560/6-78-006
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF
POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS (PCBs)
NEAR NEW BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS
MUNICIPAL LANDFILL
May 1978
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
OFFICE OF TOXIC SUBSTANCES
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460
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DISCLAIMER
This report has been reviewed by the Office of
Toxic Substances, U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, and approved for publication. Mention of
trade names or commercial products does not con-
stitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
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ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS (PCBs)
NEAR NEW BEDFORD, MA
MUNICIPAL LANDFILL
Final Task Report
Research Request No. 4
Contract No. 68-01-3248
by
Charles L. Stratton, Karen L. Tuttle, and J. Mark Allan
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, INC.
P. 0. Box 13454, University Station
Gainesville, Florida 32604
Project Officer
Thomas Kopp
OFFICE OF TOXIC SUBSTANCES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Washington, D.C. 20460
May, 1978
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CONTENTS
Figures
Tables
Acknowledgement
1. INTRODUCTION 1
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE SITE 3
3. FIELD SURVEY AND SAMPLING 6
Ground Waters 6
Soils 10
Drinking Water 10
Surface Water and Sediments 10
Vegetation 14
Aquatic Biota 14
Terrestrial Biota 14
Air 16
4. ANALYTICAL RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 17
Ground Waters 17
Soil Borings 18
Stream Sediments 24
Surface Water 24
Biota 24
Ambient Air 27
5. CONCLUSIONS 36,
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LIST OF FIGURES
Page
Figure 1 New Bedford Municipal Landfill and Surroundings 4
Figure 2 Possible Avenues for PCS to Re-enter the Environment
from Landfill Disposal Site 7
Figure 3 Groundwater Sampling Points 8
Figure 4 Stream Sampling Stations 11
Figure 5 Marsh Sampling Stations 12
Figure 6 Terrestrial Trap Locations 15
Figure 7 Chromatogram of Shallow Groundwater Sample from
Test Well No. 9 19
Figure 8 Chromatogram of (a) Aroclor 1016 Standard and
(b) Aroclor 1242 Standard 20
Figure 9 Chromatogram of Aroclor 1254 Standard 21
Figure 10 Chromatogram of Soil Core (0-15 cm) Taken at Test
Well No. 9 22
Figure 11 Chromatogram of Extract From Sediment Sample Taken
From Behind Lums 25
Figure 12 Chromatogram of Fish Sample Extract from Sample
Station No. 8 28
Figure 13 Chromatogram of Extract from Herring Gull Eggs 29
Figure 14 Chromatogram of One-Hour Ambient Air Sample Taken
at the Landfill Site 30
Figure 15 Chromatogram of an Aroclor 1242 Standard 31
Figure 16 Chromatogram of Air Sample Taken Upwind of Aerovox
Corporation 34
Figure 17 Chromatogram of Air Sample Taken Downwind of Aerovox
Corporation 35
ii
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LIST OF TABLES
Table 1 Well Test Data
Table 2 Stream Sampling Stations
Table 3 Marsh Sampling Stations
Table 4 Air Samples Taken June 28 through 30, 1977*
Table 5 Ground Water
Table 6 Soil Sample Analytical Results
Table 7 Bottom Sediment Analytical Results
Table 8 Analytical Results for Biota
Table 9 Analytical Results for Ambient Air
Page
9
13
13
16
17
23
23
26
32
ill
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This environmental assessment was conducted in cooperation with personnel
of the Environmental Protection Agency, Region I, in particular, Mr. David K.
Moon, Dr. Thomas Spiller, Dr. Edward L. Taylor, and Mr. Allan Oi. The sam-
pling program was planned with the assistance of Dr. Ian C.T. Nisbet of
Clement Associates. Dr. Olin C. Braids of Geraghty & Miller, Inc., assisted
with the groundwater sampling.
iv
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SECTION 1
INTRODUCTION
Environmental Science and Engineering, Inc. (ESE) was requested to
conduct an evaluation of the transport of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCS) from
a municipal landfill located in New Bedford, Massachusetts. This task was
performed under Contract 68-01-3248 with the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA), Office of Toxic Substances.
