ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
OFFICE OF ENFORCEMENT
EPA-33O/2-79-O22
Evaluation of Runoff and Discharges
t
i rum
New Jersey Zinc Company
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
NATIONAL ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATIONS CENTER
DENVER. COLORADO
DECEMBER 1979
-------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATIONS CENTER
EPA-330/2-79-022
EVALUATION OF RUNOFF AND DISCHARGES
FROM
NEW JERSEY ZINC COMPANY
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
December 1979
National Enforcement Investigations Center
Denver, Colorado
-------
CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION 1
II. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 9
SUMMARY OF INVESTIGATION 9
CONCLUSIONS 10
III. STUDY METHODS 17
STEAM CHARACTERIZATION 17
CINDER BANK EVALUATION 25
EFFLUENT CHARACTERIZATION 30
IV. PROCESS INVESTIGATIONS 39
RECONNAISSANCE INSPECTION 39
PRODUCTION FACILITIES 40
PROCESS DESCRIPTION EAST PLANT 41
PROCESS DESCRIPTION WEST PLANT 68
WASTEWATER TREATMENT - EAST PLANT 78
SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL (CINDER BANK) 84
WATER SUPPLY 85
V. FINDINGS 89
STEAM CHARACTERIZATION 89
CINDER BANK EVALUATION Ill
EFFLUENT CHARACTERIZATION 124
VI. ASSESSMENT OF BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES 175
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES DEFINED 175
NEED FOR BMP AT PALMERTON 176
BIBLIOGRAPHY 181
APPENDICES
A Pennsylvania Water Quality Standards
B Analytical Methods
C NJZ Laboratory Evaluation
D Background Data
-------
TABLES
1 Receiving Water Quality Criteria 4
2 Draft Effluent Limitations - NPOES Permit No. PA0012751. ... 6
3 Aquashicola Creek and Lehigh River Water Quality Program ... 18
4 Benthic Macroinvertebrate Sampling Stations 24
5 Cinder Bank Sampling Station Descriptions 26
6 Effluent Characterization - Sampling Program 31
7 Products and Production Capacities 42
8 Wastewater Discharges To Aquashicola Creek 79
9 Aquashicola Creek & Mill Creek Metals Sampling Data 90
10 Total Metals (Zinc/Cadmium) Contributions to Aquashicola ... 94
11 Profile Total Zine and Cadmium Concentrations - Cross Sections 95
12 Lehigh River - Metals Sampling Data 96
13 pH and Temperature Data 97
14 Sediment Metal Analyses - Aquashicola Creek & Lehigh River . . 99
15 Benthic Macroinvertebrates 100
16 Lehigh River & Aquashicola Creek Periphyton 101
17 In-Situ Fish Survival 102
18 Blue Mountain Runoff Above & Around Cinder Bank 113
19 Cinder Bank Runoff and Seepage Quality 116
20 Analyses of Well Water Samples In Vicinity of Palmerton . . . 123
21 Total Metals Data - NJ Zinc East Plant Discharges 125
22 Waste Acid Treatment Plant Sampling Data & Remova 132
23 Summary of Zinc and Cadmium Effluent Load Data 133
24 Continuous pH Data - Outfall 001 134
25 Instantaneous pH and Temperature Data 137
26 Total Suspended Solids (TSS) Data 144
27 Oil and Grease Data 147
28 24-Hour Static Bioassay Survival Data 148
29 24-Hour Static Bioassay Physical Chemical Characteristics . . 149
30 Probit Analysis on Dose 150
31 Probit Analysis on Dose 151
32 Heavy Metals Concentration 96-Hour Continual Flow 152
33 Heavy Metals Concentrations 96-Hout Continual Flow 153
34 Acute Toxicity of Zinc and Cadmium 154
35 96-Hour Continual-Flow Bioassay Survival Data 155
36 Physical-Chemical Characteristics Outfall 001 156
37 Heavy Metals Concentrations 96-Hour Continual Flow 157
38 Physical-Chemical Characteristics 96-Hour Continual Flow . . . 158
39 96-Hour Continual - Flow Bioassay Survival Data East Plant . . 159
40 Probit Analysis on Dose (mg/1 dissolved Zinc) 160
D-l Intake Water Quality Data D-l
D-2 Outfall 005 Background Water Quality Data D-2
D-3 Mercury and Tin Sampling Data D-3
-------
FIGURES
1 New Jersey Zinc East & West Plants 2
2 Blue Mountain Runoff, Cinder Bank Runoff and Seepage 28
3 Effluent Monitoring Station Locations (East Half) 33
4 Effluent Monitoring Station Locations (West Half) 34
5 Process Flow Sheet Raw Materials to Finished Products 43
6 Raw material Handling and Roasting Process 45
7 Sulfuric Acid Production 47
8 Sintering Process Acid Department 50
9 Cadmium Metal Production 52
10 Anhydrous Ammonia Production 54
11 Ferro Alloy Process 57
12 Oxide East - French Process 62
13 Oxide East - Metal Powder 65
14 Indium Metal Production Field Station 67
15 Slab Zinc Department 69
16 Oxide West - American Process 75
17 Waste Acid Treatment Plant & Waster Sources On Outfall 001 . . 81
18 Total Metals (Zinc and Cadmium) Contributions 104
19 Cross-sectional Zinc Concentration Profiles 106
20 Probit Analysis on Dose 167
21 Probit Analysis on Dose 168
22 Effect of pH II Solution Addition on Reconstructed Sofe Water 171
23 Probit Analysis on Dose 174
-------
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Coordinator of this project was Richard W. Warner; Mr. Warner
directed the preparation of the Project Plan, supervised the field
investigation, established project priorities, and coordinated the
preparation of this report. Requests for additional information
should be addressed to Mr. Warner.
Principal investigators having major responsibilities were as
follows: Barrett E. Benson - process evaluation; Thomas Burns -
receiving water and effluent evaluations; Alan Peckham - geology,
runoff and seepage; Richard W. Warner - biological evaluations. The
Best Management Practices evaluation was developed primarily by Mr.
Benson and Mr. Peckham, with contributions from Mr. Burns and Mr.
Warner.
-------
I. INTRODUCTION
From May 1 to 15, 1979, the National Enforcement Investigations
Center (NEIC) conducted an investigation of direct and indirect dis-
charges from a zinc smelter at Palmerton, Pennsylvania, and the impact
of these discharges on the receiving waters. The New Jersey Zinc (NJZ)
Division of Gulf and Western Natural Resources Group operates two plants
in the Palmerton vicinity, a West Plant built in 1898 and an East Plant
built in 1910 [Figure 1]. The East Plant, the subject of this inves-
tigation, is on the south bank of Aquashicola Creek, about 3.2 km (2 mi)
upstream of the confluence with the Lehigh River. The facility pro-
duces metallic zinc, zinc oxide, cadmium, ammonia, sulfuric acid, car-
bon dioxide and indium. The Company employs about 1,500 people and
operates 24-hours/day, 365 days/year.
Operations commenced at the East Plant in 1913, and since then
approximately 30 million m. tons (33 million tons) of process residue
(slag) from both the East and West Plants have been deposited in and
around the East Plant. The disposal area, referred to as the Cinder
Bank, now extends for about 3.2 km (2 mi) along the foot of Blue Moun-
tain, along the bank of Aquashicola Creek and behind the East Plant.
Surface-runoff and groundwater-seepage discharges from the Cinder Bank
enter Aquashicola Creek, both upstream of the East Plant and in the
reach bordering the plant.
Aquashicola Creek originates about 10 km (6 mi) east of Palmerton
and flows generally southwest to the Lehigh River. The creek inter-
cepts Buckwha Creek about 0.8 km (0.5 mi) upstream of Harris Bridge and
intercepts Mill Creek near the East Plant's main gate. At the time of
the NEIC investigation, Aquashicola Creek was classified as a coldwater
fish stream by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources
-------
ro
POHOPOCO
CREEK
y.
