"Environmental Indicators Initiative"
and Draft "Report on the Environment"
" My goals for the
Agency are to make our
air cleaner, our water
| purer and our land better
\ protected. These are the
results that we are
working hard to achieve.
Our progress towards
these goals will be the
measure of our success. To know whether we
are making progress toward these goals, we
need high quality information about the state of
the environment. It is also important that we
are accountable to the American public and
report to them on our progress in reaching the
goals we have set for ourselves.
The 'Indicators Initiative' and draft
'Report on the Environment' are critical steps
in our more comprehensive approach to
identifying priorities, focusing resources on
areas of greatest concern, and managing our
work to achieve measurable results. "
-- Christine Todd Whitman, November, 2001
"Indicators" Initiative Launched
On November 13, 2001, EPA Administrator
Christine Todd Whitman announced an
"Environmental Indicators Initiative" to
improve EPA's ability to report on the status of
and trends in environmental conditions and
their impacts on human health and the nation's
natural resources. The Administrator directed
the Office of Environmental Information (OEI)
and the Office of Research and Development
(ORD) to lead this multi-year, Agency-wide
Initiative.
Draft "Report on the Environment"
Developing and publishing a draft "Report on
the Environment," using available national
level data and indicators to describe
environmental conditions and human health
concerns wilrfe one of the key products of this
effort. A draft "Report" will be released during
Spring 2003 for broad public discussion. It
will:
• describe current environmental
conditions and trends using existing
data and indicators
identify data gaps and research needs
discuss the challenges government and
our partners face in filling those gaps
and
* be accompanied by supporting technical
information.
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Five "theme areas" will be covered in the draft For further information, please visit our web
"Report": cleaner air; purer water; better site at: www.epa.gov/indicators. If you would
protected land; human health; and, ecological like to be notified when the draft "Report"
condition. To establish a national baseline for becomes publicly available, go to the
"cleaner air, " the draft "Report" will address comments section of our web site and add your
the status and effects of outdoor air quality and name to our "Indicators" mailing list.
indoor air quality. The "purer water" theme
will examine the condition of the nation's water
resources, drinking water, recreational water,
and the condition of waters supporting fish and For further information, please contact:
shellfish. To ensure "betterprotected land" the Dawn Banks-Waller
draft "Report" will explore land use and effects US EPA
on the environment, chemicals used or released Office of Environmental Information
on land, wastes, and land contamination. Under 202/566-0625 banks-waller.dawn(5),epa.sov
"human health" the draft "Report" will explore or
human health and disease trends in the United Michelle A. Hiller
States, the role of the environment in disease, US EPA
and how exposure to environmental pollutants is Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental
measured. The theme about the nation's Relations
"ecological condition" will present information 202/564-3 702 hitter. michelle(q),epa.sov
on ecosystems and work towards the
development of ecological indicators. The draft
"Report" will also include specific information
on cropping practices, waste management,
emergency response and preparedness, and
recycling.
Working with Our Partners and
Stakeholders Is Key to Our Success
Through our outreach efforts, EPA is inviting
governmental entities, non-governmental
organizations, and the public to be our partners
in the longer- term "Environmental Indicators
Initiative." Data from other federal agencies
and departments, EPA regional offices, state and
local governments, tribes, and other partners
will be vital to sustaining a long-term effort to
improve the way we develop indicators that can
help us measure and report on environmental
conditions and the results we achieve.
