon odors from a spring on in south-central Oklahoma.  

Initial sampling indicated the presence of hydrocarbons in waters flowing from the spring after larger rainfall events.   Pipelines transporting hydrocarbons traversed the property up-gradient from the spring that exhibited hydrocarbon odors.  Lithochimeia conducted a Resistivity Survey to examine the region between the pipelines and the spring for evidence of a pathway existed between the pipelines and the spring.  The Resistivity Survey involved obtaining data from forty north-south transects between the pipelines and the spring.

Electrical current was injected into the subsurface via the electrodes of the array and the resulting electrical activity at the surface was measured and interpreted to produce images representing the electrical properties of the subsurface.

The image resulting form the survey revealed potential subsurface transport pathways between the pipelines and the spring.  The karst geology of the area and diagonally oriented faults were visible as highly resistive cavernous porosity as well as clay and silt filled porosity in the subsurface. 

This 2-D rendering was mapped in 3-D to better visualize the subsurface geometry of the potential transport pathway.

Monitoring wells were installed to both confirm the results of the resistivity survey and to provide access to groundwater for sampling.

Groundwater sampling revealed hydrocarbon signatures similar to those found at the spring.

Widespread Salt Contamination Mapped on 15,000 Acre Ranch

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Lithochimeia was retained to investigate current and historic saltwater releases on a large ranch in northeast OK . 

Review of air photos showed numerous areas potentially impacted by salt contamination on the ranch.

Lithochimeia conducted frequency domain electromagnetic (EM) Terrain Conductivity Surveys using a Geonics EM-31-MK2 ground conductivity meter over areas potentially contaminated by saltwater in areas surrounding tank batteries, pumping units, flowline routes, and areas of visible surface damage.  EM Surveys use the principle of electromagnetic induction to measure the conductivity of the subsurface based on soil electrical properties and chemistry of pore fluids.  EM Surveys do not require ground contact and therefore allow rapid data acquisition.   Data can be processed and viewed in near real time.

In all, over 2 million square meters (540 acres) of surface area was surveyed using the EM-31-MK2 ground conductivity meter.  This was accomplished in in less than four weeks because of the ability to rapidly acquire data this geophysical method provides.

Results of the Terrain Conductivity Survey indicated probable widespread contamination of large portions of the ranch by high salinity produced water. The results of the Terrain Conductivity Survey were then confirmed by soil and water sampling and laboratory analysis.

Characterization of contamination this widespread through air-photo analysis, on-ground visual inspection and direct sampling alone would require collecting hundreds of samples and would be very expensive. When applicable, modern geophysical methods provide cost-effective and time-efficient solutions for projects requiring both large amounts of information while maintaining high data density.

Geophysical Investigation Uncovers Hidden Contamination

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Lithochimeia was retained to investigate high salinity liquids that had pooled on the surface of a private landowner’s property in Hughes County, Oklahoma.  Lithochimeia was tasked to characterize the extent of contamination and identify the potential source.

Client interviews revealed that a large diameter plastic pipe had been recently installed to transport frac water and flowback water. Over a portion of the property, this line was located adjacent to a steel line carrying natural gas.

A Terrain Conductivity Survey was planned and executed using Geonics EM-31-MK2 over the impacted area as well as the surrounding surface.  Electromagnetic (EM) Surveys use the principle of electromagnetic induction to measure the conductivity of the subsurface based on soil properties and chemistry of pore fluids.  EM Surveys do not require ground contact and therefore allow rapid data acquisition.   Data can be processed and viewed in near real time.

The data obtained was processed in the field, and the resulting contoured map of terrain conductivity showed that the EM Survey clearly imaged the location of the steel gas line and the area of elevated conductivity associated with the pooled saltwater.

the resulting contoured map of terrain conductivity also showed an detached and unexplained area of high conductivity to the west of the original focus of the survey.  As the result , the the survey area expanded to determine the extent and nature of the d unexplained area of high conductivity observed in the original survey.

The expanded EM-31 Survey produced a contoured terrain conductivity map that displayed a large plume of conductive material in the subsurface apparently emanating from the vicinity of the pipeline northwest of the original survey focus.  The data suggested a breach of the plastic line that had been undetected until the EM-31 Survey was conducted and processed. 