The objectives of this task were to:
1. Establish if there is migration of PCB from the landfill, and if
migration exists;
2. Determine the extent and degree of environmental contamination with
PCB originating at the landfill;
3. Determine the mode, rate, and direction of PCB migration from the
landfill; and
4. Establish a long-term groundwater monitoring program for PCB.
It was decided to approach this task in two phases. The objective of the
first phase was to establish if there is migration of PCB from the landfill.
This involved a one-time field survey wherein samples were collected from all
media in the vicinity of the landfill that may serve as PCB transport media.
An excess number of samples were taken. PCB analysis was conducted on
selected samples suspected to be the most likely to be contaminated by PCB
-------
originating at the landfill. The results of this survey are described in this
report. A second phase field survey was confined to the assessment of
airborne PCB levels in the vicinity of the landfill and near three other
potential sources of PCB in the area. The results of the second survey are
also described.
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SECTION 2
DESCRIPTION OF THE SITE
The New Bedford municipal landfill has been the site for the disposal of
reject capacitors and other wastes from two nearby capacitor manufacturing
plants, Aerovox Industries, Inc., and Cornell-Dubilier Electronic Corporation.
Over one-half million pounds of PCS have been disposed in this landfill over
the years. PCS wastes have not been disposed of for the past two years. In
the past, Aroclorฎ 1242 was reported to be the predominant PCB material used
at these facilities. Since 1970, Aroclor 1016 has been used.
The landfill is located one-half mile from the Paskamanset River near the
southern end of a large glacial lake deposit that extends from the Apponagan-
sett Swamp to the northern limit of the Acushnet Cedar Swamp. Figure 1 shows
the location of the landfill near the New Bedford Airport and Interstate 195.
This landfill has been in use for 56 years. It covers an area of
40 acres, 24 of which are filled with refuse covered with fill material. The
geology of the area consists of a layer of freshwater peat varying from 7 to
10 feet thick, underlain by a thin layer of silty fine sand, and then layers
of stratified silts and clayey silts with thin layers of silty clay. The sand
and silt layers vary from 8 to 36 feet deep.
Groundwater, leachate, and soil samples were taken adjacent to the New
Bedford municipal landfill as part of a regional PCB waste survey conducted by
EPA Region I ("New England PCB Waste Management Study," EPA Region I,
November, 1976). The results of the sampling effort indicated a trace
(1 ug/1) of PCB in one of four shallow groundwater samples taken at the edge
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NEW BEDFORD MUNICIPAL LANDFILL
AND SURROUNDINGS
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FIGURE 1
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of the landfill. A sample of surface leachate contained 10 ug/1 of Aroclor
1016, and a surface soil sample contained 5.8 ppm Aroclor 1016 and 1.7 ppm
Aroclor 1254. Other soil samples did not contain detectable levels of PCB.
These results indicated that transport of PCB from the landfill may be
occurring.
-------
SECTION 3
FIELD SURVEY AND SAMPLING
The first field survey was conducted on June 28 through 30, 1977- The
objective of this field survey was to collect samples representative of all
possible modes of PCB transport from the landfill, as illustrated in
Figure 2. Principal emphasis was placed on the potential for contamination
of groundwater and drinking water supplies.
Samples were taken of ground water, landfill leachate, surface water,
sediments, soil, air, vegetation, and aquatic and terrestrial biota in the
vicinity of the landfill, Apponagansett Swamp, and the Paskamanset River.
Samples taken and locations are described below.
Ground Waters
Fourteen well points were hand-driven to various depths around the edge
of the landfill at the locations shown in Figure 3, which is an aerial
photograph of the landfill. Conductivity readings were taken at each of these
sites. Well depth and conductivity are listed in Table 1. The conductivity
studies show that at locations where two or more points were driven to
different depths, the wells with the shallowest depth have the highest
conductivities. This indicates that the leachate plume is shallow. Wells 3,
4, and 5 were grouped together and show this trend. Wells 7, 8, and 9 also
show this same trend.
