United States
Environmental Protection RSKERL-Ada
Agency November 1990
vvEPA Research and
Development
Internal Report
RSKERL-ADA
SUPERFUND TECHNOLOGY
SUPPORT CENTER
The First Three Years
Prepared for
Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response
Prepared by
Robert S. Kerr Environmental
Research Laboratory
Ada, OK 74820
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RSKERL-Ada Superfund Technology Support Center
The First Three Years
An Internal Report
by
Marion R. Scalf,
Donald C. Draper and
John E. Matthews
Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Laboratory
Office of Environmental Processes and Effects
Office of Reseach and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Ada, Oklahoma
October, 1990
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Table of Contents
Page
Introduction and Background 1
Three Year Summary of Technology Support Center Activities 2
RSKERL Technology Support Center Organization 5
Technology Transfer Activities:
Issue Papers and Briefing Documents 8
Workshops 10
Seminars and Conferences 11
Training 12
Miscellaneous Activities 13
Site Specific Technology Support Activities:
Region I 17
Region II ''. 24
Region III 29
Region IV 39
Region V 44
Region VI 55
Region VII 61
Region VIII 65
Region IX 68
Region X 73
RCRA 77
Future Activities 82
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RSKERL-Ada Superfund Technology Support Center
Background and Introduction-
Offering technical assistance to a variety of users on a variety of environmental issues has been a
tradition at the Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Laboratory (RSKERL) since its beginning
in 1965. During the ensuing years the Laboratory gained a National and international reputation for
its research related to: transport and transformation of contaminants in the subsurface environment;
use of natural soil systems in treating waste; characterizing the hydrogeologic, abiotic, and biotic
processes controlling contaminant transport and fate; and expression of these processes in mathematical
models. A Laboratory reorganization in 1984 established the Applications and Assistance Branch
which was specifically designed to focus on technology transfer and technical assistance activities.
However, it was not until 1987 that events occurred which would lead to a structure wherein site
specific technical assistance would become a major part of the Laboratory's activities, particularly
with regard to the remediation of soil and ground water at hazardous waste sites.
Following the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, Regional decision makers,
charged with administering cost effective and permanent restoration technologies at Superfund sites,
quickly became overburdened by the complexity. This resulted, in large measure, because of the high
turnover and inexperience of their technical staff as well as a need for more interdisciplinary
professionals who can remain current in a relatively new but rapidly developing and complex
environmental field.
The great majority of Superfund sites have ground-water contamination which is often the limiting
component for remediation. The technology to remediate contaminated subsurface soil and ground
water is not well developed. One major problem is accessibility. Near surface contamination is
subject to a number of remediation technologies but as the contamination gets deeper, remediation
options become limited and remediation costs increase dramatically. Although the science of
ground-water extraction for water supply purposes has been studied for several decades, only in the
last decade has there been an impetus or interest in extracting ground water as a procedure for
"cleaning up" a contaminated aquifer. The technology for treating contaminated ground water in
surface reactors has also been extensively studied, but the technology for getting subsurface
contaminants to the surface where they can be treated is in its infancy.
Seldom is ground-water remediation a viable approach without associated remediation of the vadose
zone. (The vadose zone is the region extending from the ground surface, or top soil, of the earth to
the upper surface of the principal water-bearing formation). This is because a contaminated vadose
zone often serves as a source for ground-water contamination, and ground-water "clean up" is not
effective until the source is removed. (However, "containment" measures may be necessary
regardless to prevent the spread of contamination).
In 1987, in an attempt to deal with these problems, an ad hoc group of Regional ground-water
specialists began a series of meetings in order to share their experiences in Superfund remediation.
These meetings led to a formal group called the "Ground-Water Forum" which now includes
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representatives from all ten Regions. About this same time, representatives from the Office of Solid
Waste and Emergency Response were exploring ways to make the experience of the Agency's
research arm available to Regional decision makers. To this end, in late 1987, OSWER provided
funding to Laboratories in Las Vegas, Cincinnati, Athens, and Ada to establish Technology Support
Centers (TSC). More specifically, these Centers are:
• RSKERL/Ada Ground-Water Fate and Transport
• EMSL/Las Vegas Monitoring and Site Characterization
• RREL/Cincinnati Engineering and Treatment
• ERL/Athens Exposure and Ecorisk Assessment
The objectives of the Technology Support Centers are to:
• Provide technical support and assistance to Regional staff;
• Improve communications among Regions and ORD laboratories;
• Ensure coordination and consistency in the application of remedial technologies; and
• Furnish technology workshops and state-of-the science information for RPMs and OSCs.
The RSKERL TSC consists of its Core Team of scientists, in-house Laboratory researchers,
Dynamac and its contract affiliates, the National Center for Ground-Water Research, the RSKERL
Center for Subsurface Modeling Support (CSMoS), and the Center for Environmental Research
Information (CERI-Cincinnati). Activities of the Center include: hosting workshops, seminars, and
conferences; conducting training short courses; maintaining the Subsurface Remediation Information
Center, developing Superfund Issue Papers; and providing site specific technical support.
Site specific technical support activities range from reviewing and commenting on detailed
remediation activities to participating in complex, site specific field investigations.
Three Year Summary of Superfund Support Center Activities
RSKERL and the other three Support Centers have just completed their third year of activity. During
this period RSKERL has responded to a total of 145 site specific requests for assistance including
35inFY 1988,47 in FY1989, and 63 during FY1990. The summary distribution of these responses
is shown in Figure 1.
In addition to site specific requests for technology support, the RSKERL Technology Support Center
has also made contributions in the following areas:
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X I
VI
IV
Total 35
IV
VIII
VII
VI
Figure 1. Distribution of Site Specific Technology Support Activities by Regions
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• Superfund Issue Papers and Briefing Documents
8 Completed
12 in Preparation
• Workshops, Seminars, Conferences
56 workshops, seminars, and conferences have been held around the Country,
including all 10 Regions, which were attended by several thousand professionals
concerned with the following topics:
Contaminant Transport Modeling
Remediation at Wood Preserving Sites
Remediation of Soil and Ground Water
Subsurface Sampling
Migration Potential of Subsurface Contaminants
Fractured Media
Site Characterization for Subsurface Remediation
Soil Vacuum Extraction for Subsurface Remediation
Basics of Pump-and-Treat Remediation
• Training Courses
18 training courses have been given to hundreds of students at 7 locations covering
the following topics:
Ground-Water Investigations
Remediation of Contaminated Soil
Transport and Fate of Contaminants
• Subsurface Remediation Information Center
Specific research documents and topic-specific information packages pertaining to
site investigation as well as transport, transformation and remediation of contaminants
in the subsurface were prepared and/or provided to the Regions, Headquarters, states,
researchers, and others who are involved in this technical arena. Software driving the
Site Subsurface Remediation Data Base is in place and data are being entered into the
system.
Revision of software for the Soil Transport and Fate Data Base, including update of
the Data Base entries has recently been completed. Copies of the revised Data Base
are being prepared for transmittal to previous recipients, including entry into the
ATTIC system.
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RSKERL-Ada Technology Support Center Organization -
The Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Laboratory functional activities are focused within
major divisions, as shown in Figure 2. The "Processes and Systems Research Division" houses the
Laboratory's in-house research complement, and the "Activities and Assistance Division" serves as
the focus for extramural research, technology applications, and technical assistance. It is important
to note that scientific and support expertise in each Division moves freely between discrete portions
of the Laboratory's total technical mission. In this way RSKERL research is guided, in large
measure, by the Agency's pressing technical needs, and technology support is assured to be of the
highest scientific caliber.
A major area of RSKERL research deals with transport and transformation of contaminants in the
subsurface environment, including: use of soil systems in treating waste; characterization of
hydrogeologic, abiotic, and biotic processes controlling contaminant transport and fate; and
expression of these processes in mathematical models. This in-house program and its extension
through extramural research is the foundation for the Technology Support Center.
The RSKERL-Ada Superfund Technology Support Center is part of the Applications and Assistance
Branch (Figure 2). The Center is composed of a Core Team of RSKERL scientists (Figure 3) who
are complemented by scientists from the Laboratory's research Division: an on-site contractor,
RSKERL Center for Subsurface Modeling Support (CSMoS) including the International Ground
Water Modeling Center, National Center for Ground Water Research; and the Agency's Center for
Environmental Research Information (CERI).
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• RSKERL-Ada Technology Support Core Team (TST)
RSKERL scientists and engineers in the Applications and Assistance Branch provide
a readily available source of interdisciplinary support with the assistance of the on-
site contractor and its consultants.
• RSKERL Research Program
Expertise in subsurface processes and systems from more than seventy in-house
scientists and thirty-five universities and research institutions provides the scientific
basis for the Technology Support Program.
• On-Site Contractor
Eleven on-site Dynamac personnel, along with over 100 consultants and subcontracts
with GeoTrans and firms for treatability studies, provides support to the Core Team,
carries out information transfer activities, and is developing the Subsurface
Remediation Information Database in cooperation with Core Team staff.
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• National Center for Ground Water Research (NCGWR)
NCGWR, a consortium of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Rice Universities,
develops and conducts long-range exploratory research to anticipate and address
ground-water protection and restoration activities.
• RSKERL Center for Subsurface Modeling Support (CSMoS)
This Modeling Center is composed of RSKERL personnel and designed to provide
modeling related support to the research, technology transfer, and technical assistance
activities of the Laboratory. Adjunct to CSMoS is the International Ground Water
Modeling Center (IGWMC) located at the Holcomb Research Institute at Butler
University in Indianapolis.
• Center for Environmental Research Information (CERI-Cincinnati)
CERI provides support to the Technology Support Center through the development
of seminars, conferences, training, publications, and other means of technology
transfer.
Processes and Systems
Research Division
Laboratory
Director
Extramural Activities
and
Assistance Division
Subsurface
Processes
Branch
Subsurface
Systems
Branch
Application* and
Assistance
Branch
Extramural Activities
and Evaluation
Branch
Technology
Support Center
Figure 2. RSKERL Organization Chart
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Dick Scalf
Jerry Thornhill
Bert Bledsoe
Don Draper
Lowell Leach
John Matthews
Hugh Russell
Dom DiGiulio
Scott Huling
Joe Williams
Randall Ross
Dave Burden
Steven Acree
Technical Support Team
Division Chief
Acting Branch Chief/Hydrologist
Chemist
Hydrogeologist
Geological Engineer
Biologist
Microbiologist
Hydrologist/Engineer
Environmental Engineer
Soil Scientist
Hydrogeologist
Hydrologist/Soil Scientist
Research Hydrologist
Figure 3. RSKERL-Ada Technology Support Center Technical Support Team
Figure 4. RSKERL - Ada Technology Support Center
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Technology Transfer Activities-
The Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Laboratory has been involved with information transfer
and technical assistance in an informal way since its beginning in 1965. These activities became a
structured part of the Laboratory following a reorganization in 1984. Technology transfer activities
are mainly carried out without specific requests or may be in response to generic needs suggested by
groups such as the Ground Water Forum or Headquarters Offices. The RSKERL Technology
Support Center focuses on these activities through:
• Development and distribution of topic-specific information packets, Issue Papers and
Briefing Documents; and,
• Development and conduct of workshops, seminars, conferences and short courses.
Issue Papers and Briefing Documents
Issue Papers were initiated in the early months of the RSKERL Technology Support Center as a
means of addressing a number of technical issues identified by the Ground Water Forum as critical
to remediation decisions required of the Regions. These are intended to be brief, state-of-science
documents focused on a technical issue of expressed interest and prepared in a concise and readable
format. Briefing Documents are much like Issue Papers in that they are prepared to address areas
of special interest, however, they are most often of greater length and present the subject in greater
depth.
Ground-Water Sampling for Metals Analysis
Printed by CERI as Superfund Issue Paper EPA/540/4-89/001 to address the issue of
filtration of ground-water samples when sampling for metals. This was a cooperative
effort with EMSL-LV.
Water Level Measurements
A document entitled "Accuracy of Depth to Water Measurements" was printed by
CERI as a Superfund Issue Paper EPA/540/4-89/002.
Facilitated Transport
This document was printed by CERI as Superfund Issue Paper EPA/540/4-89/003.
Fractured Media/Models
A Superfund Issue Paper entitled "Contaminant Transport in Fractured Media:
Models for Decision Makers" has been printed by CERI and cataloged as EPA/540/
4-89/004. A companion paper, "Status of Site Characterization Technology at
Fractured Rock Sites" is in preparation with the initial draft expected in late 1990.
Performance Evaluation of Pump and Treat Remediation
This Superfund Ground-Water Issue Paper has been printed as EPA/540/4-89/005.
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Basics of Pump-and-Treat Ground-Water Remediations
This document was printed by CERI as EPA/600/8-90/005.
Bioremediation of Contaminated Surface Soils
900 copies of the document EPA/600/9-89/073 have been received and distributed.
An additional 1200 copies are on order.
Basic Concepts of Contaminant Sorption at Hazardous Waste Sites
This Ground-Water Issue Paper has been sent to CERI for publication as EPA/540/
4-90/053.
Dense Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids
Final draft of document will be sent to peer reviewers in October 1990.
Light Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids
Document outline is under preparation.
Behavior of Metals in the Soil Environment
A draft document has undergone RSKERL internal review and modifications are
under way prior to sending out for peer review.
Fundamentals and Principles of Soil Science as Related to Contaminant Mobility in Soils
A draft document has undergone RSKERL internal review and modifications are
under way prior to sending out for peer review.
Soil Classification Systems for Use at Superfund Sites
Preparation of the final draft is under way in cooperation with EMSL-LV with input
from IERL. It is anticipated that the document will be sent to CERI in November 1990
following peer review.
Conducting Field Tests to Evaluate SVE Applicability and Design
The original paper, presented at the Las Vegas Outdoor Conference, has been revised
and is under review prior to sending for peer review. Anticipated date for submittal
to CERI for printing is November 1990.
Biorestoration of Contaminated Ground Waters
A draft document has undergone peer review and is being edited accordingly before
being sent to CERI for printing in December 1990.
Reductive Dehalogenation of Organic Halogenated Pollutants in Soil and Ground Water
Draft document has undergone peer review and subsequent revision and sent to
Ground-Water Forum members for comment. Will be sent to CERI for printing in
November 1990.
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Remediation ofTCE in the Subsurface
The draft has been through internal review and is undergoing revision and editing
before being sent out for peer review. Printing is expected in January 1991.
Remediation of Munitions Contaminants in Soil and Ground Water
The first draft is completed but requires significant revision and editing prior to
sending out for peer review.
Basics of Ground-Water Modeling
The initial draft is completed and is undergoing an internal review before being
submitted for peer review which is expected in December 1990.
Chemical Enhancements to Pump-and-Treat Remediations
The first draft is undergoing an internal review. An anticipated peer review date is
December 1990.
Workshops
Ground Water Modeling Workshops were held in all ten EPA Regions between
8/29/88 and 12/09/88. This "hands-on" three day course covered modeling of the
saturated and unsaturated zones as well as geochemistry. These were conducted by
RSKERL Technology Support Center staff along with national experts from GeoTrans,
the USGS, and universities. Attendance was limited to a total of about 40 per session
so that personal instruction could be given.
Workshops on the Remediation of Wood Preserving Sites were held in San Francisco,
October 24-25,1988; and in Atlanta March, 20-21,1989. National experts covered
such topics as appropriate remediation technology and its limitations, information
needs, and evaluation processes.
A workshop was held at RSKERL March 1,1989, with a panel of experts invited to
reach a consensus on the subject of filtering or not filtering ground-water samples for
metals analyses. This workshop resulted in an Issue Paper on the subject.
At the request of Region VI a workshop was conducted during April 18-19,1989, at
the SCS Technical Center in Ft. Worth, Texas, on vadose zone monitoring.
A workshop on Vacuum Extraction was held atRSKERL April 27-28,1989, to bring
together consultants and researchers from various disciplines to discuss methods of
evaluating and enhancing the performance of SVE. There was also a series of
presentations on SVE made to states in Regions n and in during the summer of 1989.
The emphasis of the workshops was to evaluate and understand subsurface vapor
transport and fate processes. An Issue Paper is being developed on the subject.
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A workshop was held in Denver May 17-18, 1989, on the remediation of soil and
ground water contaminated with oily, viscous, and multi-phase contaminants.
National experts discussed available technologies, their limitations, and data
requirements.
A workshop on Contaminant Mobility (migration potential) was held in Houston,
December 14-15,1989, to identify, summarize, and evaluate methods available to
estimate the migration potential of both organics and inorganics found at hazardous
waste sites. Following the presentations, EPA's Science Advisory Board met with
some of the participants of the workshop to discuss contaminant migration potential
as a result of soil remediation activities. The purpose of the meeting was to address
questions being asked by the Regions on contaminant migration in soil. A series of
Issue Papers are being developed to address this topic.
A workshop on Fractured Flow was held in Dallas, January 29,1989. A select group
of researchers and consultants was asked to identify and evaluate the available
methods for characterizing contaminated sites that overlie fractured media and for
developing reliable predictive models for these sites. One Issue Paper resulted from
this workshop and another is in preparation.
Workshops on the "Limitations of Pump-and-Treat Remediation Technology" were
presented in four Regions. The one-half day sessions were directed toward technical
and managerial personnel. The workshops were held in Dallas in January, Boston and
New York in February, and in Philadelphia in September, 1990.
Seminars and Conferences
The annual RSKERL RESEARCH SEMINAR was held in Oklahoma City in the
spring of 1988, 1989, and 1990. These three-day meetings bring together all
researchers sponsored by RSKERL and the National Center for Ground Water
Research to present the progress of their research. Invited guests include scientists
from academia, state and other federal agencies, industry, consultants, and
representatives from EPA Program Offices. Approximately 300 have attended each
of these sessions.
In cooperation with CERI, a series of seminars entitled "Transport and Fate of
Contaminants in the Subsurface" was given in all ten EPA Regions between October
1987 and February 1988. These seminars were designed to provide regulators and
technical specialists with a brief but intensive overview of the physical, chemical, and
biological processes governing the transport and fate of contaminants in the subsurface.
The total attendance was approximately 2500.
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Training
A series of seminars entitled "Site Characterization for Subsurface Remediations"
was initiated in 1989 in cooperation with CERI. These were designed to examine the
site characterizationrequirements necessary to select themost appropriate remediation
technologies for contaminated soil and ground water at hazardous waste sites. The
seminars were presented in all ten Regions with a total attendance in excess of 4000.
A publication based on these seminars is in preparation.
A series of seminars entitled "Bioremediation of Hazardous Waste Sites Workshop"
developed by CERI was presented in all ten EPA Regions and the State of New York.
The purpose wastoinform the target audience of basicrequirernentsforimplementation
of biological systems to remediate hazardous wastes, including initial data
requirements, and the design of the reactor and in situ facilities. RSKERL was
responsible for the in situ portion of the seminar as well as a workshop. The in situ
portion included an outline of the basic requirements for the design of remediation
systems for soil and ground water.
Two briefings were arranged for the Headquarters Superfund staff. The first, in
February 1990, was directed toward the use of bioremediation of contaminated
ground water. The second, in May 1990, was concerned with the application and
performance of remediation measures for ground water contaminated by DNAPLs.
At the request of the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation (FDER),
RSKERL scientists presented a seminar on bioremediation during August 1-2,1990,
in West Palm Beach, FL. Most of the attendees were FDER employees. Subjects
covered during the seminar included: the basic concepts of bioremediation, initial
plume location, aseptic sampling, remedial monitoring, hydrologic considerations,
and experiences gained in field demonstrations.
At the request of the New York State Department of Environmental Regulation, a
seminar on bioremediation was presented in Albany, NY, September 5-6,1990, for
State environmental personnel.
RSKERL presented a one-day seminar on bioremediation at En Sol 90 in Santa Clara,
CA, on September 13, 1990. The seminar, which was mainly attended by State
employees and consultants, covered initial site characterizations, microbial concepts,
and bioremediation of soil and ground water.
Before the RSKERL Technology Support Center was established, training sessions,
particularly at locations away from the Laboratory, were conducted on an "as
requested" and "time available" basis. In such cases the requesting Region or State
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agency reimbursed RSKERL for travel expenses of the EPA instructors and paid
travel and an honorarium for participating professors and consultants.
Resources made available through the Center have increased the ability of RSKERL
to respond to such requests and have resulted in the development of training modules.
These have been increasingly presented in response to Regional and State requests,
and the attendees often include consultants. The following provides a summary of
these activities:
Ground-Water Investigations
June 1988 - Dallas
October 1988 - Des Moines
January 1989 - Dallas
July 1989 - Ada
November 1989 - Ada
February 1990 - Atlanta
August 1990 - Baton Rouge
September 1990 - Dallas
Transport and Fate of Contaminants in the Subsurface
April 1990 - Ada
September 1990 - Houston
Remediation of Contaminated Soils
February 1990 - Ada
Superfund Basic Training Academy
October 1989 - Tampa
May 1990 - Tampa
August 1990 - Tampa (2 Sessions)
Introduction to Computer Ground-Water Modeling
Held in Regions I through X between August 29,1988, and
December9,1988.