LIZARD
CREEK
AGGREGATES
MILL \FIELD BRIDGE
CREEK JSTATION
/ \ ^ ' BRIDGE
NJZ
EAST (24) ,__.
PLANT\ T^- t25J
HARRIS
BRIDGE
AQUASHICOLA CREEK
Figure 1
New Jersey Zinc East and West Plants
Aquashicola Creek and Lehigh River
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
Key: Q NEIC Sampling Station
28JUSGS GAGE STATION
(WALNUTPORT)
-------
(DER). Effective October 8, 1979, however, this classification was
changed to a trout-stocking stream for the reach from Buckwha Creek
to the mouth. This new classification also includes protection for
the following uses: warmwater fishes; potable, industrial, livestock,
wildlife and irrigation water supply; boating, fishing, water contact
sports and esthetics. The trout stocking stream classification also
applies to the Lehigh River in the Palmerton vicinity. The specific
water quality criteria applicable to this classification are listed
in Appendix A and summarized in Table 1.
EPA Region III has reported to NEIC that the Cinder Bank discharges
to Aquashicola Creek contain high concentrations of zinc, cadmium, and
possibly other priority pollutants*, and have resulted in a negative
impact on stream water quality. However, the Company's NPDES permit
(No. PA 0012751, effective January 16, 1975 - January 16, 1980) limits
only discrete Outfall discharges from the East and West Plants, without
addressing the Cinder Bank discharges. The Pennsylvania DER is in the
process of reissuing a new NPDES permit for the East and West Plants
and EPA Region III has proposed that the new permit contain provisions
to control runoff and seepage pollution by authority of Section 304e
of the 1977 Clean Water Act (Best Management Practices). It has also
been proposed that the new permit [Table 2] reflect limitations based
on the effluent guidelines developed for the zinc processing industry,
and on the Pennsylvania water quality standards.
The Director of the Enforcement Division of EPA Region III requested
that NEIC conduct an investigation of the NJZ East Plant and Aquashicola
Creek to evaluate the impact of the plant on the creek. Specific objec-
tives of the project were to:
* Priority Pollutants are derived from the June 7, 1976 Natural Re-
sources Defense Council (NRDC) vs. Russell Train (USEPA) Settlement
Agreement.
-------
Table 1
RECEIVING WATER QUALITY CRITERIA .
AQUASHICOLA CREEK3 AND LEHIGH RIVER0
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
Parameter
Criteria
Protected uses
Aluminum
Alkalinity
Arsenic
Bacteria
Chromium
Copper
Cyanide
Dissolved
Oxygen
Fluroide
Iron
Lead
Manganese
Nickel
Nitrite plus Nitrate
pH range
Phenolics
Temperature
1 - Feb. 15
1 - Feb. 15
trout stocking, warm water fish; domestic, in-
dustrial, livestock, wildlife and irrigation
water supply; boating fishing, water contact
<0.1 of the 96-hour LC50C
<20 mg/1 as CaCO3
50.05 mg/1
Fecal coliform <200/100 ml for May 1 - Sept. 30
Fecal coliform <2000/100 ml for Oct. 1 - April 30
(based on geometric mean - 5 consecutive samples)
<0.05 mg/1 (as hexavalent chromium)
<0.1 of the 96-hour LC50C
<0.005 mg/1 as free cyanide
<6.0 mg/1 average for Feb. 16 - July 31
<5.0 mg/1 minimum for Feb. 16 - July 31
<5.0 mg/1 average for Aug.
<4.0 mg/1 minimum for Aug.
<2.0 mg/1
<1.5 mg/1 (total); <0.3 mg/1 (dissolved)
<0.05 mg/1 or <0.01 of the 96-hour LC50C
(whichever is less)
<1.0 mg/1
<0.01 of the 96-hour LC50C
<10.0 mg/1 as Nitrogen
6.0 to 9.0 standard units
<0.005 mg/1
For the period Feb. 15 to July 31, no rise when
ambient temperature is 74°F or above; not more
than 5°F rise above ambient temperature until
stream temperature reaches 74°F, not to be
changed by more than 2°F during any one-hour
period; for the remainder of the year, no rise
when ambient temperature is 87°F or above; not
more than a 5°F rise above ambient temperature
until stream temperature reaches 87°F, not to
be changed by more than 2°F during any one-hour
period.
-------
Table 1 (Continued)
RECEIVING WATER QUALITY CRITERIA .
AQUASHICOLA CREEK3 AND LEHIGH RIVER0
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
Parameter Criteria
Total Dissolved Solids <500 mg/1 (average); <750 mg/1 (maximum)
Zinc <0.01 of the 96-hour LC50C
For parameters not listed, the general criterion that these substan-
ces shall not be inimical or injurious to the designated water uses
applies.
a,b These criteria apply to Aquashicola Creek in the reach from
Buchwha Creek to the mouth, and to the Lehigh River in the
reach from the Route 903 Bridge at Jim Thorpe to the Allen-
town Dam.
c LC50 for representative important species as determined
through substantial available literature data or bioassay
tests tailored to the ambient quality of the receiving waters.
-------
Table 2
DRAFT EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS3 - NPDES PERMIT NO. PA0012751
NEW JERSEY ZINC COMPANY - EAST PLANT
Palmer-ton, Pennsylvania
cr>
Parameter
Units
101
001L
002
0031-
004
005
010U
Oil'
012
016C
019
Total Avg mg/1
Zinc Max mg/1
Avg kg/day (Ib/day)
Max kg/day (Ib/day)
Total Avg mg/1
Cadmium Max mg/1
Avg kg/day (Ib/day)
Max kg/day (Ib/day)
Total Avg mg/1
Lead Max mg/1
Total Avg mg/1
Iron Max mg/1
Total Avg mg/1
Mn. Max. mg/1
TSS Avg mg/1
Max mg/1
Avg kg/day (Ib/day)
Max kg/day (Ib/day)
Arsenic Avg mg/1
Max mg/1
Avg kg/day (Ib/day
Max kg/day (Ib/day)
Selenium Avg mg/1
Max mg/1
Avg kg/day (Ib/day)
Max kg/day (Ib/day)
Oil/ Inst. Max mg/1
Grease Avg mg/1
Avg kg/day (Ib/day)
pH Range - SU
Maximum Temperature °C
Monitoring Requirements^
(key below)
3.5
7.0
11(24.4)
22(48.8)
0.1
0 4
0.3(0.7)
1.3(2.8)
2 5
5 0
1.5
3 0
-
-
15
30
47(104)
95(209)
0.05
0.1
0.14(0.3)
0.32(0 7)
2.5
5.0
7.0(17.4)
15.8(34.9)
30
NA
NA
-
-
A.D.J.O
MAf
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
-
-
NA
NA
NA
NA
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
NA
NA
NA
6.0-9.0
NA
C.F.L.N
0.7
1.1
NA
NA
0.01
0 02
NA
NA
-
-
0 5
1.0
-
-
NA
30
NA
4.1(9 0)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
30
15
2.0(4.5)
6.0-9.0
NA
,R A.F.M.N
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
-
-
-
-
-
-
NA
NA
NA
NA
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
6.0-9.0
NA
,R C,F,N,R
0.6
1.8
NA
NA
0.02
0.04
NA
NA
-
-
1.5
3.0
2.0
4.0
NA
30
NA
NA
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
30
NA
NA
6.0-9.0
NA
A.D.J.N
2 0
4.0
NA
NA
0.02
0.04
NA
NA
0.1
0.2
-
-
-
-
NA
30
NA
NA
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
30
NA
NA
6.0-9.0 6.