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POSSIBLE AVENUES FOR PCB TO RE-ENTER THE
ENVIRONMENT FROM LANDFILL DISPOSAL SITE
ATMOSPHERE REMOVAL BY BIRDS
LEACHATE
EROSION
LANDFILL
REMOVAL BY VEGETATION
REMOVAL BY TERRESTRIAL
AND AQUATIC ORGANISMS
GROUNDWATER
RECHARGE
FIGURE 2
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GROUNDWATER SAMPLING POINTS
mfs.
^
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? SURFACE WATER SAMPLING POINTS
GROUNDWATER SAMPLING JOINTS
FIGURES
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TABLE 1. WELL TEST DATA
vo
Well No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Conductivity
( umho s/ cm)
517
221
159
258
498
234
246
923
1,058
394
357
1,525
301
923
Depth
(m)
3.7
3.0
4.7
3.4
2.1
1.8
6.4
3.5
2.1
3.4
3.2
1.8
1.8
4.9
Depth
(ft)
12.0
10.0
15.5
11.0
6.5
6.0
21.0
11.5
6.5
11.0
10.5
6.0
6.0
16.0
Total Organic
Sulfate Chloride Iron Carbon
(rog/1) (mg/1) (mg/1) (mg/1)
31 84 3.56 1.0
<5 13 5.26 14
3.37
<5 24 3.14 16
9.2 149 7.80 48
35 296 4.88 2.7
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Soils
Difficulty was encountered in taking the soil core samples, since the
terrain around the well points was too wet to sample deeper than 18 inches.
Two core fractions were taken in the vicinity of Wells 7 and 9. Surface soil
samples were taken at Wells 1, 3, 4, and 12.
Drinking Water
Eighteen liters of water were collected at both Well A and Well B
of the Dartmouth Municipal Water Works. In addition, a sample was taken from
a private drinking water supply in the vicinity of Station 8 (see Figure 4).
This residence (23 Tolland Path) has a deep artesian well (approximately
200 feet deep), and water was taken from an outside spigot for subsequent PCS
analysis. These large volumes of water permitted PCB detection in the ppt
(parts per trillion or nanograms per liter) level.
Surface Water and Sediments
The Paskamanset River was sampled at ten different locations (see
Figure 4). Conductivity and pH were determined in situ, and the samples
listed in Table 2 were collected.
Two additional bottom sediment samples were taken from the stream, one
approximately 4 miles downstream from the landfill in the vicinity of the
Dartmouth Municipal Water Supply (not shown on map) and one near 1-195 next to
the Holiday Inn (see Figure 4)-
The Apponagansett Swamp was sampled at seven different locations, as
illustrated in Figure 5. Conductivity and pH were determined in situ, and
samples were taken of water, emergent vegetation, and benthic organisms as
described in Table 3. It appears from the conductivity data that if landfill
leachate is entering the marsh, it is entering from the north and west
sections of the landfill.
10
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STREAM SAMPLING STATIONS
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STREAM SAMPLING STATIONS
^C FISH SAMPLING POINTS
+ BOTTOM SEDIMENT
FIGURE4
11
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MARSH SAMPLING STATIONS
MARSH SAMPLING STATIONS
AIR SAMPLING LOCATION
12
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TABLE 2. STREAM SAMPLING STATIONS
Station Conductivity Bottom
No. pH (umhos/cm) Benthos Sediment Water Fish
1 7.4 170 XXX*
2 5.9 72 XXX
3 6.9 104 XXX
5.5 68 X
5.9 80 X
X
5.3 38 XX
6.1 90 XX
8 6.3 89
X*
X
10
*18-liter sample collected.
TABLE 3. MARSH SAMPLING STATIONS
Station Conductivity
No. pH (umhos/cm) Benthos Vegetation Water
11 7.2 524 XXX
12 7.1 552 XXX
13 6.9 2,852 XXX
14 7.2 1,748 XXX
15 7.1 2,070 X X
16 6.6 2,208 X X
17 7.1 1,380
13
X
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Vegetation
Vegetation was collected at each of the seven marsh stations as indicated
in Table 3. The dominant type of vegetation was collected at each location.