Miscellaneous Activities -
In addition to the Technology Transfer Activities discussed above and the Site
Specific Technology Support Activities which follow, the RSKERL Technology
Support Center has responded to a great many requests for assistance which are as
varied in content as they are in the effort required for response. The following are
offered to convey an awareness of both the variety and depth of these miscellaneous
requests for assistance. The list is far from inclusive.
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September 20,1990: At the request of Jennifer Haley, OERR, RSKERL prepared a
"Subsurface Contaminant Guide" which was cleared to be published by CERI. The
guidance table lists the physical properties of contaminants commonly found at
Superfund sites and recommends the most appropriate technology for their removal
or remediation.
September 20, 1990: Mary Stinson, START Team Leader, RREL-Cincinnati,
requested a review of the first draft of "Planning Guide: Selection of Control
Technologies for Wood Preserving Sites." Review comments were provided on
October 30,1990, for discussion at a meeting held in Edison, NJ, on November 1,
1990. Significant changes were recommended.
September 11,1990: In response to a request by Ed Earth, CERI-Cincinnati, three
members of theRSKERLTechnology Support Center reviewed aTechnical Resource
Document (TRD) entitled "Approaches for Remediation of Uncontrolled Wood
Preserving Site Wastes." Comments were provided September 25, 1990.
Seminars were presented in three Regions concerning "RCR A Corrective Measures."
Essentially, the seminar was directed toward details involved in technologies
applicable to the remediation of contaminated soil and ground water using the RCRA
Facilities Investigation Guidance Document The seminar was held in Philadelphia,
May 1-3; Chicago, May 15-16; and Boston, September 27,1990.
August 13, 1990: Neal Durant with the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency
Response requested a review of a guidance manual entitled "Ground- Water Net/Flow
Line Construction and Analysis" which was developed to provide a technical basis
for the design and evaluation of ground-water monitoring systems.
August 10,1990: Kenneth Brown, EMSL-LV, requested a review of an issue paper
entitled "Soil Sampling for Volatile Organic Analysis" which was requested by Rene
Fuentes of the Ground- Water Forum. Comments were provided September 15,1990.
On July 11,1990, RSKERL staff participated in a seminar provided by Region V to
twenty Regional personnel having responsibility for implementing the Underground
Storage Tank Program. Included in the seminar was an illustration of the use of soil
gas techniques to identify source areas of plumes. Also described were new coring
techniques designed to characterize the vertical distribution of gasoline spilled from
an underground storage tank. The remediation of fuel spills using hydrogen peroxide
and nitrate was reviewed.
April 28,1990: RSKERL made a telephone response to a written request by the State
of Washington Department of Ecology concerning remedial design information for
the Cascade Pole wood treatment site on Puget Sound in Olympia, Washington.
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March 20,1990: A petroleum product leak from a pipeline contaminated the water
supply of Park City, KS, a suburb of Wichita. The owner of the pipeline company and
the consultant requested RSKERL assistance in locating the plume in the saturated
zone and providing guidance in the design of remediation systems for both the
saturated and unsaturated zones.
January 25, 1990: Bill Massouda, Office of Technology Transfer and Regulatory
Support requested a review of "Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Procedures."
RSKERL reviews were obtained along with comments of Dr. Ray Loehr (University
of Texas) and sent to Bill Massouda on March 8,1990.
January 20,1990: A conference call was held with Region IX personnel to discuss
a request for RSKERL to evaluate large scale pump-and-treat proposals for two NPL
sites in the Region. The request originated from Henry Longest, Director of OERR.
A review on the San Fernando Valley projects was transmitted March 28,1990, and
a review of the San Gabriel Valley operation was completed on March 30,1989.
July 19,1989: Joe DeSantis, OTTRS, asked for a review of ground- water monitoring
analytes at municipal solid waste disposal facilities. Review comments were
provided August 7,1989.
May 24, 1989: Steve Cordle, OEPER, requested a review of a document on
contaminated soil. The review was completed in August 1989.
May 23,1989: Jerry Garman, OTTRS, requested a review of "Municipal Landfill
Design Draft Regulation." A response was offered June 6,1989.
April 28, 1989: John Matthews, RSKERL Research Biologist, was requested by
Allen Antley, Chief, Waste Compliance Section, Region IV, to serve as an expert
witness in the land treatment of hazardous wastes in a hearing on the Koppers
Company site, in Jackson, Mississippi.
February 15,1989: At the request of Jennifer Haley, OERR, Hazardous Site Control
Division, RS KERL reviewed a draft PCB Working Paper. Comments were provided
February 27,1989.
January 24,1989: Meg Kelly, OSWER, requested staff participation on an advisory
group for the development of a second generation ground-water work station.
Meetings were held in Washington, March 27-28,1989, and in Boulder, May 16-17,
1989, during which the participants discussed and developed the essential requirements
of the work station. A report expressing these needs was prepared following the
second meeting.
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August 2,1988: Kevin Willis, Region II, requested assistance in finding information
about well casing schedules of various materials as a function of depth. On August
9,1988, RSKERL responded by sending a copy of a handbook, "Suggested Practices
for the Design and Construction of Ground Water Monitoring Well," which was
prepared under the Laboratory's sponsorship.
April 27, 1988: CERI requested an RSKERL review of "Lessons Learned " on
Superfund sites. Review comments were provided February 17,1989.
April 6,1988: RSKERL provided technical assistance to Region Vm with respect
to methods of determining mechanical integrity of wells, particularly a noise tool to
determine the movement of fluids behind the casing.
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Site Specific Technical Support-
Site specific technical support of a significant nature has been provided at more than 133 Superfund
sites during the first three years of the RSKERL Superfund Technology Support Center. While some
of the specific requests were only concerned with short term reviews of technical documents, others
involved protracted field and laboratory investigations. At some Superfund sites the RSKERL
involvement was a single event while at others there were multiple requests, and in some cases the
involvement has been more or less continuous. In addition to these, the RSKERL Technical Support
Team has provided assistance through hundreds of phone conversations and information requests.
RSKERL has also provided assistance at 13 RCRA sites where no Superfund resources were used.
The following summaries of activities are provided for sites where RSKERL has provided assistance
of a significant nature. At these sites the official requests for assistance are made in writing from the
RPM or Ground-Water Forum member to the Manager of the Technology Support Center.
Region 1
Stamina Mills Site (88-R01-001)
The Stamina Mills site in North Smithfield, RI, is the location of a landfill where a
TCE spill, of an undetermined magnitude, occurred at some time adjacent to the
landfill. The original Region I request for assistance was made by John Zannos and
concerned the determination of partition coefficients for TCE at the site.
/
The work accomplished at this site included: (1) the determination of soil-water
partition coefficients for samples obtained from the site; (2) an investigation to
determine the soil physical and hydraulic properties, since none were obtained
earlier; and (3) a simulation of contaminant transport from the unsaturated zone based
on available information. All work in response to this request was completed and a
final response was made June 20, 1989. The response detailed the results of the
partition coefficient determination as well as the modeling activities. No further
assistance has been requested directly related to this site.
WJK. Grace & Company Site (88-R01-002)
A formal technical assistance request was received by the RSKERL Technology
Support Center on June 28, 1988, to review a report entitled "Bioremediation
Potential of Acetone, Benzene and Toluene in Soil from a Contaminated Plume." The
request was received from Dave Lang of the Region regarding the W.R. Grace and
Company Superfund Site in Action, MA. Comments were prepared by RSKERL and
sent to Mr. Lang July 12,1988.
Further assistance regarding this site was requested by Dick Willey and Wayne
Robinson of Region I in July, 1989. This assistance was handled via a telephone
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conversation. Advice was requested for selecting soil physical properties to be used
for modeling at the site. Suggestions were made on appropriate estimates of the void
space, solid volume, and water content for the textures specified. No further
assistance has been requested.
Gilson Road Site (89-R01-001)
The Gilson Road site near Nashua, NH, was the location of unpermitted disposal of
household refuse, demolition debris and hazardous materials in the 1960s and 1970s.
An estimated 800,000 gallons of aqueous hazardous wastes were disposed of at the
site between 1975 and 1979. Presently the shallow aquifer and underlying bedrock
aquifer are contaminated with VOCs and S VOCs including tetrahydrofuran, toluene,
benzene, chloroform, methylene chloride, phenols, trichloroethylene, and others.
Currently, the effectiveness of an active pump-and-treat remediation system at the
site is under evaluation.
The first request for RSKERL involvement with the site was received in August 1988.
A preliminary meeting and site visit was made in September, 1988, with Regional
personnel to discuss the limitations of pump-and-treat remediations. Additionally,
RSKERL was requested to participate in a planning meeting with Regional, State, and
contract personnel to discuss ground-water modeling efforts. The Region requested
additional assistance May 2, 1989, to review the contractor's modeling efforts.
Verbal comments were provided to the Region during June 1989, with written
comments being provided September 11, 1989. Comments were concerned with
deficiencies in a modeling report submitted to the Region by a contractor. Suggestions
were also made as to future modeling studies. Additional involvement at the site is
anticipated.
Sommersworth Landfill (89-R01 -002)
The Sommersworth Landfill, located in Sommersworth, NH, is characterized by the
presence of high organic matter in the soil and near surface ground water. Off-site
migration of arsenic and organic compounds has been indicated. The primary organic
compounds found wereDCE.TCE, 1,1-dichloroethane, l,l-dichloroethylene,xylene,
MEK, methylisobutylketone, benzene, toluene, and acetone. The August 22,1989,
request for assistance was concerned with estimating the migration potential of the
contaminants in soils having a high organic carbon content. The problems encountered
were not only those associated with the organics but with arsenic as well. A leaching
test had been proposed in the RI/FS based on a procedure documented by Houle and
Long (1980) in the Proceedings of the 6th Annual Research Symposium (EPA 600/
9-80-010). The original RSKERL response, offered August 24,1989, was a review
of the procedure as it might be affected by conditions at the site. In addition, a
literature search of papers related to the problem were summarized.
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The primary problem continues to be the extent of migration of metals from the site.
It is expected that future activities will involve the evaluation of additional information,
as it becomes available, concerning arsenic migration.
Central Landfill Site (89-R01 -003)
The request for assistance was received September 21, 1989, from John Zannos,
Region I, regarding a teachability study proposed for the Central/Landfill site near
Johnston, RI. The site, containing both municipal and industrial waste, is located over
fractured igneous bedrock with the water table being at approximately 14 feet The
site, which is still in operation, is one of the largest landfills in Rhode Island. There
are numerous organic compounds of concern with none being particularly more
dominant than the others.
The proposed leaching procedures were reviewed by a member of the Technical
S upport Team and an RSKERL research scientist. The resulting comments were sent
to Mr. Zannos on October 4,1989. The basic recommendation was to complement
the column-type test with a batch test as the proposed column test had the potential
of not reaching equilibrium. No further assistance has been requested.
Pine Street Canal (90-R01-001)
The site, at Burlington, VT, is a former coal gasification facility. The primary
contaminants are benzene, toluene, xylene, and polycyclic aromatic compounds.
Both light and dense NAPLs are present. The initial request for assistance, in
February 1990, involved a review of a treatability study work plan and QA/QC
documents.
The treatability study was discussed in depth during a conference call in April 1990.
In addition to members of the RSKERL Technology Support Center, the call included
the RPM, Chris Rascher, PEER Consultants, Metcalf and Eddy Engineers, and RREL
staff.
The main emphasis of current activities by the Region is to evaluate the recovery
potential for the DNAPL (coal tar) via laboratory studies by Metcalf and Eddy, and
to perform a reconnaissance investigation of the PAHs, LN APL, and DNAPL in the
soil and ground water.
On October 1, 1990, a review of the "Treatability Study Work Plan (Pine Street
Superfund Site, Burlington, VT.)" was sent to Chris Rascher, Region I RPM. The
review, made by three members of the RSKERL Technology Support Center,
discussed the project objectives, sample collection, test procedures, data analysis,
and pumping tests, along with other items under review.
Future activities may include a site visit.
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McKin Site (90-R01-002)
The McKin site is a chemical plant located at Gray, ME. Between 1965 and 1978, the
McKin Company operated a waste collection, transfer, and disposal facility. In 1985
the site was ranked number 33 on the NPL Group 1 list.
The first request for assistance, from Richard Willey, hydrogeologist, Region I, was
dated February 8,1990. It involved RSKERL estimating the migration rate of metals,
based on existing data, and providing input to the design of a sampling program to
further define the problem, as well as the design of remediation measures. On March
5, 1990, a response was sent to the Region which included review comments and
recommendations for those portions of the Hydrologic Investigation which involved
inorganic constituents of water samples from the site. The Hydrological Investigation
Plan was prepared by the PRP contractor, Sevee and Maher Engineers.
During the second quarter, documents supplied by the Region were reviewed to
determine if additional sampling would be required to address the question of
facilitated transport of metals. The Technical Support Team expects further requests
from the Region concerning the metals transport question.
SACO Tannery Waste Site (90-R01-003)
The SACO Tannery waste site is located on 233 acres near Saco, ME. The site
contains 53 waste pits and two lagoons which were used for the disposal of chromium
sludge, acid and caustic wastes, and methylene chloride. The major concerns at this
site pertain to the mobility of chromium and facilitated transport of arsenic due to the
change of pH resulting from the use of lime at the site.
The first request for assistance, dated February 8, 1990, involved a definition of
geochemical conditions which promote the mobility of metals including arsenic,
chromium, and lead. The March 19, 1990, response provided a rather detailed
explanation of the theory of metals transport as well as insights gained from a field
scale research investigation of tannery sludges carried out by RSKERL scientists.
On May 23,1990, after a review of the Remedial Investigation Report, two members
of the Technology Support Center met at the site with representatives of Region I and
the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. At that time soil cores were
collected and shipped to RSKERL for studies aimed at characterizing the mobility of
the chromium as well as the possible facilitated transport of arsenic. Those wells that
have shown elevated levels of arsenic were sampled by RSKERL Technology
Support Center personnel during the first week of August 1990.
During the period July 31 through August 2, 1990, three members of RSKERL
conducted colloid transport studies to characterize site material. The tests were run
to address questions essential to the Region in determining the type and extent of
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remediation at the site. Colloidal transport of metals in ground water is a major
research activity at RSKERL, and scientists were able to evaluate state-of-art ground-
water sampling technology while at the same time providing assistance to the Region.
Mottolo Site (90-R01-004)
The request for technical assistance, received February 26,1990, involved a RSKERL
review of a proposed leaching study to be used at the Mottolo Superfund site in
Raymond, NH. Contaminants of highest concentration in soil at the site are toluene,
ethylbenzene, xylene, and methylene chloride. TC A, TCE, and PCE are present in
low concentrations, even in the most contaminated areas.
The response, dated June 1,1990, included discussions about sample locations and
sample handling. A detailed discussion of the proposed leaching procedure was also
provided. No additional requests are expected for this site.
Hooper Sands Removal Site (90-RO1-005)
The Hooper Sands site is located in South Berwick, ME. During the fall of 1989,
approximately 3,000 cubic yards of mixed clays and sands were excavated and
temporarily stored on site. The material contained up to 100,000 ppmdichlorobenzene
isomers, diesel oil, lube oil, and bunker "C" oil. The request for assistance concerned
the applicability of bioremediation to the degradation of the contaminants in the soil
still stored at the site.
The review of preliminary field data was provided in a telephone conversation in
April 1990, and a formal review of the work plan was completed and comments were
provided to the Region in August 1990.
Silresim Site (90-RO 1 -006)
The site, in Lowell, MA, was used as a collection, storage, processing, and disposal
facility for mixed wastes. Dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) and associated
contaminants mainly consist of chlorinated hydrocarbons, substituted benzenes and
aromatic compounds.
In a request dated June 4, 1990, Dick Willey, Region I Hydrogeologist, asked the
RSKERL to review a proposed plan for investigating DNAPLs at the site. The
proposed plan was directed at determining the volume and distribution of DNAPLs
in the field. Also proposed was an investigation of the mobility of DNAPLs using
cores taken from the site. Comments on the plan and recommendations for
improvement were provided to Leslie Me Vickar, Remedial Project Manager, Region
I, on June 19, 1990.
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Sylvester Site at Gilson Road (90-R01-007)
The Gilson Road site, near Nashua, NH, was the location of unpermitted disposal of
household refuse, demolition debris, and hazardous materials in the 1960s and 1970s.
An estimated 800,000 gallons of aqueous hazardous wastes were disposed of at the
site between 1975 and 1979.
Presently the shallow aquifer and underlying bedrock aquifer are contaminated with
VOCs and SVOCs including: tetrahydrofuran, toluene, benzene, chloroform,
methylene chloride, phenols, trichloroethylene, and others. Currently, the effectiveness
of the pump-and-treat remediation system is under evaluation.
The request, dated June 4,1990, specifically addressed assistance in the adaptation
and utilization of an existing simulation model for the site, including the Region's
concerns for:
1. Ongoing extraction of contaminated ground water
within the containment area to be efficient and
expeditious,
2. Recharge of treated ground water to enhance the
flushing of contamination from the containment area,
3. Whatever residual contamination that exists outside
the containment area does not pose a threat to public
health and the environment and,
4. When ground-water treatment goals specified in the
ROD for the containment area are attained (and
pumping ceases) the transport of any remaining
contamination does not pose a threat to the surrounding
area.
RS KERL personnel met separately with Dr. Milovan Beljin, University of Cincinnati,
and Richard Willey, Region I Hydrogeologist, to outline funding needs, determine
the respective responsibilities of those involved, and agree on specific outputs of the
modeling effort. It is anticipated that Dr. Beljin and RSKERL personnel will
coordinate modeling efforts to adapt and utilize an existing model for the site to
address the Regional concerns and improve the efficiency of ongoing pump-and-treat
remediation activities.
Again on August 16,1990, the RSKERL representative met with Regional personnel
in Boston to discuss modeling efforts at the site. It is anticipated that results from
ground-water flow and contaminant transport modeling will help increase the
efficiency of the existing ground-water remediation project.
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Wells G&H Site (90-R01-008)
The Region's request for technology support at the Wells G&H Site, dated August
3,1990, was concerned with an RSKERL review of a proposed soil desorption testing
procedure for the site. The site, located in Wobum, MA, is contaminated with volatile
organics. A rapid response was requested as the Region was negotiating with those
affiliated with the remediation of the site. Essentially the issues of concern are:
1. Are the proposed methods and procedures acceptable?
2. What changes, if any, need to be made in the proposed
tests?
3. Are there other tests that are more appropriate than the
proposed tests?
4. Are there any suggestions regarding the number of samples
that may be needed to obtain reasonable estimates of soil
partitioning for the site?
RSKERL's Technology Support Center responded with a detailed written report on
August 14, 1990. The reviewers agreed that the proposed tests appear to be
acceptable for most conditions, and offered suggestions as how to deal with specific
problems. In addition, other batch tests for determining partition coefficients were
referenced.
New Hampshire Plating Site (90-RO1-009)
The Region IOSC, Janis Tsang, requested technical assistance at the New Hampshire
Plating Site August 27,1990. ThesiteisinMerrimach,NH. Specifically the request
to RSKERL was to assess the credibility of the information provided in the
"Hydrogeological Investigation Report at the New Hampshire Plating Site" as
prepared by the OHM Remediation Services Corporation, the ARCS contractor. The
request was also for continuing support in all hydrogeological aspects of the work at
the site.
The reply, dated September 12, 1990, stated that the report provided the basic
hydrological data necessary to develop a ground-water dewatering program; the
calculations to support the design were not provided.
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Region H
Sarney Farm (88-R02-002)
The Sarney Farm Site, located near Dover Plains, NY, encompasses 5 acres upon
which significant quantities of toxic, flammable, and hazardous substances were
illegally dumped and buried in trenches. This illegal action created both soil and
ground-water contamination problems. Specific wastes include organic solvents,
ink, acid, glue, and machine oil. The proposed remediation includes the construction
and operation of a circulation and aeration biodegradation system.
In September 1987, the Regional RPM requested RSKERL to review and evaluate the
proposed remediation facility. Review comments, provided to the RPM in October
1987, found that the proposed concept and design of the system was technically sound
for the waste found at the site. No further requests for assistance are expected.
Lang Property (89-R02-001)
A request for technical assistance for the Lang Site, dated December 22, 1988,
concerned the appropriateness of utilizing the model "Random Walk" to predict and
describe the transport of chlorinated compounds, PAHs, BTX, and pesticides at this
illegal drum disposal site located in Burlington County, NJ. Several members of the
RSKERL staff reviewed the submitted documents and provided comments and
recommendations to the RPM on January 13, 1989. The thrust of the reply was
directed at the site's hydrogeology and the advantages and disadvantages of using
"Random Walk" to model contaminant transport under the conditions at this site.