Publication no. 260-F-02-005
March 6,2003
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I
A newsletter about soil, sediment, and ground-water characterization and remediation technologies
Issue 7
Eualuating Performance of the Monticello PRB in
Treating Uranium and Metals
ve '
dijsefy eval^fed^erformance of the I*Rp'&
;zer-vajent iron (ZVI) reqctrve medium.
lias -involvedr a range of
methods, ihciudhi^ tracer '
conductivity tests,
pump drawdown test, ar^ane&tensiveoaring
pipgram. TO -1 OQ-by ,8:ft jBRB 'was installed
to treat ground water eokaining oraniusy
vanadium*, and -ofeesr meteis iat
jfiat exOeededluaximiun
) )^ as na^h as a
^orof -lOQ^see JiMq,2QOO Grvund Water
progressive less elective m
ccmjainrng-uraniura. Conceijtratioiis of
rttramiima short ^stance" jrato flie ZV! zone;
bo*vevejvrernaur,fess than the^M'Ct
(3&"i»g/L)". Manganese and'iTpa con-
eenlrationsareincreasiiJg^to^pRS but
. - ^ ' r ^ ' ' ,
. are burjfered-wiliurt sevejal feetbf editing it
. Tracer te§ts ^ftvolvisg^jpgradieat" aijectibn
•of tirtumde andiesH4e were conducted to
e PRB:
flo^s atottg Inferential paths^tiiat1 ate hot1
perpendicular to fee PkB.- Tracer tesfeelso
n&cated that residence1 tiipes in-ie.P^B
"fi-om.22, to 90 hoitfi &*tditionai
results -of'the evaluatigiri. indk'ffted that
tonfaaunant coiHientrafions wereisdiiced to .
waterpa^sing
tueted using" a oofldi$& boro$oope
, video camera), Boroscojpe'
dica^> variabte flow:
dir-ect&Mis and velocities 'rahgmgrrom 3 to
' '
results., ia&c£tQ "tfeat cojicentfatioos, of
0ontarmnau^ 4n '^ound water 'exiting A'
Prt -remain Iselow compUaiie levels aad'jn
•many; cases are tepe/ tttan -instrument,
detection firnits - figure V)* - " :
-Tfae"BRB is cosstnicted with, an upgradieat'
^zose containing 2 feet of ZVI (13% b>
volurse) mixed with pea gravel (titegrayel/
ZVI zone)atid adovoi^jtoejitzbne eoffiaining"
'4-fect of-JOO%"ZVi(the 2yi We).-'
,MonkQrinf xfeta takeji at points of ^rouiMl
w^erexSt fiom-the graveFZVTzsne mdicate
iL'-i tHe average concentrafion of uranium
injection "slug tests "in tfc
sbcjwed" |t lias a hj«3rauUc -conductivity' of
-rines tbafof tiie alluvial- aquifer. 'To fattittfc
establ^h/tiaerate.of grounii-watejf fldw,
• grbund" waf^ was- pumped- through !a
^tiie PRB's-aii: sparging zone to *4raw"
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In February;1 S002, 3fer 2*7 years of;
were' cdfiectei Irom r
Analyte
Arsenic
Manganese
Molybdenum
Selenium
Uranium
Vanadium
Iron
Upgradient
(Mfl'L)
11
125
40-50
110-140
400
300-360
120
InPRB
(Mfl'L)
non detect (ND)
100-500
ND-10
ND-2
ND
ND
600-9,900
Exiting PRB
(Mfl/L)
1-4
500-1,300
10-50
ND-5
2-14
ND-60
ND-500
Goal
(Hfl/L)
10
(50)-880
100
50
30
330
(300)
1 Figure 1. Performance' evaluations demonstrate that ground water |
of fee PRB along its'length iiad treated
uranium and vanadium. Calcium was
egravel/ZVT
;precipHatioii
rates of calcium carbonate are slower than
uptake, rates for.-uraninrn ariid vanadium-
Solid-diase chemistry data were used in
* "^ *
to determine an average
/man.
evataate-tfae nature of the PRB
corrosion, process, core samples were,
examined wifli an electron nricroptobe.
ZVI grams in the gravel/ZVl zone were"
.found to b^ corroded, bat mucb of the
originalZVI remained. TTie&icoantered
corrosioE poducts incladed Various
mixtures of iron oxides and carbonates
exiting the Monticello PRB contains significanily lower concentrations
of the site's prhnaiy contaminants.
