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Velsicol/Pine
River Sediment Remedial Action Case Study – Work In
Progress
Stephanie
Ball, M.S. Environmental Engineering, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, 77 W. Jackson Blvd, SR-6J, Chicago, IL.
60604-3590, Tel: 312-353-2315, Fax: 312-886-4071, Email: stephanie.ball@epa.gov
Rob
Stryker, M.S. Civil Engineering, CH2M HILL, 135 S. 84th
St., Suite 325, Milwaukee, WI 53214, Tel: 414-272-2426, Fax:
414-272-4408, Email: rstryker@ch2m.com
Gina
Bayer, B.S. Water Chemistry, CH2M HILL, 1767 Cold Spring Rd,
Neenah, WI 54956
Tel:
920-727-4717, Fax: 920-727-4721, Email: rbayer@ch2m.com
In
the early 80’s a Natural Attenuation remedy was chosen for
the Pine River DDT-contaminated sediments adjacent to the
former Velsicol Chemical Company Site in St. Louis,
Michigan. Fish tissue levels continued to rise, however, and
an EPA emergency response removed a soft sediment hot spot
in 1998-99. The 2003 construction season marks the 4th
year of EPA sediment remedial action in the 30-acre Pine
River Operable Unit 2. Excavation has been conducted in the
dry, using a wall consisting of 3,500 linear feet of sheet
piling to split the river in two and create manageable
cells. An access road with twenty 7-foot diameter culverts
was built to reach the other half of the river. Dewatering
activities route the cell water to a 2,000 gpd onsite
treatment plant. A drying/stabilizing agent is added to the
drained sediments, and they are excavated and disposed in an
offsite landfill.
The
use of the dry excavation method at this site facilitated
the discovery that the slurry wall around the 52-acre OU1
former plant site was failing, and DNAPL has migrated from
OU1 into the glacial till underlying the river sediments.
Adaptive change management handled the discovery of DNAPL
without losing construction time. Approximately 3,000
gallons of DNAPL have been pumped from the river bottom.
300,000 cubic yards of sediment have been removed, and 1,200
linear feet of interceptor trench have been installed along
the river bank to collect DNAPL migrating from the plant
site. Laterals to the trench extend into the cells where
residual DNAPL within the till was left in place due to
proximity to lower water table. A clay cap was constructed
over the areas with residual DNAPL to isolate the
contaminants from the river. “Active cap” laboratory
treatability studies testing BionSoil and zero-valent iron
are planned for 2003.
Sequestration
of PAHs from Contaminated Sediments by Treatment with
Nonpolar Resin
Yunzhou
Chai and Alexander Kochetkov, Louisiana State University,
Hazardous Substances Research Center, South/Southwest,
Department of Chemical Engineering, Louisiana State
University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, Tel: 225-578-4072, Fax:
225-578-1476
Danny
Reible, Louisiana State University, Hazardous Substances
Research Center, South/Southwest, Department of Chemical
Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
70803, Tel: 225-578-6770,
Fax: 225-578-1476
A
nonpolar resin (Amberlite XAD2) was used to sequester
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from laboratory- and
field-contaminated sediments. Two sediments with different
organic carbon content were inoculated with Phenanthrene,
Pyrene or Benzo(a)pyrene and mixture of PAHs. Addition of
XAD2 into contaminated sediments showed reductions in
sediment concentrations of individual PAH more than
90% for Phenanthrene and Pyrene, and 40% for Benzo(a)pyrene
within 24h. Within 336h, sediment concentrations of PAH
decreased by more than 95% and 70% respectively. The
decrease of PAHs concentration in sediment is expected to
result in a corresponding decrease in biavailability and
uptake of the PAHs based upon other experiments in our
laboratory. The results suggest that XAD2 may prove to be
effective for the remediation of sediments contaminated with
PAHs. The paper will present removal rates, desorption
kinetics and competitive effects of the contaminants between
XAD2 and the sediments. Model results and bioaccumulation
and toxicity tests will also be presented.
Metal
Speciation Assessment in Contaminated Sediments- a Case
Study
Sunil
G. Bhand, Birla Institute of Technology & Science,
Chemistry Group, Pilani (Rajasthan) 333 031 INDIA, Tel: +91
1596 245073 ext.273, Fax:+91
1596 244183, Email: sunilbhand@bits-pilani.ac.in
Kamal
K. Chaturvedi, I.P.S.
Academy, A.B. Road Indore 452001 INDIA, Tel: +91 731
2576385, Email:kkmchaturvedi@yahoo.com
Speciation
of metals and their possible assimilation in the biota is of
great significance. Metal speciation studies were carried
out in the effluent channels of river Khan (Indore, India)
in the vicinity of industrial discharge sites (Areas of
Concerns AOCs) during 1997-98. Sequential extraction
procedure was applied to determine speciation of contaminant
metals in five fractions namely 1.exchangeable 2.carbonate
3.reducible 4.bound to organics 5.reducible. Zn, Cr, Cd and
Ni were identified as predominant metals in sediment phase.