Seneca Army Depot Landfill (89-R02-003)
The site, in Romulus, NY, has been proposed for the Federal Facilities NPL. The
existence of a narrow plume of VOC contaminated ground water extending to and
possibly beyond the Depot's western boundary has been documented. The Army has
proposed a carbon filtration wall as an interim remedial measure while more detailed
studies are performed to delineate the full extent of contamination. When asked to
comment on the plan by Kay Stone, RPM, September 12,1989, RSKERL questioned
the design criteria, especially the effectiveness of the wall's sorption capacity as well
as other factors regarding organics and metals at the site.
The RSKERL reply of September 27, 1989, stated that although the design of the
treatment and monitoring system appeared to be sound, other chemical analyses
should be made to determine the breakthrough time of the carbon filtration wall.
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GEMoreau(90-R02-001)
The GE Moreau Site, in Moreau, NY, was used as an industrial waste disposal site
from 1958 to 1968. An evaporation pit at the site received 452 tons of waste materials,
including; trichloroethylene, trans-1,2-dichloroethylene, vinyl chloride, 1,1,1-
trichloroethane, tetrachloroethylene, methylene chloride, and chloroform. A plume
of VOCs has been identified that originates at the disposal pit and follows regional
ground water flow to the south-southeast. A slurry wall was constructed around the
evaporation pit in 1984. Contaminated ground water is currently being treated at the
discharge point along the escarpment by air stripping.
Alison A. Hess, Region II, requested technical assistance from RSKERL in a letter
dated October 30,1989. All written correspondence between RSKERL and Regional
personnel are Enforcement Confidential. RSKERL and Dynamac personnel have
met with EPA Regional, and State personnel to discuss the limitations of pump-and-
treat remediation technology. A draft report was submitted to Region II in January
1990.
During April 1990, interim final technical review comments and recommendations
were provided to the Regional RPM regarding the feasibility of implementing pump-
and-treat technology at the site. In addition to the RSKERL Technology Support
Team, Dr. Mark Brusseau of the University of Arizona participated in the review and
the development of recommendations. These final recommendations discouraged
the use of pump-and-treat technology based on modeling studies incorporating the
effects of hydraulic conductivity heterogeneities, sorption capacity heterogeneities,
and desorption non-equilibrium.
During September 18-19, 1990, RSKERL conducted a site visit and met with the
RPM and PRP contractor to discuss the efficiency of ongoing site remediation
activities which consist of natural flushing and treatment.
GEMS Landfill (90-R02-002)
The GEMS Landfill is a municipal site located in Glouster Township, NJ. Acetone,
toluene, other organics, and trace metal contaminants have been isolated in the site's
soil and ground water.
The Regional request for assistance involved a review of the Draft Preliminary
Design Report, Phase II. Review comments were provided to the Region on January
30, 1990. The geology and hydrogeology of the site were summarized along with
observations on the strengths and weaknesses of the data presented, the methods used
in data interpretation, and some apparent inconsistencies in the conclusions obtained.
Considerable effort was dedicated to the proposed modeling plan for the site
including the assumptions used in defining boundaries, recharge, and grid design. In
addition, several comments were offered for improving the modeling component of
the design report.
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Kentucky Avenue Well Field Site (90-R02-003)
The Kentucky Avenue Well Field Site, located in the Village of Horseheads,
Chemung County, NY, covers about 4,500 acres overlying a valley-filled aquifer.
Approximately 20 potential sources of contamination have been identified which
may be responsible for contaminating ground water with VOAs (primarily TCE) and
metals (primarily chromium).
In a November 6,1989, request from Pamela Tames, Region II, RSKERL was asked
to review three different contractor pumping scenarios for remediating the aquifer.
Verbal comments were provided on several occasions and written comments were
sent on January 24,1990.
The response was directed toward rather specific questions contained in the letter of
request, including: the model used in the RI/FS; the time of remediation; the
reinjection of water; and the probable cause of chromium contamination.
The models proposed for the study were discussed along with the hydrological
parameters needed for their proper use. It was suggested that the chromium problem
did not appear to be related to screen deterioration and ideas were offered for locating
the source of the problem.
Nascolite Site (90-R02-004)
See 90-R02-010
The Nascolite site is located in the cities of Millville and Vineland, Cumberland, NJ.
Between 1953 and 1980 the Nascolite Corporation manufactured polymethyl
methacrylate (MMA) sheets, commonly known as plexiglass, at the 17.5 acre facility.
Waste residues from the distillation of scrap acrylic, a manufacturing by-product,
were stored in buried tanks on site. In 1981 and 1983, the New Jersey Department
of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) conducted ground-water investigations at the
site and found significant concentrations of VOCs with MMA up to 5,000 ppm. In
addition, over 100 fifty-five gallon drums were found buried, along with several
buried tanks.
A telephone request was received from Region n on November 8,1989, concerning
the Nascolite Site in Millville and Vineland, NJ. It is the location of a spill of methyl
methacrylate from underground storage tanks. The request was primarily for
information concerning the properties of methyl methacrylate (MMA or liquid
plexiglass). The problem was that the contaminant was in the ground water, but
seemed to disappear in the summer and reappear during the winter. The advice given
to the Region was that the fluctuation of the ground-water table was a possible
explanation for this observation. Additional conversations were held with Regional
staff on November 9,1989, concerning chemical properties of the contaminant and
possible extraction technologies.
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Sharkey Landfill (90-R02-005)
A formal technical assistance request was received from Region II on August 28,
1989, to review the modeling application being proposed for the Sharkey Landfill in
Morris County, NJ. The landfill is composed of three distinct fill areas, all with a near
surface water table. The "North Fill" is located on a small island in the Rockaway
River. The primary goal was to develop a hydraulic scheme to prevent movement of
contaminants from the fill areas without adversely affecting the hydrology of the
system.
The Princeton Transport Code had been recommended to develop this scheme, and
the Region requested RSKERL to review the applicability of the code under these
circumstances. The review was carried out in-house as well as through a technical
assistance contract with the International Ground Water Modeling Center (IGWMC)
in Indianapolis, IN. The RSKERL reviewer sent comments to the Region September
14, 1989, and the IGWMC followed on September 22, 1989. There has been no
further assistance provided at this site but the Region has suggested that additional
requests will be made to evaluate the use of the Princeton model as well as the USGS
Solute Transport Model.
FAA Technical Center (90-R02-006)
The Regional request, dated January 3,1990, was for a review of a treatability study
for Area 29 at the Fire Training Center in Atlantic County, NJ. The plan was to
enhance the biodegradability of PAHs with the addition of hydrogen peroxide. On
January 22,1990, comments were offered as to the scientific approach of determining
degradation rates including the use of microcosms, sample collection, microbial
characterization, and the chemical characterization of soil and ground water.
Fate and Transport of Inorganic Contaminants in New Jersey Soils (90-R02-007)
The request for assistance was made by the New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection in a letter dated December 19,1990. It requested RSKERL to review two
proposals which had been submitted to that State Agency to develop mathematical
models for predicting the movement of selected metals through soils. Also RSKERL
determined transport constants from equilibrium data using New Jersey soils. The
evaluation of this data was completed and sent to the State on January 23,1990. It
is expected that further evaluations will be required as additional information is made
available.
St. Croix, Virgin Islands (90-R02-008)
During Hurricane Hugo, in September 1989, an oil storage tank release resulted in the
contamination of approximately 12,000 cubic yards of beach sand on St. Croix with
Bunker C (No. 6) fuel oil components. The Chief of the Response and Prevention
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Branch in Region II requested assistance from the RSKERL Technology Support
Center in selecting and designing a remediation process for the contaminated sand.
Two members of the RSKERL Technical Support Team accompanied the Region II
On-Scene Coordinator to St. Croix in early January 1990, to examine the site, discuss
potential treatment options, visit prospective land treatment locations, talk to local
authorities, define the actual extent of the problem, and collect samples for analyses.
Following a literature evaluation and examination of the data collected at the site, a
detailed screening evaluation of the proposed treatment options was prepared and
submitted to the Region on January 26, 1990. If bioremediation is die treatment
alternative selected, RSKERL will be asked to help design the land treatment facility.
Niagara Mohawk (90-R02-009)
The Niagara Mohawk site, located in Saratoga Springs, NY, was a manufactured gas
plant (MGP) constructed by the Saratoga Gas Light Company in 1873 and operated
until 1929. After closure as an MGP, the site became and still operates as a service
and maintenance facility for electric and gas utilities. Major contaminants at the site
are PAH compounds, phenolics and cyanide.
Brooks Mullen, Region II RPM, in a request dated February 20, 1990, asked the
RSKERL Technology Support Center to review the Draft RI/FS Work Plan on
February 20,1990. Review comments were provided in early March 1990, followed
by a conference call discussing these comments. In general, reviewers expressed
concern as to whether or not the field work proposed would provide a sufficient data
base for decision making. A detailed soil boring program was recommended.
A revised RI/FS Work Plan was received for review on March 14,1990. Review
comments were provided March 30,1990, with a follow-up teleconference. Concerns
about the extent of the field work were alleviated. Possible safety problems were
expressed; however, since a sniff test was proposed for cyanide contaminated soils,
it was suggested that contaminants other than from MGD sites could be present
Upon completion of the RI/FS, the RSKERL will be requested to review and
comment on the final document.
Nascolite Corporation (90-R02-010)
See 90-R02-004
The Nascolite site is located in the cities of Millville and Vineland, Cumberland, NJ.
Between 1953 and 1980 the Nascolite Corporation manufactured polymethyl
methacrylate (MMA) sheets, commonly known as plexiglass, at the 17.5 acre facility.
Waste residues from the distillation of scrap acrylic, a manufacturing by-product,
were stored in buried tanks on site. In 1981 and 1983, the New Jersey Department
of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) conducted ground-water investigations at the
site and found significant concentrations of VOCs with MMA up to 5,000 ppm. In
addition, over 100 fifty-five gallon drums were found buried, along with several
buried tanks.
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The Kansas City District Army Corps of Engineers is designing a pump-and-treat
remediation system. The request for assistance is for a technical review of the
remediation design at 35,65, and 95 percent completion.
On June 8,1990, following a review of the document at 35 percent completion, two
members of the RSKERL TSC met in Gainesville, FL, with representatives of the
Region, Corps of Engineers, and Environmental Science and Engineering Inc., the
firm preparing the design analysis. Various aspects of the proposed pump-and-treat
system were discussed, along with the direction that will be taken in completing the
remediation plan.
South Jersey Clothing and Garden State Cleaners Site (90-R02-011)
The site includes long-term contaminant disposal of two different hazardous wastes
from adjacent businesses in the Buena Borough, Atlantic County, NJ. The South
Jersey Clothing Company (S JCC), aclothing manufacturer, has apparently discharged
TCE wastewater and sludge near their building since the early 1940s. Across the
street, the Garden State Cleaners (GSC) has dumped PCE waste cleaning fluid since
1966. Both of these contaminants have been discovered in local domestic wells.
On May 21, 1990, the Regional Project Manager, Sharon Atkinson, requested the
RSKERL to review the site contractor's proposal for Phase n, a possible additional
phase of investigation. On June 15,1990, a written review and extensive comments
were provided to the Region monitoring well installation and the performance of an
existing pump-and-treat system.
Region TTT
Greenwood Chemical Site (88-R03-001)
See 90-R03-003 and 90-R03-004
The Greenwood Chemical Site is an area of about 15 acres in Newton, VA. The
property was used as a batch processing facility for the production of various organic
chemicals. Ground-water contamination, resulting from a drum disposal area
consisting of five lagoons, has occurred in the shallow aquifer as well as the fractured
bedrock aquifer. The major contaminants were naphthalene and acetic acid.
On March 2, 1988, Region III requested that RSKERL provide assistance in
reviewing plans for aquifer tests, time-series sampling, and cation-anion distribution
to characterize upper and lower aquifer interconnection. After reviewing the
technical documents supplied by the Region, additional assistance was provided via
teleconferences with Regional staff and their consultants.
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In a later request, dated July 26,1988, RSKERL was contacted regarding restoration
levels at the site and procedures for determining partition coefficients. Procedures
developed at RSKERL for making these determinations were provided to the Region.
Drake Chemical Site (88-R03-002)
A technical assistance request for the Drake Chemical Company Site in Lock Haven,
PA, was received in early 1987 from the Region El Ground Water Forum Member.
The request was for assistance in the development of appropriate laboratory analytical
procedures and the determination of site-specific partition coefficients. RSKERL
was also requested to develop a revised version of its RITZ model for application at
the site. Laboratory and model development activities were performed during the
summer of 1987. The ConPro model was developed from this work and the
laboratory procedures were documented in an internal report and are the basis for
other work which is currently being done. The internal report on the laboratory
procedures and the model were provided to the Region December 3,1987.
Douglassville Disposal Site (88-R03-003)
The Douglassville Disposal Site in Berks County, PA, is an abandoned waste disposal
facility. In December 1987, the Region in RPM requested that the RSKERL review
the report on proposed source control technologies for this site and provide additional
assistance as requested for subsequent stages of the remediation process.
Review comments and recommendations pertaining to source control technologies
were provided to the RPM in February 1988. In general, the report was found to be
a very comprehensive and well written evaluation of potential source control
technologies for this site. Specific comments addressing new information and
situations forin situ biodegradation, land treatment, and pump-and-treat technologies
were provided. In June 1988, the RPM requested a review of the draft remedial,
technical, and treatability study evaluation report Review comments were provided
in July 1988. The reviewers found the documents to be well written but much less
comprehensive than the original document
Ashland Floreffe Terminal (88-R03-004)
The Ashland Floreffe Terminal is a site near Pittsburgh, PA, where a ruptured diesel
tank at a tank farm resulted in large scale contamination of surface water, soil, and
possibly ground water. The Region III Project Manager requested RSKERL
scientists to review the proposed remedial action plan for the contaminated soils. The
RSKERL informed the RPM of the remediation plan's major problems on April 19,
1988, during a meeting in Bethesda, MD. Later these comments were provided to the
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources (P ADER) by the RPM during
a telephone conversation.
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In subsequent meetings, a bioremediation plan was formulated for the contaminated
soils. In July 1988, RSKERL was requested to review the work plan to assure that
the discrepancies had been corrected. Review comments were made available to the
Region in September 1988. The reviewers stated that the discrepancies had been
eliminated and that the plan was scientifically sound if implemented in the manner
stated. A site visit by three RSKERL scientists was made in November 1989, to
observe the area of contamination and the land treatment operation.
In January 1990, the RSKERL Technology Support Center was requested to review
the field data collected in 1989. Review comments were provided to PADER in late
January 1990. Reviewers felt that conclusions drawn were not supported by the
highly variable data presented. Also concern was expressed with the site operational
practices, especially tilling frequencies and soil packing.
A request to review the final data collected in 1990 is expected.
LA. Clark Wood Treating Site (88-R03-005)
This 40 acre site near Fredericksburg, VA, is contaminated with polynuclear
aromatic compounds from wood treatment using creosote over a 50-year period.
Over the years soil and sediment contamination resulted from facility operation spills
and waste streams entering drainage ditches. Also, wastewater was sprayed around
the storage yard to control dust The proposed remedial action involves pumping and
recovery of free-phase creosote, soil flushing using surfactants, and in-situ soil
bioremediation using land treatment techniques.
Since receipt of the technical assistance request in January 1987, a number of support
actions have been requested and completed. The initial request was to evaluate the
feasibility of bioremediation at the site. Review comments were provided to the RPM
in 1987. Reviewers considered bioremediation to be one feasible treatment alternative
for the site; however, it was stressed that site specific conditions would ultimately
determine if, and to what extent, bioremediation would be appropriate in the overall
site cleanup plan.
In December 1987, a copy of the Bioplume Model was provided to the Region for use
in determining the potential for use of in-situ bioremediation for contaminated
ground waters at the site. In May 1988,theRPMrequestedreviewof the soil washing/
bioreclamation proposal for contaminated soils at the site. Review comments plus
soil washing information for another wood preserving site were provided to the RPM
in 1988. Reviewers again pointed out the need for site-specific studies prior to
making a final decision. A follow-up conference call to discuss the review comments
was held in June 1988.
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The revised remedial design plan was received for review in September 1989;
comments were provided in October 1989. Reviewers expressed concern about the
lack of bioremediation and hydrogeological expertise by the site contractor. It was
recommended that such expertise be obtained prior to initiating free-phase product
removal and bioremediation demonstration studies.
A site visit was made in November 1989. Three members of the RSKERL
Technology Support Center met with the RPM plus the Remediation Team and
Laboratory Director (Hydrosy stems, Inc.) for the PRP. The proposed site remediation
plan and RSKERL review comments were discussed. Questions regarding in-situ
bioremediation, site characterization and recovery of free-phase product were
answered.
A meeting was held in June 1990, with the RPM to discuss progress at the site. A
request for assistance will be submitted by the RPM for a review of the revised
remediation plan including the location and removal of DNAPLs and bioremediation.
Henderson Road (88-R03-006)
See 90-R03-001
The Henderson Road Site, located in upper Merion Township, PA, consists of 7.6
acres located approximately 2,000 feet south and upgradient of the Upper Merion
Reservoir, a public water supply in which volatile organic compounds have been
detectedsince 1979. VOCs are present in the unsaturated and saturated fractured rock
at the site.
RSKERL provided verbal and written comments to LEMSCO, a technical support
contractor for EMSL-LV, regarding soil vacuum extraction and fracture
characterization at the site.
Hereford Township Site (88-R03-007)
Ground water at the Hereford Township Site in Berks County, PA, has been
contaminated by the surface disposal of TCE which took place at one or more sites
on the Crossley farm, a rural area near the town of Huffs Church. TCE contaminated
private wells in an area about two miles long and one mile wide. The site is
characterized by strong topographic relief and is underlain by a mixed fractured
bedrock/fractured carbonate system. The distribution of TCE in the wells is very
erratic and does not appear to follow an easily discernable pattern.
RSKERL was asked by the Environmental Response Branch (ERB) for assistance in
understanding the hydrology of the site. RSKERL obtained and analyzed water
samples from monitoring and domestic wells during May 1988. Samples were
analyzed for major naturally occurring anions and cations to see if geochemical
analysis could be used to understand the complex hydrogeology, and to make sense
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of the erratic distribution of TCE in the ground water. Such an understanding was
needed before any attempt at remediation could be undertaken. The report was
submitted to the Region in January 1989. The study facilitated an understanding of
the hydrogeology and confirmed that the system is very complex.
GP1A Midfield Terminal (89-R03-002)
During preliminary construction activities at the newly proposed Greater Pittsburgh
International Terminal in Allegheny County, PA, an old dump site was discovered
that was contaminated with a variety of petroleum hydrocarbons, including PAHs.
On-site remediation involving treatment in a prepared bed was proposed for the
contaminated soil.
In May 1989, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources requested
that the RSKERL Technology Support Center review plans for the proposed
treatment demonstration. Review comments and follow-up discussions were provided
in June 1989. In general, the reviewers felt that the consulting firm that designed the
system lacked the expertise needed to carry out the proposed studies. As a result,
appropriate experts were contacted and revisions were made in the final plan. After
the remediation system was activated, three RSKERL scientists visited the site at the
request of the State Project Manager.
Lord-Shape Landfill (89-R03-003)
The Lord-Shope Site, located near Erie, PA, consists of afour acre capped landfill and
surrounding contaminated soil. Prior to capping, a variety of waste solvents were
disposed in the landfill in bulk (liquid) and containerized (drums) form.
At the request of Region III, the RSKERL Technology Support Center reviewed the
results of a soil vacuum extraction (SVE) Meld test at the site. At a meeting held in
Philadelphiaon October 18,1989.RSKERL ad visedRegionalandStaterepresentatives
that vacuum extraction may not be capable of remediating semi-contained waste
solids in deteriorated drums. SVE could be used to reduce subsurface vapor
concentrations to acceptable levels within the presently capped landfill. Contaminated
areas outside the landfill could be effectively remediated using SVE.
Future activities may include the proposal of methods for soil restoration standards
and a review of the proposed pilot scale plan and results.
Tysons Site (89-R03-004)
The Tysons Superfund Site is a 4-acre abandoned septic and chemical waste disposal
facility located in southeastern Pennsylvania. During its operation from 1962 to
1970, several unlined lagoons were used to dispose of various industrial, municipal,
and chemical wastes. Soils are highly contaminated with 1,2,3,-trichloropropane,
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toluene, and xylene with lesser amounts of trichloroethylene, ethylbenzene,
dichlorobenzenc, and tetrachloroethene. Soil vacuum extraction (SVE) is currently
being applied to remediate soils at the site. Region m requested technical assistance
at the Tysons Site to evaluate the operation of the SVE system and potential causes
of well clogging by a black tar-like viscous material.