^Specialized test methods (based on gas
evolution upon reaction \vith dilute hydrogen
chiopde) were usedto tfeternane the
amount of reactive Zyi _in a sample.
Preliminary results- indicate that much oY
fcZVl still 'edsts m me 100% ^ZVI zone,
to
mirieral fjtmewoik. fa
sinajy laboratory
conducted to determine i
of corrosion products such as calcium.
carbonate can JrnjJrqve PIU3 ^efifc^iey,
Operation of .the PR& is .expected to'
zone has been loV^ oxidative corrosjon.
A secondroimd ojPcoring, tracertestiag (by
borehole dilution), and gas-Dejection ^ug"
testirig is scheduled fiH^$Brmaef 2003, :
These tests are designed to determine if
hydraulic -conductivity of tne I^B is
uptake by n« I^B.^ Selected core ^
Residual Waste Mixtures Tailored for Restoration of Vegetative Cover
in Metals-Contaminated Soil
Researchers from the U.S. Department
of Agriculture (USDA), University of
Washington, and U.S. EPA Environmental
Response Team (ERT) have collected data
over three growing seasons on metals-
contaminated soil that was treated in
1997-1998 at the Bunker Hill, ID,
Superfimd site. Amendments consisting
of various mixtures of municipal
biosolids, woody debris, wood ash, pulp
and paper sludge and compost were added
to surface soil and waste material [see May
1998 Tech Trends}. In addition to reducing
the bioavailability of metals in surface and
subsurface soil (to 1.5 ft), the treatment
was anticipated to help correct soil pH,
reduce erosion, and restore plants. Results
indicate that surface application of high-
nitrogen biosolids combined with high
calcium carbonate residual such as wood
ash can effectively establish a vigorous plant
cover directly atop metal mine tailings.
The treatment site encompasses 6-8 acres
of mountainous terrain that were barren
as a result of past mining activities (Figure
2). Prior to treatment, the site's surface
consisted of heterogeneous lead- and
zinc-contaminated waste soil with tittle to
no organic matter and low nutrient status.
Chemical nutrients and organic materials
were hand mixed with the surface soil/
materials in extremely high volumes:
[continued on page 3]
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Molasses-Based Microbial Precipitation Used Successfully for Chromium Reduction
* Caofcofayttefte sbhitfon (dilute blackstrap
jnolasses mid/water) wag injecteddirectly
quarterly dataanalysis indicated ^iat 12 of
. tbetreatraenfarea's 14 monitoring wells had"
• exceeded perfbnnanse criteria and tibat no
iat,
of the moiasses
tero-
'tbaejiexavaient chromium fiDncentraJibns
Jad decreased neaiiy 99%swFipr,Jtp^
;'reaclieM a maxiikum,of
indicated mat sit
, atlhe-
Deceraber,
Growd Wafer
was lermmated*' in
, .-when .six, rounds ctf
"Monitoring data collected over fee past two
and a, half-years, indicate, that metal'
•concentrations in all dghtof thetreattnent-
wefls havenotvgried significantly since the
time of system shut-offi* The most recent
data indicate that concentrations in six of
- therireattnent wells meetifie cleanup- goals'^
-&x hexavaleM ehromium' and jfissolved
chromiurn. ^nj the remnining" v(?ells, -
liexavaleat, chromium c©n«eriteations
decreased J5:99% from pce-lrestment '
levels, afld '/dissolved Cadmium
coBcen^alions decreased 1^)T62%. No
eviface of meta|n%ratfonhas been foiaid- •
;i*i my of the system's ei^it A)wngra(|ent ,
iBonitonag TyeUs, .wh'ere cleanup goals '
coritifiuetobemet : ' ^ *-'.-"-
Envjronmem^t Excellence has ^initiated
.demonstrations of this technology for
treating- chlorinated hydrocarbon-*
e, \andenburg Air
Force ^aSe," former .Kayal Station at
Island and JBadger Army,
t. Field snidies ajso are
underway !t© evaluate- the technology's ,
performance in adcjresstng sites witii -
contaminants of recent -and
cohpeni, sacK as 'perchlorate and,
OK>xane, and ojto"disselved n^atals and
and'tre^t
Reagent Injeciion Well
Treatment "Rows"
Figure 3. A conceptual diagram
was used to plan in-siln metals
precipitation at the Avco Lycoming
site.
