United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Water
(WH-585)
EPA-823-N92-OOtd
Number 4
February 1992
P/EPA Contaminated
Sediments News
Contaminated Sediment Management Strategy:
A Proposal for Discussion
A draft outline of the Contaminated
Sediment Management Strategy: A
Proposal for Discussion has been
distributed to members of the Sedi-
ment Strategy Workgroups for com-
ment. This outline incorporates com-
ments made by Deputy Administrator
Habicht in tne September 1991
strategy briefing. Additional pollution
prevention activities and an outreach
strategy have also been added. Once
workgroup member comments have
been incorporated, other federal
agencies, as well as the general
public, will have an opportunity to
make suggestions and recommenda-
tions. Three public meetings sched-
uled for Spring of 1992 will focus on
key areas of the strategy: further
defining the nature and extent of the
problem; building alliances with others,
especially other federal agencies; and
developing an outreach/public aware-
ness program. For more information
contact Tim Kasten, EPA HQ, at
(202)260-5994!
Sediment Activities
Around the Country
"~f '
EPA Headquarters
GREEN BOOK UPDATED
The Evaluation of Dredged Material
Proposed for Ocean Disposal -
Testing Manual, commonly referred to
as the "Green Book," contains techni-
cal guidance on determining the
suitability of dredged material for
ocean disposal in U.S. waters. The
Green Book has recently been up-
dated by a joint working group of EPA
and Army Corps of Engineers person-
nel to reflect dredging program experi-
ence and to incorporate improvements
in evaluative testing.
A substantial component of the
revised manual is a tiered testing
procedure that incorporates decision
points for determining compliance with
the limiting permissible concentration
(LPC) requirements of the United
States Ocean Dumping Regulations.
The 1991 Green Book also provides
numerical models to evaluate dilution
of dredged material during the initial
mixing phase of ocean disposal.
In addition to updating the dredged
material evaluation guidance through
the publication of the 1991 Green
Book, EPA is also revising the Ocean
Dumping Regulations to improve their
clarity, reflect dredging program
experience, and incorporate various
statutory changes. The 1991 Green
Book will be modified as needed to
comply with the revisions to the
regulations. To receive a copy of the
1991 Green Book, write to Ms. Billie
Skinner, Green Book Mailing, USACE-
WES (EP-D), 3909 Halls Ferry Road.
Vicksburg, MS 39180-6199.
SEDIMENT CRITERIA DOCUMENTS
The first five proposed sediment
criteria documents have been com-
(continued on p. 2)
Contaminated Sediment
Activities Timeline
February 9-14,1992. American
Society of Limnology and Oceanog-
raphy, Aquatic Sciences Meeting.
Sante Fe, NM. Contact Susan
Weiter at (509)527-5961
February 11-13,1992. ARCS All
Work Group Meeting and RAP
Workshop. EPA Region V, Chi-
cago, IL. Contact Dave Cowgill at
(312)353-3576.
March 8-12,1992. Coastal Engi-
neering Practice '92. Long Beach,
CA. Contact Steven Hughes,
Waterways Experiment Station,
30909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg,
MS 39180-6199
April 28-30,1992. 2nd ASTM Sym-
posium on Environmental Toxicol-
ogy and Risk Assessment. Pitts-
burgh, PA. Contact Chris Ingersoll
at (314)875-5399.
Jun« 21-24,1992. Forest Products
Research Society Annual Meeting.
Charleston, SC. Theme: Remedia-
tion of Sites Contaminated With
Wood Preservative. Contact Doris
Robertson at (608)231-1361.
on con*
among interested par-
Ba*8f, EPA HO. at (202)260-7037.
Printed on. Recycled Paper
-------
1,
pleted and will be distributed for
review and comment shortly.
The review procedure includes
the following steps: (1) the
documents will be distributed to
a variety of EPA programs that
have expressed interest in
receiving them; (2) a formal Red
Border review (lasting about 3
weeks) involving appropriate
EPA offices will be held; and (3)
after comments from this review
have been incorporated into the
documents, they will be
published in the Federal Regis-
ter for a 60-day public comment
period. Additionally, OMB has
requested to review the docu-
ments and sign off on the
criteria. A decision on this
matter is pending.
The sediment quality criteria (SQC)
are being developed using a method-
ology called the Equilibrium Partition-
ing Approach. This approach was
selected after considering a variety of
approaches that could be used to
assess sediment contamination
because H specifically addresses the
issue of bioavailabil'rty. EPA's Science
Advisory Board conducted a technical
review of the methodology and
supporting science to provide an
additional evaluation of their appropri-
ateness. All of the proposed SQC for
non-tonic organic chemicals are based
on equilibrium partitioning, which uses
the organic carbon partition coefficient
(K^ and ambient Aquatic Water
Quality Criteria to derive an SQC
concentration (expressed as micro-
grams chemical per gram organic
carbon). The proposed SQC apply to
sediments with Z 0.2 percent organic
carbon. These proposed criteria have
been derived after consideration of all
comments received. The documents
to be distributed for review include the
following:
Technical Basis for Deriving Nu-
merical National Sediment Quality
Criteria for Non-Ionic Organic
Chemicals for the Protection of
' Benthic Organisms
Sediment Quality Criteria for the
Protection of Benthic Organisms:
ACENAPHTHENE
Proposed Sediment Quality
Criteria for the Protection
of Benthic Organisms:
FLUORANTHENE
Sediment Quality Criteria for the
Protection of Benthic Organisms:
DIELDRIN
Sediment Quality Criteria for the
Protection of Benthic Organisms:
ENDRIN
Sediment Quality Criteria for the
Protection of Benthic Organisms:
FLUORANTHENE
Sediment Quality Criteria for the
Protection of Benthic Organisms:
PHENANTHRENE
Although comments are being sought
on all aspects of these documents,
comments on the sections that identify
new concepts and issues will be
particularly valuable. The topic areas
of special interest include the follow-
ing:
The technical basis and applications
of the SQC documents
The use of site-specific criteria
modifications for sediment criteria
The acceptability of using combined
SQC for both fresh water and
marine environments, and
The appropriateness, except for
commercially important benthtc
species, of using other levels of
protection instead of the proposed
95 percent level of protection.