On October 23,1989, RSKERL sent a detailed review of the on-site and off-site RI/
FS reports. In addition, suggestions for addressing operational problems with the
remediation project were provided, and arrangements were made for RSKERL to
conduct analyses of tar-like material found at the site. Further activities involved a
review of well clogging data from the extraction wells and an evaluation of the
performance of the SVE system.
In February 1990, RSKERL provided Region HI comments on a list of questions
from the U.S. Department of Justice regarding SVE operations. Generally, RSKERL
believed that: the extraction well clogging could not have been anticipated prior to the
SVE operation; the remediation goal will probably not be met within the stipulated
time period; and the SVE operation may require some refinement
On September 13,1990, a TSC member and Dr. Dan Evans from the University of
Arizona met in Philadelphia with Regional personnel and the PRPs and their
contractor. The Region requested RSKERL to provide recommendations for
assessing the performance of the active soil vacuum extraction system. RSKERL is
continuing to provide assistance.
Henderson Road - Injection Well (90-R03-001)
See 88-R03-006
The Henderson Road Superfund Site is located in southeastern Pennsylvania. Liquid
and semisolid wastes were introduced into the subsurface via an injection well which
had been previously used as an industrial water supply well. The waste products
disposed of in the injection well are unknown; however, high concentrations of
toluene, 1,1-dichloroethane, benzene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, and perchloroethylene
have been detected in ground water with lesser concentrations of trichloroethylene,
1,2-dichloroethane, chloroform, 1,2-dichloroethene, and vinyl chloride.
The site stratigraphy consists primarily of 40 to 60 feet of silty clay soil underlain by
unsaturated and saturated limestone containing large solution cavities and fractures.
The depth to water is variable throughout the site, but is frequently encountered at 120
feet below grade. It is believed that most of the waste was injected directly into
cavities in the saturated zone. There is, however, a possibility that some waste
migrated through fractures and cavities in the unsaturated zone due to mounding
during disposal.
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A Record of Decision was signed in June 1988, for remediation of the Injection Well
Operable Unit. The ROD stipulated further characterization of the unsaturated zone
to determine the applicability of vacuum extraction or another technology. As part
of this work, the PRPs retained a consulting firm to collect additional soil samples and
conducted subsurface air flow testing. Region HI requested that RSKERL review this
work and provide ongoing comprehensive oversight of the PRPs' efforts in evaluating
the applicability of soil vacuum extraction.
In April 1990, RSKERL met with Region III to evaluate work completed to date by
the responsible parties. The feasibility of air sparging of ground water in solution
cavities, the potential presence of contaminants in the unsaturated zone, and the need
for additional unsaturated zone characterization was discussed.
In May 1990, RSKERL provided the Region with comments on thePRPs' unsaturated
zone characterization report. Primarily, the investigation conducted by the PRPs was
an attempt to understand migration pathways from the injection well into solution
cavities and fractures in the unsaturated portion of the bedrock. The PRPs' consultant
believes that there is little or no contaminant mass in the unsaturated zone because:
(1) staining from immiscible fluids was not visibly noticeable on drilling cores and
rock cuttings; (2) immiscible fluids were not observed while conducting borehole TV
scans above the water table; and (3) the highest concentrations of volatile organic
vapors were detected only when drilling at depths below the water table.
Based on these findings, the consultant concluded that vapors detected in solution
cavities are from offgassing (i.e., volatilization) from the water table, not from
contaminant mass in the unsaturated zone itself. RSKERL stated that while the
consultant's observations do provide some evidence to support their assertion, the
possibility that a significant source of volatile contaminants in the unsaturated zone
still exists. The probability of detecting remnant waste or immiscible fluids in
unsaturated solution cavities or fractures is very small given the number of boreholes
and the cross sectional area of solution cavities and fractures in the disposal area.
RSKERL stated that an increase in vapor concentrations while drilling through
contaminated ground water may represent an increase over baseline values for vapor
concentrations generated by saturated and unsaturated sources. An increase in vapor
concentrations while drilling through the saturated zone could be interpreted to mean
that there is no unsaturated contaminant source.
In attempting to discern potential previous pathways of contaminant migration, the
consultant conducted air flow testing of open boreholes (i.e., not cased in the
unsaturated limestone). Testing consisted of applying a vacuum to individual
boreholes and observing air flow in other boreholes. In RSKERL's opinion, the
testing was inconclusive and hampered with quality control problems. Also,
RSKERL was concerned with the goal of air flow testing. The consultant believes
that the fact that connections exist between boreholes is more important than the
nature of the connections. RSKERL stated that pneumatic connections between
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boreholes are meaningless unless it can be shown that connectiveness is in fractures
or cavities which could have received gravity driven flow or lie below cavities found
in the unsaturated portion of the injection well.
Region III has requested that RSKERL provide specific recommendations on
methods to better characterize the unsaturated zone and evaluate the applicability of
vapor extraction. RSKERL has drafted a series of recommendations and is awaiting
review by the Region, EPA-HDQS, USGS, and the Dynamac Corporation.
On September 12,1990, an RSKERL representative along with Dr. Dan Evans of the
University of Arizona attended a meeting in Philadelphia to discuss activities at the
site. Also attending the meeting were Regional personnel and the PRPs and their
contractor. The Region has requested RSKERL to prepare a workplan for submittal
to the responsible parties which entails further site characterization to determine the
source of vapors so that remediation using SVE can proceed.
William Dick Lagoons Site (90-R03-002)
This NPL site is in Chester County, PA. The request for assistance centers on the
evaluation of a soil vacuum extraction system at the site. Specifically, the request was
to: (1) determine the applicability of SVE technology, (2) provide recommendations
for obtaining additional data not included in the Draft RI, and (3) provide
recommendations for performing treatability tests if vacuum extraction appears to be
a strong candidate for remediation. A meeting was held at the site with the RPM on
February 9,1990,to discuss ongoing activities.
At the January 24,1990,request of the Region, RSKERL again provided assistance
concerning the applicability of SVE at the site. In a response dated August 30,1990,
the review suggested that a well designed SVE system would remediate most, but not
all contaminated soils at the site through venting as well as biodegradation.
Greenwood Chemical Site - Pattern Diagrams (90-R03-003)
See 88-R03-001 and 90-R03-004
The 18-acre Greenwood Chemical site, located in Albemarle County, VA. was the
waste disposal facility for the Greenwood Chemical Company for 40 years. The use
of unlined lagoons, surface storage of drums, and direct waste burial resulted in the
contamination of soil and ground water by a wide variety of organic and inorganic
chemicals.
Since 1988, numerousrequestsfortechnical assistance have been received concerning
this site. This particular request, dated February 6, 1990, involved an RSKERL
computer program to create pattern diagrams using major cations/anions and pH data
from wells at the Greenwood Chemical site. The program is used to determine if
interconnections between the aquifers exist and if chemicals from the site have
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resulted in ground-water contamination. The diagrams have been completed and
provided to the Region. Additional requests are expected for assistance in interpretation.
Greenwood Chemical Site - Modeling (90-R03-004)
See 88-R03-001 and 90-R03-003
The 18-acre Greenwood Chemical site, located in Albemarle County, VA, was the
waste disposal facility for the Greenwood Chemical Company for 40 years. The use
of unlined lagoons, surface storage of drums, and direct waste burial resulted in the
contamination of soil and ground water by a wide variety of inorganic and organic
chemicals including naphthalene and acetic acid.
Numerous requests for technical assistance have been received on this site. This
request involves the evaluation of a model proposed for use at the site. The State
received a proposal to develop a numerical solute transport model to be used to
perform simulations for various remediation scenarios at the site. This request for
assistance concerned a review of this proposal and a subsequent meeting with
Regional Staff to discuss the model followed by a meeting with the model developer.
The document has been received and is being reviewed.
On June 14,1990, two members of the RSKERL Technology Support Center met in
Washington, D.C., with Regional and State personnel. It was the opinion of the
reviewers that the use of an equivalent porous media approach was not appropriate
for this site.
Trans Tech Site (90-R03-005)
The Trans-Tech site is located in Adamstown, MD. The responsible party, Trans-
Tech Inc., is a manufacturer of ceramic components for the microwave industry. In
1985, analyses of ground-water samples from nearby residential wells revealed the
presence of 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA) and trichloroethylene (TCE). Analyses
from monitoring wells indicated that a ground-water contaminant plume was emanating
from a source located near the northeast corner of the Trans-Tech property.
Trans-Tech Inc. conducted a soil boring and soil venting field study in July, 1989.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether 1,1,1-trichloroethane and 1,1-
dichloroethane in soil gas were due to ground water contamination and to evaluate the
feasibility of soil vacuum extraction (SVE) application. Trans-Tech's consultant,
O'Brien & Gere, concluded that VOCs observed in soil-gas surveys were a result of
volatilization from the water table and that soils found at the site lack sufficient
permeability to apply soil venting. Soils at the site were described as silt with a trace
of fine sand and clay.
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At the request of the Maryland Department of the Environment, the RSKERL
Technology S upport Centerreviewed these findings and concluded that the study was
deficient, especially in regard to flow and pressure measurements. The report did not
adequately demonstrate the feasibility of inducing air flow in soils nor the assertion
that VOCs in soil result from volatilization from the water table. RSKERL
recommended further soil-gas work and soils analyses and another venting field test
using appropriate equipment and measurement techniques.
Eastern Diversified Metals (90-R03-006)
The Eastern Diversified Metals (EDM) Site is a former metals reclamation facility
located in Rush Township, Schuylkill County, PA. EDM reclaimed copper and
aluminum from wire and cable by chopping the wire and stripping the plastic
coverings with steel blades. No solvents or chemicals were used in die process. The
waste plastic and insulation materials were dumped in a swale area behind the plant
creating a "fluff pile, which is the cause of soil and ground-water contamination at
this site.
On February 5, 1990, a request was made that the RSKERL Technology Support
Center review the Feasibility Study Report, along with other documents, and make
comments and recommendations. Due to time limitations, the response, dated April
16,1990, was prepared by Geodyssey Inc.
Revere Chemical Site (90-R03-007)
The 70 acre chemical company site is located near Doylestown and New Hope in
Bucks County, PA, and contains about 20 acres of highly contaminated lagoons and
a sludge disposal area. Contaminants of primary interest at the site are metals
associated with the reclamation of circuit boards such as antimony, arsenic, beryllium,
chromium, copper, lead, and vanadium. Other contaminants of concern are volatile
organic compounds, base/neutral extractable compounds, and PCBs.
In a request dated September 11,1990, the RPM, Donna McCartney, asked RSKERL
for an evaluation of a serial batch extraction test (Houle and Long) for potential use
in characterizing the fate and transport of metals as a part of the RI/FS at the Revere
Site. To date, several discussions have taken place through telephone conversations
between RSKERL Technology Support Center, the Region, the PRPs and their
contractor, Dames and Moore.
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Region IV
Geiger Site (87-R04-001)
The five-acre site near Charleston, SC, centers around earthen lagoons where waste
oil was stored prior to incineration. The sandy bottoms of the unlined lagoons,
constructed between 1969 and 1971, are near or at the water table. Ground water from
the site appears to discharge to environmentally sensitive wetlands. The primary
contaminants appear to be benzene, lead, and chromium.
RSKERL and Regional personnel conducted an aquifertest and logged selected wells
at the site during the week of November 16,1987. A report containing interpretations
of drawdown, recovery, geochemical and geophysical data collected during the field
study was submitted to the Region in May 1988.
Tower Chemical Site (88-R04-001)
The Tower Chemical Site near Orlando, FL, manufactured and distributed various
pesticides and fungicides. The major products were a miticide (chlorobenzilate) and
a copper-based fungicide. Past disposal practices resulted in ground-water and soil
contamination. The contaminated shallow surficial aquifer overlies the Floridan
Aquifer, a major source of ground water in the State of Florida.
On December 30, 1987, Region FV requested technical assistance in designing,
instrumenting, and conducting aquifer tests at the site. During March 19-21,1988,
RSKERL provided instrumentation and expertise to Regional personnel and conducted
two aquifer tests to better understand the complicated hydrogeology associated with
relic sink holes present at the site. Data were provided to the Region and technical
support contractor April 20, 1988.
Perdido GW Contamination Site (88-R04-002)
See 88-R04-003
On February 29,1988, the RSKERL Technology Support Center received a request
from Region IV for technical assistance to review a no-action remediation proposal
for this site in Perdido, AL. The no-action remediation was based on the assumption
that the natural microbial activity could take care of the problem.
The site was the scene of a train derailment and the spillage of benzene in the late
1960s. The overall response of the Technical Support Team was that a no-action
remediation would not be appropriate. A memorandum containing the RSKERL
comments was sent February 17, 1988, and was followed by several phone
conversations. No other request was received on this topic; however, another request
was later received to review a pump-and-treat proposal for this site.
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Perdido GW Contamination, Pump-and-Treat (88-R04-003)
See 88-R04-002
A second Regional request for technical assistance was received for this site in
Perdido, AL, in March 1988. The request involved a review of a pump-and-treat
proposal and the potential for bioremediation. A formal response was made by
RSKERL March 17,1989. There were several otherrequests which were handled by
phone conversations. The final written request was made by the Region IV
Engineering Forum Member on July 5,1989, which concerned a review of the RI/FS
before site activities moved to the ROD stage. The July 25,1989, RSKERL response
suggested an agreement with the "no-action" alternative, however, it was emphasized
that good plume characterization was needed to assure remediation was occurring.
Whitehouse Oil Pits (89-R04-001)
On November 10,1988, Paul Barber, Kansas City District of the Corps of Engineers,
requested RSKERL to comment on the use of the Hume Process for treating
contaminated soil at the Whitehouse Oil Pits Site in Jacksonville, FL. Basically, the
Hume Process uses a microbial elixir or proteins and special organics to accelerate
the activity of natural bacteria. The problem at the Whitehouse Oil Pits Site is the
leaching of metals and organics from sludges. The original Corps of Engineers plan
was to solidify the sludge with cement, but organics in the sludge made this process
difficult and not very successful from an environmental standpoint. The RSKERL
response of November 11,1988, notes that the sludge contains solids that would be
difficult to separate, such as bed springs, car bodies, and tree stumps. The work plan
for testing the Hume Process was too brief to allow comment.
Chemtronics (89-R04-002)
On December 13, 1988, the Region requested information on the remediation
capabilities and limitations of pump-and-treat technologies. The State maintains that
remediation levels for this site in Swannanoa, NC, should be to background (zero
VOC) concentrations.
On January 8,1989, RSKERL sent the Region a package of information containing
articles and reprints of work done at RSKERL and abroad, as well as the Pump-and-
Treat Issue Paper outlining the chemical and physical processes which affect this
technology's effectiveness.
Koppers/Beazer Wood Treating Facility (90-R04-001)
This active wood treating site is located about 1.5 miles east of Florence, SC. The
plant site encompasses 200 acres where various wood treatment processes have been
underway since 1946usingcreosote, pentachlorophenol,copper-chromatedarsenicals,
and fire retardants. Contaminants are present in the site's soil and ground water.
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The request for assistance, received November 15,1989, centered on an assessment
of the data being collected at the site in terms of its significance in selecting
appropriate remediation technology for contaminated soil and ground water. In
addition to a visit by the RPM to RSKERL in December, 1989, there have been a
number of phone conversations dealing with remedial investigation sampling. A
detailed review of the site investigation plan was submitted by RSKERL on
December 14,1989, covering geology and hydrogeology in addition to monitoring
well construction, sampling methods, and appropriate sampling parameters.
A site visit by RSKERL Technology Support Center Staff was conducted March 27-
28,1990, to discuss the potential applicability of bioremediation at the site and the
need for and location of additional monitoring wells required for hydrogeology
investigations. The meeting included representatives from the State of South
Carolina, PRP and PRP contractor, and Region IV.
A meeting was held in June 1990, in Starkville, MS, with the PRP contractor and Dr.
Gary McGinnis of Mississippi State University. The potential for initiating a soil and
ground water bioremediation demonstration at the site was discussed.
At the request of the Regional RCRA Project Manager, RSKERL attended a meeting
in Atlanta on August 14, 1990, to discuss project activities and status at the site.
Others at the meeting included Regional RCRA and Superfund project managers,
State RCRA and Risk Assessment personnel, and the PRP and PRP contract
personnel. A number of site specific technical issues were addressed, and the Region
requested thatRSKERL continue toprovideassistanceduringsubsequentremediation
activities including oversite of all bioremediation studies.
Following the August 14,1990, meeting, RSKERL reviewed the Draft Interim RFI
Report. Comments provided to the Region on August 24,1990, found the do ument
to be marked ly improved over an earlier version, especially with respect to hydrology.
Other areas of concern were discussed in depth.
Hardeman County Landfill (90-R04-004)
The Hardeman Site was an active landfill from 1964 to 1973 used for the disposal
of plant waste generated at the Memphis, TN, Velsicol Chemical Corporation Plant
Site. Due to the extent of ground-water contamination with pesticides, the Use of the
local aquifer for a domestic water supply was halted in 1979. A cap was placed on
the site in 1980.
The basic request for assistance, dated June 6, 1990, involved a review of the RI,
possible additional characterization at the site, and the potential of developing an FS.
During June 5-7, 1990, RSKERL visited the site to assist in the evaluation of the
characterization data. Also present were representatives fromEPA's RREL-Cincinnati
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TSC, two RSKERL consultants and the PRP consultant. The written response
provided review comments as to existing RI information in terms of its completeness
and made recommendations as to other work needed to better characterize the
hydrology of the area.
During August 1990, in response to a request from the Regional RPM, RSKERL
provided a detailed review of a Feasibility Study for the site. The primary concerns
expressed in the review were that the areas being modeled may not represent the most
serious zones of contamination and that septic systems and leach Melds may still pose
a threat that has not been evaluated.
Chemform (90-R04-005)
The Chemform Site is located in Pompano Beach, FL. The site is currently the focus
of a Remedial Investigation (RI) as well as an ongoing Removal Action (RA) with
both phases being conducted by the identified PRPs. A part of the RA Plan involves
sampling and leach testing of soils to establish site specific partition coefficients for
the contaminants of concern. Primary contaminants are chromium and nickel;
although data will also be required for cadmium, cobalt, cyanide, lead, and mercury.
This information will be used in conjunction with other data developed through the
RI to calculate a cleanup level for these constituents.
In a letter dated July 13,1990, the Region requested RSKERL to review the proposed
sampling and analytical procedures to ensure that the methods used to derive site
specific Kd values would accurately predict transport and fate characteristics at the
site. In a written response dated August 10,1990, RSKERL stated that those carrying
out the work are pursuing the stated objectives in a valid and scientific manner. Some
detailed suggestions were offered in hopes that they could improve and enhance the
plan.
Fort Hartford Coal Company Stone Quarry (90-R04-007)
This site, near Olaton, KY, is a massive underground limestone formation that has
been used by the Barmet Aluminum Corporation for the storage of secondary
aluminum dross (saltcakefines),aby-productof aluminum recycling. Approximately
120 acres of underground storage space exists; an estimated 1.2 million tons of fines
were in place in November 1989, with 500 tons being brought to the site daily. The
fines contain heavy metalsincluding barium, chromium, copper, lead, and manganese.
The investigation at this site is complicated by the karst hydrogeologic setting. Also
there is concern about the potential for a tremendous amount of water to continue
moving through the formation, thereby making it impossible for the waste to remain
dry.
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The Regional RPM requested RSKERL to provide technical assistance in the form
of a review of the proposed RI/FS Work Plan. The request was dated August 8,1990.
The response, dated September 10,1990, was sent to Kimberly Gates, the Regional
RPM. It discussed several issues including the location of monitoring wells, sample
parameters, geophysical logs, and the use of a dye study in the placement of
monitoring wells.
Yellow Water Road Site (90-R04-008)
The site is located off Yellow Water Road, one mile south of Baldwin in Duval
County, FL. It encompasses approximately 14 acres of predominantly vegetated land
with limited topographical relief. Commercial development of the site began in
November 1981 with the formation of the American Environmental Energy
Corporation (AEEC). AEEC was formed on the premise that transformer fluids
contaminated with PCBs could be removed from transformers which then could be
salvaged. Plans were to dispose of the PCB-contaminated fluids by on-site incineration;
however, a permit for on-site incineration was never obtained.
In November 1984, EPA initiated an emergency response action at the site based on
background information and inspections that led to a concern regarding an imminent
hazard to human health and the environment. The quantity of PCB-contaminated
fluids stored at the site was estimated to be 150,000 gallons.
Contaminants confirmed at the site are consistent with its operational history. These
include PCBs and chlorinated benzene isomers. Various halogenated and non-
halogenated solvents were identified in low concentrations but were found to be
representative of ambient background conditions. The areal surficial distribution of
contaminants is primarily limited to the operational areas of the site. The State plans
are to contain PCB migration with conventional pump-and-treat methods until an
effective alternative forremediation is determined. Twomethods under consideration
are flooding to desorb PCBs and bioremediation.