!n-Si!u
Reactive
Zone
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Long-Term Monitoring of Co-Sohrent Hooding at Sage's Dry Cleaners
Co-solvent flooding was conducted in
1998 at an abandoned site known as
Sage's Dry Cleaners in Jacksonville, FL,
to remediate perchloroethene (PCE)-
contaminated ground water (see June
1999 Ground Water Currents). Early
results of the project indicated that the
maximum and minimum observed rates
of PCE dechlorination were
approximately 43.6 and 4.2 ug/L/day,
respectively (see June 2000 Ground
Water Currents). Since that time, the
University of Florida has continued its
efforts to monitor the site's ground
water on a long-term basis. The
monitoring program is anticipated to help
assess the long-term impact of co-
solvent flooding, including the extent to
which residual ethanol is enhancing
microbial degradation of PCE.
The monitoring program interprets mass
flux leaving the source zone as an early
response to remediation. Ground-water
samples extracted from a network of wells
and multilevel samplers are analyzed
periodically to determine the changing
concentrations of PCE and its degradation
components, and to estimate the complete
electron mass balance. Samples are
collected from two multilevel networks: (1)
a set of seven multilevel samplers, each with
five levels for a total of 35 sampling points,
to assess the source zone; and (2) a transect
of three multilevel downgradient samplers
to assess the early plume response.
Prior to the co-solvent flood, the average
PCE concentration in the multilevel source
zone sampler was about 49 mg/L
(Figure 4). Approximately one year was
Concentration (or Flux)
Reduction in the Source Zone
"S>
E cn<
ui
9 w
•s
c
o
4)
O)
1
0.
Average = 49 mg/'L l
:
Average = 26 ing.' L !
• * . * !
i
j
00 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00
Post-Remediation Time (Years)
Mass Reduction = 64% Flux Reduction = 47%
(35 sampling locations)
Figure 4, The concentrations measured in a source
-one sampler In ihe years following co-solvent
flooding at Sage's Drv Cleaners indicated a_fhi.\
reduction of 47%.
required for the co-solvent flood response
to reduce these concentrations to about
26 mg/L. This length of time was
attributed to the need for natural gradient
ground-water flow to displace fluid
remaining after the flood operations. PCE
concentrations were found to vary in
accordance with differing patterns
between the flow of co-solvent flood and
the natural gradient flow, hi addition,
residual ethanol may have influenced PCE
concentrations in the source zone. In the
multilevel transect downgradient of the
source zone, the response time exceeded
two years.
The observed 47% reduction in PCE
concentrations in the source zone
[continued on page 6]
Contact Us
Technology News mid Trends
is on the NET!
View, download, subscribe, and
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Technology News and Trends
welcomes readers' comments
and contributions. Address
correspondence to:
Ann Eleanor
Technology Innovation Office
(51G2G)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Washington, DC 20460
Phone: 703-603-7199
Fax:703-603-9135
-------
[continued from page 2]
44-66 tons/acre of nitrogen-containing
biosolids and 220 tons/acre of wood ash,
with or without 44 tons/acre of sludge or
log yard debris (20% by volume).
AH amendment mixtures were able to
restore the vegetative cover for the three
years in which data were collected. One
year after amendment, a plant biomass of
0.01 mg/acre was measured in a control
plot and conventionally treated plot
(amended by lime and microbial
stimulants). In the biosolid plot, however,
the biomass had increased to 3.4 tons/acre.