Relying exclusively on soil sampling and visual observation would not have been able to detect this subsurface plume of conductive fluids.  The high data density and efficiency of the EM-31 Terrain Conductivity Survey allowed for a larger area to be rapidly characterized.  Early detection of salt contamination will reduce injury to soil and ground water and reduce remedial costs for the responsible party.

Oil and Gas Contamination in Osage County, Oklahoma

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In 2000, Osage County rancher and landowner, Don Quarles, brought suit against oil and
gas producers for historical and ongoing crude oil and saltwater pollution damage to his
land and groundwater.

Lithochimeia reviewed hundreds of well files, well logs, historic air photos, soil survey
data , geologic reports and water quality reports to establish evidence of historic releases
of oil and saltwater. In addition, Lithochimeia conducted extensive on-site inspections of
nearly one hundred well sites and, as appropriate, collected soil samples for salinity and
hydrocarbon analysis. Lithochimeia also executed numerous terrain conductivity surveys
to establish the spatial extent of salt pollution ad heavily contaminated sites. During the
course of this litigation, Lithochimeia prepared a series of expert reports and provided
deposition testimony and testimony at a jury trial in the United States District Court for
the Northern District of Oklahoma regarding the pollution injury, its causation and
monetary damage to Quarles’ land.

The jury entered a verdict for Quarles and awarded monetary damages.

Carbon Black Contamination in Ponca City, Oklahoma

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In 2004 the Ponca Tribe of Indians filed suit against Continental Carbon Company, owned by the Koo family of Taiwan, for damages from carbon black emissions from its Ponca City-based factory.

Lithochimeia provided technical counsel to Plaintiff’s attorneys regarding existing sampling data and assisted plaintiffs in conducting sampling in an around the Continental Carbon Company site. Other tasks undertaken by Lithochimeia included establishing the precise latitude and longitude of hundreds of addresses in Ponca City, producing a large variety of custom maps and displays including maps of plume concentrations of particulates based on air quality modeling and preparing an expert report linking the production of carbon black at the Continental Carbon Company site to carbon black found on surfaces outside the boundaries of the Continental Carbon Company site. A second expert report was prepared in rebuttal to certain statistical and chemical assertions made by a one of the Defendant’s experts.

This matter is in active litigation and is scheduled for trial in November 2008.

Poultry Waste Contamination of Surface Water in Northeastern Oklahoma

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A large and growing numbers of broiler chickens and other poultry are produced within northwestern Arkansas and northeastern Oklahoma. Historically, wastes produced by poultry have been land disposed by simple broadcast spreading near where such wastes are generated. Because of the industrial farming practices employed in the growing of poultry, these wastes contain very high levels of phosphorus, and application of these wastes to land adds phosphorous far in excess of the amount required to grow crops. Once applied to the land the phosphorous from the wastes can and does move from the soil to surface waters in runoff. Phosphorus is the element most likely to limit algae growth in lakes and reservoirs. The excessive growth of algae in lakes and reservoirs results in a number of problems including, the production of carcinogens when the water is disinfected prior to distribution, taste and odor problems from algal production of geosmin and 2-methyliosborneol, anoxia in bottom waters and aesthetics issues.

In 2001, the City of Tulsa filed suit against some of the largest poultry producers in the nation including Tyson, Simmons and Cargill in the Northern District of Oklahoma. The City alleged that the Defendants’ growers polluted Lakes Eucha and Spavinaw, from which Tulsa draws approximately half of its water supply, with 170 million pounds of phosphorous each year as the consequence of the land disposal of poultry wastes. In July 2003, The City of Tulsa and the Tulsa Metropolitan Utility Authority reached a court approved settlement in City of Tulsa v. Tyson, et al. with Tyson and other large poultry producers regarding nutrient management practices to be employed within the Spavinaw Creek Watershed. In their lawsuit the City of Tulsa and the Tulsa Metropolitan Utility Authority contended that land disposal of poultry waste within the Spavinaw Creek watershed had resulted in elevated levels of phosphorous in the water supply reservoir lakes, Lake Eucha and Lake Spavinaw, fed by Spavinaw Creek. The settlement agreement stated that future disposal of poultry waste within the Spavinaw Creek Watershed would be managed a Phosphorus Index that would be specifically developed for this watershed. 

