Moving Mud
Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments
A Report on the Sediment Assessment and Remediation Program
in the Great Lakes Basin
Great Lakes National Program Office
April 1997
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Moving Mud
Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments
A Report on the Sediment Assessment
and Remediation Program
in the Great Lakes Basin
by
Brian R. Stage
Intern, National Network for
Environmental Management Studies Program
Miami University
Oxford, Ohio
Project Officer:
Gallic Bolattino
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Great Lakes National Program Office
April 1997
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Environmental Scientists Callie Bolattino and Marc Tuchman of the
GLNPO Sediment Assessment and Remediation team for the valuable comments, suggestions,
and encouragement that they offered throughout the project. I would like to recognize the
Grantees for their creativity and hard work which provided the basis for this report, and for their
interest and critical reviews during the project. Thanks also go to GLNPO Technical Assistance
and Analysis Branch Chief David Cowgill and Computer Specialist Darlene Punches for their
suggestions and help in assembling the final product.
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Section I - Introduction
INTRODUCTION
From 1993 through 1996, the Great Lakes National Program Office
(GLNPO) of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)
awarded $5,272,711 in grants for 34 projects to 14 State, Tribal, and Federal
agencies and educational institutions to address contaminated sediments
throughout the Great Lakes.
The sediment grants program provides funding, technical support, and
vessel support to assist contaminated sediment work in priority geographic
areas, known as Areas of Concern (AOCs), in the Great Lakes. The 31
AOCs on the U.S. side of the basin are locations where beneficial uses are
impaired for any one of 14 designated criteria. To address these beneficial
use impairments, each AOC developed a Remedial Action Plan (RAP). All
RAPs written to date have identified contaminated bottom sediments as a
significant problem that must be addressed to attain beneficial uses.
GLNPO's emphasis and ultimate objective is to foster the remediation of
contaminated sediments at these AOCs. The grants program was devel-
oped with the intention of continuing the efforts of the Assessment and
Remediation of Contaminated Sediments (ARCS) Program, which was
administered by GLNPO from 1987 to 1993.
This document is a synopsis of GLNPO's sediment grants program. The
focus is on the 34 projects that have been initiated since fiscal year 1993.
Included is a tabulation of grant recipients and monetary distribution, a
summary of each of the projects, and a look ahead to the future of sediment
assessment and remediation in the Great Lakes.
In part because of the 34 projects, significant progress has been made
towards the restoration of clean sediments in the Great Lakes:
• Much more is known about the nature and extent of the sedi-
ment contamination at many AOC's, setting the stage for
future actions, including mass balance modeling and remedia-
tion.
• New assessment technologies, such as hydroacoustic profiling,
are being researched.
• Remedial treatment technologies are being evaluated.
• With the support of our FY 1996 remediation demonstration
grants, full-scale remediations are being designed and demon-
strated.
Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments
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Section II - Background Information
• Strong community partnerships between government, private
industry, and citizens groups are being formed to plan for and
carry out remediation actions.
* Actual remediation, or 'moving mud' - which in this document
is used to refer to several options, including dredging and
capping - will soon be a reality at many Areas of Concern.
GLNPO's Sediment Assessment and Remediation Team has created this
document as a yardstick, to measure not only where we have been, but how
far we have to go. We congratulate our grantees for the ingenuity and
dedication that they have exhibited. We hope that this document not only
highlights the great work taking place right now, but serves as a catalyst for
new and fresh ideas and a renewed effort to restore clean sediments, one of
the building blocks of a healthy and vibrant Great Lakes ecosystem.
BACKGROUND
Contaminated sediments first began to be noticed as a serious environmental
problem in the early 1970's. Increases in the concentrations of the pesticide
DDT and a group of chemicals known as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
were noticed in the tissues of Great Lakes fish. Although these chemicals had
been banned for several years, concentrations in the tissues of fish and other
animals were actually beginning to increase. While some of the increase was
found to be from airborne contaminants, research also directed attention to
the role of contaminated sediments.
Contaminated sediments have been created by decades of industrial and
municipal discharges, combined sewer overflows, and urban and agricultural
non-point source runoff. Buried contaminants posing serious human and
ecological health concerns can be resuspended by storms, ship propellers, and
bottom-dwelling organisms. Many of these small bottom-dwellers ingest
toxins as they feed in the mud. As larger animals eat these smaller animals,
the toxins move up the food chain, their concentrations getting higher, often
thousands of times higher. Fish at the top of the Great Lakes food chain such
as lake trout and salmon can be considered unsafe to eat in some areas because
of the heavy concentrations of toxic substances in their tissues. Fish-eating
birds, including the bald eagle, may suffer low reproductive rates or produce
offspring with birth defects.
Scientific research has confirmed the significance of bottom sediments as an
ongoing source of contaminants to the Great Lakes. A study of PCBs in Green
Bay found that greater man 90 percent of the ongoing PCB contamination
Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments 2
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Section II - Background Information
in Green Bay sport fish came from contaminated bottom sediments, both
within the bay and in the Fox River. Monitoring of Lake Superior during
the past decade suggests a similar conclusion - that the release of PCBs from
the bottom sediments is the dominating source of food web contamination
(USEPA, 1994).
This link between contaminated sediments and water quality provides the
basis for the GLNPO sediment program. The Federal Water Pollution
Control Act Amendments of 1972 declare as a national goal that all waters
of the United States be made clean enough for fishing and swimming. The
Clean Water Act of 1977 seeks to secure "water quality which provides for
the protection and propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife, and provides
for recreation in and out of the water." The 7978 Great Lakes Water
Quality Agreement h >s specific relevance to GLNPO's mission. The
purpose of the Agreement is to "restore and maintain the chemical,
physical, and biological integrity of the waters of the Great Lakes basin
ecosystem." This charges the USEPA, and GLNPO in particular, with the
responsibility to ensure protection and restoration of Great Lakes habitats.
Although contaminated sediments were recognized as a serious environ-
mental threat at the time that these laws and documents were being drafted,
the information necessary to successfully address the problem did not exist.
In an attempt to focus efforts on the issue of contaminated sediments,
Congress, in the 1987 amendments to the Clean Water Act, authorized
GLNPO to coordinate and conduct a five-year study and demonstration
project relating to the appropriate treatment of toxic pollutants in bottom
sediments. To fulfill the requirements of this Congressional mandate,
GLNPO initiated the Assessment and Remediation of
ContaminatedSediments (ARCS) Program. ARCS was an integrated
program for the development and testing of remedial action alternatives for
contaminated sediments.
The ARCS Program had the following objectives:
• Assess the nature and extent of bottom sediment contamination
at selected Great Lakes AOCs;
t Demonstrate and evaluate the effectiveness of selected remedial
options; and,
• Provide guidance on contaminated sediment problems and
remedial alternatives in the AOCs and other locations in the Great
Lakes.
Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments
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Section II - Background Information
The efforts of many researchers were directed toward developing and
demonstrating sediment assessment and cleanup approaches that were
scientifically sound, and technologically and economically feasible.
Major findings and recommendations of the ARCS Program included the
following:
• Use of an integrated sediment assessment approach, incorporating
chemical analyses, toxicity testing, and benthic community sur-
veys, is essential to define the magnitude and extent of sediment
contamination at a site;
• Risk assessment and modeling activities are valuable techniques
for evaluating the impacts of contaminated sediments;
• Numerous treatment technologies are effective in removing or
destroying sediment contaminants; and,
• Broad public outreach and education are critical in any sediment
assessment and remediation study.
The information gained and tools developed during the ARCS Program for
assessing sediment contamination and for making remediation decisions
are included in a series of 45 documents that are available from GLNPO.
A complete listing and full text or abridged versions of these documents can
be found on GLNPO's World Wide Web homepage, http://www.epa.gov/
glnpo/. To obtain a hard copy of one or more of the ARCS documents, please
contact:
Mr. Lawrence Brail Phone 312-886-7474
ADS [Contractor] Fax 312-353-2018
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Email
Great Lakes National Program Office braiLlawrence@epamail.epa.gov
77 W. Jackson Blvd., G-9J
Chicago. IL 60604
The information contained in these documents is now being applied to
projects addressing contaminated sediment problems in Areas of Concern
across the Great Lakes.
Remediating Great Lake* Contaminated Sediments 4
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Section III - Present Program
PRESENT PROGRAM
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's commitment to cleaning up
contaminated sediments remains strong. Region 5's Agenda for Action lists
contaminated sediments as one of six priorities for FY 1996 and 1997. In
order to focus on the problem and to continue the work begun under the
ARCS Program, GLNPO established the Sediment Assessment and
Remediation Team in 1994. The mission of the Team is to reduce and
prevent the impacts of contaminated sediments on the Great Lakes
ecosystem.
The Team's goals include the following:
1) Perform and provide support for sediment assessments through-
out the Great Lakes.
2) Provide support for sediment-based mass balance modeling
activities.
3) Provide support for sediment-based risk assessments.
4) Provide technical support toward the selection and implementa-
tion of remedial alternatives.
5) Foster partnerships among Great Lakes stakeholders to promote
sediment clean-up activities.
6) Have an active involvement in the setting of policy and direc-
tion for the Great Lakes contaminated sediment program.
In order to accomplish these goals, the Team works cooperatively with
States, EPA Regions and other Federal agencies to help address contami-
nated sediment problems around the Great Lakes basin. We actively
coordinate with the Region 5 Sediment Team and RAP and LaMP
activities to ensure resources are brought to bear on the most pressing
contaminated sediment problems.
We have also created a GLNPO Sediment Database, which will contain
all of the sediment chemistry, toxicity, and benthos data generated as part
of GLNPO-funded projects. The database, built in Microsoft Excel,
employs a standard data reporting format for both field and laboratory data.
This information will be available for dissemination to anyone interested.
One of the major resources that GLNPO provides is the services of the R/
V Mudpuppy. The Mudpuppy is a 32-foot flat-bottom boat specifically
designed for sediment sampling in shallow rivers and harbors. First used
For more info
on the
R/V Mudpuppy
check out
GLNPO's homepage:
http://www.tpa. gov/glnpo/
Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments
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Section III - Present Program
during the ARCS Program, the Mudpuppy is now available to grantees for
use during their projects, and to date has been used to perform sediment
assessments at 19 Great Lakes locations (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Locations of R/V Mudpuppy sediment assessments
The sediment grants program is a major tool used by GLNPO to address
contaminated sediments. From 1993 through 1996, the Sediment Assess-
ment and Remediation Team provided $5,272,711 in grants and Interagency
Agreements for 34 projects to 14 State, Tribal, and Federal agencies and
universities to assess and remediate contaminated sediments throughout
the Great Lakes. Helping to bridge the gap between assessment and
remediation, our FY 1996 funding included a specific focus on remediation
demonstration grants.
New projects arc solicited each year when GLNPO issues to the Great
Lakes community a Funding Guidance document which includes a request
for preproposals. Contaminated sediments is one of the program areas that
is targeted for financial support. Award criteria for sediment grants vary
from year to year based on discussions with partners, results of previously-
funded activities, and a desire to encourage innovative ideas. As site work
progresses and assessments are completed, many AOCs are nearing the
remediation phase. In keeping with this, current priorities for potential
sediment projects can be considered in the following order: (1) on-the-
ground cleanup, (2) remedial design, and (3) field work and assessment.
Evaluations also consider:
t support from the local RAP committee;
• availability of other funds to support the work; and,
• likelihood that remedial measures, including enforcement, will
result.
Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments 6
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Section IV - Overview of Sediment Projects, Fiscal Years 1993 - 1996
OVERVIEW OF SEDIMENT PROJECTS, FISCAL YEARS
1993 - 1996
Key information is provided here about the projects undertaken in the last four
years. Summaries of the 34 projects are contained in an appendix, in which
the projects are numbered in an alphabetical order based on their location and/
or project title. Each summary contains several information categories, which
are described and tabulated here. Further inquiries about particular projects
can be directly addressed to either the grantee contact or the GLNPO project
officer.
Table 1 contains project information for FY 1995, the last year of full funding.
Table 1 shows the number of preproposals received and dollars requested.
TABLE 1. PREPROPOSALS, BY REQUESTING ORGANIZATION, RECEIVED BY GLNPO FOR CONTAMINATED SEDI-
MENTS PROJECTS IN FY 1995.