Aquatic Biota
Benthic organism samples were collected at the stream and marsh stations
where noted in Tables 2 and 3. Approximately 15 fish were collected at Sta-
tion 8 (Figure 4), most of which were 4 inches or less in length and of mixed
varieties. Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) was the predominant variety. Only
one fish was collected at Station 1.
Terrestrial Biota
A total of 150 snap traps was set along 5 transect lines, as shown in
Figure 6. Ten trap stations 10 meters apart were situated along each transect
with 3 snap traps at each station. A total of 29 organisms consisting of
2 different species of mice were collected. Six were collected from the
transects along the pipeline, and the remaining 23 were collected from the
transects along the golf course road. The field mice captured were of the
Peromyscus sp. This species is omnivorous, eating grains, fruits, insects,
and other small organisms. Life expectancy is less than one year.
Twenty eggs of the herring gull (Larus argentatus) were collected at Ram
Island, Mattapoisett, Massachusetts, on June 20, 1977, by Dr. I.C.T. Nisbet.
One egg was collected from each of 20 nests. Because of the late date of col-
lection, most of the eggs had been incubated 2 to 3 weeks. Ram Island is the
nearest gull colony to the New Bedford landfill (about 7 kilometers), and
most, although probably not all, herring gulls from this colony feed at the
landfill. They also feed on fish wastes from the port and on natural foods
along the shore.
14
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TERRESTRIAL TRAP LOCATIONS
*%&
TERRESTRIAL TRAP LINES
FIGURES
15
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Air
All air samples were taken by the method of high-volume sampling at the
landfill site during the period June 28 through 30, 1977. Duplicate 30-, 60-,
180-, and 360-minute samples were taken. One 15-minute sample was taken. The
location of the air sampler is shown in Figure 5. Wind velocity during sam-
pling is reported in Table 4.
TABLE 4. AIR SAMPLES TAKEN JUNE 28 THROUGH 30, 1977*
15-minute
30-minute
60-minute
180-minute
360-minute
sample
sample
sample
sample
sample
Wind
Direction
WSW
WSW
WSW
WSW
NW
Velocity
10 to 15 mph
10 mph
10 mph
10 to 15 mph
12 to 15 mph
*Ambient temperature 26ฐC.
Additional air samples were taken in conjunction with EPA Region I
personnel during January, 1978. Samples were taken upwind, on site, and
downwind of the landfill and upwind and downwind of three other potential
sources of airborne PCB in the area, including the municipal sewage sludge
incinerator; Aerovox Corporation, and Cornel1-Dubilier Electronics Corporation
facilities. All of these samples were of 3 hours duration, comprising
approximately 175 cubic meters of air. During this sampling period, the
ground was frozen and a light snow cover was present. Ambient temperature was
0ฐC.
16
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SECTION 4
ANALYTICAL RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Ground Waters
All shallow groundwater samples taken along the periphery of the landfill
were analyzed for PCB. In addition, samples collected from Well A and Well B
of the Dartmouth Municipal Water Works and the sample taken from a private
artesian well (23 Tolland Path) were analyzed for PCB. These analytical
results are reported in Table 5. Figure 3 shows the location of the shallow
groundwater samples.
TABLE 5. GROUND WATER
Test Well No.
1
3
5
7
9
12
Dartmouth Well A
Dartmouth Well B
Private Artesian Well
Well Depth
(m)
3.7
4.7
2.1
6.4
2.1
1.8
61
Aroclor 1016/1242
(ng/D*
<85
<85
<85
90
230
<85
<3
<3
<3
Aroclor 1254
(ng/D*
<110
<110
<110
150
530
<110
<1
<1
<1
*Parts per trillion (ppt).
17
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Aroclor 1016/1242 and Aroclor 1254 were detected in the two shallow
groundwater samples taken on the north edge of the landfill between the land-
fill and the Paskamanset River. All other results, including those for the
artesian aquifer (drinking water), were below the respective analytical
detection limits.
Figure 7 is a chromatogram of the water sample taken from Test Well 9.