After the settlement agreement was executed, the Tulsa Metropolitan Utility Authority (TMUA) and the City of Tulsa retained Lithochimeia to provide technical counsel and expert witness services regarding phosphorous indices proposed by both TMUA and the Defendants. Lithochimeia has also provided ongoing technical counsel to TMUA and the City of Tulsa regarding reports prepared concerning water quality in Lakes Eucha and Spavinaw and in Spavinaw Creek and its tributaries. Most recently, Lithochimeia produced an expert report concerning the currently employed phosphorus index being used to manage poultry waste disposal within the Spavinaw Creek watershed. This expert report recommended a number of improvements to this phosphorus index.

In June 2005 the State of Oklahoma filed a lawsuit (State of Oklahoma v. Tysons Foods, Inc. et.al.) in the Northern District of Oklahoma against some of the nation’s largest producers of chickens, turkeys and eggs, including some out-of-state producers that alleged contamination of the Illinois River and Lake Tenkiller. The State of Oklahoma contended that land disposal of poultry waste within the Illinois River watershed had resulted in elevated levels of phosphorous, bacteria and other poultry waste constituents in the Illinois River and its tributary streams, and that such pollution was a threat to the environment and human health. The State’s complaint alleges violations of state and federal nuisance laws, trespass, as well as other violations of state environmental regulations. The State also seeks to recover the costs that it has had to incur, and will incur, to respond to the pollution under CERCLA.

The State of Oklahoma retained Lithochimeia at the beginning of the lawsuit to provide technical counsel, technical management, field sampling and expert witness services, including two depositions, testimony at a preliminary injunction hearing and just over six days of trial testimony. Lithochimeia developed information regarding poultry industry waste generation and disposal practices, fate and transport of nutrients and metals from poultry waste application fields to surface and ground water within the Illinois River Watershed and developed a model of the historical impact of poultry waste disposal on the Illinois River Watershed from geochemical and geochronological study of Lake Tenkiller sediments.

These matters are still in active litigation.

Disputed Groundwater Withdrawal Permit in South-Central Oklahoma

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In November 2002, Meridian Aggregates Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Martin Marietta Materials Inc., applied for a permit to withdraw groundwater from the Arbuckle-Simpson in south-central Oklahoma at a rate of 1,400 acre-feet/yr for dust suppression and crushed stone washing at the company’s aggregate mining operations in Johnston County, Oklahoma. A local grassroots organization, Citizens to Protect the Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer (CPASA), which arose when local citizens acted in response to man-made threats to the Arbuckle Simpson aquifer and the springs and streams which flow from it, opposed this permit application.

Although Arbuckle-Simpson aquifer, a sole-source bedrock aquifer which lies beneath a surface area of about 500 square miles in south-central Oklahoma, contains a vast amount of high quality groundwater, its rate of recharge is low (less than one-acre foot/yr). Consequently, CPASA was and remains concerned that water withdrawal from the aquifer in excess of recharge could threaten municipal water supplies, more than 100 springs and streams whose flow depends solely on the flow of groundwater. Loss of the groundwater resource for these uses would adversely impact numerous commercial, recreational, municipal and federal facilities rely on the waterways fed by spring flows of the Arbuckle Simpson aquifer.

Lithochimeia worked on behalf of CPASA to review and analyze data as well as numerous technical studies regarding the hydrogeology and geology of the Arbuckle-Simpson aquifer. Lithochimeia developed a geological interpretation regarding the hydro-geologic behavior of that portion of the Arbuckle-Simpson aquifer that would be impacted by Meridian Aggregates’ proposed groundwater well and quarrying operation that indicated potential for adverse impact to local springs at the proposed groundwater withdrawal rate. Lithochimeia’s work included a geologic inspection of the quarry under development and the area surrounding the quarry. Lithochimeia provided an written expert opinion, deposition testimony and live testimony at an Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) administrative law hearing.

In mid-2006, and after a lengthy administrative law process, the OWRB granted Meridian a permit to withdraw 274 acre-feet/yr, or approximately 20% of the 1,400 acre-ft/year in Meridian Aggregates’ original permit application.