In a request dated August 10,1990, the Florida State Department of Regulation asked
that RSKERL review the "Draft Feasibility Study Report" and "Draft Remedial
Investigation Report" and provide comments concerning proposed remediation
technologies at this site. The response in being prepared.
Carrier Air Conditioning (90-R04-009)
The site consists of approximately 145 acres located in Collierville, Shelby County,
TN. The Carrier Corporation has operated an industrial facility for producing
residential air conditioners and heat pumps since 1967.
The Tennessee Department of Health and Environment (TDHE) issued a Site
Inspection Order (SIR) on September 15, 1986, which showed trichloroethylene
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(TCE) in ground-water monitoring wells and in the City water wells located at the
edge of the Carrier property. Three possible sources of the TCE contamination have
been identified: a waste lagoon used by Carrier, a TCE spill from a solvent degreaser
in 1979, and a TCE leak in 1985 from pipes connecting a TCE storage tank to TCE
degreasers.
Carrier entered into an Administrative Consent Order with EPA on September 29,
1989, to conduct an Rl/FS. On December 15,1989, the Work Plan was approved.
RSKERL was requested by the Regional RPM September 21,1990, to review the
Remedial Investigation and the Feasibility Study reports. Specifically, the request
was to determine if additional information for the RI will need to be collected to
delineate the ground-water contamination plume. A review of the FS is to determine
if the proposed remedial alternatives are appropriate for addressing the problems
which exist at the site.
Region V
Byron Salvage Yards (88-R05-001)
The Byron Site is an area of about 20 acres near Byron, IL, where uncontrolled
dumping of hazardous wastes occurred during the 1960s and 1970s. The site has a
thin layer of glacial deposits which overlie a series of fractured dolomites and a
sandstone aquifer. TCE and cyanide have been detected in the ground water and in
the Roch River.
On January 28,1990, the Regional RPMrequested RSKERL technical assistance and
subsequently visited the Laboratory to solicit the advice of the Technical Support
Team and researchers, particularly with respect to the complex fractured dolomite
contamination. Previous work on the hydrogeology was reviewed and approaches
were suggested for additional site characterization work. Additional drilling and
coring at the site was carried out through a contract with funds supplied by RSKERL
and the Region.
Dover Chemical (88-R05-002)
The site is located in Dover, OH, and both the soils and ground water are contaminated
as a result of leaching of chlorinated compounds from this industrial facility.
RSKERL was requested to review a draft plan for leaching contaminants from
laboratory soil columns to develop information for use in a transport and fate ground-
water model. Technical review comments and recommendations from a
multidisciplined RSKERL review staff were provided on November 18,1988, and
again on March 31,1989.
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The main focus of the review comments and recommendations concerned testing
procedures, soil sample collection, and data interpretation. Field evidence indicates
the presence of dioxins at the site; therefore, the future course of action necessarily
will change from the current plan. The Regional staff will inform RSKERL when the
new information is incorporated into the leaching plan. Additional technical reviews
are expected.
Allied Chemicalllronton Coke (89-R05-001)
See90-R05-011
Personnel from the IT Corporation Bio Technology Laboratory met with Technology
Support Center personnel on September 18, 1989, at RSKERL to solicit
recommendations on a bioremediation pilot study for the Allied Signal Inc., Ironton,
OH, site. Volatile organics, PAHs, and cyanide are present in lagoon sediments and
ground water at this former coke processing plant. The pilot systems are intended to
demonstrate bioremediation of the vadose zone by the addition of oxygen and
nutrients through a sprinkle system and the in situ remediation of ground water
utilizing an injection/recovery process.
Hydrogen peroxide will be added to supply oxygen as well as needed nutrients as
determined from the laboratory studies. If the pilot is successful, a functional field
demonstration may be established. Region V has requested that RSKERL provide
continued overview and support during this effort.
Three members of the Technical Support Team met with the State, Region, and Allied
Chemical staff on October 30,1989, at the Ironton site to further discuss details of the
bioremediation pilot studies for the saturated and unsaturated zones, and visit field
plot studies at the contaminated site. Final technical recommendations were
transmitted by letter on November 7, 1989, to the RPM. RSKERL is continually
updated on the bioremediation efforts by progress reports.
Gemeinhardt Site (89-R05-002)
See90-R05-014
The Gemeinhardt site in Elkhart, IN, is the location of a piccolo manufacturing plant.
Volatile organics, possibly used in the plating operations, were dumped down a dry
well into a sand and gravel aquifer. A request for technical assistance was received
from the Regional Ground-Water Forum Member in October 1989, to review the
modeling activities being proposed for the site.
The review was assigned to the technical assistance contract with the International
Ground Water Modeling Center (IGWMC) in Indianapolis. The proposed model was
a 1986 version of the Princeton Transport Code (PTC) which has primarily been
recognized as a research code. Phone conversations were held in November and
December, 1988,andonemeetingwasheldinChicagoonNovember22,1988. These
discussions were held between IGWMC and Regional staff.
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Final written comments were made January 17, 1989. Discussed were problem
definitions, conceptualization of the hydrogeological system, model selection, data
and parameters used and model calibration.
Cliffs-Dow (89-R05-003)
See90-R05-004
The site is a coal tar waste pit in Marquette, MI, where PAHs have leached into the
ground water. Planned remedial action consists of an above-ground biological
treatment system referred to as "forced aeration pile treatment" (FAPT). At the
request of the Region, a comprehensive technical review was made of technical
material describing both the ground-water system and the FAPT. Comments and
recommendations were submitted to the RPM on May 23,1989, with respect to the
ground water, and August 29, 1989, concerning the FAPT. The review staff
partici paled in several telephone conferences following the written review comments.
The main focus of the review was in reference to the interpretation of ground-water
data and laboratory treatability data. An analysis of two proposed biological
remediation strategies was made, followed by recommendations concerning additional
treatability studies, biological process optimization, and field study procedures.
Allied Signal Ground Water Remediation (89-R05-004)
This project was initiated to determine the applicability of the methanotrophic
biodegradation process to remediate ground water contaminated with vinyl chloride
at the Allied-Bendix site in St. Joseph, MI. The methanotrophic process is a
bioremediation technique which uses bacteria in the presence of methane to degrade
chlorinated hydrocarbons. Pilot and laboratory studies have been performed by
Stanford University which demonstrated that this process is a feasible means to
degrade chlorinated solvents (vinyl chloride, PCE, TCE, DCE). As part of an
agreement between RSKERL, Stanford, EPA Region V, and Allied-Signal, Inc.,
treatability studies have been initiated by Stanford with a series of core samples
collected by the RSKERL drilling crew. The RSKERL Technology Support Center
is providing funding for initiating the treatability studies and Allied-Signal will
finance the major effort. A treatability progress report dated May 31,1990, has been
completed by Stanford. Conclusions from this study indicate that vinyl chloride, t-
DCE, and TCE were biodegraded (VC>t-DCE>TCE); sorption of these compounds
is weak; and in-situ bioremediation of these compounds is feasible. This site has been
selected as a candidate for the Bioremediation Field Initiative Demonstration and
Evaluation.
Organic Chemicals Site (89-R05-005)
See 90-R05-002
The soil and ground water at the Organic Chemicals site in Grandville, MI, is
contaminated with a wide variety of organic chemicals including chlorinated aliphatics
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and PCBs. In June 1989, Region V requested the RSKERL to provide technical
assistance concerning the evaluation of the applicability of bioremediation to the site.
Comments were provided to the Regional Ground Water Forum representative on
July 20, 1989.
Wausau Water Supply (89-R05-006)
The Wausau, WI, Water Supply Site is c laracterized by aquifer contamination with
halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons, predominantly TCE and PCE. The Regional
RPM requested RSKERL to provide technical assistance in evaluating the potential
for in situ bioremediation alone or in combination with a pump and-treat system for
the East Well Field. Comments and recommendations provided to the Region on July
31, 1989, suggested that the contaminants present and their concentration did not
favor an effective, large scale implementation of bioremediation.
Anderson Development (89-R05-008)
See 90-R05-006
The Anderson Development Company Site in Adrian, MI, is an actively operating,
specialty organic chemical manufacturing facility that has been producing MBOCA
(4,4'-methylene-bis-2-chloroaniline) since 1970. Surface soils at the site have
become contaminated with MBOCA and its metabolites. In August 1989, the
Regional RPM requested RSKERL to review three documents relative to proposed
bioremediation of surface soils at the site. Review comments were provided in
September 1989. In general, the reviewers considered that the data presented in the
three documents was insufficient to conclude that bioremediation would be a feasible
remediation alternative at this site. It was recommended that site specific biotreatability
studies would be necessary before the feasibility of the technology could be
considered as a viable option at this site.
Rose Township Site (89-R05-009)
See 90-R05-001
The proposed remedial action at the Rose Township, MI, site is to leach chemicals
from the unsaturated zone into the saturated zone and to recover the chemicals via a
ground-water recovery and treatment system. In response to a Regional request dated
August 31,1989, a preliminary review was conducted and comments were conveyed
to the RPM. Preliminary recommendations involve abandonment of the proposed
leachin g system and to investigate the merits of a soil vacuum extraction. Contaminant
removal efficiency and the minimization of future ground-water contamination is the
impetus of the recommendation.
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Rose Township Site #2 (90-R05-001)
See 89-R05-009
In a request dated October 30,1989, the Region asked for a review of the "Remedial
Design and Remedial Action Work Plan, Rose Township - Demode Road Site" with
particular reference to a soil flushing program proposed for the site. Specifically, the
request addressed the following points:
1. Will the process work?
2. What levels are achievable?
3. Will the soil allow a sufficient leaching rate?
4. What alternatives are available to accelerate the
process or achieve the same goal?
5. What will be the impact of the process on the site, and;
6. What is a reasonable time frame?
In a reply dated December 12, 1989, a response was offered which stated that soil
flushing could not be supported and suggested that soil vacuum extraction should
instead be considered.
Organic Chemical Site #2 (90-R05-002)
See 89-R05-005
The soil and ground water at the Organic Chemicals site in Grandville, MI, is
contaminated with a wide variety of organic chemicals including chlorinated aliphatics
and PCBs. The original request (89-R05-005) was received in June 1989, and
involved the feasibility of bioremediation at the site.
A follow-up request was received in November 1989, asking RSKERL to conduct or
oversee in-situ bioremediation treatability studies for the contaminated soils and
ground water at the site.
In January 1990, three representatives of the RSKERL Technology Support Center
met in Chicago with the RPM and contract Regional support staff. The decision to
conduct the treatability study was postponed until February to take advantage of the
RI data being collected.
In February 1990, members of the Technical Support Team met with the Region and
its support contractors to discuss the applicability of bioremediation to degrade soils
contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons. Future activities will involve a review
of the work and its results as the project proceeds.
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Main Street Well Field Site (90-R05-003)
The Main Street Well Field Superfund site in Elkart, IN, poses a complex set of
circumstances in terms of selecting an appropriate and efficient method of remediation.
The movement of trichloroethylene (TCE) under various remediation scenarios is
difficult to estimate due to high concentrations of anthropogenic organic carbon in
soils at the site.
The Region requested technical assistance from RSKERL to determine soil-water
partition coefficients for trichloroethylene (TCE) in selected soil samples from the
Main Street Well Field Superfund Site. The request was initiated because of the
concern of using literature values to estimate sorption of TCE on site-specific soils.
Soil-water partition coefficients (K) will be used to help determine soil remediation
standards.
The response consisted of two reports. The first was a rather detailed report dated
December 27, 1989, on sorption phenomena including theoretical background,
examples from the literature, the role of soil TOC, batch tests for determining
coefficients, sample collection and preparation, and the use and interpretation of data.
In addition, RSKERL focused on determining whether sorption at the Main Street site
is dominated by hydrophobic interactions and the influence of anthropogenic organic
carbon present in site soils. RSKERL determined soil-water partition coefficients
using radiolabeled TCE in a batch method. Batch tests were conducted on 12 samples
from four cores. Each sample was spiked with five concentrations of radiolabeled
TCE with four replicates at each concentration. Controls of radiolabeled TCE in
water without soil were used to ensure insignificant TCE loss during batch testing.
Kp values of background and on-site soils were approximately 0.3 I/kg. K values of
stained soils on site (i.e. visible anthropogenic organic carbon) were approximately
1.2 I/kg or 4 times higher. K^ values below 0.4% organic carbon were erratic and
generally higher than K^ values above 0.4% organic carbon. K^ values at lower
organic carbon concentrations could be due to non-hydrophobic interactions. A
linear equation was fit to the Kp and TOC data of the form:
K = 0.65 *%TOC + 0.11
p
indicating that sorption occurs at a low TOC content. This empirical relationship is
only applicable at the Main Street site. A detailed report on the batch partitioning tests
with associated quality control information was submitted to the Regional RPM July
6,1990.
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Cliffs-Dow Disposal Site (90-R05-004)
See 89-R05-003
The site is a coal tar waste pit at Marquette, MI, where PAHs have leached into the
ground water. Remedial action will consist of an above-ground biological treatment
system referred to as "forced aeration pile treatment" (FAPT). A comprehensive
technical review and evaluation have been made of both the ground-water system and
the FAPT. Technical review comments and recommendations were submitted to the
RPM concerning these two areas on May 23,1989, and August 29,1989, respectively,
and the review staff has participated in several telephone conferences. The main
focus in the re view concerns theinterpretation of field ground-water data and laboratory
treatability data. Additionally, analysis of two proposed biological remediation
strategies was performed. Recommendations concerning additional treatability
studies, biological process optimization, and field study procedures were made.
In a February 8,1990, written request, the RPM asked RSKERL to participate in the
development and evaluation of the design for bench and pilot-scale bioremediation
studies of the contaminated fill material after the removal of surface contaminants in
the Spring of 1990.
Wayne Reclamation and Recycling Site (90-R05-005)
The 30-acre Wayne Reclamation and Recycling Site is located in Columbia City, IN.
Chlorinated solvents, BTX, alkanes, and lead are present in the sites' soil and ground
water.
A request for technical assistance was made by the Regional RPM on February 23,
1990, for RSKERL to evaluate the necessity of a slurry wall to be used in conjunction
with a pump-and-trcat system at the site. After reviewing "Statement of Work for
Remediation Design/Remedial Action," RSKERL provided comments and
recommendation on February 23, 1990. Basically, the comments stated that a
correctly designed slurry wall can reduce the required pumping and permit more
efficient removal of contaminated water and also reduce the amount of clean water
that can become contaminated during pumping by artificially limiting the radius of
influence of the pumping well.
Anderson Development Company #2 (90-R05-006)
See 89-R05-008
The Anderson Development Company Site in Adrian, MI, is an actively operating,
specialty organic chemical manufacturing facility that has been producing MBOCA
(4,4'-methylene-bis-2-chloroaniline) since 1970. Surface soils at the site have
become contaminated with MBOCA and its metabolites. In August 1989, the
Regional RPM requested RSKERL to review three documents relative to proposed
bioremediation of surface soils at the site. Review comments were provided in
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September 1989. In general, the reviewers considered that the data presented in the
three documents was insufficient to conclude that bioremediation would be a feasible
remediation alternative at this site. It was recommended that well-designed, site
specific biotreatability studies would be necessary before the feasibility of this
technology could be considered as a viable option for this site.
Request No. 2 was received March 12,1990, for the Technology Support Center to
review a proposed bioremediation/chemical oxidation remedial action alternative for
the site. Review comments were provided March 22, 1990. The reviewers
considered the information on degradation processes to be theoretical and
recommended documentation to support the proposed treatment scenario. Site
specific treatability studies with monitoring of all potential loss pathways also should
be conducted.
OttlStorylCordova Site (90-R05-007)
The contractor has prepared a Feasibility Study for the Ott/Story/Cordova Superfund
site, located near Muskegon, MI. The site has been used since the mid-50s as a
manufacturing plant of synthetic organic chemicals used mainly for agricultural
purposes. Disposal pits were used for by-product waste streams which are the source
of subsurface contamination. The RPM, Russ Hart, would like to consider a broader
range of options than had been proposed in earlier remediation plans. Therefore, in
a request dated March 20,1990, RSKERL was asked to review a proposal for using
soil vapor extraction technology at the site. The second phase of the request concerns
an evaluation of the clean-up levels proposed by the contractor for the soils. The
RSKERL Technology Support Team responded to the request in a conference call
and submitted final written comments and recommendations dated April 25,1990.
The current approach to soils remediation is to excavate, transport, and landfill The
focus of the technical review was to examine the possibility of utilizing other
technologies as alternates to landfilling. The Technology Support Center team
recommended that vacuum extraction is likely to be effective on the types of soil and
contaminants present at the site, and could be implemented in situ.
Ritari Post and Pole Site (90-R05-008)
The Ritari Pole and Post Site is located in Sebeka, MN. The site is an old wood
preserving plant where creosote and PCPs are present in the soil and ground water.
The Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Report contained a number of sections
including sampling procedures for soil and ground water, hydrogeological
investigations, and treatability studies.
The Regional request, dated May 18,1990, was for a review and comments of the
proposed treatability study for soil and ground water at the site. This is a State lead
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site where Delta Environmental Consultants have been retained by the State. On June
7, 1990, the comments were discussed via a conference call which included the
Regional RPM and representatives of Delta Environmental Consultants. The major
points of discussion centered on the proposed Limited Scope and Comprehensive
Treatability Studies as well as the Quality Assurance Plan for the project
Zanesville Well Field (90-R05-009)
The municipal well field for the City of Zanesville, OH, was found to be contaminated
with trichloroethylene (TCE) and dichloroethylene (DCE) in 1981. Since that time,
a number of investigations have been conducted to define the source and extent of
contamination. The site is currently in the Rl/FS Phase and some work has been
directed toward hydrogeologic studies including pump tests in the contaminated part
of the aquifer.
On June 12, 1990, the Region V Ground-Water Forum Member, Doug Yeskis,
requested assistance from RSKERL in a number of areas related to the collection of
information which will be used to design a remediation program for the site.
Specifically, the request for assistance is directed in the following areas:
°Review existing site related documents.
°Recommend appropriate methods to determine Kd values
to be used in predictive models.
°Suggest improvements for new pump tests.
°Review future documents involving the design of apulse
pumping, ground-water extraction system.
°Discuss the application and results of modeling.
The response to this request was completed October 12, 1990, and provided a
summary of the information which had been provided in past responses. It also made
recommendations on future activities.
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (90-R05-010)
The Fire Training Area 5 is located at a remote area on Wright-Patterson Air Force
Base near Dayton, OH. The site, designed for fire fighting training operations,
includes underground storage tanks and buried lines that supply the system with
water, fuel, and power. Aviation fuel leaked from the facility in the fall of 1986
contaminating soil and ground water with JP-4 fuel. Approximately 3,000 gallons of
fuel were lost and only about 300 recovered.
On June 7, 1990, the Regional Ground-Water Forum Member, Doug Yeskis,
requested that RSKERL review a "Groundwater Quality Restoration Program"
prepared by DuPont Biosystems of Aston, PA. Specific questions contained in the
request are:
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• Was the study designed and conducted properly, the state-
of-art at the time?
• Are the results consistent with what one might expect, given
the site conditions?
• Are the conclusions drawn by the contractor valid and
consistent with the results?
• How much residual contamination appears to remain at the
site?
• What level of understanding of the report and its implications
for fu ture clean-up needs do the attached comments from the
Base indicate?
Review comments were provided to the RPM June 29,1990. The reviewers felt that
a significant quantity of JP-4 fuel still remained in the capillary zone and that a
monitoring program should be initiated to insure that BTX concentrations remain
below MCL. A follow-up telephone conference was held with the RPM, Turpin
Ballard, to discuss the review comments.
Allied Chemical/fronton Coke Site (90-R05-011)
See Project 89-R05-001
Volatile organics, PAHs, and cyanide are present in lagoon sediments and ground
water at this former coke processing plant in Ironton, OH.
A Regional request for assistance was received June 11,1990, concerning clean-up
goals utilizing bioremediation at this site. The request involved a review of the
document entitled "Lagoon Soil Clean-Up Goals for Allied Chemical Ironton Coke
Site" at Ironton, OH. One issue which repeatedly develops at Superfund Sites
employing bioremediation is to what level can contaminants be reduced by
bioremediation. Presently, this is a major issue at Superfund Sites and at the Ironton
Coke site.
On June 12,1990, members of the RSKERL TSC provided technical comments and
recommendations on the laboratory and field scale bioremediation demonstration
and the proposed goals for the site.
