AQR
®
Color-Tec
Field-Based Analysis of Chlorinated
Volatile Organic Halocarbons
http://www.aqrcolortec.com
What is AQR Color-Tec® ?
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Field test kit for chlorinated solvents
Detects total chlorinated halocarbons (CVOHs) in soil
and water samples to less than 3 µg/L or µg/kg
Provides qualitative data and estimated concentrations
Results in 3 minutes per sample
Over 20,000 samples analyzed
Initially developed in 1997
Tested and verified at EPA, DOD, DOE and state
chlorinated solvent site investigations
Commercial production began 2007
AQR Color-Tec®
Method Detection Limits
AQR Color-Tec® detects all CVOHs
to less than 3 µg/L
Statistical Comparison of Split-Sample CG/MS Results to
AQR Color-Tec® Zero Values Only (non-detections)
(typical chlorinated solvent site data set N = 42)
Parameter
Mean
Range
Standard Deviation
95% UCL of the mean
90th Percentile Value
95th Percentile Value
Concentration (µg/L)
0.362
0 to 2.55
0.736
0.857
1.626
2.370
AQR Color-Tec®
Comparison to GC/MS data
AQR Color-Tec® results consistently indicate a relative correlation to
split sample laboratory GC/MS (EPA 8260B) comparison data.
This graph shows the relative correlation by plotting AQR Color-Tec
readings with the split sample GC/MS concentrations of total CVOHs
detected in 61 groundwater samples from a chlorinated solvent site.
100000
1000
100
1000
10
100
10
1
1
0.1
0.1
0.01
0.01
GC/MS Concentrations
AQR Color-Tec Readings
AQR Color-Tec Value
(Units)
GC/MS Concentration
(ug/L Total CVOHs)
10000
AQR Color-Tec®
Open-Loop Stripping Analysis Procedure
Ambient air enters
through carbon filter
Tygon
Tubing
Carbon
Filter
Colorimetric
Tube
Hand-Operated Vacuum
Pump (100cc)
Air Flow
Purge
Needle
(long)
Headspace
(~30%)
Water
Sample
Pre-filtered ambient air is
purged through the sample,
stripping the volatile
compounds into the
headspace
Air
Bubbles
Pump Stand
40 ml VOA Vial
Pump
Handle
AQR Color-Tec®
Open-Loop Stripping Analysis Procedure
Ambient air enters
through carbon filter
Tygon
Tubing
Carbon
Filter
Colorimetric
Tube
Hand-Operated Vacuum
Pump (100cc)
Air Flow
Purge
Needle
(long)
Headspace
(~30%)
Water
Sample
Air
Bubbles
Purged volatile compounds
pass through the headspace,
needle, and tubing into the
colorimetric tube where they
react and cause a distinct
color change
Pump Stand
40 ml VOA Vial
Pump
Handle
AQR Color-Tec®
Sampling Media
liquid
solid samples
SamplesAnalyze
and tubes
areorheated
before Analysis
Headspace
Headspace
Added Water
(de-ionized)
Water
Sample
Soil Sample
Water Set-up
Soil Set-up
AQR Color-Tec®
Conversion Table
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Converts AQR Color-Tec® tube
readings to µg/L or µg/kg
Based on comparison of Color-Tec
data to GC/MS data using over 5000
water samples collected from 152
chlorinated solvent sites.
A “Median” estimated value for each
Color-Tec reading was obtained
using statistical comparison of
Color-Tec data and GC/MS (EPA
Method 8260B) data.
The “Range” value reflects the
potential deviation from the Median
value based on the Color-Tec and
EPA Method 8260B comparison
results.
AQR Color-Tec®
Increases Sampling Coverage
Laboratory Sampling Only
AQR Color-Tec® with Laboratory sampling
The low per-sample cost of
AQR Color-Tec® allows for
more samples, resulting in
increased coverage and
reduced uncertainty.
24 Samples @ $100 each
The AQR Color-Tec® data is
used to focus definitive
analysis sampling onto
48 Color-Tec Samples @ $25 each
critical areas.