The overall metal fractionation followed the order;
exchangeable Zn<Cr<Cd<Ni, carbonate
Ni<Zn<Cr<Cd, Fe-Mn oxide reducible Cd =
Ni<Cr<Zn and the fraction bound to organics
Zn<Ni<Cd<Cr. Residual fractions were also
determined. The AOCs were studied further under a long-term
monitoring and assessment programme. An integrated Sediment
Quality Triad SQT approach was applied during 1999-2002 to
determine physical, chemical and biological data of
contaminated sediments. Based on these results quality
criteria for sediments were derived within the impacted
area. The bioaccumulation of contaminant metals in benthic
fauna was evaluated [Bhand and Chaturvedi, 2000]. The metal
accumulations in sediments of the AOCs were fingerprinted
employing Multivariate Analysis MVA. The Chemometric
fingerprinting of the AOCs might be useful in deciding a
cost-effective remediation strategy within the area studied.
Reference:
Bhand S.G. and Chaturvedi K.K, ‘Trace elements in benthic
diatoms from sediments -a case study of river Narmada,
India. In 11th Annual International Conference on
Heavy Metals in the Environment (2000) (J. Nriagu, Editor),
Contribution #1214. University of Michigan, School of Public
Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA (CD-ROM)
Alternative
Dispute Resolution Techniques At Sediment Cleanup Mega-Sites
Loren
R. Dunn, Attorney, Riddell Williams P.S., 1001 4th Avenue
Plaza, Suite 4500, Seattle WA
98154 Tel: 206-624-3600, Fax: 206-389-1708, Email:
ldunn@riddellwilliams.com
The
Pacific Northwest is at the forefront of developments in
conducting large multi-party aquatic site cleanups.
A significant portion of the listed Superfund sites
in the northwest are sediment sites in harbors or industrial
waterways. These
have been some of most active sites in the northwest, and as
a result, cleanup planning and implementation at a number of
these complex sites is very advanced.
EPA, and the northwestern states, have actively
supported the use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR)
tools and systems to facilitate progress on these sites.
The regulatory agencies have invested considerable
financial resources and staff time in encouraging
potentially responsible parties (PRPs) to participate in
agency sponsored ADR proceedings.
The
agencies have supported, and on occasion participated in
funding, PRP convening activities, third party mediations,
and non-binding arbitration activities.
In addition, they have, on occasion, exercised
forbearance from negotiating with PRPs who refuse to
participate in agency sponsored ADR processes.
These ADR proceedings have given PRPs the chance to
applyand use good (forensic) science not only to address the
question of who should be responsible for what share of
proposed cleanups, but also challenge, and to improve upon,
previously proposed remedies.
The
agencies' support of theses procedures has been amply
rewarded. From
examining a number of case studies, it can be determined
that ADR proceedings have produced effective settlements for
funding cleanup at a number of the major acquatic sites in
the northwest region. By
securing adequate funding for performing the cleanups
through the ADR process, the agencies have also been able to
persuade key PRPs to take responsibility for performing the
remedies. A
number of valuable lessons can be drawn from these ADR
experiences for work yet to be done in other areas of the
country and for natural resource damage assessment claims
that are just over the horizon.
Evaluation
of Toxicity in a South Carolina Marsh Sediment Containing
PAH and Metals
Beth
M. DuPlessie, AMEC Earth & Environmental, 239 Littleton
Rd. Suite 1B, Westford, MA 01886
Tel:
978-692-9090 x302, Fax: 978-692-6633
Paul
Anderson, Ph.D., AMEC Earth & Environmental, 239
Littleton Rd. Suite 1B, Westford, MA 01886, Tel: 978-692-9090 x223, Fax: 978-692-6633
Sue
Matkoski, AMEC Earth & Environmental, 239 Littleton Rd.
Suite 1B, Westford, MA 01886
Tel:
978-692-9090 x311, Fax: 978-692-6633
Mike
Slenska, Beazer East, Inc., One Oxford Centre, Suite 3000,
Pittsburgh, PA 15219-6401
Tel:
412-208-8867, Fax: 412-208-8869
The
relationship between survival and polynuclear aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAH) and metals concentrations were evaluated
using whole sediment toxicity tests performed with Mysidopisis
bahia and Neanthes arenaceodentata. Tests were
conducted using sediments collected in January 1999 and
thereafter quarterly between April 2000 and April 2001 at
seven locations within the PAH and metals impacted portion
of the marsh, and at one reference location. The
relationship between mortality and PAH and metals was
evaluated by plotting the toxicity test results from all
sampling locations and events, against PAH and metals
concentration. In addition, correlation and linear
regression analyses were conducted. Toxicity analyses
indicated that both metals and PAH had lower toxicity to Neanthes
arenaceodentata than to Mysidopisis bahia.