Figure 8 shows chromatograms of Aroclor 1016/1242, and Figure 9 a chromatogram
of Aroclor 1254. It can be seen that the well water sample (Figure 7) con-
tains all the major peaks of Aroclor 1254, except the two latest elating, and
many earlier peaks matching Aroclors 1016 and 1242. It is not possible when
Aroclor 1254 is present to definitively identify the earlier pattern as either
Aroclor 1016 or 1242, since the elution patterns for these two Aroclors differ
only with respect to the last few eluting peaks which coincide with
Aroclor 1254 peaks.
The groundwater analytical results indicate no artesian aquifer (drinking
water) contamination with PCB. There is PCB contamination of the shallow
ground water to the immediate north of the landfill. This contamination con-
sists of Aroclor 1016/1242 and Aroclor 1254, and seems to be highest toward
the surface with decreasing concentrations with depth. The maximum PCB con-
centration measured was 0.76 ug/1. There is no apparent correlation of PCB
concentration to conductivity or any of the other parameters (Fe, TOC, 804,
Cl~) measured in the shallow ground waters. PCB does not appear in shallow
ground waters to the west, northwest, and east of the landfill.
Soil Borings
Soil core samples taken at Test Well 9 were analyzed in two sections.
The results are shown in Table 6 along with a surface soil sample taken near
Test Well 3. Figure 10 is the chromatogram of the 0- to 15-cm core at Test
Well 9 showing that both Aroclor 1016/1242 and Aroclor 1254 are present.
The decreasing PCB concentration with core depth agrees with the same
observation for the water taken from Test Wells 7 and 9. In these soil
18
-------
i-
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^Peaks matching Aroclor 1016/1242
A Peaks matching Aroclor 1254
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CHROMATOGRAM OF SHALLOW GROUNDWATER
SAMPLE FROM TEST WELL NO. 9
-------
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CHROMATOGRAM OF a) AROCLOR 1016 STANDARD
AND b) AROCLOR 1242 STANDARD
-------
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CHROMATOGRAM OF AROCLOR 1254 STANDARD
-------
J^Peaks matching Aroclor 1016/1242
^fc Peaks matching Aroclor 1254
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CHROMATOGRAM OF SOIL CORE (0-15 cm)
TAKEN AT TEST WELL NO. 9
-------
TABLE 6. SOIL SAMPLE ANALYTICAL RESULTS
Aroclor 1016/1242 Aroclor 1254
(ppb) (ppb)
Core at Test Well 9 (0 to 15 cm) 32 183
Core at Test Well 9 (15 to 30 cm) <7 27
Surface Sample near Test Well 3 97 343
TABLE 7. BOTTOM SEDIMENT ANALYTICAL RESULTS
Station 1
Station 3
Station 5
Station 8
Behind Lums
Aroclor 1016/1242
(ppb)
30
<5
<5
<5
8
Aroclor 1254
(ppb)
230
34
170
<10
280
23
-------
samples, Aroclor 1254 comprises approximately 82 percent of the total PCS
present, while for the shallow ground water it comprised approximately
66 percent of the total PCB.
Stream Sediments
Bottom sediment samples were taken along the Paskamanset River at the
locations shown in Figure 4. A sample of sediment was also taken from the
stream passing through the property in the vicinity of Interstate 195 and the
Holiday Inn (behind Lums), which is reported (Mr. Daniel K. Moon, personal
communication, EPA Region I) to have been a previous PCB disposal site. The
sediment samples listed in Table 7 were selected for analysis.
Figure 11 is the chromatogram of the extract from the bottom sediment
sample taken from the stream behind Lums. This chromatogram shows a total of
288 ppb PCB, 98 percent of which is Aroclor 1254.
PCB, consisting of predominately Aroclor 1254 with lesser amounts of
Aroclor 1016/1242, is present in stream sediments along the Paskamanset River
north of Interstate 195. South of Interstate 195, PCB was not detected in
bottom sediments.
Surface Water
The surface water sample from Sample Station 8 (Figure 4) was analyzed
for PCB. The remaining surface water samples are being held pending a
decision on further analyses. The surface water at Sample Station 8 did not
contain detectable levels of PCB. Aroclor 1016/1242 was less than 0.08 ug/1
(ppb), and Aroclor 1254 was less than 0.10 ug/1.