To receive these documents, contact
Margarete Heber, EPA HQ, at
(202)260-7144. For more information
on technical issues, contact Chris
Zarba, EPA HQ, at (202)260-1326.
SEDIMENT CLASSIFICATION
METHODS COMPENDIUM
A draft final version of the Sediment
Classification Methods Compendium
has been completed. It describes the
various methods used to evaluate
sediment contamination, including
their advantages, limitations, and
existing applications. The report has
been reviewed by the Science Advi-
sory Board and is being revised. The
final report will include additional
references; suggestions for establish-
ing an appropriate sampling program;
information on sample collection,
handling, and storage; and general
and method-specific QA/QC proce-
dures. The final report will be avail-
able some time in 1992. If you are not
already on the mailing list, contact
Esther Williams at (202)260-7301.
FIELD STUDIES COMPLETED
EPA has completed two field studies
to demonstrate the validity of the
analytical procedure contained in
EPA's draft guidance document,
Assessment and Control of Biocon-
centratable Contaminants in Surface
Waters. The field studies were
designed to demonstrate that the
analytical procedures for assessing
bioconcentratable pollutants in efflu-
ents and sediments are reasonably
accurate at projecting resulting tissue
residues. EPA is currently preparing
the final reports on these field studies.
For further information, contact William
Morrow, EPA HQ, at (202)260-9531.
DEVELOPMENT OF INLAND
TESTING MANUAL FOR
DREDGED MATERIAL
EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers
(COE) are developing a national
testing manual that will provide guid-
ance on how to evaluate the accepta-
bility of dredged material for disposal
in inland and near coastal waters
(Clean Water Act waters). The
(continued on p. 3)
-------
manual, Evaluation of Dredged
' Material Proposed for Discharge in
Inland and Near Coastal Waters -
Testing Manual, should provide a level
of protection to inland and near
coastal waters that is consistent with
that provided for ocean waters.
Though national in scope, it will
provide for regional flexibility in
implementation and application, as
appropriate. Manual development will
proceed through regular meetings of
the 18-member joint EPA/COE
workgroup, public consultations, and
consultation with EPA's Science
Advisory Board. The projected
publication date is fall 1993. For
further information contact Mike
Kravitz, EPA HQ, at (202)260-8085, or
Kirk Stark, COE, at (202)272-1786.
OFFICE OF WATER REORGANIZES
The Office of Water (OW) was recently
reorganized to consolidate and
strengthen OWs science and technol-
ogy support, to integrate and balance
program functions better across the
Office, to focus more on ecological
risks, and to improve OWs ability to
target geographic areas and ecosys-
tems. To accomplish these goals, the
seven former program offices were
consolidated into four program offices:
Office of Wastewater Enforcement
and Compliance (OWEC); Office of
Science and Technology (OST); Office
of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds
(OWOW); and Office of Ground Water
and Drinking Water (OGWDW). Addi-
tionally, a Policy and Resources
Management Office (PRMO) has been
created to replace the Water Policy
Office and the Resources Manage-
ment and Administration Office.
NaiioftalEsftiary Program
DELAWARE ESTUARY PROGRAM
The Delaware Estuary Program has
completed its first year of scientific
characterization studies. This work
included a status and trends analysis
of toxic pollutants (metals and organ-
ics) in the Estuary. The objectives of
this study were to compile an anno-
tated bibliography of available toxics
data; assess the status of the Estuary
with regard to levels of toxic pollutants;
examine the data for evidence of
temporal trends between 1970 and
1990; and construct a database using
water column, tissue, and sediment
data included in the status and trends
analysis.
The second and third years of estuary
characterization will include trace
element speciation, surveys of mac-
robenthic and megabenthic popula-
tions, tissue and sediment analysis,
and surveys of migratory and resident
fish species. For more information
contact Eric Stem, Region (I,-at
(212)264-5283.
ALBEMARLE-PAMLICO
ESTUARINE STUDY
Over 400 data points have been
sampled over the last 4 years to
establish a comprehensive baseline of
heavy metals and phosphorus within
the organic-rich muds of the Albe-
marle-Pamlico Estuary, North Caro-
lina. Efforts focused on estuarine
reaches of the Neuce River and its
tidal creeks, the Tar Pamlico River and
tributaries, and western Albemarle
Sound. Serving as Principal Investiga-
tor, Dr. Stan Riggs of East Carolina
University found relatively high con-
centrations of metals in sediments
located near point source discharges
and waste disposal sites. Some of
these same areas will again be
sampled and sediments sent to the
Gulf Breeze Environmental Research
Laboratory for biological effects (bi-
otoxicrty and bioaccumulation) studies
in early 1992. For more information,
contact Ted Bisterfeld, Region IV, at
(404)347-1740.
PUGET SOUND ESTUARY
PROGRAM
In recent years, the Puget Sound
Protocols, compiled and published by
EPA Region X's Puget Sound Estuary
Program (PSEP), have been increas-
ingly relied on by local researchers
and regulatory programs as generally
accepted, consistent methods for
sample collection, testing and analy-
sis, and presentation of data for water
quality, sediment quality, tissues, and
benthic infauna. During the past year,
a number of protocols-pertinent to
sediment evaluation have been
revised based on new information and/
or regulatory experience. These
include chemical analysis for metals
and organics, and bioassay test proce-
dures. For further information or to
obtain copies, contact Jerry Larance,
Region X, at (206)553-2581.
