Bentonite-Based, Saltwater Compatible Capping Material for Contaminated Sediments - Geotechnical Evaluation and Full Scale Application of Low-Permeability Material
John A. Collins, AquaBlok, Ltd., Toledo, OH       

Determining River Bank Erosion rates for the Prediction of Stream Bank Erodibility Using Dendrogeomorphic Methods and Exposed Tree Roots 
Bryan M. Dick, AECOM, Raleigh, NC
Ian Jewell, AECOM, Raleigh, NC
Ilona Peszlen, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
Richard Hey, Birmingham University, Birmingham, UK
Peter Simon, Ann Arbor Technical Services, Ann Arbor, MI

Natural Attenuation of Tumors in a Bottom-Dwelling Fish in the Buffalo River, New York
Darrel Lauren, ENVIRON Int’l., Philadelphia, PA                     
David Hinton, Duke University, Durham, NC
Mac Law, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
Mary Sorensen, ENVIRON Int’l., Atlanta, GA
Jen Lyndall, ENVIRON Int’l, Burton, OH 
Mark Kamilow, Honeywell Inc., New Hartford, NY

Tidal Sediment Contamination in Tacony-Frankford Creek, Philadelphia
Tait Chirenje, The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, Pomona, NJ          

In Situ Stabilization/Solidification Pilot Testing of Coal Tar Contaminated Sediment in Sydney Harbor, Nova Scotia
Kris Carbonneau, AECOM Environment, Westford, MA
Emese Hadnagy, AECOM Environment, Westford, MA
John Fairclough, AECOM Environment, Westford, MA

Chemical Characteristics of Sediment of the Lower Hackensack River, New Jersey
Edward Konsevick, New Jersey Meadowlands Commission, Lyndhurst, NJ
A. Brett Bragin, New Jersey Meadowlands Commission, Lyndhurst, NJ 

Bentonite-Based, Saltwater Compatible Capping Material for Contaminated Sediments - Geotechnical Evaluation and Full Scale Application of Low-Permeability Material

John A. Collins, AquaBlok, Ltd. 3401 Glendale, Suite 300, Toledo, OH 43614, Tel: 419-385-2980, Email: jcollins@aquablokinfo.com

To date, in both brackish and/or full strength sea water applications the primary capping material used has been sand.  Historically, very thick layers of sand have often been utilized due to the well known higher permeability of these granular capping materials. In many cases it is desirable to have either a thinner capping layer, for channel depth or hydraulic considerations, or to have a lower permeability or potential flux rate of contaminants from the sediments through the capping layer.  The use of low-permeability thin capping approaches utilizing sodium bentonite have been well documented for freshwater applications.   However, it is also understood sodium bentonite-based materials used alone are subject to ionic exchange with sea water which raises effective permeability.  This presentation will summarize the results from two separate geotechnical evaluations of a saltwater compatible bentonite-based low permeability capping material.  The geotechnical lab results presented show a range of saltwater conditions from brackish to full strength sea water and provide ASTM permeability testing data.  In addition, details of a full scale application of the material will be presented and a review of design considerations and other geotechnical properties that may impact potential applications will be discussed. 

Determining River Bank Erosion rates for the Prediction of Stream Bank Erodibility Using Dendrogeomorphic Methods and Exposed Tree Roots

Bryan M. Dick, PE, PH, AECOM, 701 Corporate Center Dr., Suite 475, Raleigh, NC, 27607, Tel: 919-854-6252, Email: bryan.dick@aecom.com
Ian Jewell, AECOM, 701 Corporate Center Dr., Suite 475, Raleigh, NC, 27607
Ilona Peszlen, Wood and Paper Science Department, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
Richard Hey, Birmingham University, Birmingham, UK
Peter Simon, Ann Arbor Technical Services, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

The exposed roots of sugar maple (Acer saccharinum), slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) and common hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) growing along the river banks of the Tittibawassee River in Michigan were analyzed using dendrochronological  methods to determine annual stream bank erosion rates. The method establishes erosion rates more accurately than they can be determined either by bank pins or by resurveying bank profiles, which only determine erosion rates from the date of the last survey.  Additionally, as bank pin and survey studies can take years to determine stream bank erodability, they often exceed contractual and decision critical time lines.

Root samples of the specimen trees were microscopically and macroscopically analyzed to determine the date of exposure of the root following bank erosion.  The distance of the sampled root from the bank face provides a linear measurement of the lateral bank erosion over time and, thereby, the average annual erosion rate.  Root samples collected at sites where Bank Erosion Hazard Index (BEHI) values ranged from Low to Very High and where the Near Bank Stresses (NBS) are between Low and High were used to develop regional lateral erosion rate curves for the river.  These will be used to establish the lateral stability of the river and the rate of sediment production which, will inform decisions on watershed, restoration and contaminated sediment management on the Tittibawassee River, as outlined by the EPA adopted WARSSS methodology. 