NA
,P B.E.K.N.Q
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
-
-
-
-
NA
NA
NA
NA
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0-9.0
NA
C.H.N.R
5.0
10.0
NA
NA
0.5
1.0
NA
NA
2.5
5.0
1.5
3.0
-
-
25
50
NA
NA
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
6.0-9.0
-
G.P
0.3
0.6
NA
NA
0.01
0.02
NA
NA
0.05
0.1
-
-
-
-
NA
20
NA
NA
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
6.0-9.0
NA
C.H.N.R
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
-
-
-
-
NA
NA
NA
NA
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
I
5.0
10.0
NA
NA
0.5
1.0
NA
NA
2.5
5 0
1.5
3.0
-
-
25
50
NA
NA
0 1
0 2
NA
NA
5.0
10.0
NA
NA
30
NA
NA
6.0-9.0
-
G.J.P
a Limitations are based on Best Practicable Control Technology Currently Available (BPT) and on Pennsylvania Water Quality Standards.
All metals and TSS limits for Outfalls 101-010 and 012 are on a net basis; all other concentration limits are on a gross basis.
b No net addition from cooling water.
c No net addition for all pollutants in cooling water - discharge shall consist of storm water and non-contact cooling water only.
d No net addition from process or cooling water.
e Discharge shall not contain any process or cooling water
f NA means specific limits not applicable but monitoring requirements do not apply for these parameters.
g A = Measure flow I/week; B = Measure flow 1/2 weeks, C= Measure flow I/month; D = 24-hour flow composite for TSS/metals 1 week; 0 = 24-hour
flow composite for TSS/metals 1/2 weeks; F = 24-hour flow composite for TSS/metals I/month; G = Grab for TSS/metals I/week during precipitation
runoff; H = Grab for TSS/metals I/month; I = Grab for TSS/metals 1/3 months during precipitation runoff; J = Grab for oil/grease I/week;
K = Grab for oil/grease 1/2 weeks; L = Grab for oil/grease I/month; M = 3 Grabs within 24-hrs for oil/grease 1 month, N = "in-situ" temperature
iiear"~~~~"it i'••««>•• o - r««*jnun,ici« nieaei""'''"ecor'< nU~ P = ';"h for nU 1'wee1'" n = Grfh f"r pH '/ "»pks| R = Grab fnr pH i/mnnth.
-------
1. Measure the quality of Cinder Bank runoff and seepage and
assess the influence of runoff and seepage on Aquashicola
Creek and Lehigh River water quality.
2. Evaluate the NJZ East Plant discharges with respect to de-
veloped effluent guidelines and water quality standards.
3. Develop Best Management Practices for controlling runoff
and seepage.
-------
II. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
SUMMARY OF INVESTIGATION
From May 1 to 15, 1979, NEIC conducted an investigation of the
New Jersey Zinc Company's East Plant at Palmerton, Pennsylvania. The
study consisted of a characterization of Aquashicola Creek, an eval-
uation of the Cinder Bank and its impact on the creek, an evaluation
of East Plant discharges, and development of Best Management Practices
for the plant.
Aquashicola Creek stream characterization included seven consec-
utive days of water sampling, flow measurement and field measurement
for pH and temperature, as well as sediment sampling, benthic popula-
tion studies, periphyton sampling and fish survival tests. Based on
data from five of the sampling days, mass balance calculations were
performed to characterize zinc and cadmium levels in the reach from
Harris Bridge to the 6th Street Bridge. Additional limited studies
were conducted on the Lehigh River in the Palmerton vicinity.
The Cinder Bank was evaluated in terms of physical features, in-
cluding area, volume, configuration, stability, runoff, infiltration,
and erosion characteristics. Four sets of grab samples for total and
dissolved metals analysis were collected of Blue Mountain runoff, run-
off and seepage from the Cinder Bank; two sets of water samples were
collected for metals analysis from wells in the vicinity of the East
Plant. Field measurements were performed for pH, temperature and con-
ductivity.
East Plant effluent characterization was conducted for seven con-
secutive days at ten permitted Outfalls, and for twelve days at the
-------
10
main process discharge Outfall 001. Monitoring at Outfall 001 was
conducted five extra days to characterize the discharge before a
reduction in plant operations began on May 5. Influent and effluent
sampling was conducted for six days at the Waste Acid Treatment
Plant. Composite and grab samples were collected and analyzed for
TSS, total metal, and oil and grease; also flow, pH and temperature
were measured. Bioassay tests were conducted to measure the toxicity
of all East Plant discharges.
Based on the results of these studies and an investigation of
East Plant processes and operations, Best Management Practices for
controlling the impact of the plant on Aquashicola Creek were de-
veloped. These practices specifically address the Cinder Bank, raw
materials and waste sludge handling, and waste treatment strategies.
CONCLUSIONS
Stream Characterization
There were significant contributions of zinc, cadmium and man-
ganese to Aquashicola Creek in the reach from Harris Bridge to the
6th Street Bridge, located just downstream from the East Plant. Zinc
and cadmium loads each increased about thirty times in this reach,
while manganese increased sevenfold. No increases in metals were
noted between the 6th Street Bridge and the Tatra Inn Bridge at the
mouth.
Based on five-day average data, most of the zinc and cadmium load
was contributed to Aquashicola Creek by groundwater and runoff
sources:
-------
13
aquifer draining from the waste sludge storage area. Groundwater
from the deep wells at the west end of the plant is much less sus-
ceptible to metals contamination than are the shallow wells.
Effluent Characterization
The only East Plant discharges that contributed significant
amounts of metals to Aquashicola Creek were Outfalls 001 and Oil.
The combination of these Outfalls accounted for 93 and 90%, re-
spectively, of the zinc and cadmium discharged. However, as was
noted in the stream characterization conclusions, the total of all
East Plant discharges accounted for only 18 and 8% of the zinc and
cadmium contributions to the creek. The remainder is attributable to
non-point sources.
Decreased acid plant operations that began on May 5 significantly
affected the water quality at Outfall 001. The net zinc and cadmium
concentrations at this Outfall from May 1 to 6 averaged 3.2 mg/1 and
0.08 mg/1, respectively. Average net loads for these metals were 49
kg/day and 1.2 kg/day, respectively. Metals concentrations and loads
during this normal production period were from two to ten times greater
than during the seven monitoring days after the decrease.
The manual pH control system at the waste acid treatment plant
effluent was completely inadequate, resulting in numerous and severe
fluctuations in pH at Outfall 001. There were a total of 105 excur-
sions outside the range of 6.0 to 9.0, in times ranging from 1 to 432
minutes. These excursions occurred more frequently and for longer peri-
ods when production was at normal levels. Instantaneous pH measure-
ments outside the 6.0 to 9.0 range occurred 25% of the time.
Outfall 001 was acutely toxic to rainbow trout. The LC50 was a
mixture of 88% effluent and 12% Aquashicola Creek water. The primary
-------
14
toxicant appeared to be dissolved zinc. Excessive pH variation prob-
ably accelerated test fish response to dissolved zinc concentrations.
It is probable that significantly higher toxicity levels would be
measured at Outfall 001 during normal plant operations. Zinc and
cadmium concentrations were two to four times greater during the pe-
riod of normal operations (May 1 to 5) than they were during the bio-
assay test period, and pH fluctuations beyond the 6.0 to 9.0 range
were more frequent, severe, and longer.
Outfall Oil drains shallow groundwater from the waste sludge
storage area and other parts of the East Plant with a potential for
metals contamination. Since Outfall Oil contained an average cadmium
concentration of 0.75 mg/1 -- the highest detected during this study
— and 79% of the cadmium load entered Aquashicola Creek in this reach,
it is apparent that the shallow groundwater in this area of the plant
was severly contaminated. Zinc concentrations in Outfall Oil were
also very high, averaging 66 mg/1. This discharge was acutely toxic
to rainbow trout. The LC50 for Outfall Oil was a mixture of 1% ef-
fluent and 99% Aquashicola Creek water. The primary toxicant appeared
to be dissolved zinc. Because of the high metals concentrations and
the resulting toxicity, Outfall Oil should be treated prior to discharge.
There were no significant levels of pollutants found in permitted
discharges 002-005, 012 and 014-016. Outfall 010 contained high con-
centrations of zinc and cadmium on several days. However, the flow
at this station averaged only 23 m3/day (6,000 gal/day) and the dis-
charge would be easily treated.