ORD Activities
Reorganization of Office of Water Program Offices
IOWEP! |OMPC| IOWRS! | OMEP| [ owp| IODW | |OGWP| Previous ow offices
OWOW
\/
OGWDW
Current OW offices
Areas of primary responsibility
* Additional responsibilities
ERL-ATHENS
Chemists at ERL-Athens
have provided accurate
octanol/water partition
coefficients (K,J for use in
forthcoming sediment
quality criteria documents
for acenapthene, dieldrin,
endrin, phenanthrene, and
fluoranthene. Kowvalues
in the peer-reviewed litera-
ture for individual chemi-
(continued on p. 6)
-------
F
ocus:
Gulf of Mexico
sites of
known envi-
ronmental
EMAP Monitoring in Gulf of Mexico
Estuaries
In July 1991, the estuarine component
of the Environmental Monitoring and
Assessment Program (EMAP-E)
began Hs efforts to assess the ecologi-
cal status of estuaries in the portion of
the Guff of Mexico encompassed by
the Louisianian Province. This'
province spans from Anclote Anchor-
age, FL, to the Rio Grande and
includes all estuarine water bodies
greater than one square mile in
surface area.
The program concentrates on ecologi-
cal response and exposure indicators
collected from 202 locations in the
Louisianian Province during July and
August 1991. Several of these
Indicators include contaminants in
sediments, sediment toxicity, and
contaminants in fish and shellfish
tissues. EMAP scientists are'evaluat-
ing ali 202 sites with regard to 98 con-
stituents in sediments including PAHs,
aliphatic hydrocarbons, heavy metals,
pesticides, PCBs, acid volatile sul-
fides, butyttins, and organic carbon.
All of these contaminants, except
PAHs and aliphatics, are being
analyzed from muscle tissue of
selected fish and shellfish from the
sites. In addition, whole body and liver
concentrations of all the above con-
taminants are being determined for 16
dicator testing
and evaluation
sites, ITE).
Finally, sediments
from each of the
202 sites are being
tested
for acute toxicity
using amphipods
(i.e., Ampelisca
abdita) and mysids
(Mysidopsis bahia) for
10-day and 4-day expo-
sure tests, respectively.
Further sediment toxicity
testing is being completed
at the 16 ITE sites using penaeid
shrimp and potychaetes.
The purpose of this program is to
assess the status (extent of "degrada-
tion") of estuarine resources in the
Gulf of Mexico and to evaluate
(through time by means of monitoring
surveys) trends in the ecological
status of estuaries in the Gulf. The
results of these analyses will be ~
included in a statistical summary
report expected to be available in June
1992. For more information contact
Kevin Summers, ERL-Gutf Breeze, at
(904)934-9200.
Special Studies in Gulf of Mexico
Estuaries
EPA Region VI has conducted ambi-
ent toxicity studies for three Gulf of
Mexico estuaries: Houston Ship
Channel and tidal San Jacinto River,
TX (1988-90); Calcasieu Estuary, LA
(1988-90); and Bayou Trepagnier, LA
(1988). Priority pollutant toxicity
testing of sediments was performed by
EPA or state laboratories, while
amphipod tests using Ampelisca
abdita were contracted out to SAIC at
the Environmental Research Labora-
tory, Narragansett, Rl.
During the Houston Ship Channel
study, sediment toxicity was found at
three of the ten stations tested. These
stations were located in relatively
industrialized areas, and in one case
near the mouth of a tributary to the
Ship Channel (Sims Bayou). Organic
contamination was higher in tidal
tributaries than in the main channel,
probably because of the relatively
frequent maintenance dredging and
disturbance of bottom sediments as a
result of ship traffic.. The Region has"
recently completed the study report,
Water Quality, Ambient Toxicity and
Biological Investigations in the Hous-
ton Ship Channel and Tidal San
Jacinto River.
The Calcasieu Estuary Study sedi-
ment analyses served to pinpoint the
point source discharger that is primar-
ily responsible for the bioaccumulation
of hexachlorobenzene and hexachlo-
robutadiene found in seafood. These
analyses helped to justify listing Bayou
d'lnde and portions of the Calcasieu
River on the Clean Water Act section
304(1) "short list of toxic waters."
Being put on the short list gave EPA
the authority to require more stringent
point source controls for bioaccumula-
tive substances. Bayou Verdine,
another tidally influenced tributary to
the estuary, was also determined to be
a toxic hot spot, because of the pres-
ence of priority pollutants, particularly
zinc and nickel, in the water column
and sediments. This water body was
also included on the 304(1) short list.
Sediment toxicity ranged from 99
percent to 100 percent mortality.
Overall, sediment toxicity was found at
26 of the 38 stations tested. More
recent follow-up studies indicate that
sediment toxicity in Bayou d'lnde is a
persistent phenomenon. The Region
published a study report in March
1990, Toxics Study of the Lower
Calcasieu River, which is available
from NTIS.
The Bayou Trepagnier study was
primarily a state effort to document
water quality and sediment quality in
Bayou Trepagnier and Bayou LaBran-
che, which receive a finery discharge
and are tidal tributaries to Lake
Pontchartrain. A high degree of
sediment contamination was found.
The parameters of greatest concern
were zinc, chrorhium, and lead. This
(continued on p. 5)
-------
water body was listed on the 304(1)
short list, which is resulting in more
stringent controls for zinc and whole
effluent toxicity. All four sites tested
using Ampelisca were significantly
toxic. The Louisiana Department of
Environmental Quality has completed
a study report entitled Impact Assess-
ment of Bayou Trepagnier. Ampelisca
data are contained in a brief report by
EPA-Narragansett entitled Report of
Bayou Trepagnier Sediment Toxicity
Tests. For more information contact
Kathy Hollar, Region VI, at (214)655-
6680.