Biota
Analysis was conducted of a composite sample of benthic organisms taken
from Apponagansett Swamp (Figure 5) along the periphery of the landfill and a
second composite sample of benthic organisms taken from the Paskamanset River
24
-------
Peaks matching Aroclor 1016/1242
Peaks matching Aroclor 1254
C
3)
CHROMATOGRAM OF EXTRACT FROM SEDIMENT SAMPLE
TAKEN FROM BEHIND LUMS
-------
north of Interstate 195 (Figure 4) at a distance of 1.6 to 2.0 km from the
landfill. Fish samples taken at Sample Stations 1 and 8 (Figure 4) were also
analyzed. The fish sample at Station 1 represents a single fish captured at
that location, while the sample at Station 8 is a composite of 15 fish of.
mixed variety, principally Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus), all approximately
10 cm in length.
Twenty eggs of the herring gull (Larus argentatus) were collected at Ram
Island, Mattapoisett, Massachusetts, on June 20, 1977, by Dr. I.C.T. Nisbet.
Ten of those eggs were composited for analysis of PCB. Field mice (Peromyscus
sp.) were analyzed on a whole-body basis after removal of fur and skin.
The analytical results for all the biota are summarized in Table 8.
Benthic organisms in the marsh adjacent to the landfill contained a total PCB
concentration of 2.53 ppm, of which 82 percent is Aroclor 1254. In the stream
passing through the marsh at a distance of approximately 1.6 km from the
landfill, benthic organisms had a total PCB concentration of 1.35 ppm, of
which 84 percent is Aroclor 1254.
TABLE 8. ANALYTICAL RESULTS FOR BIOTA
Aroclor 1016/1242 Aroclor 1254
(ppb)* (ppb)*
Benthos
Marsh Sample Composite 460 2,070
Stream Sample Composite 220 1,130
Fish
Sample Station 1 <10 360
Sample Station 8 <10 330
Herring Gull Eggs
Ram Island Colony 76 4,600
Terrestrial Organisms
Field Mice (Peromyscus sp.)
Trap Line #1<10 11
Trap Line #2 <10 18
*Wet weight basis.
26
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The fish samples contained only traces of Aroclor 1016/1242, but larger
quantities of Aroclor 1254 (average 345 ppb). Figure- 12 shows the chroma-
togram of the fish sample taken at Sample Station 8. It should be recalled
that PCS was not detected in either the water or bottom sediment at this
location.
The herring gull eggs contained substantial quantities (4.6 ppm) of Aro-
clor 1254, and lesser quantities (0.076 ppm) of Aroclor 1016/1242. Figure 13
is a chromatogram of the egg extract. The field mice contained an average of
16 ppb of Aroclor 1254, while Aroclor 1016/1242 was not detected in these
organisms.
Ambient Air
Ambient air samples taken June 28 and June 30, 1977, over the landfill
were analyzed for PCB. These samples were located on the landfill, as illus-
trated in Figure 5. The samplers were located about 2 meters above ground
level. Additional air samples were taken in the area in January, 1978. All
air analyses are reported in Table 9.
On June 28, 1977, airborne PCB concentration over the landfill averaged
1.19 ug/nP. These samples were taken from 11:00 a.m. to noon while wind
velocity was west-southwest at approximately 10 mph. A sample taken on
June 30, 1977, yielded a concentration of 0.41 ug/nP when winds were from
the northwest at 12 to 15 mph. As may be seen by comparison of the chromato-
gram of one of these air sample extracts (Figure 14) with the chromatogram of
Aroclor 1242 standard (Figure 15), the pattern match is very good. Aroclor
1242 is clearly present in these air samples. The presence of PCB in these
samples was confirmed by perchlorination. Further analysis indicated that the
non-chlorinated species, biphenyl, was not present.