Best Management Practices
Because runoff from Blue Mountain is not severely contaminated
with zinc, cadmium, and other metals, it should be isolated from the
-------
15
Cinder Bank. Therefore, all runoff from Blue Mountain should be seg-
regated from and diverted around the Cinder Bank and discharged di-
rectly into Aquashicola Creek. Since runoff from Blue Mountain can
be reduced by restoring and maintaining the vegetation, the NJZ Com-
pany should begin revegetating the Blue Mountain area adjacent to the
East Plant and complete the revegetation within 5 years.
To prevent contamination of Aquashicola Creek by runoff and seep-
age from the Cinder Bank, all Cinder Bank runoff east of the NEIC
Station 68 (NJZ Station 10A) must be collected and conveyed to lined
surface impoundments. The impounded runoff should be monitored; if
the zinc and cadmium concentrations are greater than 5 and 0.5 mg/1,
respectively, the impounded runoff must be treated to reduce the con-
centrations to these levels.
The NEIC data of Cinder Bank runoff west of the Aggregates Bridge
were inconclusive. Therefore, Cinder Bank runoff from this area should
be monitored. If the zinc and cadmium concentrations exceed 5 and
0.5 mg/1, respectively, then the runoff must be collected and treated
before discharge to Aquashicola Creek.
To minimize infiltration, the Cinder Bank must be contoured;
slopes of 4 to 1 should be constructed with an S-shaped profile having
the shortest possible straight segment. Runoff from precipitation,
seeps, and springs should be collected in channels and conveyed to
the surface impoundments.
Because the Cinder Bank is unstable, eroded, and highly per-
meable -- which contributes most of the contaminated flow to the
groundwater — the revegetation of the Cinder Bank by the NJZ Company
should be accelerated and completed within the next 5 years.
-------
16
The raw-material storage and handling areas have a high poten-
tial of contaminating Aquashicola Creek and the groundwater. There-
fore, these areas should be lined with impervious materials and diked.
Water contained within the diked area must be treated before discharge
to reduce the zinc and cadmium concentrations below 5 and 0.5, mg/1,
respectively. As an alternative, buildings could be built over the
raw-material storage and handling areas.
Because the entrained water in the sludge from the waste acid
treatment plant leaches metals and then infiltrates to the ground-
water, the sludge storage area must be lined with an impervious liner
and diked. Water contained within the diked area must be treated to
reduce the zinc and cadmium concentrations below 5 and 0.5 mg/1 before
discharge.
To prevent contamination of Aquashicola Creek and groundwater
from non-point sources on the East Plant site, it is necessary to con-
struct drains and sewers throughout the site to quickly remove runoff
to the creek. The runoff should be monitored; if zinc and cadmium
concentrations are greater than 5 and 0.5 mg/1, respectively, the
runoff must be treated. The NJZ Company should also reevaluate the
drainage system and eliminate the sources of contamination.
-------
III. STUDY METHODS
Throughout the course of this study, EPA and NEIC standardized
monitoring procedures were followed. Specific applications were in
the areas of sampling and flow measurement techniques, sample pre-
servation, Chain-of-Custody and document control. Analytical method-
ologies are discussed and referenced in Appendix B. An evaluation of
NJZ self-monitoring laboratory was conducted on November 28, 1978 and
the results of that inspection are in Appendix C.
STREAM CHARACTERIZATION
On seven consecutive days, May 8 through 14, 1979, water quality
characterization was conducted on a reach of Aquashicola Creek from
the Harris Bridge to the confluence with the Lehigh River. Additional
water quality sampling was performed at three locations on the Lehigh
River for the same seven days.
Water Sampling
Table 3 presents the stream water quality characterization pro-
gram, detailing NEIC station numbers, descriptions and locations
[Figure 1] sampling dates, and types of samples collected. The basis
of the program was seven consecutive days of flow-weighted grab samp-
ling of Aquashicola Creek stream water at the following points:
1. A control station upstream of any influence from the east
plant discharges or the Cinder Bank (Station 27 at Harris
Bridge).
-------
00
Table 3
AQUASHICOLA CREEK AND LEHIGH RIVER
WATER QUALITY CHARACTERIZATION PROGRAM
New Jersey Zinc - East Plant
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
May 8-14, 1979
NEIC
Station Station
No. Description
Location
Sampling
Dates
May (1979)
Remarks
27 Aquashicola Creek
at Harris Bridge
25 Aquashicola Creek
at Aggregates
Bridge
On upstream side of Harris 8-14
Bridge, about 8.4 km (5.2 mi)
upstream of confluence with
Lehigh River
Aggregates Bridge is approxi- 9,13
mately 4.9 km (3.0 mi) upstream
of confluence with Lehigh River
One flow-weighted grab collected
each day; individual aliquots
kept on May 9 and 13
Eight individual aliquots collected
from equally-spaced cross sections
on each of two days
24
19
22
21
Aquashicola Creek
at Field Station
Bridge
Mill Creek
Aquashicola Creek at
USGS gage station
Aquashicola Creek at
6th Street Bridge
10 m (33 ft) upstream of Field 8-14
Station Bridge about 3.7 km
(2.3 mi) upstream of confluence
with Lehigh River
15 m (48 ft) upstream of Del a- 8-14
ware Avenue Bridge abutment,
about 3.0 km (1.9 mi) upstream
of Aquashicola Creek mouth
About 2.2 km (1.4 mi) upstream none
of mouth
32 m (106 ft) downstream from 10-14
6th Street Bridge (downstream
from outfall 016), about 1.9 km
(1.2 mi) upstream of mouth
One flow-weighted grab collected
each day; individual aliquots
kept on May-9 and 13
One flow-weighted grab collected
each day
Flow measurement only
One flow-weighted grab collected
each day; individual aliquots kept
on May 13
-------
Table 3 (Cont'd.)
AQUASHICOLA CREEK AND LEHIGH RIVER
WATER QUALITY CHARACTERIZATION PROGRAM
New Jersey Zinc - East Plant
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
May 8-14, 1979
NEIC
Station
No.
Station .,
Description - -^
1
Location
Sampling
•'. • L1 Dates • . '•.-
j. 1-0 TC 1"J M^y(x(19>79)' -t Vj
^0 ^ t-^ Ti"^^ '/* • ' _*
IP
i.-. . \ * -"<
a>' -r-l
20
30
29
28
Aquashicola Creek at
Tatra Inn Bridge
Lehigh River upstream
of West Plant
3 m (10 ft) upstream of the
Tatra Inn Bridge, about- 0.2
(0.1 mi) upstream of mouth
1 km (0.6 mi) downstream
from Bowmanstown Bridge
over Route 248, about 4 km
(2.5 mi) upstream of
Aquashicola Creek
km
8-14
8-14.
Lehigh River upstream Approximately 18 m (60 ft)
of Aquashicola Creek upstream of confluence with
Aquashicola Creek
Lehigh River below
Aquashicola Creek
Near USGS Gage Station
at Walnutport, approximately
3.5 km (2.2 mi) downstream
from Aquashicola Creek
8-14
8-14
One flow-weighted grab collected
each day; individual aliquots kept
on May 9 and 13
One equal volume grab collected
each day
One equal volume grab collected
each day
One equal volume grab collected
each day
-------
20
2. A point downstream from a major portion of the Cinder Bank,
but upstream of all plant discharges (Station 24 at the
Field Station Bridge).
3. A point downstream of all plant discharges and the Cinder
Bank (Station 20 at the Tatra Inn Bridge).
Flow-weighted grab samples were collected from the Mill Creek
discharge (Station 19) for the seven days and, for the last five days
(May 10 to 14), an additional flow-weighted grab of Aquashicola Creek
water was collected daily at the 6th Street Bridge (Station 21), just
downstream from the last New Jersey Zinc east plant discharge (Outfall 016).