Gulf of Mexico Sediment Quality
Inventory
The Toxic Substances and Pesticides
Subcommittee for the Gulf of Mexico
(GOM) Program is in the process of
developing a gulf-wide monitoring
program, part of which concerns the
identification of contaminant levels in
coastal sediments. Currently, both
Region IV and Region VI are compil-
ing inventories of sediment quality
information (sediment chemistry,
biotoxictty, bioaccumulation, grain
size, and sample location) from
federal, state, and academic contacts
for their"respective geographic areas.
Region IV's database is now available
and will soon be evaluated to deter-
mine the nature and extent of coastal
sediment contamination in the South-
east. The GOM Program will use
these Regional databases, supple-
menting their information with data
from other key agencies, to evaluate
the nature and extent of coastal
sediment contamination in the Guff of
Mexico. Specific objectives include (1)
determining the spatial distribution and
contaminant levels in the coastal sedi-
ments of the Gulf, (2) identifying key
pollutants of concern, (3) identifying
gaps in the data, and (4) prioritizing
areas of concern and suggesting
rationale. For more information con-
tact Catherine Fox, Region IV, at
(404)347-1740.
Gulf of Mexico Pollutant Source
Inventory
The Toxics and Pesticides Technical
Subcommittee has also initiated the
compilation of an inventory of the
Hazardous Substance Research Center/South and Southwest
The recently established Hazardous Substance Research Center/
South and Southwest (HSRC/S&SW), is a three-institution consor-
tium consisting of Louisiana State University, Georgia Institute'of
Technology, and Rice University. The overall research mission of
the HSRC/S&SW is to promote both short- and long-term investi-
gations on the management of hazardous substance problems in
EPA Regions IV and VI. Investigations fall within two general
categories: (1) contaminated sediments and dredged materials
associated with aquatic environment, and (2) unique hazardous
substance problems in Regions IV and VI. The Center has re-
cently received 21 proposals for FY92 monies. Project selections
will take place early in 1992. For more information contact Cath-
erine Fox, Region IV, at (404)347-1740; Kathy Hollar, Region VI,
at (214)655-6680; or Bob Engler, COE, at (601)634-3624.
industrial and agricultural toxic re-
leases from the coastal counties of the
five Gulf of Mexico states. Information
on each industry, POTW, location,
type and amount of discharge, and
receiving waters has been collected
from the Toxic Release Inventory
System (TRIS) and the Texas Railroad
Commission (produced waters). Data
will be evaluated in terms of the
pollutant toxicity, amount discharged,
and volume of receiving waters to
determine potential impacts and
develop effective management
programs. For more information
contact Catherine Fox, Region IV, at
(404)347-1740.
Gulf of Mexico Sediment Workshop
On August 27-29,1991, the U.S. EPA
Gulf of Mexico Program sponsored a
workshop on Contaminated Sediments
in the Gulf of Mexico. Speakers
presented the status of contaminant
sediment monitoring in the Gulf,
assessment methodologies, sediment
quality criteria, and enforcement
remediation. To receive a copy of the
proceedings, contact Fred Kopfler,
GOMP, at (601)688-3726.
Florida's Approach to Contami-
nated Sediments
Florida's Department of Environmental
Regulations is developing a frame-
work for deriving state sediment qual-
ity assessment guidelines. The
framework is based on an approach
presented in NOAA Technical Memo-
randum NOS OMA 52, The Potential
for Biological Effects of Sediment-
sorbed Contaminants Tested in the
National Status and Trends Program.
The state's framework is intended to
provide guidance for assessing the
likelihood of the occurrence of adverse
biological effects due to contamina-
tion.
To deal with the extensive range of
natural conditions and anthropogenic
influences, the Department developed
a method to identify and compare
estuarine sediments with elevated
metals contamination. The method
improves evaluation pf the effective-
ness of pollution controls, helps target
areas for further monitoring, and
promotes uniformity in permit deci-
sions. It does not identify sediments
that are toxic (i.e., where benthic
communities are impacted). This
interpretive tool was the subject of the
EPA Assessment and Watershed
Protection Division June 1991 report
Water Quality Program Highlights. For
more information on the above activi-
ties, contact Fred Calder or Gail
Stoane, DER, at (904)488-6221.
-------
cats span three orders of magnitude,
and it is difficult, if not impossible, to
select the most reliable value by
reviewing the articles in which these
data are reported. The Athens
laboratory applied three different
measurement methods: shake-cen-
trifugation. generator column, and
slow-stir-flask. They also used two
estimation methods - CLOGP and
SPARC, a new computational chemis-
try method developed at the Athens
laboratory (SPARC performs auto-
mated reasoning in chemistry).
For each of the five chemicals, the
values derived from application of
SPARC were judged to be the ones
most likely to represent the true
values, based on the chemists'
knowledge of the inherent shortcom-
ings of each of the measurement
methods when applied to specific
chemicals and the errors associated
with the CLOGP method for each
chemical. Because computational
methods have no legal precedence,
the values judged to be most accurate
among the measured values were
recommended for use in developing
sediment quality criteria. Because of
the extreme variation in laboratory
measured data and the sound theo-
retical basis for computation by
SPARC, the Athens chemists believe
that SPARC-generated values will be
broadly accepted for a number of
chemical and physical properties in
the future. For more information
contact Frank Stancil, ERL-Athens, at
(404)546-3197.
RISK REDUCTION ENGINEERING
LABORATORY
The Risk Reduction Engineering
Laboratory (RREL) is the EPA. engi-
neering laboratory responsible for the
development, testing, and evaluation
of technologies for preventing, treat-
ing, controlling, and disposing of solid
and aqueous wastes. Prior to design-
ing and initiating a research program
addressing the remediation of con-
taminated sediments, RREL sought to
identify specific areas requiring
research. Rrst, a survey was distrib-
uted during the May 1991 meeting of
EPA's Sediment Technical Oversight
Committee. Later that month, an
expert panel was convened in Cincin-
nati to further identify research areas.
The survey participants and expert
panel were in general agreement as to
the areas requiring research. Based
on the recommendations received, the
FY92 research program will address
(1) in situ containment and treatment,
(2) high volume/low concentration
treatment, and (3) separation tech-
nologies. RREL's research program
will focus on areas that hold the
promise of significant gains.