Hagan Farm (90-R05-012)
The Hagan Farm site, located near Stoughton, WI, was a sand and gravel pit prior to
1950. From the late 1950s to the mid 1960s the pit was used for the disposal of waste
material from the City of Stoughton andUniroyal. The disposal areas have now been
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covered with soil and are vegetated with grass and small trees. Documentation of
waste quantities is unavailable but studies in the area indicate that the major
contaminants include acetone, dichloroethene, vinyl chloride, tetrahydrofuran, and
vinyl scrap.
On June 12, 1990, Doug Yeskis, Ground-Water Forum Member, requested TSC
assistance in reviewing the RI/FS documents to evaluate the potential of using soil
vacuum extraction as a remedial measure at this site. A telephone response was made
to the Regional RPM, Jae Lee, during which it was stated that S VE appears to be a
favorable remediation for this site.
INJ Corporation (90-R05-013)
The INJ Corporation (IJ. Recycling) Site is located in Ft. Wayne, IN. On June 20,
1990, Doug Yeskis, Ground-WaterForumMember.requested RSKERLtodetermine
if oil at the site as described in the document "Determination of Hazard" might be
covered by the petroleum exclusion provision under Superfund.
In a response to the Region dated July 25, 1990, it was pointed out that the data
provided only accounted for about 20 percent of the constituents present and it was
not possible to offer an opinion. It was suggested that the following constituents be
analyzed or included: substituted benzenes such as trimethyl benzene, butyl benzene,
and propyl benzene; alkanes, cycloalkanes, as well as naphthalenes. It was also
suggested that chromatograms be furnished or that a sample of the oil be sent to the
RSKERL Laboratory for further analysis. The acquisition of this additional data
would make the determination much more valid and achievable.
Gemeinhardt Site (90-R05-014)
See 89-R05-002
The Gemeinhardt site in Elkhart, IN, is the location of a piccolo manufacturing plant.
Volatile organics, possibly used in the plating operations, were dumped down a dry
well into a sand and gravel aquifer.
On September 14,1990, Ground Water Forum Member Doug Yeskis requested the
RSKERL Technology Support Center to provide a technical review of a document
from this Elkart, IN, site where the PRPs are presently using a soil vacuum extraction
system. The document for which the review was requested discusses the rationale for
shutting off the vapor extraction system at this time.
In a response dated October 1,1990, the reviewer compared findings from the site
with three criteria for S VE shutdown and recommended that the system should not
be allowed to discontinue based on the data the operators have presented at this time.
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Region VI
Old Inger Site (85-R06-001)
The Old Inger Site nearDarrow, LA, is an abandoned oil refining facility approximately
40 acres in size, having surface and buried oily sludges, and soil contaminated with
hazardous constituents of these sludges such as BTX and PAH compounds. On-site
land treatment was proposed as the remediation technology of choice for the heavily
contaminated sludges and soils.
In 1984, Region VI requested RSKERL to provide analytical, bioassay, and technical
review assistance during the laboratory and field plot land treatability studies. Based
on the results of these studies, on-site land treatment was selected as the final remedy
for the site. In November 1987, the Office of Solid Waste requested comments from
RSKERL regarding the "no-migration" demonstration prepared by the Office of
Emergency and Remedial Response. In October 1988, following final approval of
land treatment as the remediation technology for this site, the RPM requested
RSKERL to review the final design plan. These comments were provided in
December 1988. The Remedial Design is nearing completion and the land treatment
operation will begin in January 1991. RSKERL will be requested to make a site visit
at that time.
South Valley Albuquerque, NM Site (88-R06-001)
See 88-R06-004
The South Valley SJ-6 Site is located in the South Valley of Albuquerque, NM.
Ground-water investigations indicate inorganic, volatile organic, and semivolatile
organic contaminants are present in three hydrogeologic zones in the subsurface.
On December 8,1987 Region VI requested RSKERL to review plans to remediate
the site. Verbal comments were made followed by written comments and
recommendations on June 9, 1988, concerning limitations of pump-and-treat
remediation.
Brio Refining (88-R06-002)
See 90-R06-001
The Brio Refining Site occupies approximately 51 acres near Houston, TX. Soils in
24 acres at the site are contaminated with a wide variety of contaminants associated
with the petroleum refining and petrochemical industry, including polycyclic
hydrocarbons, phenols, and chlorinated aliphatics.
Heavily contaminated soils are confined to 24 former waste pit areas which are now
filled in. In November 1986, Region VI requested RSKERL to provide continuing
technical assistance at this site, beginning with soil remediation feasibility and design
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studies. The initial request involved a review and evaluation of the proposed
bioremediation plan. One of the major review comments was that the detailed
microbiology proposed, as part of the field biodegradation demonstration study, was
not necessary to answer the question of whether or not bioremediation would achieve
the desired results. A second major point of the review was that control plots should
be incorporated into the design plan so that the results could be properly evaluated.
In March 1987, a site visit was made by two RSKERL scientists to discuss the
RSKERL comments and preliminary field demonstration results with the RPM, PRP,
and PRP contractor.
The next support request involved a review of the final remedial design plan, and
review comments were provided in June 1988. Since an aqueous phase bioreactor
was proposed, reviewers recommended that aqueous phase treatability studies should
be conducted prior to design.
The next request was received in January 1989, to review results of the aqueous
degradation study, and comments were provided to the RPM in March 1989. All
reviewers expressed concern about the high solids level (30 percent) used in the
bench-scale bioreactor study and the potential impact on contaminant reductions in
a full-scale system.
Another request, received in December 1989, involved a review of the proposed plan
for location and removal of free phase product from the saturated zone. Reviewers
expressed concern that the work plan in its present form might be of questionable use.
Specific comments addressed those areas of most concern and provided
recommendations for improving the plan. These specific comments and
recommendations were provided to the RPM for use in a planning meeting with the
Brio Task Force and PRP.
South Valley Site, FS Review (88-R06-004)
See 88-R06-001
The South Valley SJ-6 Site is located in the South Valley of Albuquerque, NM.
Ground-water investigations indicate inorganic, volatile organic, and semivolatile
organic contaminants are present in three hydrogeologic zones in the subsurface.
At the request of the RPM a review was made of the modeling efforts carried out at
the site, and comments were provided on September 8,1988.
North Cavalcade (88-R06-005)
See90-R06-005
The 21 acre North Cavalcade Street site is located in northeast Houston, TX. The site
was developed in 1946 when the Houston Creosoting Company began a wood
preserving facility. In 1955 pentachlorophenol was added to the preservation
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services. The facility ceased operations in 1961. Between September 1985 and
November 1987, EPA sampled all environmental media and found PAHs, VOCs, and
components of creosote in soil, ground water, and sediments.
The Regional RPM requested RSKERL to provide technical assistance during the
remediation process. Review comments for the site remedial design plan were
provided to the RPM in July 1988. In general, the reviewers found that the scope of
the remedial design covered the needs but a lack of understanding of the biodegradation
process was indicated.
In June 1989, a review of the field sampling and analysis plan was completed which
suggested that substantial revision was needed in the areas of (1) soil bioremediadon
treatability studies, (2) soil sampling, (3) free phase product isolation and recovery,
(4) pump tests, (5) ground-water treatability studies, and (6) potential presence of
dioxins and furans at the site.
During the second quarter of FY 90 three versions of the Field Study Work Plan and
the Field Sampling and Analysis Plan of FY 90 were reviewed. In addition, two trips
were made to meet with the Region, State, and State contractor to discuss in-situ
bioremediation, a hydrogeological investigation, and the location and removal of
DNAPLs.
Previous investigations at the site resulted in conflicting hydrogeologic information.
Region VI requested RSKERL to assist in further studies to collect data to be used in
remediation planning. During May 14-18, 1990, four members of the Technology
Support Center completed the work by logging eight wells and carrying out an aquifer
test.
Three members of the RSKERL Technology Support Center attended a meeting held
in Dallas June 26,1990, to discuss results from the field study and its implications on
remediation planning. Included in the meeting were the RPM, State of Texas Project
Manager and the support contractor. It was determined that the low permeability
found at the site precluded the use of in-situ bioremediation. Bench and pilot scale
studies are planned to determine the merits of using soil slurry reactors and/or land
treatment.
Future activities will involve the review of results from these studies as well as plans
for DNAPL location and recovery.
Motco Site (88-R06-006)
This site, located in La Marque, TX, consists of about 11.3 acres which was
previously operated as a waste recycling and storage area. There are seven unlined
pits on the property which range in depth from about 15 to 20 feet and contain
approximately 15 million gallons of various wastes, some of which are classified as
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toxic and hazardous. Contaminants in the soil and ground water consist of metals,
volatile organic compounds, semi-volatile organics, pesticides, and PCBs.
The request for assistance was made by Ruth Izraeli from Region VI on August 23,
1988. RSKERL reviewed the applicability of models utilized by the PRP and the
validity of the assumptions used on the Endangerment Assessment Comments,
provided on September 8,1988, discussed the conceptual site model, vertical model,
dilution factors, sensitivity analysis, calibration, and biotransformation.
Tar Creek (89-R06-001)
On March 16,1989, Region VI, in behalf of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board,
requested the RSKERL Technology Support Center to assist in the evaluation of the
effectiveness of remediation measures at the Tar Creek Superfund Site, a former lead
and zinc mining area, in the Tri-State Mining District of Kansas, Oklahoma, and
Missouri.
Acid water from the Pitcher mine field is discharged into Tar Creek, which passes
through several communities in northeastern Oklahoma and then empties into the
Neosho River. The mine water also has the potential of migrating downward into the
area's major water supply, the Roubidoux Aquifer.
In December 1986, a series of remediation measures was completed at the Tar Creek
Site, including the diversion of surface water runoff from collapsed mine features,
and the plugging of a number of deep wells which provide a potential communication
between the contaminated mine water and the Roubidoux. These actions were
followed by remediation monitoring.
Data were collected from several sources to evaluate the effectiveness of the remedial
actions including ground-water quality determinations, and water levels in the mines.
RainfallandminedischargedatawerecollectedfromtheOklahoma Water Resources
Board, Oklahoma State Department of Health, and the U.S. Geological Survey.
Members of the Technology Support Center made a site visit to gain firsthand
knowledge of the problem, die steps taken in remediation activities, as well as the
geology and hydrology of the system. Data in disk, tape, printout, and report form
were examined and extensive statistical analyses were performed.
A presentation and a report on the effectiveness of remediation, further remedial
actions which may be considered, and recommendations for continued monitoring at
the site were given to representatives of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, and
the Superfund Branch of Region VI, at RSKERL on September 6,1989.
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Oklahoma Refining (89-R06-002)
The Oklahoma Refining site is an abandoned petroleum refinery in Cyril, OK, having
soil and ground water contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons including BTX
and PAH compounds. In May 1989, the RSKERL received a request from Region
VI regarding continuing technical support for a proposed biotreatability pilot scale
study, the specifics of which would be supplied at a later date. Conversations with
the RPM have revealed that delays have been encountered in initiating the feasibility
study phase. It is expected that a specific request for technical support will be
forthcoming in early 1991, including specific items of support as needed.
Brio Refining Site (DNAPL) (90-R06-001)
See 88-R06-002
The Old Inger Site near Darrow, LA, is an abandoned oil refining facili ty approximately
40 acres in size, having surface and buried oily sludges, and soil contaminated with
hazardous constituents of these sludges such as BTX and PAH compounds. On-site
land treatment was proposed as the remediation technology of choice for the heavily
contaminated sludges and soils.
On November 30,1989, Lou Barinka of Region VI requested RSKERL to review and
comment on the "Brio Site DNAPL Delineation Program Work Plan" submitted by
Groundwater Technology, Inc. RSKERL review comments were returned to the
Region on December 15,1989, and addressed 7 points including DNAPL delineation,
the location of borings, water table elevations, monitoring well completions, and
DNAPL collections.
Crystal Chemical Site (90-R06-002)
Arsenic has contaminated the shallow ground water at this abandoned chemical site
at Houston, TX. On December 5,1989, the Region requested that proposed remedial
action information be reviewed in order to assist in selecting a technology for the site.
Once a technology was selected, a full-scale design would be developed. The
following items were of specific concern.
• Recovery well placement.
• The necessity of isolating 15 and 35 foot water bearing zones during
remediation.
• A time estimate for pump and treat remediation to reduce the arsenic
concentration to MCL (0.05ppm).
• Whether pump-and-treat will be effective given the information
known to date.
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• Recommended treatment method.
Due to time constraints, Dr. R. Charbeneau, University of Texas, was asked to
provide a review and recommendations. These were obtained on Januarys, 1990. All
of the specific concerns were addressed in considerable detail including approaches
used, tables of calculated results, and appropriate equations. Dr. Charbeneau's
general conclusion was that a pump-and-treat system is the only feasible remediation
method for this site, but remediation to a MCL of 0.05mg/l is not necessary or
warranted.
Texarkana Wood Preserving Site Feasibility Study (90-R06-003)
The Texarkana Wood Preserving Site located in Texarkana, TX, is an area where soils
and ground water are contaminated with creosote, PAHs, VOCs etc. A request for
technical assistance received fiom Sharon Fuerst, RPM, on January 8,1990, asked
for a review and comments on the ground-water portions of the report.
Comments were provided in a letter dated January 12,1990. The principal comments
focused on the design assumptions of the ground-water extraction system. The
contractor assumed removal of one pore volume of water ignoring sorption of the
contaminants on the aquifer material. NAPLs were also not addressed and an
adequate aquifer test had not been conducted to obtain aquifer characteristics. It was
also stated that a drain collection system should be considered. Numerous suggestions
on how the report could be restructured and rewritten were made.
Industrial Transformers Site (90-R06-004)
There are two aquifers at the Industrial Transformers site in Houston, TX. The upper
aquifer is encountered at a depth of 30-40 feet below the surface. It has a saturated
thickness of about 4 feet and has a sand content of 50 to TOpercent The second aquifer
is separated from the upper by about 50 feet of stiff clay. Both aquifers are
contaminated with trichloroethylene (TCE) and will require remediation via an
extraction and treatment process.
In order to provide a complete design investigation, Region VI has had discussions
with the RSKERL on March 26,1990, concerning laboratory and batch studies to
evaluate the sorption and desorption behavior of TCE on at least two samples from
each aquifer.
On April 23,1990, the Technology Support Center informed the Region of several
levels of investigations which might be discussed further including the costs involved
with each and the relative confidence of resulting information. RSKERL continues
to wait for a response before additional technical assistance is initiated.
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North Cavalcade Street, GW OU (90-R06-005)
See 88-R06-005
The 21 acre North Cavalcade Street site is located in northeast Houston, TX. The site
was developed in 1946 when the Houston Creosoting Company began a wood
preserving facility. In 1955 pentachlorophenol was added to the preservation
services. The facility ceased operations in 1961. Between September 1985 and
November 1987, EPA sampled all environmental media and found PAHs, VOCs, and
components of creosote in soil, ground water, and sediments.
The Regional request dated September 25, 1990, was for RSKERL to review the
"Work Plan for Groundwater Operable Remedial Design of North Cavalcade
Superfund Site, Harris County, Texas."
On October 16, 1990, RSKERL provided comments on a document entitled
"Remedial Design, North Cavalcade Superfund Site, Houston, TX, Work Plan for
Groundwater Operation Unit." The response discussed the differentiation between
the soil and ground-water operable units, the location of DNAPLs, and the location
of monitoring wells.
Region VII
Hastings NE Site (88-R07-OOJ)
See 90-R07-002,90-R07-003, and 90-R07-004
At this site in south-central Nebraska, the soil and ground waterhave been contaminated
with TCE, PCE, CC14, and EDB from several diverse sources including two city
landfills and grain storage facilities. Pleistocene sand and gravel extend to a depth
of approximately 200 feet and the saturated thickness of this aquifer is approximately
100 feet. Some municipal wells have been abandoned because of high levels of
contaminants. To the east and adjacent to the City (downgradient), is the 76 square
mile abandoned Naval Ammunition Depot (a part of the Superfund Site) where the
Corps of Engineers is in charge of clean-up activities.
In November 1988, the RPM for the site requested assistance from the TSC in
evaluating the contractor's modeling and data collection efforts and to recommend
other site characterization work. The TSC conducted a review of several documents
from which water quality data was extracted to prepare plume maps. A site visit was
made with a consultant (Dr. Jim Hendry) and Darrell Sommerhauser (Region VH) on
November 15, 1988. Dr. Hendry did some conceptual modeling for estimates of
plume size and shape. A meeting was held May 18, 1989, with Sommerhauser,
Hendry, and the Region's contractors, PRC and CHjM Hill, to plan future activities.
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Gamma-ray logging of monitoring wells was conducted by the TSC to define the
geology. The logs were made available to the RPM. Tritium measurements for dating
water from the site were done by RSKERL but results were inconclusive because of
detection limits.
Scott Lumber Company (89-R07-001)
The Scott Lumber Company is a nine acre site located in Alton, MO. It is an
abandoned creosote wood treatment facility contaminated with polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons with concentrations up to 63,000 ppm in the soil. The prime Emergency
Response Clean-up Service Contractor (ERCS), through a subcontract, was to
provide a bioremediation technology capable of degrading creosote in soil and
sludge.
ERCS was choosing a subcontractor to perform on-site bioremediation and had
reduced the number of prospective bidders to two. On October 24,1988, Region VII
requested RSKERL to assist in the selection by reviewing these two remediation
proposals. On November 18,1988, the proposals were reviewed, rated, and returned
to the Region as requested.
Waverly Site (89-R07-002)
The Waverly Site at Waverly, ME, has a contaminated ground-water plume containing
chlorinated solvents, including carbon tetrachloride and trichloroethylene. In
November 1988, the Region requested thatRSKERL identify alternative treatment
techniques that had been used for ground-water remediation with such contaminants.
An extensive literature search was initiated through the Laboratory's Subsurface
Remediation Information Center to generate an information package pertaining to
subsurface fate, transport, and remediation of the two major chlorinated solvents
found at the site. This information package was provided to the RPM in December
1988.
NEISSite(89-R07-004)
The National Industrial Environmental Services, Inc. (NEIS) hazardous waste
disposal facility near Wichita, KS, was in operation from February 1977 through
January 1982 when the State of Kansas closed the site and began remediation
operations.
On February 28,1989, Region VII requested RSKERL to provide a technical review
and overall evaluation of a proposed bioremediation plan for one of the contaminated
aquifers at the site. The review, which was completed and forwarded to the Region
on May 5,1989, found several major limitations to the use of bioremediation and
recommended a careful investigation of this approach prior to implementing either
a laboratory or pilot scale study.
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Hastings, Tritium (90-R07-002)
See 88-R07-001,90-R07-003, and 90-R07-004
At this site in south-central Nebraska, the soil and ground water have been contaminated
with TCE, PCE, CC14, and EDB from several diverse sources including two city
landfills and grain storage facilities. Pleistocene sand and gravel extend to a depth
of approximately 200 feet and the saturated thickness of this aquifer is approximately
100 feet. Some municipal wells have been abandoned because of high levels of
contaminants. To the east and adjacent to the City (downgradient) is the 76 square
mile abandoned Naval Ammunition Depot (a part of the Superfund Site) where the
Corps of Engineers is in charge of clean-up activities.
This request for assistance was to review more current tritium data obtained from a
commercial laboratory. This information was sent to Dr. Hendry on March 26,1990,
and was also reviewed by a member of the RSKERL Technical Support Team.
It was determined that the detection limits were too high for meaningful results. The
RPM is interested in collecting additional samples for analysis by a laboratory to be
determined by Dr. Hendry so he can provide details on counting procedures.
Hastings NE Site/Colorado Avenue Subsite (90-R07-003)
See 88-R07-001,90-R07-002, and 90-R07-004
At this site in south-central Nebraska, the soil and ground water have been contaminated
with TCE, PCE, CC14, and EDB from several diverse sources including two city
landfills and grain storage facilities. Pleistocene sand and gravel extend to a depth
of approximately 200 feet and the saturated thickness of this aquifer is approximately
100 feet. Some municipal wells have been abandoned because of high levels of
contaminants. To the east and adjacent to the City (downgradient) is the 76 square
mile abandoned Naval Ammunition Depot (a part of the Superfund Site) where the
Corps of Engineers is in charge of clean-up activities.
Pursuant to a request from the RPM on March 20,1990, the TSC reviewed a proposal
for an SVE pilot study on the Colorado Avenue subsite and subsequently reviewed
the results of the pilot scale test.
Hastings Well No. 3 Site (90-R07-004)
See 88-R07-001,90-R07-002, and 90-R07-003
At this site in south-central Nebraska; the soil and ground water have been contaminated
with TCE, PCE, CC14, and EDB from several diverse sources including two city
landfills and grain storage facilities. Pleistocene sand and gravel extend to a depth
of approximately 200 feet and the saturated thickness of this aquifer is approximately
100 feet. Some municipal wells have been abandoned because of high levels of
contaminants. To the east and adjacent to the City (downgradient) is the 76 square
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mile abandoned Naval Ammunition Depot (a part of the Superfund Site) where the
Corps of Engineers is in charge of clean-up activities.