Each of the four Aquashicola Creek stations (20, 21, 24 and 27)
was divided into eight equal width sampling sections across the stream;
at Mill Creek (Station 19) there were four sampling sections. Each
flow-weighted grab sample consisted of individual aliquots collected
from each of the sampling sections, proportioned according to the
flow in each section, and combined into one sample. On two of the
seven days, May 9 and 13, an additional aliquot was collected from
each sampling section and kept as a separate sample at Stations 27,
24, 21 (May 13 only) and 20. Also collected on each of these two
days, were samples from eight equal width stream sections of Aquashicola
Creek near the Aggregate Bridge (Section 25).
All Aquashicola Creek samples were collected in coordination
with the stream time-of-travel as determined by a dye study performed
on May 6, 1979.
In addition to the Aquashicola Creek sampling program, seven
consecutive days (May 8 through 14) of water quality sampling was
conducted at the following three locations on the Lehigh River:
-------
21
1. A point upstream of the New Jersey Zinc west plant (Station 30).
2. A point downstream from the west plant but upstream of the
confluence with Aquashicola Creek (Station 29).
3. A point sufficiently downstream from the confluence to allow
mixing of the two streams (Station 28).
At each of these three stations, grab samples were collected
daily by combining equal volume aliquots of the stream cross-section.
All stream samples were preserved and shipped to the NEIC laboratory
in Denver for total metal analyses.
Flow Measurement
Flow measurements for mass loading calculations at four Aquashicola
Creek Stations (20, 21, 24 and 27) and at Mill Creek (Station 19)
were performed using standard stream gaging techniques.* Starting
with the seven-day prestudy period (May 1 to 7) and continuing through
the seven days of monitoring, measured flows at these five stations**
were referenced to known flows at the USGS gage station (Station 22).
Once a measured flow at any of the five stations was linked to a
reference flow at the gage station, that flow was not remeasured until
the gage station flow changed more than 10% from the reference flow.
If the gage station flow changed more than 10% from the previous refer-
ence flow, a new reference flow was established and flows at the five
stations were measured and linked to the new reference flow.
* Water Measurement Manual, U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of
Reclamation, Second Edition, 1967, pages 107-136.
** As noted in Table 3, sampling and flow measurement at Station 21
was performed for only five days (May 10 to 14).
-------
22
The stream cross-sections at each of the four main Aquashicola
Creek stations (20, 21, 24 and 27) and at the Mill Creek station (19)
were divided into eight and four sampling sections, respectively.
These sampling sections were further subdivided into flow sections
for stream gauging purposes. After each stream gauging, the flow
sections within each sampling section were combined to determine the
flow in the sampling section and the proportion to the total stream
flow. This information was used in flow-weighting the grab samples
as discussed previously. On those occasions when flow measurement at
a station was not necessary because the flow was linked to a reference
flow (as noted above), flow-weighted aliquots were based on the previ-
ously measured flow.
Field Measurements
Field measurements for pH and temperature were performed at each
stream sampling station daily from May 8 through 14.
Sediment Sampling
Seven sediment sampling sites [Figure 1] were selected on Aqua-
shicola Creek and four were selected on the Lehigh River to coincide
with stations which were also selected for collection of flow data,
water quality and biological observations. Three of these stations,
one on Aquashicola Creek (27) and two on the Lehigh River (99 and 30)
were selected as background stations which were not expected to show
direct influences of discharges or erosional (sediment) impacts from
NJZ properties. Two additional stations were selected on the Lehigh
River, one (29) between the NJZ West plant and the confluence of Aqua-
shicola Creek and the Lehigh River and one (28) at the U.S. Geological
Survey gauging stations at Walnutport, downstream of all NJZ facilities
at Palmerton.
-------
23
To assess the effects of the New Jersey Zinc Company (NJZ) East
Plant on Aquashicola Creek and the Lehigh River, benthic macroinverte-
brates were collected from selected sites [Table 4]. Aquashicola
Creek was sampled in the reach between Harris Bridge upstream of the
NJZ Cinder Bank and confluence of the stream with the Lehigh River.
On the Lehigh River samples were collected from Bowmanstown, Pennsyl-
vania, upstream of Aquashicola Creek, downstream to Walnutport, Penn-
sylvania. Examination of the immediate vicinity of NJZ discharges
was emphasized, with samples from that reach of Aquashicola Creek
more numerous than from more distant reaches.
Benthic macroinvertebrates were quantatively sampled, using a
Surber sampler at three sites (cross stream transects) per station.
In addition, qualitative samples were taken at each location by sam-
pling all available habitats, including the screening of sediments of
manual removal of organism from beneath rocks, logs, and debris.
Organisms collected only in qualitative samples were arbitrarily as-
signed values of one/sq. m of stream bed and were counted with the
quantitative samples. In the laboratory, the 70% alcohol-preserved
samples were separated from the debris, identified and counted. Re-
sults of quantitative sampling were expressed as number of organism
per square meter of stream bed.
Periphyton Sampling
Aquashicola Creek and Lehigh River periphyton populations in the
Palmerton, Pennsylvania area were sampled by exposing floating wooden
racks containing microscope slides at 9 Stations. The racks were ex-
posed for 9 days, commencing May 5, 1979, with the exception of Harris
and Aggregates Bridges which were exposed for 7 and 8 days, respective-
ly. After exposure, slides containing attached growths were preserved
and used to determine periphytic algal population densities and peri-
phytic chlorophyll a concentrations. Standardized, EPA-approved methods
of analysis were used.
-------
24
Table 4
BENTHIC MACROINVERTEBRATE SAMPLING STATIONS
AQUASHICOLA CREEK AND LEHIGH RIVER, PENNSYLVANIA
May, 1979
Station Description
27 Aquashicola Creek at Harris Bridge
32 Aquashicola Creek 1/2 way between Harris Bridge
and Aggregate Bridge
25 Aquashicola Creek at Aggregate Bridge
23 Aquashicola Creek at Main Gate Bridge
31 Aquashicola Creek 1/2 way between USGS Gaging Station
and 6th Street Bridge
21 Aquashicola Creek at 6th Street Bridge
20 Aquashicola Creek at Tatra Inn Bridge
34 Lehigh River at Hwy. 895 Bridge in Bowmanstown, PA
35 Lehigh River 450 meters upstream of Aquashicola Creek
33 Lehigh River 180 meters downstream of Aquashicola Creek
37 Lehigh River 1.4km downstream of Hwy. 873 Bridge
(Slatington, PA)
36 Lehigh River 180 meters downstream of Main St.
Bridge in Walnutport, PA.
-------
25
Fish Survival Tests
In-situ fish exposures were done at eight sites in Aquashicola
Creek (Stations 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27 and Oil) and these sites
in the Lehigh River (Stations 28, 29 and 30). The purpose of the
tests was to determine if discharges from NJZ East Plant and runoff
and seepage from the Cinder bank are acutely toxic to indigenous fish
populations. The test fish were golden shiners approximately 10 cm
(4 in) in total length.
Exposure cages were constructed from 10 liter plastic buckets
perforated with numerous 10 mm (3/8 in) circular holes. Approximate
volumetric flushing time for these cages was 3 to 5 minutes. Each
container was anchored to the stream bed at sufficient water depth to
ensure complete submersion. The test fish were placed in each exposure
cage.
Stream water at each test site was monitored for temperature, pH
and dissolved oxygen concentration. Each cage was checked daily and
dead fish removed.
CINDER BANK EVALUATION
Visual and photographic observations of the Cinder Bank and Blue
Mountain were made during a reconnaissance visit to Palmerton in No-
vember 1978. Descriptions of the Cinder Bank and selection of Blue
Mountain, Cinder Bank and well sampling stations [Table 5 and Figure 21]
were based on these observations and on a detailed site review in
May 1979 just prior to the survey.
-------
Table 5 ro
en
CINDER BANK SAMPLING STATION DESCRIPTIONS
[See Figure for Key]
Station No. Description
51 An Intermittent seep along the south side of the roadway to the west end of the Cinder Bank
Location is due south of the Oxide East and Zinc Powder buildings.
