FAQs

All field staff maintain OSHA 40-hour HAZWOPER training, MSHA certification, medical clearance, and annual refresher training. In addition, many team members hold certifications in confined space entry, first aid/CPR, forklift operation, and heavy equipment operation.  

All Vista GeoScience staff either hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) or operate as commercial drivers under interstate USDOT regulations for lighter vehicles. This includes compliance with hours-of-service requirements and maintaining electronic driver logs.  Additionally, our fleet is equipped with GPS tracking and cameras, and operators complete defensive driving and safety training programs.

Yes. Vista GeoScience is registered with multiple third-party safety and compliance platforms. These include Avetta, ISNetworld, COUPA, Safeland, PICS, and DISA (for random drug testing), among others. As a result, we meet the safety standards required by many clients and organizations.

HRSC uses direct-push tools such as the Membrane Interface Probe (MIP), Optical Image Profiler (OIP), and Hydraulic Profiling Tool (HPT) to measure subsurface conditions in real time. These tools generate continuous vertical profiles, which help model contaminant mass and migration pathways more accurately than traditional sampling methods.

Each tool provides different data. For example, MIP detects volatile organic compounds (VOCs), OIP identifies non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPL) using fluorescence technology, and HPT measures formation permeability. When used together, these tools create a detailed three-dimensional conceptual site model (CSM) and understanding of site conditions.

Our direct-push rigs can typically reach depths of 100 feet or more, depending on site conditions and soil type. However, for deeper or more challenging formations, we also utilize sonic drilling, rotary or hollow-stem auger methods.

Yes. As part of our quality assurance program, we collect discrete soil, groundwater, and soil gas samples during HRSC activities. This allows us to gauge sensor responses and correlate real-time field data with laboratory analytical results for improved accuracy.

Clients receive real-time electronic logs and location data during field activities. In addition, we provide secure website access for data viewing and downloads. Most interpretive reports and visualizations are delivered within two to four weeks.

Yes. Vista GeoScience has extensive experience with both active and passive soil gas sampling methods. These services support applications such as vapor intrusion (VI) assessments, landfill Tier-2 NMOC testing, sub-slab sampling, multi-level monitoring, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) monitoring, and stray gas migration studies.

We treat a wide range of contaminants, including petroleum hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents (CVOCs), dioxane, PCB, PFAS, dissolved metals, and many other complex compounds. Depending on site conditions, we use oxidants, reductants, biological amendments, and sorption-based remedies. We have experience injecting numerous oxygen release compounds, chemical oxidants, chemical reductants, biologic substrates, emulsified vegetable oil (EVO), carbohydrates, zero valent iron or sulfidated iron, activated carbon.

Our team evaluates historical site data, geology, and contaminant chemistry to recommend appropriate solutions. In addition, we collaborate with remediation design consultants and may recommend bench-scale or pilot testing to confirm performance before full-scale implementation.

Yes.  We use high pressure emplacement and hydraulic fracturing techniques to improve reagent distribution in tight clay soils or bedrock. We can even emplace sand proppants or solid reagent filled fractures to enhance permeability and create “treatment cells.”  Reagent selection is also key as you need a product that has a longer persistence to handle the inevitable back-diffusion.  As a result, contaminants can be effectively treated even in challenging formations. 

ISCO (in situ chemical oxidation) rapidly breaks down contaminants using oxidants. ISCR (in situ chemical reduction) uses chemicals that create reducing conditions, general to destroy chlorinated VOCs, or stabilize and detoxify metals.  Meanwhile, bioremediation enhances natural microbial processes for long-term cleanup. In many cases, we combine these approaches for optimal results.

Yes. We might also recommend additional Remedial Design Characterization (RDC), which could include high resolution tools such as MIP, HPT/EC, or OIP tools, and high-density soil sampling for geochemical and COC analysis, to refine the conceptual site model (CSM) for remediation design. Pilot testing allows us to evaluate reagent effectiveness, injection pressure and flow rates, and radius of influence. This helps optimize full-scale system design while improving cost efficiency and performance, resulting in overall cost savings and shorter time to site closure.

Hydraulic fracturing creates controlled fractures in low-permeability soils or rock formations. We can emplace sand or synthetic proppants, or slurries of actual suspended solid reagents.  This improves permeability and allows treatment reagents to reach otherwise inaccessible contamination zones.

We use real-time digital pressure and flow monitoring and feedback systems to control fracture propagation. In addition, we utilize confirmation coring and performance monitoring wells to verify spacing and effectiveness.

Yes. Our fracturing procedures are carefully engineered and closely monitored. Pressures are maintained within regulatory limits, and we use environmentally approved materials to ensure safety and compliance.  We can also provide services that monitor ground movement during injections.