Well #3 is a subsite of the Hastings Ground Water Contamination Site in Hastings,
NE. At this site soil and ground water are contaminated with carbon tetrachloride as
a result of its use as a grain fumigant in former grain storage operations. A Record
of Decision was signed in September 1989, to use soil venting to remediate the soils.
Region VII utilized its ERCS contractor to develop a work plan for the soil venting
design, and on May 30, 1990, requested that the RSKERL Technology Support
Center review the document.
In a reply dated June 25, 1990, RSKERL strongly recommended that Region VII
conduct a field test to determine critical design parameters such as: the number and
spacing of injection and extraction wells, screened intervals of wells, applied vacuum
and flow rates, and method of vapor treatment. The soil venting system was
originally to be designed using field test data from another subsite (Colorado Avenue)
conducted by a responsible party located nearby. However, the field test data from
this subsite also was not sufficient to design a soil venting system.
On July 16, 1990, two TSC members met with the RPM, Superfund Branch
Managers, and the ARC'S contractor at the Regional Office. Plans for the field test
mentioned above were discussed. RSKERL will continue to be available for data
interpretation and to work with the contractor as requested.
Hayford Bridge Road (90-R07-006)
The Hayford Bridge Road Site, formerly known as the Findett Site, is located in St.
Charles, MO. The site consists of the Findett facility which currently formulates or
blends organic chemicals, and the Cadmus facility which recycles a spent metal
catalyst. The surrounding properties are also contaminated. In 1988, a Record of
Decision (ROD) was signed in which the remedial action was selected for the first
operable unit at the site.
The Findett Corporation agreed to implement the following remedial actions for the
first operable unit (OU): shallow ground water will be pumped to hydraulically
contain contaminated ground water; and contaminated soil on the Findett facility will
be removed for offsite treatmentordisposal. The soil was excavated and "temporarily
stored" on the unlined and unbermed soil surface. The site is located in the floodplain
of the Mississippi River which, before the area had more adequate levee protection,
inundated the area with flood water when the riverrose out of its banks. This flooding
and resultant sediment deposition may have effected the prior pattern of soil
contamination.
On July 12,1990, the Region requested assistance from RSKERL to determine the
impact of flooding on the original interpretation of the sources of contamination. On
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August 6,1990, RSKERL responded with a written review to the RPM. Essentially
the review stated that it appears that spillage and disposal activities have occurred at
both the Findett and Cadmus properties in the past as evidenced by hot spots in the
soil. It was also pointed out that flooding most likely impacted the distribution of
surface contaminants, but the level of uncertainty of data interpretation is too great
to confirm that flooding transported contaminants from the Findett property to the
Cadmus property or vice versa.
Region VIH
Union Pacific RailroadlLaramie Tie Treating Plant (88-R08-001)
The Union Pacific Tie Plant site in Laramie, WY, is an abandoned wood treating
facility that was operated for over 50 years prior to its closure in the 1970s. This
operation resulted in creosote and pentachlorophenol contamination of the soil and
ground water in a 100 acre area adjacent to the Laramie River. In 1987, the RSKERL
was requested by Region VIII to provide continuing technical review and evaluation
of plans and results for the In Situ Treatment Process Development Program for the
site. Primary technical support input was to be directed toward activities associated
with bioreclamation of contaminated soils and ground waters.
The first technical support action involved review and evaluation of proposed plans
for bioreclamation at the site. A meeting between RSKERL scientists and the Region
VIII RPM was held at the RSKERL in September 1987, to discuss Laboratory
comments pertaining to the proposed plans. Following the meeting, detailed written
comments were provided to the RPM. The major thrust of these comments was
directed toward the lack of adequate controls to be able to properly evaluate the data
generated for the different studies to be conducted at the site.
In the fall of 1988, the site RPM requested review of the Milestone II report and results
of surface bioreclamation studies. Review comments were provided in December
1988. In general, reviewers felt that the initial results were positive and the plans for
further studies were scientifically sound. It was suggested, however, that potential
impacts of transformation products be included in future studies.
A meeting was held in Denver in February 1989, to discuss the proposed studies. As
a result of this meeting, additional information on soil remediation of wood treating
chemicals was provided to the RPM.
In March 1989, at the request of the RPM, a meeting was held with the PRP to discuss
the proposed plan for ground-water bioreclamation demonstration studies.
Recommendations were made regarding the delivery of oxygen and nutrients as well
as monitoring performance of the four different treatment demonstration trains. The
major recommendation was for the collection of monitoring samples closer to the
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delivery point since the oxygen demand is so high. These recommendations also were
provided to the RPM.
Site visits by two sets of RSKERL scientists and support contract personnel were
madeintheSummerofl989toobservethedesignofthebioremediationdemonstration
and to receive a briefing by the PRP on site remediation activities.
In July 1989, the RPM requested review of the Milestone in reports. Review
comments were provided. There were no problems with interpretation of the data
presented. The data was consistent with what has been found in RSKERL research
studies.
On November 21,1989, the Laboratory provided review comments for the proposed
final sampling evaluation plan for the in-situ Ground Water Bioreclamation studies.
The major recommendation was that additional soil core samples be collected to
insure that the treatment trains demonstrated could be adequately evaluated for
potential effectiveness.
During the week of April 23, 1990, the Regional RPM visited the Laboratory to
discuss future participation of the Technical Support Team.
In response to a request from Felix Rechas of Region VIII, dated August 17,1990,
RSKERL prepared an extensive review of two documents which comprise the "In
Situ Treatment ProcessDevelopmentProgram, Milestone IV Report." The reviewers
found the report to be well written and easily readable, as well as summarizing a great
deal of activity concerning remediation strategies at the site. The reviewers also
suggested that the studies were thorough and appeared to be well designed and that
the conclusions made in the report were, for the most part, supported by the data.
Champion Creosoting, Libby (88-R08-002)
RSKERL staff are providing technical support for the remedial design of an in-situ
bioremediation system, land treatment design of the contaminated surficial soils, and
the subsurface dense oil investigatory efforts currently ongoing at Champion
International (wood-preserving) Superfund site at Libby, MT.
Technical review comments on the upper aquifer bioremediation system were
provided September 5,1989, while the review and recommendations on the bench
scale heavy oil treatability study were completed March 27,1990. On April 9,1990,
technical review comments and recommendations were provided to the Region
concerning a proposed bench-scale study designed to develop an understanding of the
mobility and biodegradability of the creosote mixture (DNAPL) in the lower aquifer.
On May 28,1990, three members of the RSKERL Technology Support Center met
at the Regional Office with representatives of Champion International, Woodward
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Clyde consultants, Jacob Engineering, Region VIII, and the Montana Department of
Health and Environmental Sciences to plan specific details of the lower aquifer bench
scale test designed to provide information on the mobility and biodegradation of the
creosote mixture of contaminants (DNAPL). A full scale in-situ bioremediation
system is currently in full operation in the upper aquifer, as well as land treatment and
pump-and-treat activities.
On June 26, 1990, three members of the RSKERL TSC visited the Libby site to
observe the field and laboratory operations and to participate in a follow-up meeting
concerning the lower aquifer. Also attending the meeting were the consultants
carrying out the work, the Montana Department of Health and Environmental
Sciences, and the Regional RPM. The Libby site has been selected as a candidate for
the Bioremediation Field Initiative.
F.E. Warren Air Force Base (90-R08-001)
This facility in Cheyenne, WY, has been in operation since 1867 and has served
several functions. It was a major training facility during and after World War U until
it was transferred to the newly formed Air Force in 1947 and finally the Strategic Air
Command in 1958. Equipment cleaning and maintenance operations using solvents,
predominately TCE, apparently led to extensive ground-water contamination. Other
ground-water contamination is due to spent battery acid disposal and gasoline/fuel oil
releases. The Air Force has been investigating the site under the AF Installation
Restoration Program (IRP) and identified 27 areas which may require remedial
action. Although the IRP identified the Ogallalla Formation as the aquifer of concern,
work thus far has been limited to the shallow ground water.
In a memorandum dated July 27,1990, the Regional RPM pointed out that a Federal
Facility Agreement is being developed to formalize EPA and State of Wyoming
involvement at this and other Federal sites. The agreement, which is expected to be
signed before the end of FY90, will provide a mechanism in which the AF must obtain
EPA and State concurrence before conducting site activities. In this regard the
Region req uested RSKERL to review and comment on the RI/FS with the understanding
that additional work will be carried out on the lower aquifer at some later date.
In a response of August 9, 1990, RSKERL informed the RPM that a preliminary
review has been made and that the material has been forwarded to Geodyssey, Inc.,
an RSKERL technical support contractor, for more detailed comments.
On August 29,1990, an RSKERL TSC member made a site visit at the request of the
Federal Facility Remedial Branch in the Region. Also involved in the site visit were
two TSC consultants from Geodyssey Inc. RSKERL has been requested by the
Region to continue to provide oversite as site investigations continue.
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Region IX
Baxter International (88-R09-002)
The J. H. Baxter site in Weed, CA, is an operating wood treating facility having soil
and ground-water contamination with creosote, pentachlorophenol, and metals. The
first request for assistance at this site came in FY 88 when the RPM asked for
continuing technical support with respect to proposed bioremediation of the soil and
ground water. Since then several specific support activities have been completed.
In March 1988, two RSKERL scientists met with the RPM in Dallas to plan and
design che lab- and pilot-scale phases of the bioremediation studies. In September
1988, the RSKERL scientists assigned to the project made a site visit to observe and
suggest improvements to the ongoing studies.
In February 1989, a meeting with the RPM was held at RSKERL to discuss laboratory
results, preliminary pilot results, and proposed ground-water extraction studies. In
March 1989, the two RSKERL scientists met with the RPM and the PRP consultant
at Mississippi State University to discuss all aspects of soils and ground-water
remediation at the site. In April 1989, review comments were provided to the RPM
concerning the proposed pilot project for ground-water pumping.
In January 1990, two members of the Technical Support Team visited the site to
discuss the results of the pilot project studies, the proposed ground-water extraction
and treatment system, and the initial design of a field scale soil bioremediation (land
treatment) demonstration. Taking part in these discussions were the RPM, two
Regional support contractors, two State agencies, three PRPs and their support
contractor. InFebruary 1990,thefeasibilitystudyreportwasreviewedandcomments
provided to the Region. In general, the reviewers felt that the report provided the
degree of support needed for selection of remediation technologies. In March 1990,
a PRP support contractor visited the Laboratory to discuss criteria for the final design
plans for the field demonstration project. In May 1990, a meeting was held with the
RPM to discuss future activities at the site.
In June 1990, a meeting was held with the RPM and support contractor to discuss the
initiation of the field demonstration project and plans for an extraction well system
to gain complete hydraulic control of the system. Future activities include review of
the final design plan and a site visit during the construction phase of the field
demonstration project.
South Bay Toxicity Profile (88-R09-003)
The South San Francisco Bay area has 29 NPL sites along with many more hazardous
waste areas being addressed under other Federal, State, and local programs. On June
27,1988, a request was received from Region IX to review a toxicity profile on 22
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chemicals commonly found at sites in the area. The report provides general
information regarding chemical and physical properties, toxicity data, common
background values, fate and transport discussions and MCL, AWQC and risk values.
The report is used by all of the regulating agencies involved in the development of risk
assessments for site remedy selections.
On July 11,1988, RSKERL responded to the request by reviewing the chemical fate
and transport sections of the report. The response stated that the report was well done
and had only minor comments on a few of the 22 chemicals profiled.
Watkins-Johnson Site (89-R09-001)
Ground water at the Watkins-Johnson Site at Scotts Valley, CA, is contaminated with
TCE and PCE. The Regional request for technical support, received in October 1988,
was for a review of the ground-water flow and solute transport modeling report. The
report was reviewed by several members of the RSKERL Technology Support Center
and was found to be fairly well done regarding the models chosen and their
application to the site. The conclusions of the report seemed reasonable, based on the
materials presented.
San Fernando Valley Site (89-R09-002)
The San Fernando Valley, CA, site is actually four sites being handled as one large
site. The individual sites are Polloch, Glorietta, Crystal Springs, and North Hollywood,
serving approximately 600,000 residents with ground water. This ground water is
contaminated with TCE and PCE from multiple sources, not all of which have been
identified.
Henry Longest, Director, OERR, requested that the RSKERL Technology Support
Center review and evaluate the available studies and comment on the appropriateness
of the recommendations. An RSKERL multidisciplinary team, including both
Support Center and research staff, reviewed the Burbank Operable Unit Proposed
Plan and associated documents which called forpumping for plume control, treating
and reuse of the water for drinking water supplies. Review comments were provided
March 28,1989, which discussed the effectiveness of a pump-and-treat system at the
site, proposed ground-water models, alternative treatment technologies, contaminant
sources, and the difficulty of achieving total remediation at a site of this scale with
today's technology.
San Gabriel Site (89-R09-003)
The San Gabriel Valley, CA, site consists of four large areas of ground-water
contamination from volatile organic compounds. The ground-water basin provides
over 90 percent of the water supply for over one million people.
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On March 30,1989, Henry Longest, Director, OERR, requested RSKERL to review
and evaluate studies made at the site. Essentially, a review of the GIS approach
applied to the basin was provided.
Brown and Bryant Site (89-R09-004)
See 90-R09-003
The Brown and Bryant site was a pesticides formulating facility and EDB, DNBP
(Dinoseb), DBCP, and 1,2-dichloropropane are found in the soils and the shallow
(65*) perched aquifer. The extent of the aquitard associated with the perched zone has
not been determined. The ability of the clay layers to prevent migration of the
contaminants down to the regional drinking water aquifer cannot be predicted. The
City of Arvin has a water supply well approximately 1500' down gradient.
A site visit was made July 17-20,1989, and discussions were held with OSC on
additional site characterization necessary. RSKERL brought in GeoTrans to aid in
the hydrogeological investigation and contacted EMSL-LV regarding geophysical
assistance. Region IX formally requested assistance from EMSL-LV.
Field work was conducted the week of October 23, 1989. RSKERL, along with
GeoTrans, has continued working with E&E (the OSC's contractor) on specifications
for additional drilling and monitoring well installation.
In early March 1990, RSKERL and GeoTrans were involved in a major effort at the
site which included coring and the installation of additional monitoring wells.
Additional assistance, at a later date, will involve slug tests and pump tests.
Site characterization work, going on since February 1990, has shown a more complex
hydrogeologic situation than was indicated in the PRP's report The perched aquifer
is not underlain by a well defined clay layer as described. Recent exploratory auger
holes and gamma-ray logging on existing wells have shown that water in the perched
aquifer could migrate downward to the regional aquifer through discontinuous beds
of silt, sandy clay, and tight sand. Because of this, the Region revised the work plan
for the site. Four off-site monitoring wells were installed, three downgradient and an
upgradient background well. During the week of April 30 through May 4,1990, the
RSKERL TSC logged the new wells and conducted aquifer tests at the site. On May
23, 1990, a member of the TSC along with GeoTrans met in San Francisco, with
Region IX representatives, at the offices of Ecology and Environment, the Regional
technical support contractor. The purpose of the meeting was to evaluate the status
and results of site characterizations and plan remediation measures which will be
carried out on a pilot scale in the near future.
No further assistance is anticipated.
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Montrose Site (89-K09-005)
The Montrose Chemical site is located near Los Angeles. DDT was manufactured
at the facility from 1947 - 1982. The 13 acre facility included a DDT processing
building, a waste recycling pond, and various auxiliary buildings and structures. The
soils and ground water are contaminated with DDT and its metabolites, BHC, and
chlorobenzene. The surface soils, vadose zone and the ground water (about 70* from
the land surface) contain varying amounts of contamination. In a letter dated August
29,1989, the Region requested assistance in the form of a review of the Draft Work
Plan for Bioremediation Treatability Studies at the Montrose Superfund Site.
Specifically, the request concerned the following:
• Will the stated objectives fulfill the data requirements of a
CERCLA feasibility study and will tests provide sufficient
information to support the evaluation of remedial alternatives?
• Will the recommended tests meet the stated objectives, and if
not, what additional tests should be performed?
• Is the technical approach sound and are there any recommended
changes?
• Are the analytical methods and sampling procedures adequate?
• Are the field and QA/QC procedures adequate?
On September 29,1989, RSKERL provided final recommendations to formulate the
laboratory treatability study being conducted by ECOVA Corporation for the
Mon trose Chemical Company. Although the conclusion was made that the objectives
of Phase 1 will not fulfill the data requirements of a CERCLA feasibility study, the
reaction to the work plan was that it was adequate for the goals of the project with
suggested modifications.
A revised treatability work plan was received for review on May 10,1990, and has
been reviewed. The review comments were provided to the Region by telephone on
May 23, 1990.
Other stud ies are currently under way at the site by the PRP contractor. A part of these
ongoing studies, "Draft Final Report Phase I - Bioremediation Treatability Studies,"
was reviewed by RSKERL and comments and evaluation were provided to the
Region on September 28,1990.
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FMC Site (90-R09-002)
The FMC pesticide formulation facility is located on the south side of Fresno, CA.
The formulation of dry pesticides began in 1946 and the addition of liquid pesticides
began in 1959 when the facility was purchased by FMC
The facility has a complex history of pesticide handling and waste management
disposal practices. Since 1978 the site has been investigated by various state and
federal agencies, and from February 1987 through March 1988, Phase I of an RI/RS
was conducted by FMC. Phase II of the RI was conducted during the first half of 1989
and consisted of additional ground-water and soil contamination investigations.
Phase I of the RI resulted in the analyses of over 100 listed chemicals in ground water
and soil at the site. The chemicals are representative of a variety of pesticide classes,
halogenated aliphatic compounds, volatile aromatic compounds, trace metals, and
semivolatile compounds.
On June 4, 1990, Tom Dunkelman, the Regional Project Manager, requested
technical assistance from the RSKERL Technology Support Center. Specifically the
request involved the evaluation of a ground-water model used in risk assessment and
comments on a soil remediation proposal.
Comments were faxed to the Region July 31,1990. Concerns over model assumptions
were expressed, particularly with the batch flushing method proposed.
Brown and Bryant Site (90-R09-003)
See 89-R09-004
The site was a pesticides formulating facility and EDB, DNBP (Dinoseb), DBCP, and
1,2-dichloropropane are found in the soils and the shallow (65') perched aquifer. The
extent of the aquitard associated with the perched zone has not been determined. The
ability of theclay layers to prevent migration of thecontaminants down to the regional
drinking water aquifer cannot be predicted. The City of Arvin has a water supply well
approximately 1500' downgradient.
The Brown & Bryant RI/FS has been chosen by Region IX to be completed in-house
using as many EPA staff as possible. In a memorandum dated July 12,1990, the
Region requested RSKERL technical assistance in reviewing and commenting on the
draft workplan.
US Ecology Site (90-R09-004)
In a letter dated February 20,1990, Matthew Hagemann, Hydrologist in Region IX,
requested technical support from RSKERL at The US Ecology site in Beattey, NV.
This support was provided by Dr. Richard Johnson, a TSC consultant at the Oregon
Graduate Institute in Beaverton, OR.
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Specifically, Dr. Johnson's involvement was directed to determining the source and
mechanism of transport of soil gas which had been identified as the possible source
of ground-water contamination. The first draft of the report has been completed.
Region X
WyckofflEagle Harbor (88-R10-001)
See 90-R10-004
The Wyckoff Company Site, an active wood treating facility since 1910, is located
on Bainbridge Island occupying approximately 40 acres at the mouth of Eagle Harbor
adjacent to Puget Sound. Both soil and ground water at the site are contaminated with
creosote and PCP. The ground water also contains both floating and sinking pure-
phase products. In March 1988, the Region requested a review of the proposed
ground-water restoration feasibility study and for RSKERL to attend a subsequent
meeting to discuss preliminary results of the study.
As a result of the meeting, a final remediation plan was prepared. Review comments
of the final plan were submitted to the RPM in June 1988. The review stated that the
biological system proposed was acceptable for contaminants at the site, but did
recommend however, that scale-up studies should be conducted prior to the final
design due to the high flow rates involved. It was also recommended that a standby
carbon column be included as a precautionary method due to the anticipated high
variability in influent concentrations.
Frontier Hard Chrome Site (89-R10-001)
In May 1989, the Region requested assistance in evaluating procedures to establish
remediation criteria for the Frontier Hard Chrome Site at Vancouver, WA. The site's
soil and ground water is contaminated with chromium, lead, nickel, and cyanide,
although the contaminant of primary concern is chromium. A ROD has been issued
for the remediation of the site which establishes a tentative clean-up level. The goal
of these procedures is to estimate leachate contaminant concentrations at equilibrium
between soil and water. The request to RSKERL was that an expert be provided to
act in an advisory capacity during the development of the protocol and during the
evaluation of results. Dr. Carl Palmer of the Oregon Graduate Center is providing this
assistance through the RSKERL technology support contract.