Federal Agency
Tribe
MBS
USFWS
IL
MI
MN
NY
OH
WI
Fond du Lac
Local
University
NGO
20
Total number of preproposals: 35
Total dollars requested: $4,714,171
NBS = National Biological Service (now part of the U.S. Geological Survey)
USFWS = United States Fish and Wildlife Service
10
Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments
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Action IV - Overview of Sediment Projects, Fiscal Years 1993 - 1996
Table 2, which also contains information from FY 1995, shows the number
of projects actually funded and dollars awarded.
TABLE 2. CONTAMINATED SEDIMENTS PROJECTS (BY GRANTEE) FUNDED BY GLNPO IN FY 1995
Federal A&cncv
NBS
USAGE
fitate Agency
IL
MI
MN
NY
OH
WI
Tribe
1*
1
1
1
1
2
Fond du Lac
Local
1 University 3
* = NBS and IL funded for same project; counted only once in Total number of projects
*• = Three projects funded to USAGE to support work requested by MDEQ; fourth project filled a research gap left by the ARCS
IS
$1,985,820
Total number of projects funded:
Total dollars awarded:
NBS = National Biological Service (now part of the U.S. Geological Survey)
USAGE = United States Army Corps of Engineers
MDEQ = Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Table 3 gives the number of new projects and total dollar amounts allocated
for each of the four years (FY 1993-19%) of the GLNPO sediment grants
program. The relatively low number of new projects in FY 19% reflects the
specific focus on remediation demonstration grants which have a higher dollar
amount per project
TABLE3. ^nJMBEROT^JEWPROJnECTSA^a>TOTAL^X)LLARAMOUNTSPORGIJ^POCONTAMINATED
SEDIMENTS FUNDING ASSISTANCE, FY 1993-1996.
New Projects
1993 5
1994 10
1995 15
1996 4
Total Dollar;
$797,800
$1,470,991
$1,985,820
$1,018,100
34
$5,272,711
Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments 8
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Section IV - Overview of Sediment Projects, Fiscal Years 1993 - 1996
Grantee
Table 4 lists all grantees receiving FY 1993-1996 GLNPO sediment funding.
TABLE 4. AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVING FY 1993-1996
GRANT ASSISTANCE DOLLARS FROM GLNPO (13 TOTAL)
Fond du Lac Tribe
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Michigan State University
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
National Biological Service (now part of the U.S. Geological Survey)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
University of Michigan
University of Minnesota-Duluth
University of Wisconsin
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Table 5 displays the distribution of the 34 projects among the 14 recipients.
TABLE 5. CONTAMINATED SEDIMENTS PROJECTS (BY GRANTEE) FUNDED BY
GLNPO DURING FY 1993-1996
Federal Agency State Agency Tribe Local
NBS 1* IL 1* Fond du Lac 2 Michigan St. Univ. 1
NOAA 1 MI 2 U. of Michigan 1
USAGE 8 MN 3 U. of Minnesota-Duluth 1
NY 4 U. of Wisconsin-Madison 1
OH 3
WI 6
10 19 2
* = NBS and IL funded for same project; counted only once in Total number of projects
Total number of projects funded: 34
Total dollars awarded: $5,272,711
NBS = National Biological Service (now part of the U.S. Geological Survey)
NOAA = National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration
USAGE = United States Army Corps of Engineers
Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments
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Section IV - Overview of Sediment Projects, Fiscal Years 1993 - 1996
A ward Amount
Table 6 shows the dollar distribution among grantees for FY1993-1996. Award
amounts ranged from $61,463 - $500,000; the average award amount was
$155,000. Grantees are required to provide a 5% match; any dollars leveraged
above 5% are noted in the project summary.
TABLE 6. GLNPO ASSIST
PROJECTS DURING FY 1
Fc^era' Agency
NBS $ 40,000
NOAA $148,100
USAGE $873,000
'ANCE DOLLARS (BY GRANTEE) ALLOCATED FOR CONT/>
993-1996
State Agency xribe
IL $100,000 Fond du Lac $270,000
MI $325,000
MN $733,000
NY $641,725
OH $860,000
WI $931,070
$1,061,100 $3490,795 $270,000
20% 68* 5%
Total number of projects funded: 34
Total dollars awarded: $5,272,7 1 1
NBS = National Biological Service (now part of the U.S. Geological Survey)
NOAA = National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration
USAGE = United States Army Corps of Engineers
kMINATED SEDIMENTS
Local
Michigan St. Univ. $ 96,000
U. of Michigan $101,353
U. of Minn.-Duluth $ 92,000
U. ofWisc.-Madison $61,463
$350,816
7%
Table 7 shows the distribution of projects and dollar amounts by Great Lakes
Basin.
TABLE 7. GLNPO-FUNDED CONTAMINATED SEDIMENTS PROJECTSAND DOLLARS BY GREAT
LAKE BASIN DURING FY 1993-1996
L*^
Ontario
Erie
Huron
Michigan
Superior
* of Projects
5
12
3
10
8
Total Dftllars
$703,188
$2,096,767
$219,816
$1,124,029
$1,374,763
Note: Projects involving mare than one take basin are included for as many lake basins as applicable.
Remediating Great Lake* Contaminated Sediments 10
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Section IV - Overview of Sediment Projects, Fiscal Years 1993 - 1996
Project Timetable
The average project length is two years. For field projects, the first
requirement of the project is creation of a quality assurance project plan
(QAPP), which describes in detail the sampling design and laboratory analysis
methods. This plan must be approved by sediment and quality assurance
personnel from GLNPO. Aside from development of the QAPP, project
activities generally include execution of the scope of work (e.g., the actual
assessment or remediation), compilation of any data results, and production
of a final report.
Project Location
Most contaminated sediments projects are local in scope, focusing on a harbor
or stretch of river. This is true for 33 of the 34 projects discussed in this
document. The exception, project #4, has a Great Lakes Basin-wide scope.
Partners
Many projects involve agencies or groups which act as partners to the grantee
by providing technical advice or assisting with activities such as field sampling
and data analysis. Table 8 provides a list of these partners.
TABLES. CONTAMINATED SEDIMENTS PROJECT PARTNERS, FY 1993-1996
Ashtabula River Partnership
City of Toledo
Clinton River PAC
Fox River Coalition
Gencorp, Inc.
Grand Valley State University
Great Lakes Protection Fund
Heidelberg College
Maurnee RAP Group/Team
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Sediment Contamination Workgroup of the St. Louis River RAP
University of Minnesota-Duluth
University of Wisconsin Department of Civil and
Environmental Engineering
University of Wisconsin Sea Grant
University of Wisconsin-Superior
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District
USEPARegion5
White Lake PAC
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
// Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments
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Section IV - Overview of Sediment Projects, Fiscal Years 1993 -1996
Narrative
Each summary contains a brief descriptive section which provides back-
ground information, highlights the purpose of the project, and often states
the project goals and objectives.
Table 9 shows the projects, represented by project #, grouped into five
categories based on the type of work performed. Because sediment
contamination at many AOCs was uncharacterized when the funding
program started, the first few years have been dominated by assessment
projects. Beginning in FY 1996 with the addition of the two remediation
projects, we expect the ratio of assessment:remediation projects to continue
to decrease in the corning years as AOCs are characterized and actions
move toward remediation.
TABLE 9 - CONTAMINATED SEDIMENT PROJECTS (REPRESENTED BY PROJECT #),
GROUPED BY CATEGORY. REFER TO APPENDIX FOR PROJECT NAME AND NARRATIVE
Assessment
Bench Scale/
Trcatability and
Feasibility
Data Management
Remediation
Technical Research,
Remedial Design, or
Development
2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18,
19, 20, 21, 24, 25, 27, 28, 31, 32, 33, 34
29
23
1,22
4,8, 11,26,30
Data Results
Twenty-five of the thirty-four projects include field sampling in their scope
of work. For these 25 projects, a synopsis of the current state of the data
results is provided. When the data results have been finalized, they are sent
to the GLNPO Sediment Team and entered into the GLNPO Sediment
Database, which will contain all of the sediment chemistry, toxicity, and
benthos data generated as part of GLNPO-funded projects. The data is then
made available for dissemination to any interested parties.
Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments 12
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Section IV - Overview of Sediment Projects, Fiscal Years 1993 - 7996
Environmental Results/Products
Table 10 lists some of the environmental results and publications produced
from the projects.
TABLE 10. PARTIAL LIST OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESULTS AND PRODUCTS FROM
SEDIMENT PROJECTS, FY 1993-19%.
Realized and anticipated results of the funded projects include:
Assessment of depositional sediment toxicity on the benthic community;
Detailed site information which will enable the formulation of remediation ^'-xisions;
Detailed assessments required to make decisions about contaminated sediment management;
Development of a geographic information system which will enhance sediment
management decisions;
Enhanced ecological restoration and economic development opportunities;
Fostering of scientifically sound decision making on the selection and implementation of
sediment remedial alternatives;
Generation of information needed to evaluate human health risks attributable to contamination;
Incorporation of project data into a geographic information system;
Increased awareness of contaminated sediment issues in the Great Lakes;
Increased emphasis on stormwater control as well as remediation of certain sediment deposits;
Production of data to be used as part of a mass balance modeling effort;
Promotion of sediment clean up activities in the Great Lakes basin;
Reduced risk to humans and biota from contaminated sediments; and.
Reduced contaminant loadings to the Great Lakes.
Documents produced to date include:
Assessment of Mercury Contamination in the Sediments of Six Reservoirs on the Lower
St. Louis River, Minnesota
Final Remediation Investigation Report for the Hayton Area Remediation Project,
Volumes l-IIl
Oswego River Sediment Study
Site Characterization Report, Feasibility Study Report, and Results of Aerobic
Biodegradation Screening Treatability Study for the Newton Creek System
Survey of Sediment Qualify in the Duluth/Superior Harbor: 1993 Sampling Results
13 Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments
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Section V - Lessons Learned
LESSONS LEARNED
As our funding program has moved forward, discussions with our grantees
have yielded valuable information as to what some of the hurdles are for
remediation of contaminated sediments and restoration of a clean benthic
environment. While assessments at several AOCs have been completed, the
move to the next steps - remedial design and actual remediation, or 'moving
mud'- has not been easy. We recognize these difficulties and have focused our
efforts on providing assistance in order to bridge these gaps.
We believe that one of the primary keys to achieving successful remediation
at any site will be the development of a strong and committed partnership of
stakeholders. These individuals and organizations must be able to pool their
resources and expertise as well as cooperate to overcome their differences. The
Ashtabula River Partnership is a prime example of how a community has
organized itself around a common goal of contaminated sediment remedia-
tion. We are encouraged by their dedicated efforts thus far, and we hope to
soon see many other communities following their lead.
Recommendations for Future Efforts
GLNPO's Sediment Assessment and Remediation Team recommends that
these goals be focused on in the future to address the contaminated sediment
problem in the Great Lakes:
• Keep the momentum going toward 'moving mud' - toward actual
remediation at more and more Great Lakes sites.
0 Expand the list of Great Lakes sites requiring assessment and possible
remediation by looking to sites outside of Areas of Concern.
• Develop and promote new and innovative techniques for assessing
contaminated sediments.
• Build a strong partnership of committed, cooperative individuals and
organizations.
• Be creative and innovative in securing financial resources for
sediment projects.
Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments 14
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Section V - Lessons Learned
• Strive to make remedial designs not only effective, but also efficient
and practical.
• Facilitate the communication of successful remedial activities to
other groups and partnerships both in the Great Lakes basin and
elsewhere.
Much progress has been made since the inception of the ARCS Program
10 years ago. Anticipating the next 10 years, we look forward to supporting
the continuing and renewed efforts of our grantees as we all strive to reduce
and prevent the impacts of contaminated sediments on the Great Lakes
ecosystem.
As our grants program continues and our database expands, we want to
make sure we remain on the right track. Feedback from our partners and
from the community is invaluable in helping us to do this. What are your
thoughts and opinions about GLNPO's Contaminated Sediments Pro-
gram? What questions do you have? How can the program be improved?
We urge you to communicate with us.
Access our World Wide Web site: http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/
or contact: Marc Tuchman, Sediment Assessment and Remediation
Team Leader:
Phone 312-353-1369
Fax 312-353-2018
E-mail tuchman. marc @ epamail. epa.gov
15 Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments
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Section VI- References
REFERENCES
Clean Water Act. 1977.
Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments. 1972.
Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. 1978, and 1987 Protocol.
Lake Michigan Federation. Cleaning Up Contaminated Sediments: A
Citizen's Guide. 1995.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Assessment and Remediation of
Contaminated Sediments (ARCS) Program - Final Summary Report. 1994.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EPA's Contaminated Sediment
Management Strategy. 1994.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Great Lakes Contaminated Sedi-
ment Strategy Workshop Proceedings. 1995.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Region 5 Agenda for Action. 1996.
Water Quality Act of 1987.
Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments 16
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Section VII - Appendix
#1 - ASHTABULA RIVER REMEDIATION PROJECT
(FY1996 - IAG - DW9694777S-01-0)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Contact: Brian Troyer, Project Manager
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, CENB-PP-PM
Buffalo District
1776 Niagara Street
Buffalo.NY 14207-3199
716-879-4316
716-879-4355 FAX
Technical Contact: Steve Goly ski, Technical Manager
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, CENCB-PE-PT
Buffalo District
1776 Niagara Street
Buffalo.NY 14207-3199
716-879-4228
716-879-4355 FAX
Award Amount: FY19%-$500,000 ($250,000 each from GLNPO and Region 5 Water Division)
Dollars Leveraged: $500,OOOthroughAshtabulaRiver Partnership
Project Timetable: October 1,1996 - September 30,1999
GLNPO Project Officer: Gallic Bolattino 312-353-3490
Project Location: Ashtabula, Ohio
Partners: Ashtabula River Partnership, Ohio EPA
Narrative: The Ashtabula River and Fields Brook have been contaminated with PCBs, PAHs, VOCs and heavy metals. The
AshtabulaRiverPartnership(ARP),comprisedofprivatecitizens and groups, government officials, and business and industry leaders,
was formed to explore the effective remediation of the contaminated sediments in the AshtabulaRiver and Harbor. The goal of the
ARPis to look beyond traditional approaches in ordertodetennineacomprchensive solution forremediation of the contaminated
sediments not suitabtefor open lake disposal.
This project will involve the development of adetaileddesignforan upland disposal facility for dredged contaminated sediments
classin^asTSCAandiKHHTSCAinconfomiaiKxswitht^
moidertoorXaintheAshtaDulaRiverPartnershipgodforcom
Status: ongoing
Environmental Results/Products: Successful remediation of the AshtabulaRiver and Harborwill ultimately enhance ecological
restoration and economic development opportunities in Ashtabula County.
17 Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments
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Section VII - Appendix
#2 - CLINTON RIVER, MICHIGAN SEDIMENT ASSESSMENT
(FY1994 - IAG - DW96947710-01-0)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Contact: Jim Galloway
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
ATTN:CENCE-EP-E
P.O. Box 1027
Detroit, MI 48231
313-226-6760
313-226-7095 FAX
Award Amount: FY1994 -$ 159,304 (IAG total $221,000 for Clinton River and Muskegon/White Lakes (projects #16/#33)
combined)
Project Timetable: September 1,1994 - September 30,199S
GLNPO Project Officer: MarcTuchman 312-353-1369
Project Location: CbmonRiverwatershed,OaklaiKlaiKlMacombCciunties, southeast Michigan
Partnen:MicniganDepartineMofEnvironinental(>ial«y
Narrative: The Clinton River(h«nage encompasses 1968km2msoumeastMtcUgan.priinanly inOaktandandMacombCounties.
Containinatedsedinw»ts in oVOirton River have coimbuted to ite
Act 307 site. Sedimentation has been documented asaserious problem throughout die watearshedasaresultofboth agriculture and
raban/suburban development, but little is known about contaminants associated with these sediments.
The project has twoobjectives:
• todeterniinewhichcontarninantspresentaDroblem-.and,
• toidentiryareasofcontamination.
This study will be used todetermine potential "hot spots", and will provide data toprioritize these zones and aidindesigningbenthic
community ami njrtbersediir>entcharar«m7arion studies over the next n^^
Status: closed out
DataResute:Thek>werriver,fromMtCknienstouwrivCT
The highest observed concentrationsof several heavy metak,inclu*ngCr(340mg/kg),Ni(162mg/kg),andZn(761mg/kg),and
anefevatedconcentrationofPb(233ing/I«).occimedmltaisarea. PCB corK»«ratk)mwercalsohignestin this area, wim recorded
levelsof8J2mg/kgand3.4mg/kg. Three sites mu^aieahad PAH concentrations above 195mg/kg,thehighestlevelDeingalmost
280mg/kg. Coricentratwmtruxxighc^theiipoerwatershedwercgeneraUynotek^
PAH concentration (248 mg/kg) and a site in Pontiac had the highest observed Pb concentration, 320 mg/kg.
Envni»iMntal Results/Products: Tins stwty
better de&)eateamtaminant areas and determine any sites whichiequireiinniedialeor future remediation.
Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments 18
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Section VII - Appendix
#3 - CLINTON RIVER, MICHIGAN SEDIMENT SUPPORT
(FY1995 -IAG-DW96947740-01-0)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Contact: Jim Galloway
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
ATTN:CENCE-EP-E
P.O. Box 1027
Detroit, MI 48231
313-226-6760
313-226-7095 FAX
Award Amount: FY1995 - $ 150,000 (I AG total $225,000, for Clinton River and Trenton Channel (project #27) combined)
Project Timetable: July 31,1995 - December 31,1996
GLNPO Project Officer: Gallic Bolattino 312-353-3490
Project Location: Clinton River, Michigan
Partners: Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Clinton River PAC
Narrative: Contaminated sediments in the Clinton Ri verhave contributed to its designation as both a Great Lakes Area of
Concern and aMichigan Act 307 site. A FY 19941 AG (project #2) served as a preliminary assessment of sediments throughout
the Clinton River watershed.
The goal of this FY 1995IAG is to conduct comprehensive assessments of sediments within specific areas of the river in order to
further define locations of extensive contamination.
There are three main objectives:
• to better define the areas of contamination in the 4 zones previously determined to be notably
contaminated (Zone 1, Pontiac; Zone 2, Mainstem Clinton River from Rochester to confluence
with Red Run Drain; Zone 3, Red Run Drain; and Zone 4, Lower River);
• to determine on a site specific basis if contamination is attributable to historic or ongoing sources
and to identify ongoing sources; and,
• todetenrdnesiteswruchrequireimmediateorfutureremediation.
Status: ongoing
Data Results: Several sites along the lowerriver, below Mt. Clemens, had elevated heavy metal concentrations. The highest
concentrations, all in mg/kg, included the following: cadmium, 28; chromium, 400; lead, 400; nickel, 190; and zinc, 940. The
highest PAH concentrations occurred in the upper river watershed, including levels of 342 mg/kg at a site near Auburn Heights
and a concentration of 113 mg/kg near Moravian Road.
Environmental Results/Products: The project will provide detailed site information which will enable the formulation of
remediation decisions.
19 Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments
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Section VII - Appendix
#4 - COSTS AND BENEFITS OF CLEANING UP GREAT LAKES SEDIMENT IN AREAS OF CONCERN
(FY1995 - GL985062-01-0)
University of Wisconsin
Contact- PhilKtillor
U.W. Sea Grant College Program
University ofWisconsin-Madison
1800 University Avenue
Madison, WI53705-4094
608-263-5133
608-263-2063 FAX
A ward Amount: FY1995-$61,463
Dollars Leveraged: $296,000 ($232,000 from Great Lakes Protection Fund and $64,000 from U.W. Sea Grant)
Project Timetable: May 1,1995 -December31,1997
GLNPO Project Officer: Marc Tuchman 312-353-1369
Project Location: Great LakesBasin
Partners: Greatl^kesProtectk»Fimd,UmversityofWisconsm
Engmeermg
Narrative: mordertobuiklurKmUSEPA-ARC^ardEnYironmentCaiiada'sde
tools are needed to estimate the benefits and costs of cleaning up contaminated sediments.
The goal of this project is the presentation of a decision framework with tools and training that can be used by Remedial Acdon Plan
(RAP) developers for making sediment remediation choices in Great Lakes Areas of Concem(AOCs).
Specific project objectives include:
• todevekjpaneccinonikanalvsisarjproachtobenefitsarKicostsofsedimentrernediation;
f tornvestigatesigjiifk^tcostfaaonaiiduncedafflu
• tomvestigatecost-savirig.cooperadverernediationstrategiesjand,
§ todevetopsuppottuigcompulersoftware.
Status: ongoing
EnviromDentalResalts/Products: An^meworicofmethoo^logiesforesdinaungbenefitsandcostsof remediation options will be
introduced to decision-makers and those wlw influence decisions regarding sediment remediation.
Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments 20
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Section VII - Appendix
#5 - SURVEY OF SEDIMENT QUALITY IN THE DULUTH/SUPERIOR HARBOR (DULUTH PHASE I)
(FY1993 - GL995383-01-0)
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Contact: Judy Crane
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
WaterQuality Division
520 Lafayette Rd.N.
St. Paul, MN 55155-4194
612-297-4068
612-297-8683 FAX
A ward Amount: FY1993-$217,500
Project Timetable: October 1,1993 - September 30,1995
GLNPO Project Officer: Gallic Bolattino 312-353-3490
Project Location: St. Louis River Area of Concern, Duluth/Superior Harbor (Duluth, MN/Superior, WI)
Partners: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Sediment Contamination Workgroup of the St. Louis River RAP
Narrative: The project was designed to fulfill thecriticalneedforasedinient survey ofthe St. Louis Riverestuary,includingthe Duluth/
Superior Harbor. Certain sediments within the AOC were known to contain elevated concentrations of PCBs, PAHs, and heavy
metals. However,thedisuibunon and rustoricalrecordofoxitammants and potential toxicity of tte
understood. Most historic data were collected near shipping channels to support dredging operations. In addition, most data were
outdated due to higher detection limits and less stringent quality assurance/quality control.
The project goal was to define general areas within the AOC where sedimentcontamination and toxicity appeared to be elevated.
The esnjaryoHHaiiis several taw wnorsuspectedaiieasoftog^
known to be contaminated, as well as unknown sites, was mtendedtoprovideaconsistentframeworkforprioritizingremedial sediment
activities within the AOC. At each of 40 sites, sediment cores were collected for chemical analyses, and sediment toxicity tests were
conducted on surficial Ponar samples.
Status: closed out
Data Results: The highest concentrations of PAHs, heavy metals, and 2,3,7,8-TCDD were found in sediments near the USX
Superfund site. Elevated levels of PAHs and metals were also located near the discharge from the Western Lake Superior Sanitary
District (WLSSD). The highest levels of PCBs occurred near the WLSSD discharge; elevated levels were also found at USX and
at two slips in the outer harbor. Most contaminant concentrations followed an approximately chi-square distribution (i.e., there were
many samples with low-end concentrations and relatively few samples with elevated levels). This was especially true for lead and zinc.
Seven sites were toxic in the Microtox test, whereas 21 sites were mutagenic tothe bacterium, Photobacteriumphosphorwn. Three
sites were acutely toxic to the midge, Chironomus tentans, including the Unnamed Creek outfall at USX.
Environmental Results/Products: This project was an integral part of a continuing effort to assess sediment contamination and
toxicity in the St. Louis River AOC. IrifonnationcoUectedwasessentialmplannmgforPhasen(project^)ofthesnidy. This survey
tognughted areas within the DuluuVSuperiorHarboruhatha^^
suggested contaminants and endpoints of concern for each site. A final report, "Survey of Sediment Quality in the Duluth/Superior
Harbor: 1993 Sampling Results", will be made available to the public in early 1997.