In Situ Containment and-Treatment:
The geochemistry of contaminant/
sediment interaction will be examined
with an eye toward designing in situ
containment and treatment tech-
niques. The FY92 effort will address
the applicability of in situ containment
and in situ treatment strategies and
will help to focus later research into in
situ remediation techniques.
Data currently available will be evalu-
ated to determine the current state of
the art for in situ containment. Situ-
ations where in situ containment has
potential will be identified, and the
effectiveness of various containment
approaches will be evaluated.
High Volume/Low Concentration
Treatment: Treatment approaches
evaluated under this section will
involve dredged sediments. Methods
to treat contaminated sediments in
confined disposal facilities either bio-
logically or chemically will be exam*
ined up to pilot scale. The FY92 effort
will involve the use of pilot-scale
bioreactors at RREL's Test and
Evaluation Facility.
Separation Technologies: Methods
that result in a volume reduction of
contaminated material through physi-
cal separations will be studied. Re-
search will focus on hydrometallurgical
technologies such as hydrocyclones
and various flotation techniques.
Cost-benefit data will be collected
within each of the above research
areas so that risk reduction can be
maximized. Research on remediation
techniques will focus on providing
tools for the effective management of
contaminated sediments.
ERL-DULUTH
ERL-Duluth is currently working on the
following activities:
Participating in a national
workgroup to recommend meth-
ods for testing dredged material
regulated under the section 404
program.
'(continued on p. 7)
Sediment Communication Network
A contaminated sediment communication network has been approved and
is being established at ERL-Duluth. The purpose of this network is to
provide a communication link between recognized technical experts and
those who require information concerning the assessment and remediation
of contaminated sediments. The network will be staffed by specialists who
can answer questions, provide hardcopy information, and direct calls to the
appropriate technical experts.
This network will enhance the two-way flow of information between re-
searchers and the user community. The contaminated sediment research
area is relatively new, and state-of-the-art techniques often are not widely
known. This type of information needs to be disseminated in a timely
manner. Also, users are facing new situations requiring different applica-
tions for assessment and remediation techniques. These situations could
provide researchers with field opportunities for application of new research.
Procedures for accessing this sediment communication network will be an-
nounced during February 1992. For more information contact Gary Ankley,
ORD-Duluth, at (218)720-5603.
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IX
On June 20, 1 991 , the California State
Water Resources Control Board
.(SWRCB) adopted a workplan for the
development of sediment quality
objectives for enclosed bays and estu-
aries in California. The approach
taken in this workplan is to generate a
broad body of information in order to
bring several estimators of sediment
quality together into a single sediment
quality objective. The estimators to be
used are the following:
The Equilibrium Partitioning (EqP)
Approach developed by EPA;
« The Apparent Effects Threshold
(AET) Approach developed for use
in Puget Sound; and
The Spiked Bioassay Approach
used for general characterization of
toxicity responses.
Several tasks are presented for the
work elements associated with each of
the estimators. The initial tasks will
focus on the calibration and verifica-
tion of the efficacy of the approaches.
Additional tasks are described for de-
velopmental work designed to refine
assessment capabilities. To order this
report, please contact the Office of
Legislative and Public Affairs, State
Water Resources Control Board, P.O.
Box 100, Sacramento, CA 95812-
01 00, or call (91 6)657-2390. Refer to
publication number 91 -14-WQ when
ordering. For additional information,
call Stefan Lorenzato, SWRCB, at
(916)657-1040, or Brian Melzian,
Region IX (ERL-N), at (401)782-3163.
Region IX, the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers' (Corps) South Pacific
Division, the Corps San Francisco
District, and the Corps Los Angeles
and Honolulu Districts are in the pro-
cess of developing regional sediment
testing agreements. These agree-
ments will complement the EPA/Corps
1991 publication entitled Evaluation of
Dredged Material Proposed for Ocean
Disposal : Testing Manual (EPA-503/
8-91/001), commonly referred to as
the "Green Book." Some of the topics
under consideration include (1) deter-
mination of the "chemicals of concern"
for sediments and tissues of marine
organisms, (2) appropriate bioassay
and bioaccumulation test species, and
(3) information on the ocean dredged
material disposal program fpr permit-
tees. For additional information
contact Patrick Cotter, Region IX, at
(415)744-1163, or Brian Melzian,
Region IX (ERL-N), at (401)782-3163.
REGION X
Multiuser Confined Disposal Site
Program Study
The 1989 Puget Sound Water Quality
Management Plan directed the
Department of Ecology to study and
evaluate the utility and viability of
establishing a system of multiuser
confined disposal sites for contami-
nated sediments dredged from Puget
Sound. These sediments would be
those that exceeded the allowable
contaminant levels for disposal in un-
confined open-water sites, but were
not sufficiently contaminated to be
categorized as a "hazardous waste".
Ecology has prepared issue papers on
seven topics that have a bearing_on
multi-user site feasibility, as well as a
report, Multiuser Confined Disposal
Sites Program Study, that details the
main findings of the issue papers and
makes recommendations on the
viability and utility of a mufti-user site
program. The final report was re-
leased in December 1990 and con-
cludes that a multi-user site (or sites)
will be needed to ensure progress in
sediment cleanup programs and to
provide acceptable (from both eco-
nomic and environmental perspec-
tives) disposal capacity for navigation
dredging.
A second report, Multiuser Sites for
the Confined Disposal of Contami-
nated Sediments from Puget Sound,
has also been prepared. It builds on
the earlier report and recommends
that the state move forward to estab-
lish a system of multi-user sites. The
final report became available in
October 1991.
An interagency workgroup, which
includes EPA Region X, the Seattle
District of the Corps of Engineers,
other state agencies, local govern-
ments, and state port associations,
has been established. Funding for
initiation of the study is being pursued
at the state and federal levels.