Lakewood Ponders Corner Site (89-R10-002)
In response to an April 18, 1989, request from Region X for technical assistance,
RSKERL reviewed the design and operation of a soil vacuum extraction (SVE)
system at the Ponders Corner, WA, site. The contamination of soil and ground water
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resulted from the improper disposal of tetrachloroethene (PCE) into a septic system
of a dry cleaning facility. The site is underlain by three unsaturated soil units of
interest. The first soil unit is an imported fill which varies in thickness from a few feet
to over 15 feet. The second unit is composed of sand and gravel from recessional
outwash deposits which vary in thickness from 1 toSSfeet The third soil unitconsists
of sand and gravel with a high silt and clay content, varying from 8 to 92 feet in
thickness, and having a low permeability.
In general, the SVE performance was limited by unclear remedial objectives, poor
subsurface characterization, and a design based on information collected from other
sites. RSKERL recommended that Region X:
• Establish clear performance standards.
• Better define the lateral and vertical extent of PCE soil
contamination.
• Determine the depth to the water table under the site.
• Install vapor probes to monitor pressure gradients, vapor
concentration, temperature, and relative humidity.
• Conduct pneumatic pump tests on each extraction well to
determine the magnitude and spatial distribution of
permeability and vacuum differential.
• Monitor flow rates and PCE concentrations in each extraction
well during pneumatic pump testing and the PCE rebound in
vapor during periods of inactivity. The use of extraction wells
to monitor soil air concentrations was discouraged.
Time Oil Site #2 (89-R10-004)
The Record of Decision for the Time Oil Site in Tacoma, WA, called for the
implementation of a soil vacuum extraction (SVE) system to remediate soils
contaminated with high concentrations of tetrachloroethylene (PCE), 1,1,2,2-
tetrachloroethane (PCA), and trichloroethylene (TCE). Design has been delegated
to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The maximum detected concentration of PCE
+ PCA and TCE was 29,500 and 25,000 mg/kg, respectively. Soils at the site are
predominantly sandy gravel to gravely sand in texture. Most of the contaminant mass
appears to be near the water table with evidence of prior transport by a light
nonaqueous phase fluid. Soil samples near the water table were described as "oily"
in bore logs.
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At the request of Region X, on September 28,1989, RSKERL SuperfundTechnology
Support Center reviewed a 65% complete SVE design submitted by the Corps,
contractor. Immediate development of performance standards with concurrent use
of representative data such as soil-water partition coefficients was recommended.
The results of the contractor's air flow and contaminant transport modeling were
questioned. Design appeared to be based on inappropriate and inadequate modeling.
Information required for design (e.g., placement and screened intervals of extraction
and observation wells, applied vacuum and flow rates) was absent.
Region X agreed with the need to develop performance standards and subsequently
requested that RSKERL collect soil cores toevaluate soil-water and soil-airpartitioning
relationships. Cores were used to assess potential limitations on the enhanced
volatilization of contaminants present in soil at the site due to the presence of waste
oil:
In a meeting held on October 4,1989, Region X informally requested that RSKERL
review a field test work plan submitted by the Contractor. RSKERL submitted
extensive comments on October 16th and proposed an alternative work plan. It is
expected that RSKERL will continue to be involved as project plans are developed.
United Chrome Site (90-R10-001)
The United Chrome Products site is a former industrial hard chrome plating facility
located in Corvallis, OR. Between 1956 and 1975 an onsite dry well was used to
dispose of floor drippings and washings. As a result, there is considerable chromium
contamination of the soil beneath and around the building in the upper and lower
aquifer of the area. A pump and treat system was installed in 1988, and to date 9,000
pounds of Cr+6 have been removed from 800,000 gallons of contaminated ground
water.
Region X has requested technical support from RSKERL-Ada and RREL-Cincinnati
in evaluating the feasibility of chemical enhancement of the pump-and-treat process
in order to decrease clean-up times. RSKERL Technology Support Center personnel
met in Corval lis on January 25,1990, with Region X personnel, PRP, PRP Contractor
and CH2M-Hill, the site remediation contractor. The purpose of this meeting was to
review the current status of the remediation and results from preliminary Oregon
State University research on chemical enhancement and determine direction of future
efforts. RSKERL suggested and agreed to make available Dr. Carl Palmer, a TSC
consultant of Oregon Graduate Institute, to prepare a feasibility report on the
possibilities for chemical enhancement of pump-and-treat at the United Chrome Site.
This report would consider four major areas of concern: 1) delivery of the reactive
agent to where it is needed within the aquifer, 2) the interaction between the reactive
agent and the contaminant, 3) the removal of the contaminant and the reactive agent
from the subsurface, and 4) the treatment of the extracted water and disposal of the
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resulting sludge. Dr. Palmer's report was delivered to Ada and transmitted to Region
X and RREL on April 20,1990.
On June 19,1990, members of the RSKERL TSC participated in a conference call
which included the Cincinnati and Edison Laboratories, as well as Region X staff.
The discussion involved Dr. Palmer's report and the development and funding of
additional laboratory studies necessary to evaluate chemical enhanced extraction at
United Chrome.
Bunker Hill Site (90-R10-002)
This NPL Site at Kellogg, ID, is a smelter operation where lead and zinc have
contaminated soils. The top layer of soil has been removed and replaced with clean
soil. There is concern about recontamination of the clean soil by the lower layers.
Following a request by the Region, Dr. Robert Puls, RSKERL, and a consultant to
RSKERL, Dr. Carl Palmer, Oregon Graduate Center, were asked toreview background
information concerning the site. Subsequently, Dr. Palmer attended a meeting on
December 19, 1990, with CHjM Hill and State of Idaho personnel. The issues
concentrated on the sources of contamination, mechanisms of contamination, and a
potential remediation design. The area of major concern, as mentioned above, was
the recontamination of the replaced soil as well as the processes which may be
contributing such as capillary movement upward of the metals with the soil water and
the role of plants in mobility of the metals.
RSKERL will review collected material as it becomes available.
Wyckoff Eagle Harbor (90-R10-004)
See 88-R10-001
This request for assistance is related to the Wyckoff Eagle Harbor Superfund Site in
Bainbridge Island, WA. The site is an old wood treating plant which used creosote
and pen tach lorophenol to treat poles. Significant amounts of contaminants have been
detected under the site and continue to seep into Puget Sound along the shoreline.
Since January 1990, an extraction system has been used to pump about eight million
gallons of contaminated water from the aquifer, from which about 12,000 gallons of
oil has been extracted.
In spite of this apparent success, there continues to be seepage along the shoreline in
several areas. This request for assistance is concerned with the possibility of using
recovery trenches to increase the interception of the oil phase before it seeps into the
sound. The response to this request is being prepared.
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RCJRA
Hunt Refining (RCRA-04-01)
The Hunt Refining Company has operated a landfarm at this Tuscaloosa, AL, refinery
since 1981. The Company submitted a Part B Permit Application to continue the
operation of this system. To satisfy the Land Treatment Demonstration requirements
of RCRA, the Company submitted a Preliminary Information Needs Report (PNR)
dated February 1986, which presented results of a study conducted to determine the
status of past landfarm operations.
In October 1988, Region IV requested that RSKERL review and evaluate the data
presented in the PNR document to see if the conclusions drawn were supported by the
data presented. Review comments were provided to the Region in December 1988,
followed by a meeting in Atlanta with the Region and State of Alabama in January
1989. In general, the reviewers found that the conclusion that complete degradation
or transformation of organics was occurring in the treatment zone was not adequately
supported by the data presented.
Cavenham Forest Industries (RCRA-04-02)
/•
Cavenham Forest Industries is a wood treating facility at Gulfport, MS, which has
ceased operations. Currently, post closure is under way for the RCRA regulated units
and investigations are beginning for the non-regulated Solid Waste Management
Units (S WM U). Because of the potential harm from one of these units, the Old Pond,
Cavenham has requested approval from EPA to conduct interim corrective measures.
These include the bioremediation of contaminated soil and ground water.
The Region requested that RSKERL review the Interim Measures Workplan in a
memorandum dated July 12,1990. Review comments, dated July 24,1990, centered
on the proposed bioremediation of soil and ground water at the Old Pond that was used
for storm water storage. Concerns were raised that the inward gradient imposed by
a slurry wall would not allow the introduction of large volumes of nutrients and
electron acceptor laden water required for bioremediation.
Universal Fasteners (RCRA-04-03)
Universal Fasteners is a metals contamination site in Kentucky created by an
improper disposal of plating wastes. A question exists as to whether or not the
monitoring wells are properly located to monitor the ground water. The January 1,
1990, request was for RSKERL to use its computer program to create pattern
diagrams using major cations and anions. Before the diagrams could be created it was
necessary to perform a cation-anion balance to test for confidence in the data. In
addition to developing the pattern diagrams, the request for assistance included an
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interpretation of the results of the data from 4 wells at the site. The response,
submitted to the Region on March 30, 1990, included pattern and Piper diagrams
generated from the supplied data.
Further assistance is expected as additional data is generated.
Southern Wood Piedmont (RCRA-04-04)
The Southern Wood Piedmont (SWP) is a wood treating facility in Baldwin, FL,
which operated between 1953 and 1987. Utility poles and cross ties were pressure
treated with creosote, pentachlorophenol, copper, chromium and arsenic. The
facility has been closed and buildings and equipmentremoved. A RCRAcap has been
installed as required under post closure. A ground-water monitoring system has been
installed along with ground-water extraction wells.
On July 14,1990, the RegionrequestedRSKERLtoreviewaproposedbioremediation
plan for the West Ditch area of the site utilizing the existing pumping wells. The
RSKERL Technology Support Center responded to this request with a memorandum
dated August 7,1990. Generally the comments indicated that the proposal was well
written indicating that the contractor (ERI) has expertise in bioremediation. Major
difference occurred regarding the proposed use of "bioaugmentation" or the
introduction of specific microbes versus the use of indigenous bacteria.
Egbert Corporation Site (RCRA-05-01)
The Egbert Corporation previously manufactured clutch and brake parts, and heavy
construction equipment at its facility in Bedford, OH. The Corporation had an interim
RCRA permit for a drum storage area on which drummed spent solvents were placed
for removal. Spent solvents consisted of xylene, methyl ethyl ketone,
perchloroethylene, and isopropyl alcohol. Storageofwasteonthispadwasdiscontinued
in May 1986. Under a RCRA closure plan, the Egbert Corporation had proposed
using soil vacuum extraction (SVE) to remediate the silty clay soils contaminated
with YCE and PCE. A pilot test was proposed to evaluate the potential SVE system.
The RSKERL Technology Support Center received a technical assistance request
from the Region on April 10,1989, to review the SVE test design. A response was
submitted June 12,1989, which stated thatthe proposed design did not appear capable
of determining the ability of SVE to remediate soils in a reasonable period of time.
Little America Refming-LARCO (RCRA-08-01)
On August 20, 1989, a request was received from Lou Johnson, Chief, RCRA
Implementation Branch, Region VIII, for technical assistance in a litigation case
involving Little America Refining Company (LARCO) of Evansville, WY.
Specifically, the case involves the performance of a soil vacuum extraction system
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installed by LARCO to remove organic vapors from the soil of a residential
subdivision. The Region requested RSKERL to evaluate the performance of the SVE
system, based on existing designs and data, and possibly serve as an expert witness.
The RSKERL response, dated June 19,1989, was in the form of detailed suggestions
on how to assure that the system is operating optimally and advised that SVE at the
site should be effective.
Conoco Refining-Denver (RCRA-08-02)
The Colorado Refinery-Denver Site has extensive contamination of the shallow
ground water by hydrocarbons. Currently a french drain is removing a portion of the
free product present in the unconsolidated alluvial material. A pump-and-treat
system was proposed as a remediation alternative at the site, and RSKERL was
requested to review the plan. Comments describing the limitations of the plan were
provided to Region VIII.
Cody Wyoming Refinery (RCRA-08-03)
Seepage from surface impoundments at the petroleum refining site in Cody, WY,
included a complex mixture of inorganic and organic contaminants which provided
tracers that ranged from those with little or no attenuation to those organic compounds
that were strongly attenuated. The request for assistance, dated June 29, 1990,
centered on a review of "Natural Microbial Degradation of Organic Contaminants in
Seepage from a Refining Waste Water Pond" prepared by GeoWest consultants of
Golden, CO. Specifically, the question concerned the degree to which "natural"
degradation accounts for contaminant attenuation at the Cody site.
The response, dated February 21,1990, showed that insufficient evidence existed to
prove "natural" degradation and made recommendations as to how the question can
be more appropriately approached. A follow-up teleconference was held to discuss
these comments. Future assistance would take the form of a review and
recommendations of additional information gathered to support the claim of natural
degradation. Also, more detailed guidance by RSKERL would be requested to assist
in the collection of the proper information for demonstrating natural degradation at
this and other sites in the Region.
On April 24,1990, Felix Fletchas, Region VIII, visited the Laboratory to discuss the
site and to obtain additional assistance as to the type of information required to
demonstrate if natural microbial degradation or organic contaminants is occurring in
soils and ground water under the site. This information plus a detailed review of
information as supplied by the PRP to support claims of natural degradation were
provided to the RPM June 28, 1990. Review comments were integrated with
information needs. If required, a follow-up teleconference will be held with the
Region to discuss the information and review comments.
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Maricopa, AZ (RCRA-09-01)
The Arizona Hazardous Waste Disposal Facility is located in Maricopa, AZ, and
consists of a facility for the disposal of hazardous waste which is owned by the State
of Arizona and operated by their contractor, ENSCO, from Little Rock, AR.
A June 23,1989, request for assistance on this site was initiated by the Chief of the
RCRA Compliance Branch in Region DC. The essence of the request was to review
the request submitted by the facility to waive requirements for monitoring in the
unsaturated zone based on modeling using a proprietary code. The waiver request and
support documents were never sent to RSKERL. Following a discussion with the
RPM in June 1989, the facility dropped their waiver request thereby concluding the
need for technical assistance at this site.
CP Chemicals (RCRA-09-03)
Since 1958, Southern California Chemicals (SCC) has owned and operated the
inorganic chemical manufacturing and recycling facility in Santa Fe Springs, CA.
SCC is a division of CP Chemicals, Inc., a New Jersey Corporation. SCC presently
operates as a RCRA Interim Status Hazardous Waste Management Facility. The
facility operates a variety of waste management units as well as manufacturing and
operational processes.
The initial Regional request, dated May 30,1990, was for areview of a proposed soil
desorption study for the RCRA regulated facility. The desorption study is one part
of a larger RCRA Facility Investigation (RFI) Workplan. On June 21,1990, the TSC
provided review comments concerning a proposed soil desorption study which
involves the transport of metals, particularly chromium.
Romic Chemical Corporation (RCRA-09-04)
The Romic Chemical Corporation is located in Palo Alto, CA. It is a full service
RCRA permitted hazardous waste management facility involved in waste recycling,
alternate fuel blending, waste incineration, and wastewater treatment. Sampling of
ground water at the facility has revealed very high levels of a variety of chlorinated
and non-chlorinated volatile organic chemicals including: vinyl chloride, freon 113,
1,1,1-trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, perchloroethene, benzene, toluene, 1,1-
dichloroethene, acetone, 1,2-dichloroethene, 1,1-dichloroethane, chloroform, methyl
isobutyl ketone, xylenes, methylenechloride, methyl ethyl ketone, 1,2-dichloroethane,
chlorobenzene, and ethylbenzene.
The levels of vinyl chloride alone have exceeded 130 mg/1. The California
Department of Health Services expressed a great concern about the potential for vinyl
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chloride, an extremely volatile chemical and known human carcinogen, to volatilize
from ground water or soil and impact workers, local residences, and people passing
by.
Romic is currently a subject of a RCRA Corrective Action Order for site investigation
and remediation. As a part of this order, Romic completed a soil-gas survey to
evaluate vapor migration. On May 23,1990, Region DC requested that the RSKERL
Superfund Technology Support Center review the findings of this survey. In a
response dated June 6,1990, RSKERL concluded that, while the mechanics of the
soil-gas survey were sound, it did not fully delineate the extent of vapor migration in
onsite or offsite soils. Specific recommendations included in the RSKERL response
included:
1. Conduct another, more comprehensive, soil-gas survey
encompassing all areas of the site including soils underlying
buildings, especially in areas of past storage or disposal of
VOCs.
2. Determine a soil-gas concentration profile as a function of
depth to gain an insight as to whether vapors are from
water table off gassing or soils contamination.
j
3. Determine the location of utility lines and other possible
preferential vapor migration pathways for soil-gas testing
both on and off site.
4. Collect undisturbed soil samples in brass sleeves in highly
contaminated areas to and below the water table to determine
the distribution of contaminant mass in aquifer material. If
most of the contaminant mass is at or near the water table,
it may be possible to locally lower (e.g., combined air and
water extraction wells) the water table for soil venting
application.
5. Consider conducting a field or pilot scale test on site to
evaluate VOC removal from soils.
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Future Activities
As shown in Figure 1, the RSKERL Technology Support Center responded to 35 site specific
technical assistance requests in FY 1988 with this number growing to 47 in FY 1989 and 63 in FY
1990. Many of these requests have resulted in activities at a site that continue intermittently over
several years. A projection of this trend suggests that the TSC will be faced with responding to more
than 80 new requests for assistance at Superfund sites during the coming fiscal year.
Subsurface remediation technology has probably received less than five years of serious scientific
attention and at this point is not well developed; therefore, any ground-water remediation project is
somewhat of a research project. The TSC works closely with RSKERL scientists in assuring that its
approach to subsurface remediation is fully appreciative of the current scientific understanding of
subsurface contaminant transport and fate processes. While TSC staff members are playing an
increasing role in RSKERL research activities, researchers are also increasing their role in subsurface
remediation technical assistance projects. Questions raised on many of these projects relate to active
areas of research at RSKERL and the TSC provides a unique opportunity for early application of
research results as well as providing field sites for research. Steps are being taken to increase the
number of Superfund sites, like Traverse City and St. Joseph, MI, where the latest technical
innovations which have shown promise for success at smaller scales can be demonstrated at field
scale.
Work is under way to develop a first generation artificial intelligence system for subsurface
remediation guidance. The logic structure of the system will be based on experience gained from
RSKERL TSC activities as well as the research findings of RSKERL and its affiliates. The
"Subsurface Methods for the Assessment of Remediation Technologies" (SMART) system will
guide regulators in evaluating applicable remediation systems and assist in the selection of
innovative remedial designs. In addition to being a user friendly guide for selecting appropriate site
dictated remediation technologies, or combinations of technologies, SMART will serve as a focus
for research needs as well as research products.
Mathematical modeling is playing an increasingly important role in the decision-making process at
hazardous waste sites from estimating the risks associated with no remedial action to evaluating the
performances of in-place remediation technologies. The Technology Support Center at RSKERL
has established the RSKERL Center for Subsurface Modeling Support (CSMoS). CSMoS distributes
and services all models and software developed at RSKERL and provides assistance and training on
contaminant transport modeling applications in the saturated and unsaturated subsurface environment
CSMoS is composed of RSKERL scientists and supported by the International Ground Water
Modeling Center (IGWMC), the National Center for Ground Water Research (NCGWR), and a
number of leading ground-water modeling consultants.
Treatability studies for contaminated sites are used to provide specific information concerning the
potential rate and extent of remediation by providing information on fate and behavior of constituents
at a specific contaminated site. Treatability studies can be conducted in laboratory microcosms, at
pilot scale facilities, or in the field. These studies are conducted to determine whether a specific site
is suitable for a particular technology. The information from treatability studies is combined with
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specific information concerning site and waste characteristics in order to determine potential
applications and limitations of the technology. Information from treatability studies also is used to
prepare an approach to the engineering design and implementation. Sub-contractors under the
umbrella of the RSKERL TSC are available to conduct site specific treatability studies of in-situ
technologies, such as soil vacuum extraction, soil and ground-water bioremedition, and pump and
treat, for the Regions.
Site characterization, subsurface remediation, and predictive modeling are all founded in great
measure on an understanding of the processes controlling contaminant transport and transformation
in the subsurface environment. This understanding also serves as the foundation for those activities
carried out by the interdisciplinary team of scientists and engineers of RSKERL's Technology
S upport Center. The experience and research findings of RSKERL are also applicable to other issues
of paramount importance to EPA, and have been directed in an unstructured way to some of these
issues. The Office of Solid Waste has identified RCRA corrective action technical support as a major
OSW priority and efforts are under way to expand the TSC to address this program in a more
comprehensive manner. The Well-Head Protection and Underground Injection Control (UIC)
Programs within the Office of Water are also requiring additional technical support at the Regional
and State level.
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