Further, the toxicity data provide strong evidence that PAH
and metals concentrations that exceed commonly used sediment
quality guidelines (SQGs) are not responsible for the
observed toxicity in either test species, since, based on
linear regression analyses, changes in PAH and metals
concentrations explained less than 6% and 4%, respectively,
of the variation in observed toxicity. Because
the range of concentrations was greater than typical
benchmarks, a stronger relationship between the chemicals
and toxicity was expected.
Risk-Based
Remediation of Lead and Chromium Impacted Sediments in Lake
Waban, Wellesley, MA: A Case Study
Russell
Schuck, Haley & Aldrich, Inc., 465 Medford St. Suite
2200, Boston, MA 02129
Tel :
617-886-7404, Fax : 617-886-7704
Deborah
Gevalt, Haley & Aldrich, Inc., 465 Medford St. Suite
2200, Boston, MA 02129
Tel :
617-886-7333, Fax : 617-886-7633
Jennifer
Mullen, Haley & Aldrich, Inc., 465 Medford St. Suite
2200, Boston, MA 02129
Tel :
617-886-7097, Fax : 617-886-7997
Charles
Menzie, Menzie-Cura & Associates,
Inc., One Courthouse Lane, Suite Two, Chelmsford, MA 01824,
Tel : 978-453-4300
Katherine Fogarty, Menzie-Cura &
Associates, Inc., One Courthouse Lane, Suite Two,
Chelmsford, MA 01824, Tel : 978-453-4300, Fax :
978-453-7260
Lake Waban sediments are impacted by lead and chromium due
to past disposal practices of a former paint pigment factory
operating along its shoreline from 1848-1928.
Sediment characterization studies and a detailed
human health and environmental risk assessment were
conducted to define receptors and develop risk-based
remedial goals to address the contamination.
Based on the information obtained, a remedial plan
was designed and implemented along a portion of Lake Waban
to eliminate the identified significant risks.
The remedial action utilized a barge-mounted
excavator outfitted with a proprietary environmental
clamshell bucket, guided by a global positioning system
integrated with software to provide the real-time data
necessary for precise remedial dredging.
Samples were analyzed on site for lead and chromium
using a field portable X-ray fluorescence analyzer (XRF) in
near real time to guide the dredging operation, and verify
that remedial goals had been achieved.
The project was a success as the innovative
mechanical dredging technique minimized over-excavating
while allowing the project team to achieve the goals of the
remediation.
Geotechnical/Hydrogeologic
Factors in In Situ Contaminated Sediment Capping
Robert
D. Mutch, Jr., P.Hg., P.E., Hydrogeology and Remediation
Services, HydroQual, Inc., One Lethbridge Plaza, Mahwah, NJ
07430, Tel: 201-529-5151, Fax: 201-529-5728, Email: rmutch@hydroqual.com
Daniel
K. Kearney, P.E., Brown and Caldwell, 110 Commerce Drive,
Allendale, New Jersey 07401
Tel:
201-574-4700, Fax: 201-236-1607, Email: dkearney@brwncald.com
In
situ capping of contaminated sediments with low permeability
capping materials, designed to restrict transport of
contaminants through the cap, can pose significant
challenges from a geotechnical and hydrogeologic
perspective. Low
permeability capping materials, such as geosynthetic clay
liners, clayey soils, granular bentonite, or the proprietary
AquablokTM material, can, in reducing the
advection of groundwater through the cap, concomitantly
produce substantial uplift pressures.
These uplift pressures can, in some cases, ultimately
result in destruction of the cap. Tidal fluctuations can be
particularly problematic as a result of transient excess
pore pressure that remains beneath capping materials during
low tides. Placement of greater thicknesses of cap cover
materials as ballast, while a remedy for cap uplift,
increases cost and can prohibitively restrict channel
cross-section. Capping-induced restrictions in groundwater
discharge can also locally alter the hydrogeologic system as
groundwater levels rise near the capped region.
Rising groundwater levels can manifest themselves as
springs or seepage faces in areas never before subject to
such phenomena.