A dendrochronological analysis has revealed consistent indicators of the date of exposure of the root specimens of the three sampled species.  Observed indicators include; the occurrence of eccentricity in growth rings, a transition of diffuse to ring porous arrangements of vessels, a decrease in the size of vessels and fibers, the occurrence of gelatinous fibers in tension wood and the occurrence of pith flecks (scarring and wound tissue). 

It is believed that this application provides a viable means of determining lateral erosion rates for various bank geometry and hydraulic conditions in natural channels that possess angiosperms with root exposure due to erosive fluvial forces.  

Natural Attenuation of Tumors in a Bottom-Dwelling Fish in the Buffalo River, New York

Darrel Lauren, ENVIRON Int’l., 1760 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA. 19103, USA, Tel: 215-523-5605, Fax: 215-496-0164, Email: dlauren@environcorp.com
David Hinton, Nicholas School of Environmental Quality, Duke University, A333 LSRC, PO Box 90328, Durham, NC, 27708, USA, Tel: 919-613-8038, Fax: 919-684-8741, Email: dhinton@duke.edu
Mac Law, School of Veterinary Medicine, 4700 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, North Carolina State University, NC, 27606, USA, Tel: 919-515-7411, Fax: 919-515-3044, Email: mac_law@ncsu.edu
Mary Sorensen, ENVIRON Int’l.1600 Parkwood Circle, Suite 310, Atlanta, GA, 30339, USA, Tel: 770-874-5010, Fax: 770-874-5011, Email: msorensen@enviropncorp.com
Jen Lyndall ENVIRON Int’l,13801 West Center Street, Suite 1, PO Box 405, Burton, OH, 44021, USA, Tel: 440-834-1460, Fax :440-834-1560, Email: jlyndall@environcorp.com 
Mark Kamilow, Honeywell Inc., 12 Briarwood Lane, New Hartford, NY, 13413 Tel: 315-507-4731, Email: jmark.kamilow@honeywell.com
Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOCs) may be listed for one or more biological use impairments (BUIs).  One such impairment includes the presence of Fish Tumors and Other Deformities.  “Fish Tumors” refers to fish liver lesions, which are widespread in tributaries of the Great Lakes, the Potomac River, and other urban waterways.  “Other Deformities” refers to external DELTs (deformities, eroded fins, lesions and tumors), but current opinion is that these are unreliable indicators of either sediment contamination or BUI recovery.  Liver neoplastic lesions in brown bullhead are well suited for this purpose, in part because the naturally occurring incidence of liver tumors in uncontaminated populations of this species is well understood (i.e., about 5%).  The 5% benchmark in brown bullhead has been used for de-listing this BUI for Great Lakes AOCs.  Both natural attenuation and active remediation of sediments has been shown to reduce the incidence of fish tumors in this species, and AOCs have been de-listed for this BUI when <5% neoplasms was achieved.  In the Buffalo River, there is historical record of brown bullhead neoplasms, going back to 1983-86 and 1988, making it possible to evaluate the impact of physical natural recovery processes on brown bullhead neoplasms.  Studies were conducted in 2008 in 3 different areas of the Buffalo River and tissues evaluated for liver neoplasms.  The incidence of liver neoplasms has decreased over the past 20-years without active remediation of sediments.  The results will be discussed in terms of natural attenuation and de-listing criteria. 

Tidal Sediment Contamination in Tacony-Frankford Creek, Philadelphia 

Tait Chirenje, Environmental Science and Geology, B108 NAMS, The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, Pomona, NJ 08037, Ph: 609 652 4588, Fax 609 626 5515, tait.chirenje@stockton.edu

The Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed discharges into the Delaware River, one of the major rivers in the Northeast. Like many urban watersheds, this watershed is threatened by (a) increased release of pollutants in the form of metals, nutrients, and hydrocarbons, (b) changes in hydrology and pollutant discharge associated with increased impervious layer, (c) changes in stream morphology and ecology due to activities associated with urban development.

The aim of this study was to characterize the lower Tacony-Frankford Creek and develop a working model on how pollutants are adsorbed and released from sediments back into tidal waters. This will  increase our understanding of the flow of materials into and out of streams and the general processes involved in transporting nutrients and metals within the sinks (streams) and, ultimately, to the Delaware River.

Composite sediment and water samples were collected from 14 sites along the six mile creek using a surface sediment grabber (launched from a boat) and HDPE bottles. Sediment samples were digested in a hot block using an adaptation of USEPA Method 3050b. The resulting solution was filtered using a 45 micron filter. Trace metal concentrations were determined on a Varian Spectra graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer, using USEPA method 7060A along with filtered water samples. Mercury analysis was performed on a Leeman Gold Plus Mercury Analyzer.