21 Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments
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Section VII - Appendix
#6 - SEDIMENT ASSESSMENT OF HOTSPOT AREAS IN THE DULUTH/SUPERIOR HARBOR
(DULUTHPHASEH)
(FY1994- GL995636-01-0)
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Contact: Judy Crane
Minnesota PoUution Control Agency
WaterQuality Division
520 Lafayette Rd.N.
St. Paul, MN 55155-4194
612-297^1068
612-297-8683 FAX
Award Amount: FY1994 - $310300 (St. Louis River sediment portion of MPCA cluster grant)
Project Timetable: August 26,1994-September 30,1997
GLNPOProjectOfficenCallieBolattino 312-353-3490
Project Locatkm: St Louis River Area ofConcem.Duluth/Superior Harbor (Duluth,MN/Superior,WI)
Partners: Wisconsin Department ofNatural Resources, SedimentContanunationWorkgroupof the St. Louis River RAP
Narrative: ThisstudyisPhaseIIoftheSt.LouisRiverSediment Assessment The40sitessurveyedduringPhaseIin 1993 (project
#5) were evaluated according to the degree of contamination and toxicity observed. Eight locales were selected as hotspots, and
KimbaU'sBaywas selected asack^referax* site. TheUSXandli^
were excluded from the survey due to separate investigations at these sites.
The goal is to performadetailed sediment assessment at sites identified as toxicand/or contaminated in the 1993 survey in the Duluth/
Superior Harbor and St. Louis River and, as a result of the assessment, to develop a sediment management plan for these sites.
Contaminants of concern and tfieir measurement were tailored to each site.
The objectives are to:
• determinepoUutaMdistrirjutk)awitfamhotspotsidenaiiedmthel993survey;
• perfonntoxicitytestsateachofthesites,atafrequency of at least 50% of the sites where
contaminants were measured;
0 perfurniabentniccoinmunity assessment at each site; and. integrate-chemistry, toxicity. and
bendiicOMnmumtyassessnient datatodetennineasedimentmanagenient plan forimp^
Status: ongoing
Date Results: The highest nc>nnahzedPAHprofuec»Kxnt
ofthe Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (Wl^SD). The highest merciiryax»centration(3.9mg/kg) was observed ataWLSSD
stte,arK]overaU,theareasumx]nding WL^SDhaddieniostwidespreadm Thehignestlevelsof simultaneously
extracŁableinetak(SEM),whennonnauzedforAtidVolatileSulfid^
high at this site.
Four samples from three different sites were acutely toxic to the amphipod, HyaleUa azteca. Two samples from different si tes were
acutely toxic to the midge, Chironomustewans. For 42% of the samples tested, the C. tentans results were inconclusive due to poor
control survival.
Remediating Great Lake* Contaminated Sediments 22
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Section VII - Appendix
The benthological community structure was dominated by tubificid oligochaetes, chironomids, and the polychaete Manayunkia
speciosa (at selected sites). The highest mean abundance recorded for oligochaetes was at Minnesota Slip. Mean values of total
abundance and taxarichness were low at Kimball' s Bay, indicating that this site was not asuitablecontrolsite. Mouthpart deformities
in chironomid larvae were recorded at six sites, fourof which were in the vicinity of WLSSD.
Integration of the sediment chemistry, toxicity data, and benthological community structure data are pending.
Environmental Results/Products: This survey will provide the detailed assessments required to make decisions about contaminated
sedutient management. ResidtswiUteused to targetsitesforsedimentm
source contaminant controls. A report. Sediment Assessment ofHotspot Areas in the Duluth/SuperiorHarbor, will be available
to the public in 1997.
23 Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments
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Section VII - Appendix
#7 • EASTERN LAKE ONTARIO DRAINAGE BASIN SEDIMENT STUDY
(FY1995-GL985137-01-0)
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Contact: BniceGarabedian
New York State Department ofEnvironmental Conservation
50 Wolf Road, Room 305
Albany. NY 12233-3502
518-457-0729
518-485-7786 FAX
A ward Amount: FY1995-$314,004
Project Timetable: September 25,1995 - September 24,1997
GLNPO Project Officer: Debbie Siebers 312-353-9299
ProjectLocation: Eastern Lake Ontariodrainage basin, including Black River
Narrative: PrcviousstudieshaveindicatedthattheBlackRJveristhetopcontributorofPCBstoLakeOntario. Elevated levels of
total PCB'sand heavy metals, including mercury.cadmium, and lead, have been repotted in watercolumn and sediment samples from
theBlack River anditstributaiies.However.coniprehensivesediinentdatafor the study arcaisn^
The goal of the study is (Devaluate sediments in the Eastern Lake Ontariodrainage basin. Emphasis will be placed on validation of
suspect dataincluded on theNatiooalSedinient Inventory and the study ofcontani^^
quality by the NYSDEC Priority Water Problem (PWP) list.
Study objectives are:
• toprovideinfonnauononfevelsofcontammadonandtoxidtyoilxxtofnsedinientsinthe
tributaries to the Eastern Lake Ontario drainage basin; and,
t tocomJiictbioaccuniiilationstudiesonthesedinientsoftheBlackRiverandEastemLake
Ontario tributaries.
Status: ongoing
Data Results: should be available in 1997 (sampling started in late 1996; will be completed in late spring orearly summer, 1997)
Environmental Results/Products: The study wiUprovideinfomiationonievelsofa)ntaminationandtoxidtyonxxtomsediments
in selected Eastern Lake Ontario tributaries.
Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments 24
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Section VII - Appendix
#8 - DESIGN OF A SEDIMENT TREATMENT PLANT AT ERIE PIER CONFINED DISPOSAL
FACILITY (CDF) (FY1995 - GL985132-01-0)
University of Minnesota - Duluth
Contact: Ri.Bleifuss
Assistant Director - Minerals
University of Minnesota - Duluth Campus
Natural Resources Research Institute
Box 188
1 Gay ley Avenue
Coleraine.MN 55722
218-245-4201
218-245-4219 FAX
Technical Contact: ChuyingWu
Research Fellow
University of Minnesota-Duluth Campus
Natural Resources Research Institute
Box 188
1 Gay ley Avenue
Coleraine.MN 55722
218-245-4201
218-245-4219 FAX
Award Amount: FY1995 - $92,000
Project Timetable: October 1,1995 - December 31,1996
GLNPOProjectOfficer: CallieBolattino 312-353-3490
Project Location: St. Louis River Area of Concern, Duluth/Superior Harbor (Duluth, MN/Superior, WI)
Partners: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District
Narrative: The project will provide the necessary informationforthedesignofafacility to treat dredge material produced and prolong
metifeoftheEriePierCoiifinedDJsrx>salFaduty(CDF).TheCDFisnearingits^
of dredge materials either by construction of a new facility orby extending the life of the one currently in use.
Project objectives include:
• conduct a sampling program to determine the size consist and chemical composition of the sediment stored in
the CDF, especially the northeastern section which contains the finest-grained material from the washing
operation. The information will be used to design and to makea more accurate cost estimate for the treatment
facility;
• investigate the possibility of creating a secure area within the CDF for the storage of highly polluted dredge
material which may be removed from the harbor in the future; and,
• develop acost estimate for the construction of a secured lined compartment within the CDF for the storage of more
highly contaminated sediment which could be generated in the area from Superfund sites, etc.
Status: Ongoing
Data Results: incoming
Environmental Results/Products: Economic savings from increased capacity of existing confined disposal facility.
25 Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments
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Section VII - Appendix
#9 - SURVEY OF Hg IN SEDIMENT CONTAMINATION - LOWER ST. LOUIS RIVER RESERVOIRS: FOND
du LAC PHASE I (FY1993 - GL995478-01-0)
Fond du Lac Tribe
Contacts: Larry Schwarzkopf, Principal Investigator
Fred Vande Venter, Aquatic Scientist
Fond du Lac Natural Resources Program
105 University Road
Cloquet,MN 55720
218-879-1759
218-879-4146 FAX
A ward Amount: FY1993-$70,000
Project Timetable: October 1,1993 - September 30,1995
GLNPO Project Officer. Gallic Bolattino 312-353-3490
ProjectLocation: St.LouisRiversystemreservoirs,Diiluthregion,Minnesota
Partners: UniveraryofMinnesote-lXdiirh, University ofWisconsin-Superior
Narrative: The St. Louis River, the largest U.S. tributary to Lake Superior, has been identified by the LJC as an Area of Concern,
in pact due to the presence of toxic contaminants in fish tissue and negative impacts on the benthic community. Mercury (Hg) levels
in walleye are elevated at various locations along the tower St. Louis River, with the highest values occuringnear and within six small
reservoirs. Asaresult of past industrial practices and discharges, the sediments haveaccumulated contaminants, including Hg, behind
theieservouxiams.Apndiininatysureyonig concentrate^
peak in Hg levels in some strata. Results ofa study on mercury in fish alongthetowerSL Louis River have demonstrated the ukelihood
that sediments in the to werriverreservoirs may influence mercury residues in fish.
This project wasafollow up toapreliminary sediment survey ofthe lower St Louis Ri ver reservoirs. The goal was toconduct a more
detailed study to assess sediment mercury contamination and its importance in bioaccumulation, resuspension, and transport.
tavestigatiom oinsisted oftAvoaxnrx3nents:l)amercury-in-sedimemc»r^
measuring mercury in the conesponding surface sediments.
Status: closed out
Data Results: Thirrysamrjleshadmeicuryconcentrationsabove 1.3ug/g(ppm). Twoof the three highest concentrations were from
ScankxiReservou-(2.5and3.4iig/g). Elevated CXHKXHI^
fromForbayReservoir(l .9ug/g). The nwst widespread cootaminatkm appears to bernThomp^
concentrations, including 2.6ug/gand22ug/g, were found. Also,21 of rhe 30 samples with concentrations above 1.3 ug/gwere from
14cores taken from Thompson Reservoir.
EnvinMunentalRemtayProdocts: Thehifarmadononmeicurycontanunadonmtheseresei^oirshasbee^
the need fornutigadngrrnse areas wherera'gh levels oftniscxmtammant are a^
mercury mitigation technology is using some of the knowledge gained in this study. A project report, Assessment of Mercury
Contamination in the Sediments of Six Reservoirs on the Lower St. Louis River, Minnesota, has been published and is available.
Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments 26
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Section VII - Appendix
#10 - MITIGATION OF SEDIMENT CONTAMINATION IN RESERVOIRS ON THE LOWER ST. LOUIS
RIVER: FOND du LAC PHASE II (FY1995 - GL985025-01-0)
Fond du Lac Tribe
Contacts: Larry Schwarzkopf, Principal Investigator
Fred Vande Venter, Aquatic Scientist
Fond du Lac Natural Resources Program
105 University Road
Cloquet,MN 55720
218-879-1759
218-879-4146 FAX
fdlnrp@uslink.net Email
Award Amount: FY1995-$200,000
Project Timetable: October 1,1995 - September 30,1997
GLNPO Project Officer: Gallic Bolattino 312-353-3490
Project Location: St. Louis River system reservoirs, Duluth region, Minnesota
Partners: University ofMinnesota-Duluth, University ofWisconsin-Superior
Narrative: This project is Phase D of the study of mercury sediment contamination in reservoirs along the lower St. Louis River. Phase
I (project #9) was a detailed sediment assessment of the reservoirs.
The objectives of Phase n of the study include:
• to physically characterize sediment cores collected during Phase I in terms of carbon
content and particle size;
• measure mercury concentrations in three taxaofbenthos to determine biological uptake;
• measure water current velocity and direction to help assess mercury transport;
• collect baseline physical, chemical, and biological data from Fond du Lac Reservation lakes for a future mercury
mitigation study; and,
• field test specific methods and technologies targeted to the uptake and bioaccumulalion of mercury.
Status: ongoing
Data Results: data collection began in the fall of 19% and will continue in 1997
Environmental Results/Products: Information collected will be used to determine the need and locations for sediment remediation.
27 Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments
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Section VII • Appendix
#11 - DESIGN AND ENGINEERING OF A REMEDIAL OPTION IN THE FOX RIVER
(FY1995 - GL985130-01-0)
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Contact: Bob Paulson
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources WT/2
Bureau of Watershed Management
101 S. Webster Street
P.O. Box 7921
Madison, WI53707-7921
608-266-7790
608-267-2800 FAX
Award Amount: FY199S - $100,000
Dollars Leveraged: $150,000 from Fox River Coalition (including WDNR)
Project Timetable: September 25, 1995 - September 24, 1997
GLNPO Project Officer: Marc Tuchman 312-353-1369
Project Location: Lower Fox River, Wisconsin
Partners: Fox River Coalition
Narrative: The Green Bay Mass Balance and Fox River PCB Transport Studies, conducted between 1989 and 1992,
indicated that contaminated sediment in the Fox River is the major source of PCBs, approximately 95% of the total load,
to Green Bay. At least 85% of the estimated total PCB mass in the river is located downstream of De Pere and will serve
as a major long term source of PCBs to Green Bay and Lake Michigan. The Green Bay Mass Balance Study identified 34
contaminated sediment deposits in 32 miles of the Lower Fox River upstream of De Pere.