Definitive analysis provides high
analytical accuracy, but sampling
quantity is often limited to
control costs, resulting in data
gaps, sampling uncertainty, and
low overall data quality
Total Cost = $2,400
Combining AQR Color-Tec®
with laboratory sampling
increases overall data
quality at a lower cost by
providing improved
sampling coverage with
high analytical accuracy.
6 Laboratory Samples @ $100 each
Total Cost = $1,800
AQR Color-Tec®
Comprehensive Instructions
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Detailed Procedures Manual
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Kit Set-up
Method principles
Sample Collection
Reading the tubes
QA/QC procedures
Trouble shooting guide
Conversion Table
References
Method Applications
EPA Guidance Featuring
AQR Color-Tec®
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Using Dynamic Field Activities for On-Site Decision Making
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Site Characterization Technologies for DNAPL Investigations
May 2003; OSWER No. 9200.1-40 EPA/540/R03/002; Chapter 5,
http://www.epa.gov/superfund/programs/dfa/download/guidance/40r03002.pdf
September 2004; EPA 542-R-04-017;
in.org/download/char/542r04017.pdf
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http://www.clu-
Understanding Procurement for Sampling and Analytical
Services under a Triad Approach June 2005, EPA 542-R-05-022
http://www.epa.gov/swertio1/download/char/procurement.pdf
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Conducting Contamination Assessments at Drycleaning Sites
EPA Technology Innovation Program; State Coalition for Remediation of Drycleaners
http://www.drycleancoalition.org/download/assessment.pdf
State Guidance Featuring
AQR Color-Tec®
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D H E C
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Drycleaner Remediation Guidance Document 2004
http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/HM/drycleanerguidance.pdf
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South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental
Control; Field Inspection Guidance
http://www.schouse.org/reports/dhec/scdcrtfprogramstatusreport2007.doc
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North Carolina Dry-Cleaning Solvent Cleanup Program Guidance
for Conducting Drycleaner Facility Prioritization Assessments
http://wastenot.enr.state.nc.us/SFHOME/DryClean/Download/PAR%20guidance.doc
EPA Triad Implementations
Case Studies Using AQR Color-Tec®
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Using AQR Color-Tec for Source Identification and Delineation
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Fast Track to Reducing Conceptual Site Model Uncertainty
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Best Practices in Triad Approach to Characterize TCE
Naval Construction Battalion Center Davisville North Kingstown, RI - 2008 Triad
Conference http://www.umass.edu/tei/conferences/Triad_PDF/Anderson.pdf
CH2MHill; Storage Tank Site ST-123 POL Fuel Yard
http://www.Triadcentral.org/user/includes/dsp_profile.cfm?Project_ID=25
National
Laboratory Environmental Sciences Division Argonne, IL
http://www.triadcentral.org/user/doc/TPP-Hurlburt-BestPractices.pdf
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Adaptations to Triad as a Basis for Exit Strategy Development
Decision Logic Flow Chart 2006 Triad Poster Session; CH2MHill
http://www.triadcentral.org/user/doc/TPP-Hurlburt-TriadAdaptations.pdf
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Successful Triad Implementations at Federal Sites
AQR Color-Tec
Method locates source areas at Calloway Drum Recycling Site, Auburndale, Florida
http://www.triadcentral.org/user/doc/TPP-Callaway-Field_Based_Decision_Approach.pdf
AQR Color-Tec® Featured On
EPA CLU-IN Technology Page
EPA CLU-IN web
page provides
information about
treatment and
characterization
technologies.
AQR Color-Tec is
featured with other
test kits in the
technology
descriptions and
selection tools
section
AQR Color-Tec®
Equipment and Expendables
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Cost per sample is $19.95 (Basic QA/QC included)
Provided in 20-sample kits with all required expendables
Hardware kit includes piston pump, pump stand, heating equipment,
and carrying case
Professional technical support is included with any purchase
Customized comprehensive training courses are available
Hardware Kit = $1,195
20 Sample Pack = $395