Copies of both reports may be ob-
tained from Tom Luster, Sediment
Management Unit, Washington De-
partment of Ecology, (206)438-7493.
Other Sediment Management Efforts
Interagency efforts, under a Depart-
ment of Ecology lead, are moving
forward on a number of sediment-
related issues. These include regula-
tory implementation of the recently
adopted Sediment Management
Standards for Puget Sound estuarine
waters, refinement of freshwater
sediment testing methods (including
development of sediment-chemical cri-
teria), and development of human
health criteria for evaluating contami-
nated sediment. Preparation of
Ecology's Dredged Material Manage-
ment Standards, the companion regu-
lations to the Sediment Management
Standards, was stalled but has been
reinitiated. The Standards are sched-
uled for adoption in 1992.
Region X completed additional re-
search supporting the theory that there
is a relationship between juvenile
growth and reproductive success
using the 20-day Neanthes sublethal
sediment bioassay. A final report
(dated July 1991) is available from
John Malek, Region X, at (206)553-
1286. The PSPDA agencies (EPA,
COE, Ecology, DNR) have convened
a Neanthes Bioassay Technical
Experts committee. The committee
most recently met in Seattle in Novem-
ber 1991. PSDDA will consider
recommendations by the Technical
Experts committee in deciding whether
to incorporate the 20-day test into the
PSDDA suite of tests.
A new report, Dioxin and Furan
Concentrations in Puget Sound Crabs,
was completed by EPA Region X.
The report represents the results of a
reconnaissance-level study to deter-
mine contaminant levels in crabs living
near potential sources of dioxins and
furans in the Sound. An "agency
(continued on p. 10)
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preface" attempts
to put the findings
of the study in
perspective. The
preface was
prepared be-
cause of the
potential for
misinterpretation
of the data and
because dioxin
and furan con-
tamination,
human health risk
assessment, and
seafood (crab)
consumption are all of great interest to the public. The report may be obtained
from John Armstrong. Region X, at (206)553-1368.
ASTM Meeting
LEGISLATION HIGHLIGHTS
Recent Legislative Proposals Highlighting Sediment Activities:
Coastal Protection Act of 1991 (S. 1070, Sen. Mitchell et al.). Estu-
aries and coastal waters are to be designated as high priorities requir-
ing accelerated point and nonpoint source controls if they have sedi-
ment contamination problems. * EPA must promulgate numerical
standards for coastal water quality and sediment quality. * If material
to be dredged contains pollutant concentrations in excess of sediment
quality standards, dumoing of this material must be restricted to
certain times and sites and must employ best management practices.
Great Lakes and Coastal Sediment Assessment and Restoration
Act (S. 31, Sen. Moynihan). Establishes a national program of re-
search and technology development for the management, removal,
and restoration of contaminated sediment. * Provides for a compre-
hensive national survey of sediment contamination in the Great Lakes
and coastal waters of the United States. * Directs EPA to develop
sediment quality criteria and stan-dards to clearly identify sediments
that are contaminated. * Directs EPA and the Corps to develop
guidelines for the implementation of contaminated sediment restora-
! tion projects. * Direct the Corps to implement contaminated sediment
: restoration projects in certain areas.
Operation Coastal Shield of 1991 (H.R. 2029, Rep. Studds et al.)
Protects coastal waters, and the waters of the Great Lakes, and
extends the authorization for the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
" Requires a national survey on the extent of sediment contamination.
* Directs EPA to develop sediment quality criteria and standards. *
Directs EPA and the Corps to develop guidelines for the implementa-
tion of restoration and cleanup projects.
Water Pollution Prevention and Control Act of 1991 (S. 1081, Sen.
Baucus). Requires each state to adopt water and sediment quality
standards within 3 years of publication of EPA criteria. * Must ensure
protection of human health and ecosystems, including sediments.
The American Society for Testing and
Materials (ASTM) Subcommittee
E47.03 on Sediment Toxicology met
November 2 and 3, 1991, before the
12th annual SETAC meeting in Se-
attle, WA. The activities of the follow-
ing Task Groups were discussed at
the meeting: (1) revisions to the
freshwater toxicity document (E 1383-
90; annexes for cladocerans, mayflies,
mollusks, Diporeia sp., tubificid
oligochaetes, and Lumbriculussp.);
(2) revisions to the marine and estuar-
ine amphipod document (E 1367-90;
annex for Leptocheirus plumulosus;
(3) design of sediment toxicity tests;
(4) polychaete testing; (5) bioaccumu-
lation testing (fish and invertebrates);
(6) oyster testing; (7) echinoderm
testing; (8) bacteria testing; (9) earth-
worm testing; and (10) sediment
resuspension.
The Subcommittee also discussed the
option of developing an ASTM "pro-
posal" before a "standard" is devel-
oped. An ASTM proposal is "a
document...for information and com-
ment prior to its consideration for
adoption as a Standard."
The next Subcommittee meeting will
be Tuesday, April 28 (9:00 A.M. to
12:00 A.M.), Wednesday,'April 29
(1:00 to 5:00 P.M.), and Thursday,
April 30 (9:00 A.M. to 12:00 A.M.),
1992, at the Pittsburgh Hilton in Pitts-
burgh, PA. The Subcommittee
meetings will be held in conjunction
with the 2nd ASTM Symposium on
Environmental Toxicology and Risk
Assessment. Poster and platform
presentations will be integrated with
the Subcommittee meetings (i.e.,
morning Subcommittee meeting
followed by afternoon symposium on
"Sediment Methods").
Please contact Chris Ingersoll at
(314)875-5399 for more information or
to be put on the Subcommittee mailing
list.
10
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Initiating studies at a field site near
Joplin, MO, that is heavily con-
taminated with zinc, to evaluate
the role of AVS in metal partition-
ing.