Two deposits are the focus of remedial investigation and feasibility studies currently underway. Upon completion of these
studies, a remediation site and remediation technique will be selected that is consistent with an overall Lower Fox River
cleanup strategy. The two deposits under consideration are Deposit POG located in Little Lake Butte des Morts and Deposit
N located near Kimberly, WI. Deposit POG is approximately 77 acres containing an estimated 300,000 yd3 of sediment
in excess of 50 ppb PCB, and an estimated 720 KgsofPCBandSl KgsofHg. Deposit N is approximately 3 acres containing
an estimated 8,500 yd3 of sediment in excess of 50 ppb PCB. and an estimated 120 Kgs of PCB and 6 Kgs of Hg.
The project objective is to accomplish the final pre-remedial activity including engineering design, plans and
specifications and development of bidding documents necessary to remove, treat, and/or isolate a mass of PCB in the Lower
Fox River.
Status: ongoing
Environmental Results/Products: The project will result in a document which the Fox River Coalition and Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources can use to obtain bids for contracting a sediment remediation project.
Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments 28
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Section VII - Appendix
#12 - ASSESSMENT OF PCBs IN SEDIMENT IN THE LOWER FOX RIVER
(FY1995 - GL985143-01-0)
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Contact: Kim Walz
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - WT/2
Bureau of Water Resources Management
101 S. Webster Street
P.O. Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707-7921
608-264-9220
608-267-2800 FAX
Award Amount: FY1995 - $135,000
Project Timetable: September 1, 1995 - September 30, 1997
Gi^NPO Project Officer: Marc Tuchman 312-353-1369
Project Location: Lower Fox River, Wisconsin
Partners: Fox River Coalition
Narrative: The Green Bay Mass Balance and Fox River PCS Transport Studies, conducted between 1989 and 1992,
indicated that contaminated sediment in the Fox River is the major source of PCBs, approximately 95% of the total load,
to Green Bay. At least 85% of the estimated total PCB mass in the river is located downstream of De Pere and will serve
as a major long term source of PCBs to Green Bay and Lake Michigan. Although the above studies provided some
information on the PCB distribution in the sediment, more accurate estimates of contaminated sediment volume and PCB
mass are required to make sound remediation decisions.
This project has the following objectives:
• Further define and quantify PCB sediment distribution downstream of De Pere Dam to Green Bay.
• Estimate the mass and volume of PCB contaminated sediments and develop maps of PCB distribution in the Lower
Fox River.
• Provide data to enable further refinement of PCB transport models for the Lower Fox River.
• Provide further basis for making sound management decisions throughout the Fox River to Green Bay.
• Support the Fox River Coalition's effort to prioritize and remediate contaminated sediment hotspots in the Fox River.
i Implement a Green Bay Remedial Action Plan recommendation for developing a clean up strategy for the Lower Fox
River contaminated sediments.
Status: ongoing
Data Results: 25 samples had PCB concentrations at or above 30 mg/kg. Two of the three highest concentrations (91
and 400 mg/kg) occurred in a core taken just upstream of the Fort Howard Turning Basin, within three feet of the surface.
Other hot spots included dowstream of the Fort Howard Paper Co. intake gate (130 mg/kg), in the Leicht Transfer and
Storage boat slip area (90 mg/kg), and sites approximately 0.3 miles upstream of the WI Central RR bridge (57 mg/kg),
and approximately 0.4 miles downstream of Ashwaubenon Creek (63 mg/kg). While most contamination occurred in core
segments from depths greater than 3 feet, elevated concentrations were observed in surficial samples (10-30 cm depth) from
sites just upstream of the Fort Howard Turning Basin (91 mg/kg), offshore of the Brown County Fairgrounds driveway
loop (47 mg/kg), and about 0.25 miles downstream of the DePere Dam, near the Voyager Park lock entrance (43 mg/kg).
A concentration of 31 mg/kg was found in both the 10-30 and 0-10 cm core segments from a site approximately 0.5 miles
upstream of the WI Central RR bridge.
Environmental Results/Products: The information generated will assist in prioritizing sediment sites for remedia-
tion.
29 Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments
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Section VII - Appendix
#13 - ASSESSMENT OF CONTAMINATED SEDIMENTS IN LAKE MICHIGAN AOCs - HAYTON
AREA REMEDIATION PROJECT/MANITOWOC
(FY1994 - GL995681-01-0)
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Contact: Mark Velluex
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - WT/2
Bureau of Watershed Management
101 S. Webster Street
Madison, WI53703
608-267-5262
608-267-2800 FAX
Award Amount: FY1994 - $126,000
Project Timetable: August 1, 1994 - September 30, 1996
GLNPO Project Officer: Debbie Siebers 312-353-9299
Project Location: Hayton Area Remediation Project (HARP), Calumet County, Wisconsin
Narrative: Past studies by the USEPA and WDNR identified the presence of PCB contamination in fish, surface waters,
and sediments of the Hayton Millpond area in Calumet County, Wisconsin. The project study area, referred to as the Hayton
Area Remediation Project (HARP), has been selected by the WDNR as a priority sediment remediation demonstration site.
The project objectives were as follows:
to determine the extent of contamination at the study area;
to determine if PCBs are entering the study area from ongoing external sources;
to investigate historical sources of PCBs to the study area;
to interview local residents and evaluate anecdotal evidence of PCB discharges; and,
to assemble sufficient information to identify potentially responsible parties.
For the remedial investigation the project area, nearly eight stream mites, was divided into four study units, that include
one soil area and three sediment units: 1) Upper Pine Creek, Jordan Creek, and Drainage Ditches; 2)Lower Pine Creek and
South Branch Manitowoc River; and 3) Hayton Millpond.
Status: completed; will not be closed out until other 2 projects (#15 and #25) under same grant are also completed
Data Results: The highest sediment PCB concentrations (804-2300 mg/kg) occurred in the Upper Pine Creek, Jordan
Creek, and Drainage Ditches study unit in an area known as the "old ditch". These elevated concentrations indicate that
this area is an active source of PCBs to the Millpond. The distribution of contaminants throughout the study area also
suggest that contaminants may have initially entered the system through the storm sewer drainage system in the northeast
section of the City of New Holstein.
Environmental ResuHs/Products: The results of this project delineate the area] and volumetric extent of sediment
contamination in the HARP study area. These results also provided the basic information needed to evaluate human health
risks attributable to the contamination as well as information needed to establish site remediation priorities. The Final
Remediation Investigation Report far the Hayton Area Remediation Project, Volumes /-///, is available to the public.
Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments 30
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Section VII - Appendix
#14 - MAUMEE RIVER AOC CONTAMINATED SEDIMENT SURVEY
(FY1994 - GL995648-01-0)
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
Technical Contact:
Brent Kuenzli
Ohio EPA
Northwest District Office
347 North Dunbridge Road
Bowling Green, OH 43402
419-373-3005
419-352-8468 FAX
Contact: Tom Balduf
Ohio EPA
Northwest District Office
347 North Dunbridge Road
Bowling Green, OH 43402
419-373-3023
419-352-8468 FAX
Award Amount: FY1994 - $250,000
Project Timetable: October 1, 1994 - September 30, 1997
GLNPO Project Officer: Gallic Bolattino 312-353-3490
Project Location: Maumee River, Ohio
Partners: Maumee RAP Group
Narrative: The Maumee River Area of Concern (MAOC) includes that portion of the lower Maumee River which flows
through Lucas County to its confluence with, and including, Maumee Bay and the nearshore waters of Lake Erie from the
Ohio-Michigan state line to Crane Creek State Park in Ohio. This study will address the general extent of sediment
contamination in depositional areas of the lower reaches of Swan, Duck, and Otter Creeks and the Ottawa River, as well
as in the lower Maumee River and selected sites in Maumee Bay.
While other studies have concentrated on surficial sediments from the more upstream reaches of the tributaries of the
Maumee River, this study will focus on areas where the most concentrated and widespread deposits of contaminants in the
AOC are likely to occur. The primary goal will be to add a significant amount of information to the RAP database.
Objectives to be met include:
• helping the RAP community in evaluating levels of contamination in the sampled waterways; assisting the RAP
community in preliminary prioritization of pre-remedial actions, such as dredging of contaminated sediments;
• determining pollutant types and concentrations in the study area to relate effects to known sources of
contamination in upstream areas of the AOC; and,
f providing screening data needed as evidence of historical contamination patterns in the AOC.
Status: ongoing
Data Results: The highest recorded concentrations, in mg/kg, of several heavy metals were found in Swan Creek:
chromium, 829; copper, 508; lead, 841; and zinc, 1150; the highest recorded cadmium concentration (9.6 mg/kg), was found
at sites in both Swan Creek and the Maumee River. Elevated levels of heavy metals and PCBs were found at several sites
in the Maumee River, where the highest nickel concentration (292 mg/kg) and the highest PCB concentration (348 mg/kg)
were found.
Environmental Results/Products: Analysis of the data from this work should help to delineate contamination hot
spots and allow for a sediment quality triad evaluation approach. The project activities, which represent a continuation
and extension of the effort already begun in the MAOC, will give a much more complete picture of the nature, extent, and
severity of sediment contamination in the MAOC. Project data will be published in a report due out in early 1997.
31
Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments
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Section VII - Appendix
#15 - ASSESSMENT OF CONTAMINATED SEDIMENTS IN LAKE MICHIGAN AOCs - MILWAU-
KEE ESTUARY SEDIMENT STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION
(FY1994 - GL995681-01-0)
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Contact: Greg Hill
Water Resources Management
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
101 South Webster Street
Madison, WIS3702
608-267-9352
608-267-2800 FAX
Award Amount: FY1994 - $156,000
Project Timetable: August 1, 1994 - September 30, 1997
GLNPO Project Officer: Marc Tuchman 312-353-1369
Project Location: Milwaukee River system/estuary
Narrative: Nonpoint sources of toxics to the Milwaukee Estuary are proving to be important. Plans for contaminated
sediment cleanup must be integrated with strategies to identify and reduce nonpoint sources of toxic substances. This
project is designed to provide additional information on the impact of upstream and urban nonpoint sources on sediment
contamination and project the mass balance movement of sediments and contaminants through! the Milwaukee River
system. If such sources can be minimized or eliminated, then work can begin on remediating the contaminated sediments
themselves.
The project objectives are to:
• assess continued transport of PCB into Milwaukee Harbor from the Milwaukee River;
9 assess continued mass transport of RAP bioaccumulating pollutants of concern in tributaries to the
Kinnickmnic, Menomonee and Milwaukee Rivers, Lincoln Creek and Crestwood Creek; and,
a recommend and prioritize actions to eliminate continuing sources and remediate contaminated sediments.
Status: ongoing
Data Results: incoming
Environmental Results/Products: The project will ultimately lead to increased emphasis on stormwater control as
well as remediation of certain sediment deposits. Reports will be produced on PCB transport in the Milwaukee River and
bioaccumulative substances in urban tributaries to the Milwaukee, Menomonee, and Kinnickinnic Rivers. Sediment core
data and semi-permeable membrane device data will be incorporated into the Milwaukee sediment GIS database.
Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments 32
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Section VII - Appendix
#16 - MUSKEGON LAKE SEDIMENT ASSESSMENT
(FY1994 - IAG - DW96947710-01-0)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Contact: Jim Galloway
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
ATTN. CENCE-EP-E
P.O. Box 1027
Detroit, MI 48231
313-226-6760
313-226-7095 FAX
Award Amount: FY1994 - $61,696 (Muskegon Lake and White Lake (project #33) combined; IAG total $221, 000
for Muskegon/White Lakes and Clinton River (project #2) combined)
Project Timetable: September 1, 1994 - September 30, 1995
GLNPO Project Officer: Marc Tuchman 312-353-1369
Project Location: Muskegon Lake, Michigan
Partners: Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Narrative: Muskegon Lake, located on the east shore of Lake Michigan, has been designated as an AOC due to a number
of water quality problems including contaminated sediments and nutrient enrichment. Previous studies have shown that
historical municipal and industrial discharges to the lake have resulted in elevated concentrations of many heavy metals.