After another year, biomass in the test plot
had further increased by 25-50%. Cross-
treatment comparisons indicated that
amendments containing high nitrogen-
content biosolids yielded higher biomass,
while those including log yard debris
yielded no change in biomass.
Analysis of carbon/nitrogen ratios
produced similar findings. All of the
amendment combinations resulted in
carbon/nitrogen ratios that approached the
status of a well-functioning soil system.
The carbon/nitrogen ratio generally
decreased from approximately 40:1 prior
to treatment to a relatively stable 20:1.
In both the control and conventionally
treated plots, subsoil pH ranged from 5.6
to 7.0. In plots amended with biosolid
combinations, subsoil acidity decreased
significantly (to pH levels reaching 8.2)
but at different rates. Treatment involving
high nitrogen biosolids combined with ash
was found more effective than low-
nitrogen/ash treatment. In addition, small
but significant increases in pH were
achieved by using more reactive ash and
by including log yard debris. Increases in
pH generally corresponded with reduced
concentrations of [Ca(NO3)2-]-extractable
(and bioavailable) zinc in subsurface soil.
Zinc, lead, and cadmium concentrations
in soil and waste materials at the site
ranged as high as 14,700,27,000, and 28
mg/kg, respectively, prior to amendment.
However, bioavailability of these metals
decreased as much as 50% within 3 years
of amendment application. [For additional
information on extensive bioavailability
studies conducted by the USD A, go to http:/
Avww.nps.ars.usda.gov.] Although metal
concentrations in plant tissue have remained
within normal since the time of soil
amendment, concentrations of nutrients
such as calcium, potassium, and
manganese decreased somewhat. Further
research is needed to assess the cause of
this nutrient reduction and to evaluate
additional combinations of residual waste
amendment.
Monitoring of the soil and vegetation
systems is anticipated to continue over
the next five years. High costs for
implementing this technology at the
Bunker Hill site are attributed to the
expense of purchasing biosolid material,
which is in great demand in timber-
producing areas such as central Idaho.
Preliminary success at this site has lead
to similar applications at mining sites in
Jasper County, MO, and Leadville, CO.
Contributed by Sally Brown, University
of Washington (206-616-1299 or
slb@u.washington.edit) and Harry
Compton, EPA/ERT (732-32J-6751 or
compton. harry@epa.gov)
-------
Technology
News and Trends
Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(5102G)
EPA 542-N-03-004
July 2003
Issue No. 7
First Class Mail
Postage and Fees Paid
EPA
Permit No. G-35
United States
Environmental Protection Agency
National Service Center for Environmental Publications
P.O. Box42419
Cincinnati, OH 45242
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use $300
[continued from page 5]
(Figure 4) suggests that the mass flux
leaving the source zone has decreased
approximately the same amount (assuming
that ground-water velocity and direction
have not changed significantly). Based on
a mass removal of approximately 64%,
these results indicate that a flux reduction
of 47% was achieved. Monitoring also has
revealed significant generation of degradation
byproducts that were not present prior to
co-solvent flooding, which suggests that
residual ethanol has promoted further
degradation ofPCE. (Ethanol concentrations
averaged approximately 1% within the
contaminant source zone upon completion
of the flooding.) Investigators estimate
that the PCE plume response resulting
from the co-solvent flood will require years
or decades for realization.
Contributed by Michael Annable,
University of Florida (352-392-3294 or
annable@ufl. edu)
ITRC Offers Web-Based Training on PRB Installations
July 24,
the Interstate
iH host a two^hur training coarse oa"
various techmques to
this coisrse will focus ofi case, studies"
in\
^
fr Watts Designed to Remediate
IM is mbllshlH Ols nmslatter is a neiHi •! iissemfuiUg asatal Infannatin niartUg iiuvathiB aM aiurnttva trainieat tacMlans aa«
6 techiriiiies. TRB JLgeicy daas aet ertorse saecinc tadualan vertars.
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