52 The same as NJZ seep No. 1. This spring issues from an iron pipe at the southwest side of
a small bog south of railroad tracks near where roadway first parallels the tracks enroute
to east end of Cinder Bank.
53 Tne same as NJZ seep No. 2 and is in the middle of the same bog described above.
54 A small seep in the middle of the bog described above and is about midway between NJZ seeps
Mos. 2 and 3. J v
55 The same as NJZ seep No. 3 which issues from an iron pipe at the eastern edge of the bog
described above an flows directly into drainage beside railroad tracks.
56 A small rill flowing off of Blue Mt. at the junction of the mountain slope with the Cinder
Bank about 50 yds (46 m) southwest of NJZ seep No. 4 and about 200 yd (183 m) east of Cinder
Bank road crossing of railroad.
57 The same as NJZ seep No. 4 which flows into a pool along roadside about 50 yd (46 m) through
Cinder Bank from Station No. 56.
58 The same as NJZ Cinder Bank sampling Station No. 5 which is a rill draining a large gulch
on Blue Mt. 0.8 mi (1.3 km) west of the east end of the Cinder Bank.
59 The same as NJZ Cinder Bank sampling Station No. 6 which is a small rill draining through
rocks into a small pond on South side of Cinder Bank roadway 0.6 mi (1 km) west of the east
end of the Cinder Bank.
60 Equivalent to NJZ Cinder Bank sampling Station No. 6A which is a rill on Blue Mt. at the
east end of the Cinder Bank and was sampled at the confluence of two rills about 50 yd
(46 m) downstream of NJZ No. 6A.
61 A seep at the toe of the Cinder Bank about 200 ft (60 m) southwest of Aggregate's Bridge
on south side of roadway along base of Cinder Bank.
62 A seep at the toe of the Cinder Bank about 150 ft (45 m) southwest of Aggregated Bridge
on the south side of the roadway along base of Cinder Bank.
63 A seep near the base of the Cinder Bank about 150 ft (45 m) southeast of Aggregate's
Bridge on the south side of upper roadway.
64 Tne same as NJZ Cinder Bank sampling Station No. 7 and is located below the Cinder Bank
at Aggregate's Bridge on the south side of Aquashicola Creek.
65 The same as NJZ Cinder Bank sampling Station No. 8 and is located along the south side
of the road at base of the Cinder Bank and between the PP&L (Penn. and Power and Light)
access road and the PP&L Substation.
$ Tne same as NJZ Cinder Bank sampling Station No. 9 and is immediately adjacent to and
east of Station No. 65.
67 Tne same as NJZ Cinder Bank sampling Station No. 10 and is a seep issuing from the base of
the Cinder Bank in the gutter of the road along the base of the Cinder Bank and south of
Aquashicola Creek. This seep is about 30 ft (9 m) east of Station No. 66.
-------
TaMe 5 (Continued)
CINDER BANK SAMPLING STATION DESCRIPTION
Station No. Description
68 The same as NJZ Cinder Bank sampling Station No. 10A and issues from the base of the Cinder Bank
by the side of the road along the base of the Cinder Bank and is due south of the PP&L (Penn.
Power & Light) substation.
69 - 73 A group of seeps and rills which drain over bedrock from the base of the Cinder Bank to Aquashicola
Creek along the 120 yd (110 m) stretch of the road east of Station No. 68 and along the base of
the Cinder Bank.
74 A seep at the base of the Cinder Bank south of the Waste Acid Plant sludge storage area at the
east end (head) of the drainage ditch southeast of the Acid Plant.
75 The same as NJZ Cinder Bank sampling Station No. 16, is southeast of PP&L substation and about
50 yds (45 m) east of NJZ Cinder Bank sampling Station No. 15 along road between base of Cinder
Bank and Aquashicola Creek.
76 Tne same as NJZ Cinder Bank sampling Station No. 17, is southeast of the PP&L substation and about
100 yds (90 m) east of NJZ Cinder Bank sampling Station No. 16.
77 The same as NJZ Cinder Bank sample Station No. 18 and is about 150 yds (137 m) east of NJZ
Cinder Bank sample Station No. 17 along south side of road at base of the Cinder Bank and
above Aquashicola Creek.
78 The same as NJZ Cinder Bank sampling Station No. ISA and is located at base of Cinder Bank above
Aquashicola Creek due south of old red farm buildings along highway east of Palmerton.
79 The same as NJZ Cinder Bank sampling Station No. 18B and is located at the fork in the road
along the base of and near east end of the Cinder Bank and across the road from an experimental
grass seeded plot.
80 The same as NJZ Cinder Bank sampling Station No. 18C and is located at base of the Cinder Bank
about 25 yds (23 m) east of NJZ Cinder Bank sampling Station 18B and is in the same fork in
the road.
81 The same as NJZ Cinder Bank sampling Station No. 19, is about 100 yds (90 m) east of 18C and
on the south side of road just uphill of a deep gully which drains to Aquashicola Creek.
82 The same as NJZ CinderBank sampling Station Mo. 20, is about 100 ft (30 m) east of NJZ No. 19,
is on the north si'de of the road in a deep gully beside a large boulder of consolidated "cinder"
and drains to Aquashicola Creek.
83 At the lower culvert on a rill which drains off of Blue Mt. east of the Cinder Bank under
PP&L's high tension line.
84 The NJZ diversion ditch around the east end of the Cinder Bank and was sampled at the culvert
under roadway at the northeast corner of the base of the C nder Bank and about 80 yds (73 m)
v/cst of the PP&L high-tension power line.
85 The City Center drain which traverses the park and discharges into Aquashicola Creek at the
sewage treatment plant (STP). The sampling point was at the intersection of the drain with
the driveway into the STP.
85 Drainage off of Blue Mt. at the Palmer Water Company maintenance building at the south side
of the railroad tracks due south of the 6th Street Bridge.
87 The Cinder Bank drainage ditch adjacent to the weir at Station No. 06.
88 The combined flow of stations numbered 65, 66 and 67 and discharges to Aquashicola Creek through ,.,
a culvert under the roadway at the base of the Cinder Bank east of Aggregate Bridge. Stations £j
numbered 65, 66 and 67 are equivalent to New Jersey Zinc Co. stations numbered 8, 9 and 10.
-------
ro
CO
rl
T 1
• Ce* \ •
is Ch. i-Jj-sl-^
•f—*&- T^Vv 'Sc*-*
i MILE
Fi0ur» 2.B(u« /Mountain Runoff, Cind«r Bank Runoff and S««pag*
and Groundwaf«r fW»//) Sampling Locations
-------
29
Physical Characteristics
1
The general physical size and nature of the Cinder Bank and its
composition were based on visual and photographic observations as
well as discussions with the New Jersey Zinc Company staff.
Blue Mountain Runoff
Sampling sites on Blue Mountain and at the City Center Drain in
Palmerton were selected to represent local background levels of metals
in waters which had not been in contact with the Cinder Bank of other
plant site areas suspected or known to be contaminated with metals.
Four sets of grab samples were collected from each of these stations,
excep^those which did not flow continuously throughout the survey.
Aliqu^tfs for analysis of both total and dissolved metals were collected
•V.
in alIncases and were preserved and filtered in accordance with stan-
dard ntfthods. Temperature, specific conductance and pH measurements
were nifde on each sample at the time of collections.
Cinder- Bank Seepage and Runoff
>>.
ft:
\-
Station numbers 61 to 82 and 87 are seepage and runoff from the
Cinder Bank and compared with data from the Blue Mountain Runoff Sta-
tions iare intended to provide a basis for qualitatively evaluating
the effects of the Cinder Bank on the metals load in Aquashicola Creek.
Four lets of grab samples were collected from each of these Stations,
*
except .those which did not flow continuously throughout the survey.