In response to the need for more current data and confirmation of a suspected sediment "hot spot" in Muskegon Lake, a
sediment sampling survey was conducted in the vicinity of the Division Street stormsewer discharge.
Project objectives were as follows:
• collect sediment cores to determine contaminant concentration and vertical profiles;
• characterize the area! extent of contaminants of concern;
• determine the necessary levels of remedial action and agency involvement, and develop an implementation
time table
Status: closed out
Data Results: Elevated heavy metal concentrations were found at many sites, especially near the Hartshorn Marina. This
area had the highest recorded concentrations (all in mg/kg) for Cd (52.4), Cu (2660), Pb (741), and Zn (1690). The highest
concentrations of As, 86 mg/kg, and Cr, 258 mg/kg, were found north of the stormsewer outfall; for Hg, 13.2 mg/kg, in
front of the stormsewer outfall; and Ni, 103 mg/kg, at a site west of the Marina. It is worth noting that in front of the
stormsewer outfall the Hg concentration of 13.2 mg/kg exceeded the Effects Range Median (ER-
M) value by more than a factor of 10, and the Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn concentrations referred to above exceeded their respective
ER-M values by more than a factor of 5.
Environmental Results/Products: This study, by determining the location and extent of contaminant hotspots,
provided information which can be used to plan and implement remediation actions.
33 Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments
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Section VII - Appendix
#17 - NEWTON CREEK SYSTEM SEDIMENT CONTAMINATION SITE
CHARACTERIZATION
(FY1993 - GL995443-01-0)
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Contact: Kim Walz
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - WT/2
Bureau of Water Resources Management
101 S. Webster Street, P.O. Box 7921
Madison, Wl 53707-7921
608-264-9220
608-267-2800 FAX
Award Amount: FY1993 - $218,300
Project Timetable: October 1, 1993 - September 30, 1995
GLNPO Project Officer. Marc Tuchman 312-353-1369
Project Location: Newton Creek system, Superior, Wisconsin
Narrative: The Newton Creek system has been identified as one of five sites in the St. Louis River System Area of Concern
that is known to have particularly elevated concentrations of contaminants in sediment. The Newton Creek system includes
the surface water environment encompassing Newton Creek Impoundment, Newton Creek, Hog Island Inlet, Superior Bay
at the inlet mouth, and all floodplain, overflow areas, and wetlands associated with these water bodies. The focus of this
study was on the sediment and floodplain soil of the Newton Creek system.
The primary objective of this study was to characterize the contamination of sediments in the Newton Creek system to
support the evaluation of and, if necessary, the preliminary design of sediment remediation in the system.
The 1993 portion of the study concluded that sediments of the Newton Creek system are:
significantly contaminated with a variety of pollutants;
toxic to aquatic organisms; and
unsupportive of a healthy benthic macroinvertebrate community.
The 994 portion of the study was designed specifically to:
better define areas and depths of sediments and floodplain soils that may require remediation;
indicate if solid wastes generated by remediation would be subject to hazardous waste management
requirements; and
• acquire additional information on biological impacts in the Newton Creek system.
Status: closed out
Data Results: Diesel range organic (DRO) concentrations are highest in Newton Creek Impoundment, where they exceed
10,000 ug/g at four of five open water sampling locations. The highest concentrations of metals, including tead, chromium,
and mercury, are found in Newton Creek Impoundment, some areas of Newton Creek, and in Hog Island Inlet, near either
the western portion or near the mouth of Newton Creek.
Environmental Results/Products: The study led to the Site Characterization Report which described prioritization
and preliminary design of remedial options. A Feasibility Study Report was completed which included five remedial
alternatives. The potential effectiveness of land application, one of the five alternatives, was evaluated in the report Results
of Aerobic Biodegradation Screening Treatability Study for the Newton Creek System. Based on the findings of this
study, WDNR recommends that areas of Newton Creek Impoundment, Newton Creek, and Hog Island Inlet be considered
for remediation. These areas recommended for remediation include a volume of "soft sediment" estimated as 19,900 cubic
yards in place.
Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments 34
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Section VII - Appendix
#18 - NEW YORK ERIE CANAL
(FY1996 - GL985364-01-0)
New York State Canal Corporation
Contact: John Dergosits
New York State Canal Corporation
200 Southern Boulevard
P.O.Box 189
Albany, NY 12201-0189
518-471-5020
518-471-5023 FAX
Award Amount: FY1996 - $120,000
Project Timetable: October 15, 1996 - June 30, 1998
GLNPO Project Officer: Debbie Siebers 312-353-9299
Project Location: Erie Canal, New York State
Partners: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Narrative: Data collected by both the New York State Canal Corporation (NYSCC) and the New York State Department
of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) have shown that sediments within the Erie Canal contain variable levels of
contaminants. Additional sediment collection and evaluation is required to define the exact upstream and downstream
contaminant boundaries, the likely sources of dioxin/furan, PCB, and heavy metal contamination and the general time
horizons of the contaminant discharge.
The project goal is to identify and quantify the character of sediments in the Erie Canal between its confluence with the
Niagara River in North Tonawanda, New York and its junction with the Genesee River near Spencerport, New York.
Status: ongoing
Data Results: incoming
Environmental Results/Products: Characterization of sediment contamination will allow for future activity to be
focused on areas most in need and will provide preliminary information concerning the need for remediation.
35 Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments
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Section VII - Appendix
#19 - OHIO REFERENCE SITE SEDIMENT CHARACTERIZATION
(FY1995 - GL985203-01-0)
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
Contact: John F. Estenik
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
Division of Surface Water, Wetlands Program
1800 WaterMark Drive
Columbus, OH 43215-1099
(614) 644-2866
(614)644-2329 FAX
Award Amount: FY 1995 - $110,000
Project Timetable: October 1, 1995 - September 30, 1997
CLNPO Project Officer: Gallic Bolattino 312-353-3490
Project Location: Ohio's Lake Erie Basin
Partners: Heidelberg College, USEPA Region 5
Narrative: The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) has developed numeric biocriteria (i.e., biological) Slate
Water Quality Standards for five Ohio Ecoregions. Ecoregional reference sites within Ohio's four Lake Erie Areas of
Concern (AOCs) drainage basins have not been adequately assessed physically and chemically for sediment contamination.
Sediment samples will be collected for physical and chemical assessment from three site categories:
0 upstream from Ohio's four Lake Erie AOCs (lower Maumee River, lower Black River, lower
Cuyahoga River, and lower Ashtabula River);
• ecoregional (biocriteria sites) reference samples within the four Lake Erie AOCs from three ecoregions-. Huron
Erie Lake Plain, Erie/Ontario Lake Plain, and Eastern Com Belt Plains. These sample locations are unimpacted
and should have low contaminant concentrations present;
• EMAP reference samples selected by randomizing sampling site location selection as a basis for evaluating all
sediment site data and for a comparison to OEPA historical and future sediment data; these sites should also have
low contaminant concentrations.
Project objectives include:
• to determine if sources exists outside the AOC for pollutants of concern identified in the AOC;
t to update and provide a significant expansion of parameters possibly affecting beneficial use impairment;
• to refine a list of critical pollutants of concern; and,
• to evaluate the impact of nonpoint source pollutant contribution.
This project is part of a larger effort which includes more extensive collection of ecoregional (biocriteria sites) samples.
Support for the larger effort includes funding from one other grant and state funding (total funding for the study, including
GLNPO: -$300,000).
Status: ongoing
Data Results: incoming
Environmental Results/Products: The project will enable OEPA to determine how much contamination in the Lake
Erie AOCs may be originating from discrete upstream sources or from diffuse "background" sources.
Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments 36
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Section VII - Appendix
#20 - OLCOTT HARBOR SEDIMENT STUDY
(FY1993 - GL995405-01-0)
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Contact: Bruce Garabedian
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
50 Wolf Road, Room 305
Albany, NY 12233-3502
518-457-0729
518-485-7786 FAX
Award Amount: FY1993 - $92,000
Project Timetable: October 1, 1993 - December 31, 1995
GLNPO Project Officer: Diane Dennis-Flagler 312-886-4012
Project Location: Olcott Harbor, New York
Narrative: Olcott Harbor is at the mouth of Eighteenmile Creek which is an Area of Concern (AOC). Elevated dioxin
levels have been found in sediments behind the Newfane Dam and elevated levels of heavy metals have been detected in
sediments of Eighteenmile Creek. There is, however, a significant lack of ambient data to fully characterize the extent of
the problem in Olcott Harbor.
The project goal is to provide a screening characterization of contaminant levels in the sediments of Olcott Harbor. Both
surficial samples and sediment cores will be collected, and some cores will be radioisotope dated in order to identify recent
deposition.
Status: ongoing
Data Results: incoming
Environmental Results/Products: Data will be used to assess depositional rates and evaluate the toxicity of sediments
on the benthic community. The study results will also be used in the development of a Remedial Action Plan for the
Eighteenmile Creek Area of Concern.
37 Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments
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Section VII - Appendix
#21 - OSWEGO RIVER SEDIMENT STUDY
(FY1994-GL95660-01-0)
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Contact: Bruce Garabedian
New York State Department ofEnvironmental Conservation
50 Wolf Road, Room 305
Albany, NY 12233-3502
518-457-0729
518-485-7786 FAX
A ward Amount: FY1994-$115,721
Project Timetable: September 6,1994 - December 31,1995
GLNPO Project Officer: Diane Dennis-Flagler 312-886-4012
Project Location: Oswego River, New York
Nairatrw: Trie OswegoRiveraridHartxxhave been designated as an Ara^
whkAhavecontaininated the watered^ Data generated from the sediment study willbeusedtocharacterize
me iiatureaiKlextent ofaU potential conUminantsinteOsweg^
be characterized. Sediment cores will be collected for chemical analysis and suificial samples will be ooUectedfortoxicity testing.
The sampling plan includes coverage of the Oswego River upstream of theA(XT,aregion for which very little information currently
exists documeritingbentrnsaxxliriom.Morniauon from these ups
measures, ifnecessary, in the AOC as natural trarisrxjitniecharasmsrrwvecontamiriated sediments from upstream sites m^^
Status: closed out
Data Results: The highest levels of contamination were detected in two cores collected at Battle Island. Extremely high levels of
total PAHs (> 27,000 ug/kg) were detected, as well as high concentrations of lead (764 mg/kg), mercury (13 mg/kg),silver(1.6mg/
kg), and zinc (277 mg/kg),and relatively high concentrations ofdioxin (266 ug/kg), furan (29 ug/kg), and mirex(l 35 ug/kg). Battle
Island is just dowiistream from AmstroiigWorkJ^
EmiraimentalResiilts/ProdiKte: Results wiUalkw
the benthiccommunity.aswell as the prioritization of necessary remediation measures in the AOC.
Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments 38
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Section VII - Appendix
#22 - OTTAWA RIVER REMEDIATION PROJECT
(FY1996 - GL985333-01-0)
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
Contact: RalphMcGinnis
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
Division ofEmergency and Remedial Response
1800 WaterMark Drive
Columbus, OH 43215-1099
614-644-3065
614-644-3250 FAX
A ward Amount: FY1996-$500,000
Project Timetable: September 30,19% - September 29,1998
GLNPO Project Officer: MarcTuchman 312-353-1369
Project Location: Ottawa River, Ohio/Maumee Bay Area Of Concern
Partners: GenCorpInc., City of Toledo, Maumee RAP team
Narrative: Sediments in the Unnamed Tributary of the Ottawa River are believed to be the primary source of PCB contamination
tome Maumee Bay area. The highest levelsofPCBs in sediments(2500ppm)in the Maumee Riverbasin were found in the Unnamed
Tributary. These sediments are resuspended during rainfall events and transported downstream to the Ottawa River, Maumee Bay,
and ultimately to Lake Erie.
Project objectives include:
final assessment and interim action to prevent resuspensionof sediments into the OttawaRiver,
remediation of contaminated sediments, which may involve removal and
disposal of sediments or onsite treatment to remove or destroy PCB contamination;
confirmationofremediationbysampling;
final site restoration; and,
followup sampling of sediment, fish tissue, and water to show risk reduction.