Continuing a series of laboratory
spiking experiments with several
pesticides in support of sediment
quality criteria to be issued for
DDT, ODD, DDE, and chlorpyrifos.
Continuing field validation efforts
at a DDT-contaminated site in
Huntsville, AL. The first two
sets of benthic and sediment
samples have been collected.
ERL-Duluth recently completed (1) a
dieldrin spiking experiment that sup-
ported the Equilibrium Partitioning
Approach as an exposure model for
predicting the availability of nonpolar
organics and (2) a series of studies
looking at copper bioavailability in
freshwater sediments.
REQUEST FOR DATA SETS
ERL-Duluth is evaluating the rea-
sonableness of proposed sediment
quality criteria by analyzing exist-
ing freshwater data sets to deter-
mine relationships between the
concentration of nonpolar organ-
ics and the benthic community
structure. They are currently us-
ing data sets from the Great Lakes.
Please contact Gary Ankley, ERL-
Duluth, at (218) 720-5603 if you
have or are aware of freshwater
data sets that were synoptically
collected and include the following
parameters: organic carbon,
chemical concentrations, and
some measure of benthic commu-
nity structure.
CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL
RESEARCH INFORMATION
A seminar series on contaminated
sediments was held in five regional
cities to transfer technical information
on assessing and remediating sedi-
ment contamination. Attendees were
provided information on sediment
evaluation, dredging, and treatment
technologies. Treatment technologies
described included thermal, extraction,
and stabilization. An accompanying
handbook, Remediation of Contami-
nated Sediments,was developed, and
can be obtained from CERI at
(513)569-7562. Request EPA publica-
tion 625/6-91/028.
Regional Programs 4
REGION I
Region I conducted a contaminated
sediment inventory project to deter-
mine the reasonableness of the
proposed EPA sediment criteria.
Existing sediment contamination data
for Boston Harbor, Massachusetts
Bay, and Cape Cod Bay, Massachu-
setts were compiled into one database
using a GIS format (ARC INFO) show-
ing the extent of violations from the
proposed criteria. Region I tested the
hypothesis that the violations would
occur in areas of known expected con-
tamination, such as harbors, whereas
offshore areas would have relatively
little contamination and therefore
fewer violations.
Data were collected from many
sources: NOAA Status and Trends -;
reports, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
dredging reports, EPA's Quincy Bay
studies, Massachusetts Water Re-
sources Authority (MWRA) studies,
and independent researchers. The
following parameters were selected for
analysis: metals, organics, total
organic carbon (TOC), and station lo-
cation. To evaluate trends, five con-
taminants were analyzed spatially:
copper, mercury, total PCBs, phenan-
threne, and benzo(a)pyrene. These
contaminants were chosen to repre-
sent metals and organics for which
adequate data existed. For each of
the five contaminants, approximately
25 to 50 data points were graphically
presented. Percent TOC was col-
lected in order to compare sediment
contamination from organic com-
pounds to interim sediment quality
criteria (SQC).
The criteria used to evaluate these
data points varied. For organics, crite-
ria evaluated included EPA interim
sediment criteria and Washington
state (Apparent Effects Threshold)
standards. Massachusetts state stan-
dards are in draft form at this time, and
are divided into low (1 percent) and
high (4 percent) organic carbon
content. For metals, criteria included
Washington state criteria (AET) and
Massachusetts state criteria. These
criteria are based on bulk sediment.
The results indicate that for all of the
contaminants studied, the offshore
areas rarely violated sediment criteria
while nearshore sites sometimes
violated both criteria. However,
occasional offshore sites such as the
MWRA-planned outfall site exceeded
EPA SQC for phenanthrene.These
results suggest that the criteria are
probably adequate in their level of pro-
tection. For more information contact
Matthew Liebman, Region I, at
(617)565-4866.
REGION IV
Investigations of coastal sediment
quality are becoming increasingly
common in the Southeast. This year
alone, it is likely that as much sedi-
ment chemistry and biological effects
data will be generated as in the last 5
years combined. In addition to the
large amount of information generated
through EPA's Environmental Monitor-
ing and Assessment Program (EMAP),
studies are continuing in Tampa Bay
(NOAA's Status and Trends Program)
and Perdido, St. Andrew, Apalachii
and Mobile Bay (FWS), while others
are being initiated for the first time,
e.g., Sarasota Bay (EPA).
Region IV's Ocean Disposal Program
has recently strengthened its testing
requirements for dredged material to
be disposed of offshore. Thus, it is
anticipated that all harbors with
potentially contaminated sediments
proposed for offshore disposal in the
Southeast will be retested within the
next 2 years. This more rigorous
testing program has already been
used to investigate potential contami-
nation of sediments from Cape
(continued on p. 8)
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Canaveral, and Miami River and
Harbor, in Florida. Sampling and
analytical plans are also being devel-
oped for Kings Bay, GA. and Wilming-
ton Harbor, NC. Region IV's Wetlands
Program has also adopted a similar
sediment quality testing approach for
investigating potential contamination
of dredged material in section 404
waters.
Region IV has recently compiled a
Coastal Sediment Quality Inventory of
the Southeast. The database contains
over 40.000 records with information
on all six coastal states, the majority of
which is concentrated in Florida. A
preliminary scan of the inventory
indicates significant variability in
assessment methodologies and
available QA/QC information, as well
as potential lead and copper contami-
nation problems in parts of Florida,
Mississippi and South Carolina. An
extensive evaluation of the inventory is
currently underway to (1) determine
the nature and extent of coastal
sediment contamination in the South-
east, (2) identify existing gaps in the
data, and (3) prioritize areas for further
action.
Established in April 1991, Region IV's
Contaminated Sediments Workgroup
is made up of individuals from 18
regional programs, the Environmental
Research Laboratories in Athens and
Gulf Breeze, and the Environmental
Services Division in Athens. The
purposes of the workgroup are to
provide input on the development of
the Agency-wide Sediments Manage-
ment Strategy and to develop and im-
plement a regional strategy for ad-
dressing contaminated sediments
concerns in the Southeast. Plans are
also under way to organize an Inter-
Agency Contaminated SedimentsTask
Force within a year.