Ambient air samples were taken in January, 1978, upwind, on site, and
downwind of the landfill, and upwind and downwind of three other possible
sources in the area. The analytical results for these samples are also shown
in Table 9. At the time of sampling, the ground was frozen and a light snow
27
-------
NJ
oo
Peaks matching Aroclor 1016/1242
Peaks matching Aroclor 1254
O
c
33
m
_*
ro
CHROMATOGRAM OF FISH SAMPLE EXTRACT
FROM SAMPLE STATION NO. 8
-------
ho
f
3)
m
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il
'L*
* i
Peaks matching Aroclor 1016/1242
Peaks matching Aroclor 1254
CHROMATOGRAM OF EXTRACT
FROM HERRING GULL EGGS
-------
_ I I , I>
"I I I
CHROMATOGRAM OF ONE-HOUR AMBIENT AIR SAMPLE
TAKEN AT THE LANDFILL SITE
FIGURE 14
30
-------
J_~ [ I I ~
___ i 1 ;
CHROMATOGRAM OF AN AROCLOR 1242 STANDARD
FIGURE 15
31
-------
TABLE 9. ANALYTICAL RESULTS FOR AMBIENT AIR
Sample
Date
Site
Location
PCB
Concentration
(ug/m^)
Aroclor
6/28/77
6/30/77
1/17/78
1/24/78
1/27/78
1/19/78
landfill
landfill
landfill
landfill
sludge
incinerator
Aerovox Corp.
Cornel1-
Dubilier
on site
on site
on site
upwind
on site
downwind
upwind
downwind
upwind
downwind
upwind
downwind
0.89
1.5
0.41
0.0085
0.021
0.013
0.0043
0.013
0.0056
0.49
0.019
0.0051
1242/1016
1242/1016
1242/1016
1242/1016
1242/1016
1242/1016
1242/1016
1242/1016
1242/1016
1016 only
1242/1016
1242/1016
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cover was present. A light snowfall was also occurring. The data show an
increased airborne PCS concentration downwind of the New Bedford municipal
sewage sludge incinerator, the landfill, and Aerovox Corporation facilities.
Ambient levels over the landfill were substantially lower than during the sum-
mertime sampling. All samples but one indicated the presence of Aroclor 1016
and traces of Aroclor 1242. Downwind of the Aerovox Corporation, only Aroclor
1016 was detected. Figures 16 and 17 show the chromatograms of the upwind and
downwind sample extracts, respectively, taken in the vicinity of the Aerovox
Corporation. Note in these figures that the downwind sample is shown at a
recorder attenuation twenty times greater than the upwind sample.
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1 ul Injection
Attenuation 64 x 10~10
CHROMATOGRAM OF AIR SAMPLE
TAKEN UPWIND OF AEROVOX CORPORATION
FIGURE 16
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0.2 ul Injection
Attenuation 256 x 10
-10
CHROMATOGRAM OF AIR SAMPLE
TAKEN DOWNWIND OF AEROVOX CORPORATION
FIGURE 17
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SECTION 5
CONCLUSIONS
The following conclusions may be drawn from the analyses conducted:
1. There is some movement of PCB from the landfill into the water table
aquifer to the immediate north of the landfill within Apponagansett
Swamp. PCB contamination appears to decrease with depth in the water
table aquifer from 0.76 ug/1 at a depth of 2.1 meters to 0.24 ug/1 at
6.4 meters. Both Aroclor 1254 and Aroclor 1016/1242 are present in
contaminated waters, with Aroclor 1254 predominant. The areal extent
of the contamination of the shallow aquifer is probably very limited,
since PCB contamination was not detected in other directions from the
landfill.
2. The drinking water supply of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, and of a
private artesian well south-southwest of the landfill contained no
detectable traces of PCB at the few part per trillion level. Hence,
PCB in the landfill does not seem to be contaminating the deeper
aquifers from which drinking waters are withdrawn.
3. Soils within Apponagansett Swamp to the immediate north and northwest
of the landfill are contaminated with PCB. The level of contamina-
tion seems to decrease rapidly with depth. The predominant material
present appears to be Aroclor 1254, although Aroclor 1016/1242 is
also present. A total of 0.44 ppm PCB at the soil surface was the
maximum level measured. The source of this contamination is probably
either erosion or leachate from the landfill.