In partial fulfillment of the first objective, a detailed assessment of the Unnamed Tributary was undertaken in late 19% in order to
determine the extent of the PCB contamination.
Status: ongoing
Environmental Results/Products: Removal of the hot spot of highly contaminated PCB sediments from the Unnamed Tributary
will achieve definite risk reduction for both the OttawaRiver and Maumee Bay, as well as Lake Erie.
39 Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments
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Section VII - Appendix
#23 - DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF SAGIN A W RIVER CIS
(FY1995 - IAG - DW96947741-01-0)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Contact: JimGalloway
U.S. Aimy Corps of Engineers
ATTNrCENCE-EP-E
P.O. Box 1027
Detroit, MI 48231
313-226-6760
313-226-7095 FAX
Award Amount: FY 1995 - $57,000
Project Timetable: August 2 1,1 995 -August 3 1,1 997
GLNPOProjectOffker: Gallic Boiattino 312-353-3490
ProjectLocation: SaginawRiver.Michigan
Partners: Michigan Department ofEnvironmental Quality
Narrative: Tluspro^wulfbcusonprovidiiigsediinentdatam
for the Saginaw River. The need foradata management system for the Saginaw River Area of Concem(AOC) is critical because
oftfaeconsiderableainountofdatacoUectedby variousiesearchers. Theneedtocompare many ofthesestudiesanddetennine trends
is vital to any future decision-making.
The goal of this project is todevetopao^tabase and geographk information s>^tem(GIS)which
sediment data in digital or hardcopyfonn and the transferofttrisdatauitoastaiKlaid database fonnat The intentions
paiticipants involved in the Saginaw RiverRemedialActioa Plan (RAP) the access to this sedimentdata management systemin an
attempt to encounigedau analysis and promote remedial discussions.
Status: ongoing
Data Results: Project mvolvesdatabasedevetopmentand not sample collection.
EnvmmmentalResults/Prodiicts: Thedevelopmentof a SaginawRiverGIS which willbe used toenhance sediment management
decisions in the Saginaw RiverAOC.
Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments 40
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Section VII - Appendix
#24 - USE OF CONGENER-SPECIFIC PCBs TO DISTINGUISH AMONG SOURCES OF PCBs INPUT INTO THE
SAGINA W RIVER AND SAGINAW BAY
(FY1995 - GL985191-01-0)
University of Michigan
Contact: David J. Jude
2200 Bonisteel Blvd.
Center forGreat Lakes and Aquatic Sciences
UniversityofMichigan
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2099
313-763-3183
313-747-2748 FAX
A ward Amount: FY 1995-$101,353
Project Timetable: September 29,1995 - August 31,1997
GLNPO Project Officer: MarcTuchman 312-353-1369
Project Location: Saginaw River, Michigan
Narrative: Sediments in the Saginaw River, a Great Lakes Area of Concern, have been contaminated by many toxic substances,
including PCBs. Characterization of the PCBs using congener-specific analyses is important to elucidate food chain relationships,
identify the more toxic contaminants, and determine the sources ofPCBs within the Saginaw River using the congeners as unique
signatures from the various sources of PCBs in the river system and airshed.
The project goal is to determine the transport and sources of PCBs in the Saginaw River watershed.
Specific objectives include:
• documentrepresentativePCBcxjncentrationsandcongener-specificpaaemsinthe sediments of the 4 major tributaries of
the Saginaw River and at locations within the Saginaw River,
• document how the PCB concentrations and patterns change during rain events as a water mass moves downstream; and,
• determine the consistency in the congener-specific signature of air-deposited PCBs in the watershed.
Status: ongoing
Data Results: incoming
Environmental Results/Products: The data can be used in models to elucidate the transport of PCBs throughout the river system,
including determination of possible deposition sites in the Saginaw River.
41 Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments
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Section VH - Appendix
#25 - ASSESSMENT OF CONTAMINATED SEDIMENTS IN LAKE MICHIGAN AOCs - SHEBOYGAN RIVER
FOOD CHADS AND SEDIMENT CONTAMINANT ASSESSMENT
(FY19M- GL995681-01-0)
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Contact: Bob Paulson
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - WT/2
Bureau ofWatershedManagement
101 S.Webster Street
P.O. Box 7921
Madison, WI53707-7921
608-266-7790
608-267-2800 FAX
A ward Amount: FY1994-$195.770
Project Timetable: August 1,1994 - September 30,19%
GLNPO Project Officer. MarcTuchman 312-353-1369
Project Location: Sheboygan River, Wisconsin
Narrative: C^taminatedsedimenthas been identifiedasamajorcontributorof toxics tothe Sheboygan AOC. Although actions
to address remediation have been initiated forthefowersegmemoftheriver.inaiiageinem decisions
remediation need to assumeabroaderfocus. This broaderfocus should benefit theriverfromits upper reaches, which are reflective
ofbackgfound conditions, downstream to the harbor.
The prqjea goal is todevek>punkages ofcontaniinant transfer pathways oetween sediment, tte
the Sheboygan River AOC.
The project objectives are to:
i providebasehreWonnaucmfortbeSteboyganRJverRAPkxig-tenntren^
efTectivenessoffvtoHeremedial actions and debstpertinem impaired benefidalus^
• determinethebioavailabihtyoftoxicsiibstancesandbioacciunulauonofPCBsthroughthefocrf
• provideinfonTiaaontoevaliiatespauaJaixlmediadistribuuonofPCT
aquaticcommunities;and,
• providemfonnatk>nabomthedistribution,bioavailabiuty,an^
Status: ongoing
Data Results: Highly etevatedconcentrationsof PAHswerefoundinacoretakennearCampMarina,justsouthoftheisland. The
core segment between the depths of 3-5 feet had over 3,400 ppm total PAHs. Elevated concentrations of PCBs were found at many
sites, including over 14,750 ppb just downstream of the Rochester Park Launch and over 10,500 ppbatasite above the Riverbend
Dam, just downstream of Rochester Park Island.
Environmental Results/faodiKts: By deternunin^
river sediments, the project will provide a basis for making management occasions throughout the river from its upper reaches to the
harbor.
Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments 42
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Section VII - Appendix
#26 - SEDIMENT REMEDIATION SCOPING PROJECT IN THE ST. LOUIS RIVER AOC - SLIP C
(FY1995 - GL985131-01-0)
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Contact: Judy Crane
MinnesotaPollution Control Agency
WaterQuality Division
520 Lafayette Rd.N.
St. Paul, MN 55155-4194
612-297-4068
612-297-8683 FAX
Award Amount: FY1995 - $ 100,000 (Sediment Remediation portion of MFC A cluster grant)
Project Timetable: October 1,1995 - September 30,1998
GLNPO Project Officer: Gallic Bolattino 312-353-3490
Project Location: St. LouisRiverAreaofConcem,Duluth/SuperiorHarbor(Duluth,MN/Superior,WI)
Partners: Sediment Contamination Workgroup of the St. Louis River Remedial Action Plan
Narrative: Sedimentcontaminationhasbeen documented in u^Duluth^uperiorHarborareaoftheSt.LouisRiverAreaof Concern.
Sediment assessments were performed in 1993 and 1994 (projects #5 and #6). These assessments provided a framework for
prioritizingsediment remediation activities within theAOC.
The goalof this sediment remediation scoping project is to implement a hotspot management plan at onesite in theDuluth/Superior
Harbor that will have theendresultofaremediation action. Theoriginal site selected, Grassy Point/HibbardPowerPlant, has recently
been changed to Slip C, by Superwood. A new Scope of Work and Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) are currently being
prepared for the SlipC site.
The specific objectives of this project are to:
• delineate the extent and depth of contamination of sediments in SlipC;
• develop sedimentremediation options for Slip C; and,
« develop an updated sediment management pain forthis site.
Mc^aticmonhistoricalaiuicurrentsourcesof^^
surroundingSnpCarebeingobtaiiuri.An^^
thesesites,samplesforchemicalanalyseswillbeselectedonanon-
random basis.inordertotiethe most visual typesof sediment withlevelsofParticularcontan«nants(e.g.,PAHS, mercury,PCBs,
toxaphene, ammonia). Sediment sampling will be conductedby early summer, 1997.
Status: ongoing
Data Results: data not yet collected
Environmental Results/Product* Information and experience gained duringthis project will be available for use in future
remediation scoping projects at other Duluth/SuperiorHarborlocations. Remediation studiescould lead to the enforcement or
estabushmentofPixXectiver*rmitstolimtfur^
43 Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments
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Section VII - Appendix
#27 - CHARACTERIZATION OF TRENTON CHANNEL SHORELINE SEDIMENTS
(FY1993 - GL995960-02-0)
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Contact: ArtOstaszewski
Michigan Department ofEnvironmental Quality
Surface Water Quality Division
HoUisterBuilding
PO Box 30473
Lansing, MI 48909-7973
517-335-4491
517-373-9958 FAX
Award Amount: FY1993-$200,000
Project Timetable: October 1,1993 - March 31,19%
GLNPO Project Officer: Marc Tuchman 312-353-1369
Project Location: Trenton Channel of Detroit River, Michigan
Narrative: Sediments in the Trenton Channel of the lower Detroit River, a heavily industrialized area and a major navigation route,
have been identified as one of the most severely contaminated areas in the entire Detroit River Areaof Concern. The need has been
identified to better delineate "hot spots" in the Trenton Channel.
The USEPA and Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) jointly established a work group to focus research and
remediation activity in the Trenton Channel. The work group objective is todevelopeffective processes for assessing andremediadng
contaminated sediments in large river systems. The goal of this project is tocharacterize the Trenton Channel shoreline sediments.
To meet this goal, precursory sediment data will be collected to:
• definethemagnitudeandextentofsedirnentcontarninauon;and,
i identify "hot spots".
Status: ongoing
Data Results: Elevated levels ofPCTs and several heavy metals were observed at many stations. Hot spots include Black Lagoon,
whercelevated concentrations were observedforCd(30ug/g),Hg(7.8ug/g),Pb(574ug/g),Ni(2%ug/g),^
aieanearMonguagonCreekishigttycontammatedbyCM(^
ug/g). Other hot spots were Firestone Steel (10 ug/g Hg) and the north channel of Elizabeth Park(10.3ug/gPCBs).
Environmental Results/Products: The information collected will be used to help prioritize areas in the Trenton Channel for
remediation. Successful application of sediment renwdiaaontechnok)gyfor the Trenton CThannelcould result in an expansion of this
effort for the entire Detroit River.
Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments 44
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Section VII - Appendix
#28 -TRENTON CHANNEL SEDIMENT SUPPORT
(FY1995 - IAG - DW96947740-01-0)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Contact: JimGalloway
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
ATTN:CENCE-EP-E
P.O. Box 1027
Detroit, MI 48231
313-226-6760
313-226-7095 FAX
Award Amount: FY1995 - $75,000 (IAG total $225,000 for Trenton Channel and Clinton River (project #3) combined)
Project Timetable: July 31,1995 - December 31,1996
GLNPO Project Officer: Gallic Bolattino 312-353-3490
Project Location: Trenton Channel of Detroit River, Michigan
Partners: Michigan Department ofEnvironmental Quality
Narrative: Sediments in the Trenton Channel of the lower Detroit River, a heavily industrialized area and a major navigation route,
have been identified as one of the most severely contaminated areas in the entire Detroit River Area of Concern. A FY 1993 study
(project #27) characterized channel shoreline sediments by collecting precursory sediment data for model development, model
components and hot spot identification. Surficial samples collected in 1993 and 1994 revealed sediment depositional zones severely
contaminated with heavy metals, including mercury, in upstream portions of the Trenton Channel.
The goal of this Interagency Agreement (LAG) is to conduct comprehensive assessments of sediments within three specific areas of
the channel in order to determine the depth and degree of contamination and provide technical assistance in pursuit of sediment
remediation forthe Trenton Channel. The project also involves collection of a third year of monitoring data near the Elizabeth Park
Marina to determine trends in benthic community response and sedimentation following dredging in the Trenton Channel. This
information will help validate model predictions and give an indication as to the degree of contaminated sediment being deposited in
the lower Trenton Channel as a result of upstream sources. The information will also assist in the development of remedial designs for
other areas of extensive contamination within the Trenton Channel.