For more information on the above
activities, contact Catherine Fox,
Region IV, at (404)347-1740.
REGION V
Region V and LTV Steel Corporation
have agreed, in principle, to a consent
decree calling for sediment remedia-
tion at the number two intake flume on
LTV's property in East Chicago, IN.
This oil-contaminated intake flume
opens to Lake Michigan and is adja-
cent to the Indiana Harbor Canal. The
remediation efforts will take 3 to 5
years to complete and will cost ap-
proximately $3 million.
Additional remediation activities are
being conducted by USX Gary, a steel
corporation, to evaluate the quality of
sediments over a 13-mile stretch of the
Grand Calumet River in northwest Indi-
ana. The steel giant will then submit a
draft remediation plan to clean up 5
miles of the river and prepare a feasi-
bility study for potentially recycling the
sediments back through the steel-
making process. For more information
on the above activities, contact Ron
Kovach, Region V. at (312)886-1441.
Cleanup activities are under way at the
Outboard Marine Corporation (OMC)/
Waukegan Harbor Superfund site,
will be built around the remainder of
Slip 3. The slurry wall will extend from
about 3 feet above ground to about 25
to 30 feet below the ground's surface.
Highly contaminated sediments/soils
from Slip 3 and other contaminated
areas will be "dewatered" in a tempo-
rary pond located in a containment
cell. Once the soils and sediments
have dried, they will be treated using
the Taciuk process. This process is a
thermal treatment system that will be
used to separate PCBs from soils
andsediments. It will take place in a
single enclosed unit called an anaero-
bic thermal processor (ATP) in an area
within a containment cell. The ATP
will separate PCBs from the soils and
sediment by vaporizing them at a
temperature of around 1100° F. When
the vapor is cooled, the PCBs will
condense into a liquid that will be
destroyed at an off-site facility.
located in Waukegan, IL. EPA
estimates that there are over 1 million
pounds of PCBs at the site (about
700,000 pounds on OMC property and
about 300,000 pounds in soil and
sediment in Slip 3 and Waukegan
Harbor). Slip 3 is being made into a
permanent containment cell and will
receive dredged material from the
upper portion of Waukegan Harbor. A
wall is being constructed across the
mouth of the slip. After completion of
the cutoff wall, a 3-foot-wide slurry wall
8
When the Taciuk process is finished,
at least 97 percent of the PCBs will be
removed from the treated sediment.
This sediment will then be disposed of
in a containment cell. The Taciuk
process has been used at only one
other Superfund site to remove low
levels of PCB contamination from soil.
This is the first time it will be used to
remove PCBs from sediment and soil.
For more information contact Cindy
Nolan, Region V, at (312)886-0400.
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RELEVANT LITERATURE
Ankley, G.T., G.L. Phipps, E.M. Leonard, DA. Benoit, V.R. Mattson, PA. Kosin, A.M. Cotter, J.R.
Dierkes, D.J. Hansen. and J.D. Mahony. 1991. Acid Volatile Sulfide as a Factor Mediating Cad-
mium and Nickel Bioavailability in Contaminated Sediments. Environmental Toxicology and Chem-
istry 10:1299-1307.
Ankley, D.T., M.K. Schubauer-Berigan, and J.R. Dierkes. 1991. Predicting the Toxicity of Bulk .
Sediments to Aquatic Organisms with Aqueous Test Fractions: Pore Water versus Elutriate. Envi-
ronmental Toxicology and Chemistry 10:1359-1366.
Ankley, G.T., M.K. Schubauer-Berigan, J.R. Dierkes, and M. Lukasevycz. 1991. Sediment Toxicity
Identification Evaluation: Phase I (Characterization), Phase II (Identification), Phase III (Confirma-
tion) Modifications of Effluent Procedures. U.S.. Environmental Protection Agency, National Effluent
Toxicity Assessment Center EPA-600/6-91/007.
Burton, Jr, G.A. 1991. Assessing the Toxicity of Freshwater Sediments. Environmental Toxicology
and Chemistry 10:1585-1627..
Di Toro, D.M., C.S. Zarba, D.J. Hansen, W.J. Berry, R.C. Swartz, C.E. Cowan, S.P. Pavlou, H.E.
Allen, NA. Thomas, and P.R. Paquin. 1991. Technical Basis for Establishing Sediment Quality
Criteria for Nonionic Organic Chemicals Using Equilibrium Partitioning. Environmental Toxicology
and Chemistry 10:1541-1583.
Schubauer-Berigan, M.K., and G.T. Ankley. 1991. The Contamination of Ammonia, Metals, and
Nonpolar Organic Compounds to the Toxicity of Sediment Interstitial Water from an Illinois River
Tributary. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 10:925-939.
Handbook: Remediation of Contaminated Sediments. 1991. U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, EPA Publication 625/6-91/028. To receive a copy, call (513)569-7562.
Managing Contaminated Sediments - EPA Decision-Making Processes. 1990. U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, EPA Publication 506/6-90/002.
Standard Guide for Collection, Storage, Characterization, and Manipulation of Sediments forToxico-
logical Testing. E;1391-90. American Society for Testing and Materials. Contact Chris Ingersoll at
(314)875-5399.
Standard Guide for Conducting Sediment Toxicity Tests with Freshwater Invertebrates. E 1383-90.
American Society for Testing and Materials. Contact Chris Ingersoll at (314)875-5399.
Standard Guide for Conducting 10-day Static Sediment Toxicity Tests with Marine and Estuarine
Amphipods. E 1367-90. American Society for Testing and Materials. Contact Chris Ingersoll at
(314)875-5399.
11
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N-/EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
(WH-585)
Washington, DC 20460
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