Aliquots for analysis of both total and dissolved metals were collected
in all""cases and were preserved and filtered in accordance with standard
methods. Temperature, specific conductance and pH measurements were
made on each sample at the time of collections.
-------
30
Well Sampling
Station numbers 91 to 98 are wells in the vicinity of the NJZ
East Plant. One well, Station No. 95, was not sampled. Two sets of
grab samples were collected from each of the other wells during the
survey. Aliquots for both total and dissolved metals analysis were
collected in all cases and were preserved and filtered in accordance
with standard methods. Temperature, specific conductance and pH mea-
surements were made on each sample at the time of collection. The
resulting data were used to determine the extent to which metals infil-
tration in the sub-surface may have affected groundwater quality.
EFFLUENT CHARACTERIZATION
During May 1 to 15, 1979, the NEIC conducted wastewater character-
ization of the eleven permitted Outfalls (001-005, 010-012, 014-016)
and four intake and background locations at the New Jersey Zinc East
Plant.
Sampling Program
Table 6 presents the effluent characterization sampling program,
detailing NEIC station numbers and descriptions, locations, [Figures 3
and 4] dates and hours of composite sampling, grab sampling Stations,
and sampling and flow measurement methods. The basis of the program
was seven consecutive days of 24-hour composite sampling at each of
the seven major Outfalls and grab sampling at the four groundwater,
runoff and intermittent discharges. In order to allow calculation of
"net" concentrations and loads, the NEIC sampling program included
concurrent monitoring of Aquashicola and Pohopoco Creek intake waters
and Outfall 005 background waters originating from Blue Mountain on
the south side of the East Plant.
-------
02
03
Outfall 002
Outfall 003
Table 6
EFFLUENT CHARACTERIZATION SAMPLING PROGRAM
New Jersey Zinc - East Plant
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
May 1-15, 1979
NEIC
Station
No.
01
Station
Description
Outfall 001
Location
Walkway bridge over 001 discharge channel
About 2 m (6 ft) upsewer of NJZ 3 foot
Cippoletti weir
Sampling
Period
Hay 1979
1-6
8-15
Daily
Composite
Period
1700-1700
0600-0600
Method of
Composite
Sampling
Automatic
Flow Measurement
Method
NJZ 3 foot
Cippoletti weir
with NEIC recorder
At the end of the 15 cm (6 in) ID pipe
from which the waste stream is discharged
At the end of the 30 cm (12 in) ID
pipe from which the waste stream is
discharged to Aquashicola Creek
8-15
8
9-10,11-12,14-15"
0700-0700
Manual
Grab Samples Only
0700-0700 Manual
10 1 (2 64 gal.) bucket
and stopwatch
NEIC 90° V-notch weir
with recorder
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
Outfall 004
Outfall 005
Outfall 005 -
Background 1
Outfall 005 -
Background 2
Aquashicola
Creek Intake
Pohopoco Creek
Intake
Outfall 010
At the 1.3 m x 1.3 m (4 ft x 4 ft) manhole 8-15 0700-0700
about 3 m (10 ft) south of the main plant
road and about 200 m (600 ft) upsewer of
the 004 discharge
At the end of the 91 cm (36 in) ID pipe 8-15 0800-0800
about 3 m (10 ft) upsewer of the NJZ
90° V-notch weir over which the waste
stream is discharged
At HJZ 90° V-notch weir on 2 m x 2 m 8-9b 0700-0700
(6 ft x 6 ft) Square concrete runoff
collection drain on north side of cinder
bank
At NJZ 90° v-notch weir about 2 m (6 ft) 8-15 0700-0700
upsewer of large diameter conduit leading
to Station 06
At NJZ No 3 pump house near field station 1-6 1700-1700
bridge; samples collected from wet well 8-15 0600-0600
after screening
At 91 cm (36 in) pressure main in Booster B-15 0700-0700
Pump House
In the 010 discharge channel about 6 m 8-15 0700-0700
(20 ft) upstream of the discharge to
Aquashicola Creek
Automatic NEIC 90° V-notch weir
with reocrder
Automatic NJZ 90° V-notch weir
with recorder
Manual NJZ 90° V-notch weir
Automatic NJZ 90° v-notch weir
with NEIC recorder
Automatic NJZ DP Cell with
Bailey Meter/Recorder
Manual None
(Equal-volume)
Manual
NEIC 45° V-notch weir
-------
NEIC
Station Station
No. Description
Table 6 (Cont'd.)
EFFLUENT CHARACTERIZATION SAMPLING
New Jersey Zinc - East Plant
Palmer-ton, Pennsylvania
May 1-15, 1979
Sampl ing
Period
Location May 1979
PROGRAM
Daily
Composite
Period
Method of
Composite Flow Measurement
Sampling Method
OJ
ro
11
12
14
Outfall Oil At manhole on Oil drain about 15 m (50 ft) 8-15
south of main plant road
Outfall 012 At the end of the 30 cm (12 in) pipe from 8-14
which the waste stream is discharged to
Aquashicola Creek
Outfall 014 At the 014 discharge to Aquashicola Creek 8-14
on the upstream side of the No. 1 and 2
pump house intake structure
0700-0700
Manual
Grab Samples Only
Grab Samples Only
NEIC 90° V-notch weir
with recorder
10 1 (2.64 gal.) bucket
and stopwatch
Bucket and Stopwatch
15 Outfall 015
16 Outfall 016
17 NJZ WWTP
Influent
18 NJZ WWTP
Effluent
At the 015 discharge to Aquashicola Creek 8-14
as it flows over the NJZ 90° V-notch weir
At the 60 cm x 60 cm (2 ft x 2 ft) concrete 8-14
manhole on the 016 drain about 23 m (75 ft)
upsewer from the discharge to Aquashicola
Creek
At the sump at the influent to the NJZ 9-15
Waste Acid Treatment Plant
At the overflow from the final clarifier 9-15
at the NJZ Waste Acid Treatment Plant
Grab Samples Only
Grab Samples Only
0700-0700 Manual
(Equal-volume)
0700-0700 Manual
(Equal -volume)
NJZ 90° V-notch weir
NEIC 90° V-notch weir
None
None
a The composite sampling period at station 03 for these three days began at 0700 on the
b No measureable flow after 1105 on May 9.
first day of each pair and ended at 0700 on the second.
-------
Field
Station
Bridge
Aquashicola
Creek
Figure 3. Effluent Monitoring Station Locations (East Half)
New Jersey Zinc Company - Palmerton, Pennsylvania
May 1-15, 1979
co
CO
-------
No. 1&2 Pump House
NJZ - EAST PLANT
Aquashicola
Creek
Main
ate Bridge
Booster
Pumo House
Street
Bridg
Figure4. Effluent Monitoring Station Locations(West Half)
New Jersey Zinc Company - Palmerton, Pennsylvania
May 1-15, 1979
-------
35
During the period May 1 through 6, monitoring was conducted for
five extra days at the main process discharge [Outfall 0011] and the
Aquashicola Creek Intake. It was learned on May 1 that the Company
would soon be shutting down portions of the acid plant: the No. 3
roaster on May 5 and one Peabody scrubber on May 6. The extra five
days of monitoring allowed comparison of effluent characteristics at
Outfall 001 before and after the process change. The Aquashicola
Creek Intake was sampled to allow determination of "net" discharges.
At each Station where automatic sampling is specified, individual
aliquots of the discharge were collected hourly by a SERCO automatic
sampler and composited on a flow-weighted basis after each 24-hour
period. At manual composite stations, individual aliquots of the
discharge were collected at two-hour intervals and continuously com-
posited on a flow-weighted basis.* All composite samples were analyzed
for total suspended solids (TSS) and total and dissolved metals. The
grab samples collected daily at Outfalls 012, 014, 015 and 016 were
also analyzed for these parameters. At Stations 01 to 09, two grab
samples for oil and grease were collected daily during the May 8 to
14 period.