Status: ongoing
Data Results: Twenty stations were sampled in the UpperTrenton. Sites with high levels of organic and heavy metal contamination
included Firestone Steel, Nicholson South Boat Slip, and Allied Fuel Oil Slip. Concentrations in these area were: mercury, 20 ppm;
PCBs, 20 ppm; lead, 580 ppm; copper, 630 ppm; cadmium, 35 ppm; PAHs, 200 ppm; and oil and grease, 71,000 ppm. The results
of this study, along with the other research studies of the Trenton Channel Project, indicate that the majority of the Trenton Channel
contamination is found in depositional zones along the Michigan mainland shore and is primarily associated with industrial sources that
are no longer present.
Environmental Results/Products: The information collected will be used as part of a mass balance modeling effort forthe Trenton
Channel. Successful application of sediment remediation technology for theTrentonChannelcouldresultinanexpansionofthiseffort
forthe entire Detroit River. The work performed under this grant could also be adapted to similar Areas of Concern such as the St.
Clair River or the St. Mary's River.
45 Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments
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Section VII - Appendix
#29 -BENCH SCALE FEASmiLITY/TREATABILITY STUDY IN TRENTON CHANNEL
(FY1995-GL985207-01-0)
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Contact ArtOstaszewski
Michigan Department ofEnvironmental Quality
Surface WaterQuality Division
HomsterBuMng
PO Box 30473
Lansing, MI 48909-7973
517-335-4491
517-373-9958 FAX
Award Amount: FY1995-$125,000
Project Timetable: October 1,1995 -September 30,1997
GLNPO Project Officer: Marc Tuchman 312-353-1369
ProjectLocab'on: Trenton Channel of Detroit River, Michigan
Narrative: Sediments in the Trenton Channel of the lower Detroit River, a heavily industrialized areaandamajor navigation route,
have been identified as one of the most severely contaminated areas in the entire Detroit River Areaof Concern. Existing work in the
Trerrton Channel includes rc-investigation of zones of contamination to determine o^
the development of advanced survey techniques (hydroacoustic profiling) to assess sediment contamination (project #30).
TheobjecnVeof this project is to collect sediment from Trenton Channel contaminated sites for bench-scale evaluation of remedial
treatment teduK>k>gies.UsmgtheReirieajatk>nGiridaira
and treatment technologies would be assessed for contaminated sitesin the Trenton Channel.
Status: ongoing
Environmental Results/Products: Anticipated study products include:
• aSite Review Report identifying the snnesofcnntaminatinniri the Tnentpn Channel;
t anApplicableTreatmentTechnologyReview;and,
t aFinalReportevaluatmgasrjectsoftieatinenteffectiveness.costs,
Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments 46
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Section VII - Appendix
#30 - HYDROACOUSTIC PROFILING IN TRENTON CHANNEL, MI
(FY1995 - IAG - DW96947730-01-0)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Contact: DarlaMcVan
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Waterways Experimental Station
3909 Halls Ferry Road
Vicksburg, MS 39180-6199
601-634-2869
601-634-3694 FAX
Award Amount: FY1995 - $ 120,000
Project Timetable: May 1,1995 - September 30,1997
GLNPO Project Officer: Marc Tuchman 312-35 3-1369
Project Location: Trenton Channel of Detroit River, Michigan
Narrative: This study is an investigation into the applicability of hydroacoustic profi ling in the mapping ofbottom sediments. Results
of a preliminary acoustical sediment survey conducted in 1994 identified the need to optimize the equipment for use in shallow water
(2-30ft.) and in sediment areas which exhibit ahigh degree of sediment heterogeneity.
Thegoalofthisprqjectistodetermine the appearance of the sediment stratain the near shore areaofTrenton Channel and todetermine
the soft sediment-hardpan boundary to enable the calculation of sediment volume.
Project objectives are:
• conduct a hydro-acoustic survey todetermine the proper spatial hydroacoustic sampling rates;
• determine if statistical processing can be obtained to relate this data to general survey procedures; this will allow future use
of hydroacoustic techniques to minimizeclosely-spacedcoringandexpensivecore analysis;
• map sedi ment distribution by physical type at depth for use in sediment resuspension modeling; and,
• calculate the volume and location of soft sediment in the study area.
Status: ongoing
Data Results: No sediment data collected.
Environmental Results/Products: Project results will be used to help develop acost effective and rapid means of mapping the
distribution of sediments in harbors and rivers which isrequired to facilitate the remediation decisions facing environmental managers.
47 Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments
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Section VII - Appendix
#31 -TRACE LEVEL PCB CONCENTRATIONS IN TRENTON CHANNEL
(FY1994-GL995664-01-0)
Michigan State University
Contact: JohnP.Giesy
Department ofFisheries and Wildlife
Pesticide Research Center
#13 Natural Resources Building
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI48824-1222
517-353-2000
517-432-1984 FAX
Award Amount: FY1994-$96,000
Project Timetable: September 13,1994 - April 1,19%
GLNPO Project Officen Marc Tuchman 312-353-1369
Project Location: Trenton Channel of Detroit RJver, Michigan
Partners: Midugan Department ofEnvironmentaJ Quality
Narrative: Sediments in the Trenton Channel of the lower DetroitRiver.aheavily industrialized area andamajornavigation route,
have been identified as ore of the rnost severely contaminated areasmu^en^
in the Trenton Channel has been extensively characterized through the course of many studies, including projects #27 and#28. Plans
forsediment remediation are currently being made. Prior toremediation.itmust be determined if there are still any point or non-point
sources of critical pollutants, including PCBs, to the Detroit River and Trenton Channel.
Project objectivesinclude:
• deterrnmecongener-spetificandtotalconcentiau^XKofPCBsint^
River, and vicinity;
• determine the effect of storm-driven resuspension events on the concentrations of PCBs in the nearshore vicinity of the
Trenton Channel;
• determine seasonal differences in the concentrations of PCB congeners in the water,
• estimateannualloadingsofPCBstotheTrentonCnannel;
Status: ongoing
Data Results: incoming(no sediment samples; water samples and semipenneable membrane devices (SPMD) only)
EnvirtMiinental Results/Products: The knowledge gained from this project will allow for u^ Vibration of mass UTinsport models
and a better description of the seasonal and weather-related loading of concentrations of PCBs in the Trenton Channel.
Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments 48
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Section VII - Appendix
#32 - WAUKEGAN HARBOR AOC USE IMPAIRMENT REASSESSMENT 1995
(FY1995 - GL985226-01-0 and DW14947756-01-0)
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and United States Geological Survey
Contact: Robert Schacht
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
1701 First Avenue
May wood, IL 60153
708-338-7900
708-338-7930 FAX
Chris Ingersoll
United States Geological Survey
Midwest Science Center
4200 New Haven Rd.
Columbia, MO 65201
573-876-1819
573-876-18% FAX
Award Amount: FY1995 - $100,000 (to IEPA) and FY1995 IAG - $40,000 (to USGS)
Project Timetable: October 1, 1995 - September 30, 1997
GLNPO Project Officer: Gallic Bolattino 312-353-3490
Project Location: Waukegan Harbor, Northeast Illinois, Lake Michigan
Narrative: Waukegan Harbor was listed as an Area of Concern (AOC) based on contamination by PCBs. Sediment and
water sampling in 1990 helped identify areas in need of remediation. In 1993, USEPA announced the completion of a
harbor dredging project which removed 1,000,000 pounds of PCBs from the harbor and adjacent property.
The primary goal of this study is to provide an update to previous studies in the area and to assess the status of previously
listed use impairments. Data collected will provide the basis for de-listing if improvements are sufficient.
Specific objectives include:
• the use of sediment core samples to provide a detailed analysis of present sediment conditions
which can be used for future dredging and disposal determinations.
• the use of sediment and water chemistry and sediment bioassay analysis to establish a data set as
i the basis for the use impairment assessment.
the evaluation of fish contaminant samples in relation to annual fish consumption advisories.
Status: ongoing
Data Results: incoming
Environmental Results/Products: Study information will be provided to the Illinois Interagency Fish Contaminant
Work Group, the Great Lakes states, and the public. Data will be entered into the USEPA STORET database. The project
will provide information useful to the Lake Michigan Mass Balance model presently under development.
49 Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments
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Section VII - Appendix
#33 - WHITE LAKE, MICHIGAN SEDIMENT ASSESSMENT
(FY1994 -IAG-DW96947710-01-0)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Contact: JimGalloway
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
ATTN:CENCE-EP-E
P.O. Box 1027
Detroit, MI 48231
313-226-6760
313-226-7095 FAX
Award Amount: FY1994 - $61,696 (White Lake and Muskegon Lake (project #16) combined; IAG total $221,000 for White/
Muskegon Lakes and Clinton River (project #2) combined)
Project Timetable: September 1,1994 - September 30,1995
GLNPO Project Officer: MarcTuchman 312-353-1369
Project Location: White Lake, Michigan
Partners: Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Narrative: White Lake, a 2,570 acre drowned river mouth located on the east shore of Lake Michigan, has been designated as a
Great Lakes Area of Concern (AOC) due to a number of water quality problems including contaminated sediments and nutrient
enrichment. Previous studies have shown that historical municipal and industrial discharges to the lake have resulted in elevated
concentrations of many heavy metals. In response to the need for more current data and confirmation of a suspected sediment "hot
spot", a sediment sampling survey of White Lake, Michigan was conducted.
Project objectives were as follows:
• collect sediment cores todeterminecontaminantconcentration and vertical profiles;
t characterize the area! extent of contaminants of concern;
t determine the necessary levels of remedial action and agency involvement, and develop an implementation time table.
Status: closed out
Data Results: Arsenic, chromium, and mercury were consistently found at very high levels, while lead, nickel and zinc were also found
atelevatedlevelsbutinamoreinconsistentand less dramatic pattern. The majoramountof contamination was located directly adjacent
to the Whitehall Leather Company property in the vicinity of their lagoons, where the highest concentrations of As (569 mg/kg), Cr
(14,300 mg/kg), and Hg (16.7 mg/kg) were all found.
Environmental Results/Products: Results from this study better delineated contaminant hotspots and were used to help plan for
further biological characterization of the area which was conducted in October of 1996.
Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments 50
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Section VII - Appendix
#34 - PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION OF WHITE LAKE NEAR WHITEHALL TANNERY
(FY1996 - IAG - DW13947766-01-0)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Contact: Gary Fahnenstiel
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab
1431 Beach Street
Muskegon, MI 49441
616-759-7824
616-759-7906 FAX
A ward Amount: FY1996-$148,100
Project Timetable: August 15,1996 - December 31,1997
GLNPO Project Officer: MarcTuchman 312-353-1369
Project Location: White Lake, Michigan
Partners: Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality, Grand Valley St. Univ., White LakePAC
Narrative: White Lake is a Great Lakes Area of Concern located on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. Elevated levels of heavy
metals have been found in the northeastern section of the lake in previous studies, including Project #33. The elevated metal
concentrations are located near the Whitehall Leather Tannery (Tannery Bay). The current extent of sediment contamination in the
area outside of Tannery Bay is unknown with respect to spatial and vertical distribution. In addition, since previous studies focused
only on chemical contamination, the biological impacts of the heavy metal contamination have not been evaluated.
Project objectives are to:
( determine the extent of sediment contamination in eastern White Lake, including the
Tannery Bay area.
• determine the abundance and diversity of benthic invertebrates in the Tannery Bay area;
i evaluate the toxicity of sediments from sites in the Tannery Bay area;
« evaluate the bioaccumulation of metals from sediments in the Tannery Bay area.
Status: ongoing
Data Results: data collection was initiated in October 1996 and will be completed in August 1997
Environmental Results/Products: The investigation will provide information necessary for the development and evaluation of
remediation alternatives for the Tannery Bay area.
51 Remediating Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments
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USEPA'S Great Lakes National Program Office will make Moving Mud available on the Internet in
May, 1997. See the Sediment Assessment and Remediation Team's section of GLNPO's home page:
URL: http://www.epa.gov/ghipo/sediment/movemud/
For additional copies of this document, please contact:
Mr. Lawrence Brail, ADS [contractor] Phone 312-886-7474
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency FAX 312-353-2018
Great Lakes National Program Office Email brail.lawrence@epamail.epa.gov
77 W. Jackson Blvd., G-9J
Chicago, IL 60604
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