This
paper examines the circumstances resulting in destructive
uplift pressures using Visual MODFLOW to numerically model
groundwater/sediment/cap interactions under a variety of
common conditions, including:
-
Bank
to bank sediment capping
-
Localized
sediment capping
-
Application
of geosynthetics
-
Minimal
cap cover designs
-
Tidal
fluctuations and other rapid river stage changes
The
paper also discusses various geotechnical measures to
enhance cap stability, such as use of overburden materials
as ballast, use of capping materials with greater submerged
weight, and pore pressure control.
Extensive figures are employed to illustrate the
findings of the numerical modeling.
Setting
Clean-up Objectives for Metals in Sediment
Joanne
H. Perwak, Shaw Environmental, Inc., 3 Riverside Drive,
Andover, MA 01810,
Tel:
978-691-2145, Fax:
978-691-2101
Olaf Westphalen, Shaw Environmental, Inc., 3 Riverside
Drive, Andover, MA 01810
, Tel:
978-691-2136, Fax: 978-691-2101
Arthur F. Eidson, Ph.D., Shaw Environmental, Inc., 1430
Enclave Parkway, Houston, TX 77077, Tel:
281-368-4416, Fax: 281-368-4506
At
a former industrial site, cleanup objectives were set using
the results of sediment toxicity testing in order to limit
the areas of wetlands and streams that would be disrupted.
The ecological risk assessment included a comparison of
sediment concentrations to benchmarks and toxicity testing
of site sediment from various site locations using Hyallela
azteca and Chironomid tentans.
It also included a qualitative survey of benthic
organisms. The
conclusion of this evaluation was that sediment posed a risk
to ecological receptors, primarily due to secondary effects
of a reduction in the prey base (benthic community) on
potential predators. The
contaminants of concern were chromium, copper, lead, and
silver. Evaluation
of the site was conducted to specifically identify potential
predators, including amphibians and aquatic birds. In addition, a statistical evaluation of the sediment
toxicity testing results was conducted using a survival
model based on the survival ratio in four replicates of the
five sediment samples.
The analysis of the survival model used SPLUS (2001)
software. This
evaluation concluded that concentrations of chromium and
copper were strongly correlated with toxicity, while
concentrations of lead and silver were not.
The result of the statistical evaluation was a matrix
of copper and chromium concentrations that would result in a
given predicted toxicity.
This matrix was used to evaluate post-remediation
confirmatory samples to determine whether they were
acceptable. Thus,
cleanup objectives for copper and chromium varied depending
on the derived statistical relationship.
This approach successfully limited the area to be
remediated, and provided an easy and flexible measure of
completion.
Microbial
Degradation of Atrazine in Coastal Sediments: Distribution
of Metabolites into Aqueous and Basic Fractions
Kelly
L. Smalling, University of South Carolina, Department of
Environmental Health Sciences, 800 Sumter St. Room 311,
Columbia, SC 29208, Tel: 803-777-2607, Fax: 803-777-3391
C. Marjorie Aelion, University of South Carolina, Department
of Environmental Health Sciences, 800 Sumter St. Room 311,
Columbia, SC 29208, Tel: 803-777-9122, Fax: 803-777-3391
The
fate and transport of pesticides in aquatic systems are
facilitated to a large degree by physical, biological and
chemical processes such as oxidation, sorption,
volatilization, microbial degradation and photolysis.
Atrazine, a preemergent triazine herbicide has the
potential to persist in the environment due to its slight
water solubility and long half-life.
Deethylatrazine (DEA) and deisopropylatrazine (DIA),
the two major microbial breakdown products, have been
measured extensively in surface and groundwater.
However, the production of DEA and DIA by native
bacteria in aquatic systems exposed to recent development
pressures has only recently been examined.
The biodegradation of atrazine was monitored in
sediments collected from coastal South Carolina by examining
the distribution into three chemical fractions over time.
Radiolabled 14C-atrazine was added to
field collected sediments and allowed to incubate in the
dark at room temperature for up to 80 days.
At each time point the sediment was extracted with an
organic solvent (ethyl acetate: acetone) followed by an
alkali hydrolysis reaction with NaOH.
Radioactivity was measured in the aqueous, organic
and basic fractions using a liquid scintillation counter and
a total percent recovery was calculated.
Also the identification of specific compounds in each
fraction by GC/MS is on going.
Due to sorption to sediment organic matter after 80
days only 50-70 % of the total added atrazine was recovered.
Of this, between 20 and 30 % of the activity measured
was associated with the aqueous fraction indicating
degradation to more water-soluble metabolites.
Another 20-50 % of the remaining activity, depending
on site, was associated with the basic fraction indicative
of sorption of atrazine and/or its metabolites to sediment
organic matter. These
results suggest that degradation and sorption account for
the fate of greater than 80 % of the atrazine recovered in
these coastal sediments.
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