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4. Benthic organisms in Apponagansett Swamp along the periphery of the
landfill and within the Paskamanset River are contaminated with PCS.
The level of contamination is higher in the benthic organisms taken
near the landfill (2.5 ppm) than those taken from the stream
(1.4 ppm). These organisms probably accumulate the PCB by ingestion
of contaminated soils and detrital particles.
5. Field mice captured in the swamp contain residual PCB levels of
0.016 ppm. This has probably accumulated as a result of the consump-
tion of contaminated animal and vegetable matter. Levels are not
high enough to indicate extensive bioaccumulation in these short-
lived animals.
6. Bottom sediments along the Paskamanset River exhibit some PCB con-
tamination, but only to the north of Interstate 195. The transport
of PCB downstream is limited in distance to a reach of approximately
2.5 km.
7. Fish captured in the stream contained an average of 0.34 ppm PCB.
Fish probably accumulate PCB by eating contaminated organisms. The
fish captured were not of edible size; however; levels of contamina-
tion were considerably below the Food and Drug Administration action
limit of 5 ppm for edible fish.
8. Herring gull eggs taken from the Ram Island colony contained sub-
stantial quantities of PCB (4.6 ppm), predominantly in the form of
Aroclor 1254. Many of these gulls feed at the landfill; however,
they also feed on fish and other organisms in the area which may
contain PCB. Previous analysis of fish taken from New Bedford Harbor
indicated substantial levels of PCB contamination (up to 290 ppm in
an American eel). Hence, it is not possible to unequivocally iden-
tify the herring gull as a major mode of PCB transport from the
landfill.
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9. During the summer, airborne PCB levels at the landfill were in excess
of 1.0 ug/rn3. These levels must be considered relatively high
since they exceed the maximum permissible 8-hour exposure level for
industrial workers (OSHA, 1977). Samples taken at the same location
during the winter when the ground was frozen indicate that ambient
air levels of PCB over the landfill are substantially lower than dur-
ing the summer (0.02 ug/m3). There is some evidence of low-level
airborne emissions of PCB from the landfill even during the winter
however.
10. Results of the air samples taken in January, 1978, indicate that the
municipal sewage sludge incinerator is a low-level PCB emitter, while
Aerovox Corporation appears to substantially increase downwind ambi-
ent levels of PCB. Cornell-Dubilier Electronics Corporation had no
detectable emissions at the time of sampling.
The results of this survey indicate there is migration of PCB from the
New Bedford landfill. Although PCB has migrated to shallow ground waters
immediately adjacent to the landfill, the extent of groundwater contamination
appears to be restricted to a very limited area. Transport of PCB in the
ground water is probably limited by the high absorption capacity of the peaty
soils in the area plus the likelihood the landfill is located on a groundwater
discharge area rather than a recharge area.
PCBs have migrated from the landfill into the surface water and biologi-
cal systems of Apponagansett Swamp. Soils, sediments, and benthic organisms
in the swamp are contaminated with PCB. This contamination appears to be
limited to the area north of 1-195. Again, highly-absorptive, peaty soils
probably limit physical transport of PCB. Bioaccumulation of PCB is demon-
strated by the relatively high levels detected in benthic organisms within the
swamp. Transport of this contamination up the food chain to the more mobile
biological organisms (i.e., fish) is occurring. Herring gulls may be accumu-
lating substantial levels of PCB contamination in their eggs as a result of
their feeding at the landfill.
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Ambient air analysis indicates volatilization is a likely and possibly
principal mode of transport of PCB from the landfill. There is insufficient
data to determine the rate of this transport; however, it is substantially
greater during the summer than during the winter, as may be expected since
ambient temperatures are higher.
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TECHNICAL REPORT DATA
(Pleas* re*d Instructions on the reverse before completing)
REPORT NO.
560/6-78-006
3. RECIPIENT'S ACCESSION NO.
4. TITLE ANO SUBTITLE
Environmental Assessment of Polychlorinated Biphenyls
(PCBs)Near New Bedford, MA Municipal Landfill
t. REPORT DATE
May 26. 1978
A. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE
'. AUTHOR
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