A comparison of metal loads, possible sources, transfer and sink processes as well as the challenges and opportunities for clean-up will be presented. Results from this study will be useful in predicting the behavior of other urban streams in the Greater Philadelphia area and help managing their contribution to the degradation of the Delaware River ecosystem. Ultimately, this research will make it easier to identify and prioritize areas of focus in controlling pollution sources, stormwater and other runoff and promote more effective watershed management.

In Situ Stabilization/Solidification Pilot Testing of Coal Tar Contaminated Sediment in Sydney Harbor, Nova Scotia

Kris Carbonneau, P.E., AECOM Environment, 2 Technology Park Drive, Westford, MA 01880, USA, Tel: 978-589-3377, Fax: 978-589-3100, Email: kris.carbonneau@aecom.com
Emese Hadnagy, Ph.D., AECOM Environment, 2 Technology Park Drive, Westford, MA 1880, USA, Tel: 978-589-3258, Fax: 978-589-3100, Email: emese.hadnagy@aecom.com
John Fairclough, P. Geo, AECOM, 105 Commerce Valley Drive West, Markham, Ontario Canada, Tel:  905-747-7465, Fax: 905-886-9494, Email: john.fairclough@aecom.com

In the 1980’s, Environment Canada conducted studies on the effect of pollution on Sydney Harbor and identified PAHs in sediments from estuarine ponds as a source of pollution.  Studies were conducted to collect characterization data, evaluate risk and model contaminant flux from sediments.  That work concluded PAHs, PCBs and metals in the sediment were above risk benchmarks for aquatic organisms.  A technology evaluation was completed and selected in situ sediment solidification/stabilization (S/S) as a final remedy on the basis of:  1) removal of pathways for exposure; 2) reduction of erodibility and,3) improvement of sediment strength.  A regulatory review process concluded that both a bench and pilot scale demonstration of S/S was required before implementing full-scale construction.  This paper presents the pilot scale demonstration and results.  The pilot design included driving interlocking steel sheet pile (SSP) through the sediment into the underlying natural soils, removing overlying water, and mixing in S/S reagents.  SSP was used to form six (6) distinct cells which permitted evaluation of six mix designs.  Sediment was homogenized prior to adding reagents and sampled for pre-treatment characterization of PAHs, PCBs and metals as well as contaminant leachability potential; grain size, moisture content, and sediment bulk density were also measured.  Reagents added included Portland cement, slag and fly ash in varying amounts.  Post-characterization sampling was conducted from two depths to investigate mixing effectiveness.  Samples were used to create specimens that were evaluated for unconfined compressive strength (3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days), hydraulic conductivity (28 days), contaminant leaching potential (28 days) and moisture content (28 days).  Results indicate that contaminant leachability is effectively limited at very low concentrations of reagents whereas the hydraulic conductivity criterion of 1X10^-6 cm/s was the most challenging to meet and effectively drives reagent formulation.

Chemical Characteristics of Sediment of the Lower Hackensack River, New Jersey

Edward Konsevick, Meadowlands Environmental Research Institute, New Jersey Meadowlands Commission, 2 DeKorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071, Tel: 201-460-4646, Fax: 201-842-0630, Email: ed.konsevick@njmeadowlands.gov
A. Brett Bragin, New Jersey Meadowlands Commission, 1 DeKorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071, Tel: 201-460-4664, Fax: 201-460-8434, Email: brett.bragin@njmeadowlands.gov

The sediments of the Lower Hackensack River provide a record of contamination from ongoing and historical processes in a highly urbanized watershed in northern New Jersey. This estuarine river runs through suburban and small cities in its northern, freshwater reaches; passing south through 8,500 acres of wetlands known as the Hackensack Meadowlands to its mouth at Newark Bay. The goal of this review is to depict the environmental quality of this ecosystem using data derived from sediments collected in 2003 during a Fishery Resource Inventory. This study replicated a similar inventory conducted in 1988, allowing for elucidation of spatial and fifteen-year trends. In the sediments, heavy metal concentrations, grain size distribution and carbon content were analyzed.

Based on sediment guidelines published by NOAA in 1995, the estuary is in “poor” ecological condition; the average concentration of one contaminant, mercury, exceeds the ERM (ERM is the median concentration of a contaminant observed to have adverse biological effects in the literature values examined).  It is also apparent that enrichment of mercury and other metals occurs in the Hackensack River north of the mouth of Berry’s Creek, a major tributary known for its legacy of industrial contamination. In addition to this spatial trend, a good predictor of metal concentrations in the sediments appears to be the amount of organic matter present; preservation of organic matter in the river increases as tidal influence is diminished. The sulfate/sulfide cycle, driven by the reaction between seawater and the organic matter, appears to be the primary mechanism. Between 1988 and 2003, the average sediment concentrations were reduced significantly for cadmium (71%), chromium (63%), copper (73%) and lead (22%); zinc concentrations remained approximately the same (mercury was not analyzed in 1988). These results suggest a natural attenuation process at work, as burial preserves sulfide rich contaminated sediments.

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