On-Call PIT De-Icing Sampling

Since 2012, Sci-Tek has been providing stream sampling and analysis services at the Pittsburgh International Airport. The purpose of the stream sampling project is to determine the chemical impacts on the local environment from the deicing and defrosting of aircraft. Approximately 17 pipe and stream points are sampled in accordance with the De-Icing Season Stream Sampling Plan. Sci-Tek supplies all labor, materials, and services required. The scope of work includes the following:

• Background Sampling Events: Sampling is conducted before the start of the deicing season to establish baseline water quality levels.
• Staff Gauging: Sci-Tek installs staff gauges and provides field readings to determine stream levels.
• Field Measurements: Sci-Tek performs field measurements by using portable meters to collect and record dissolved oxygen, temperature, conductivity, and pH data.
• Periodic Sampling: Sci-Tek conducts periodic sampling events during winter storm events that occur throughout the deicing season. On-call staff conducts periodic sampling when active precipitation (snow, sleet, or freezing rain) is likely to cause defrosting or deicing operations, optimally once per month, over two consecutive days, with each site sampled three times per day.
• Intensive Deicing Season Sampling: Sci-Tek maintains automatic composite samplers to collect daily samples at two stations located downstream of active aircraft and airfield deicing locations. Field parameters are obtained every 15 minutes and composite samplers are collected weekly in order to track the seasonal variations of deicing operations.
• Qualitative Data Review: Sci-Tek reviews all in-situ measurements to assess the reliability of the data. Any data deemed unreliable is noted and explained.