NPDES Permit Dispute near Hot Springs, Arkansas

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In March 2006, an individual citizen filed a request for review with the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission of a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit issued to Umetco Minerals Corporation for wastewater discharge from the Wilson Vanadium Mine. The Wilson Vanadium Mine is a 375-acre site located about 8 miles east of the city of Hot Springs, Arkansas in Garland County, Arkansas. The NPDES permit review was requested because the citizen believed that the permit would allow the discharge of wastewater that would create an environmental hazard, would allow the pollution of Wilson Creek and would adversely impact his property interest and his use and enjoyment area waters.

Lithochimeia worked on behalf of the individual citizen to review an extensive collection of documents obtained from UMETCO and from the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission. These documents included technical reports, surface water, groundwater and soil sampling data, discharge monitoring reports, administrative correspondence and others. In addition, Lithochimeia undertook a limited field sampling effort focused on better defining the distribution and occurrence of contaminated soils on the site. After extensive file review and two site visits, Lithochimeia developed an opinion that the wastewater discharged from the Wilson Vanadium Mine was process wastewater that contained nickel, that the road right-of-way on the site was contaminated by metals and that non-permitted discharges were taking place from the mine site. Lithochimeia prepared an expert report and offered deposition testimony and testimony before an administrative hearing officer for the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission.

Oilfield NORM Defense, Southwestern Mississippi

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Assisted in the technical defense of a large multinational oil company which was a predecessor in interest Mississippi oil fields in which NORM-related claims were brought.

The first matter involved assertions of NORM, hydrocarbon and hazardous substance contamination of soil and surface water at an historic production location in Adams County, Mississippi. The second matter involved claims of field-wide groundwater contamination and widespread surface contamination with NORM and nonhazardous oil field wastes in the Brookhaven oil field (~20 square miles in Lincoln County, Mississippi).

Assisted in the defense of Chevron in a series of actions involving allegations Worked with legal team to define the approach to technical defense of the case, located and retained expert witnesses, provided liaison with technical experts, reviewed and analyzed plaintiffs and experts opinions and documents, provided near-real-time technical analysis of plaintiffs’ experts’ testimony during depositions and hearings, drafted defense expert
witness affidavits, managed and directed field sampling efforts, managed and directed data compilation of geologic and petroleum engineering data, drafted and presented mock trial testimony, and managed and directed production of geologic and petroleum engineering trial exhibits.

Assisted in the defense of Chevron in an action in the Baxterville oil field in Lamar County, Mississippi. The case involved allegations of field-wide groundwater contamination and widespread surface contamination with NORM and non-hazardous oil field wastes. Worked with legal team to define to define the approach to technical defense of the case, located and retained expert witnesses, provided liaison with technical experts, reviewed and analyzed plaintiffs’ experts’ opinions and documents, provided near-real-time technical analysis of plaintiffs’ experts’ testimony during depositions and hearing, managed and directed data ompilation of geologic and petroleum engineering data, and managed and directed production of geologic and petroleum engineering exhibits.

Worked with legal team to define the approach to technical defense of the case; located and retained expert witnesses; provided liaison with technical experts; reviewed and analyzed plaintiffs, experts’ opinions, and documents; and organized field sampling efforts.

Natural Resource Damages, Calcasieu Estuary, Louisiana

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The Calcasieu Estuary includes the area of the Calcasieu River from northern Moss Lake to the salt water barrier at Lake Charles. The Calcasieu Estuary is an industrialized area where several petrochemical and agrochemical plants manufacture and process diverse products including, petroleum fuels, lubricating oil, chlorinated solvents, synthetic rubber, olefins and pigments. Industrialization of this area took place beginning in the 1920s, but greatly intensified during the Second World War and expanded even more in the post-war period.

In the early 1990s federal and state natural resource trustees began a natural resource damages action against industrial concerns that discharged to the estuary. Lithochimeia provided technical assistance to counsel for a predecessor in interest to numerous industrial sites surrounding the Calcasieu estuary. Assistance provided included construction of current and waste profiles for all industrial sites surrounding the estuary from a consideration of the processes employed at these sites, review of environmental sampling data, air photo review of GIS mapping.