Flow Measurement
The flow measurement method used at each sampling location is
listed in Table 6. Flow was recorded continuously at the five automatic
sampling stations, and the flow charts were used for flow compositing
at the end of each 24-hour sampling period. At the five stations
where flow was measured manually, instantaneous flows were measured
each two hours, concurrent with collection of each composite aliquot,
allowing for flow-weighting of the aliquot. These instantaneous flows
were recorded in the field data records for each Station.
* Exceptions to this were Stations 09, 17 and 18 where the samples
were composited on an equal volume basis. In addition, the sam-
pling interval at Stations 17 and 18 was four hours rather than two.
-------
36
At each of the five Stations (01, 05, 06, 07, 15) where a NJZ
weir was used to measure flow, the devices were inspected by NEIC
personnel during the set-up portion of the survey. In all cases, the
devices were found to meet the requirements* for proper installation.
An NJZ differential pressure cell used to measure the flow at the
Aquashicola Creek Intake was calibrated by Company personnel on May 5.
This calibration was observed by NEIC personnel. The NJZ flow
recording instrument at Outfall 005 was calibrated by NEIC personnel
before the start of the sampling program.
Field Measurements
Field measurements for pH and temperature were performed daily
at each of the 17 listed stations [Table 6]. At Outfall 001 (Station 01)
the pH of the discharge was measured and recorded continuously in
accordance with the permit monitoring requirements.
Bioassay Tests
From May 8 to 17, 1979 a series of screening** and 96-hour con-
tinual flow-through bioassay tests were conducted on selected effluent
discharges of the New Jersey Zinc East Plant at Palmerton, Pennsylvania.
The purpose of the tests was to measure acute toxicity of the effluents
toward trout.
Screening tests were 24-hour static bioassays done on Outfall
001, 002, 003, 004, 005, 010, and 012. The tests consisted of exposing
10 fish to four concentrations (100%, 50%, 25%, 10%) of each effluent
* Water Measurement Manual, U.S. Department of Interior; Bureau of
Reclamation, Second Edition, 1967, pages 7-42.
** A preliminary, short term, static range finding test used to
determine the concentrations of effluent to be used in a 96-hour
flow through bioassay.
-------
37
as well as a dilution water control. Test chambers were of all glass
construction and 38 liter (10 gal) capacity. Test chambers were not
aerated prior to or at any time during the 24-hour exposure period.
All test chambers were monitored for pH, temperature and dissolved oxy-
gen concentration immediately prior to and at the completion of each
test.
Continual flow 96-hour bioassays were done on Outfalls 001 and Oil.
The tests were performed according to EPA Standard Methods*. A pro-
portional diluter was used to provide a series of six effluent concen-
trations and a 100% dilution water control. Test chambers were of all
glass construction and of 8-liter capacity. Flow rates were regulated
to deliver a minimum of nine volumetric exchanges of test solution to
a test chamber for a 24-hour period. East test chamber contained ten
fish and each concentration was done in duplicate, exposing 20 test
fish per test concentration.
The test fish used were "young of the year" rainbow trout (Salmo
gairdneri) averaging 46mm total length. The fish were obtained from
the Lamar National Fish Hatchery and acclimated to Aquashicola Creek
water for a minimum of 96-hours prior to testing.
Dilution water was obtained from Aquashicola Creek at the Harris
Bridge (Station 27). The dilution water was stored in 1100-liter
(300 gal) epoxy-coated wooden reservoirs and was replenished daily.
Effluent from Outfall 001 was obtained by direct and continuous pump-
ing to the bioassay laboratory. Effluent from Outfall Oil was obtained
from single, daily 113-liter (30 gal) grab samples.
All test chambers were monitored daily for pH, temperature, and
dissolved oxygen concentrations. In addition, the high and low con-
centrations were analyzed for total alkalinity. Water temperature in
* Environmental Protection Agency, 1978 "Methods for Measuring the
Acute Toxicity of Effluents to Aquatic Organism", EPA-600/4-78-012
revised July, 1978.
-------
38
the test chambers was maintained at 17°C + °C by use of a constant
temperature, recirculating water bath.
Mortalities in each test chamber were recorded at 24-hour inter-
vals. Dead fish were removed whenever observed. The 96-hour LC50
values were estimated using EPA approved statisitical methods.
-------
IV. PROCESSS INVESTIGATIONS
RECONNAISSANCE INSPECTION
Prior to conducting the field survey, process inspections were con-
ducted to determine operating practices, raw material uses, waste treat-
ment and disposal methods. The inspections were conducted November 28 to
31, 1978 and March 6 to 9, 1979, and consisted of extensive interviews be-
tween NEIC and Company officials. East process was described in detail
by the Company officials, then those processes located at the East
Plant were verified by NEIC personnel. Plant personnel were also inter-
viewed concerning procedures and operating methods.
Observations During Survey
During the reconnaissance inspections, operating procedures were
observed by NEIC personnel, including number of units in service, waste-
water flows, and air emissions. In May 1979, NEIC personnel again ob-
served the operating procedures to determine if production had been
modified or altered during the field survey.
Several changes had been made prior to the survey. The No. 3
roaster in the Acid Department was shut down from 3:00 p.m. on May 5 to
9:45 p.m. on May 28. The Company had informed NEIC several weeks prior
to the survey that this roaster would be down for its scheduled main-
tenance. Because each roaster provides the S02 gas for its acid plant,
the acid plant production was decreased by approximately 33%. The
amounts and quality of wastewater discharged from NPDES Outfall 001
were affected by this shutdown. The decrease in flow was estimated
by Company official to be 5,450 mVday (1.44 mgd).
-------
40
The No. 2 roaster was also down from 7:15 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. on
May 8 because acid was leaking to a sewer which flows to Outfall 001.
A new acid addition system had been installed prior to the NEIC sur-
vey and had not been thoroughly checked. As acid was being added to
new acid tanks, it was leaving the tanks through an open valve. Com-
pany officials decided to use the old tanks until after the survey,
then the new system would be fully checked before being placed on
line. The roaster was shut down for the B^-hour period to convert
the acid addition system back to the older tanks. Company personnel
stated that they noticed the problem only after the No. 3 roaster had
been shut down and acid may have been leaking into the sewer for sev-
eral days.
Normally, water for process use and cooling is obtained from
Aquashicola and Pohopoco Creeks, however, with the No. 3 roaster down,
a Company representative thought that the East Plant was being supplied
entirely by Aquashicola Creek.
On May 9, a brown substance was being discharged from Outfall
001 at 11:00 a.m.. This was reportedly due to maintenance work on a
Peabody scrubber; the trays were being washed down and the wastewater
was discharged to a surface drain.
PRODUCTION FACILITIES
The East and West plants comprise the NJZ production facilities
in Palmerton, Pennsylvania. The East and West plants are connected
by a narrow gauge railroad which transports raw and intermediate products
between processes. The East Plant consists of the acid, ferroalloy,
oxide-east, and rolling mill operations while the slab zinc and oxide-
west processes are located in the West Plant. Support services for
the plants are located in three office buildings near the center of
Palmerton. Today the facility employs 1,500 people including hourly
and salaried personnel.
-------
41
Products and the rated capacity are shown in Table 7. Production
of the zinc alloy Spiegeleisen, a residue from the Waelz kiln opera-
tion treated in the electric furnace, ceased in 1976. A schematic of
the process flow from raw materials to the finished products in shown
in Figure 5.
PROCESS DESCRIPTION EAST PLANT
Raw Materials
Raw materials are brought into the East Plant for storage. Zinc
sulfides are transported from the NJZ Friedensville, Pennsylvania mine,
located about 56 km (35 miles) from Palmerton. Zinc silicates and oxides
are transported approximately 113 km (70 miles) from NJZ's Ogdensburg,
New Jersey mine. Additional materials are purchased from Canada and
other areas, or supplied by NJZ mines in Tennessee and Virginia.
The concentrates are stockpiled either in the 25,00 ton storage
building (completed in August 1975) or on the ground adjacent to the
building. Because the raw material has varying concentrations of
zinc, sulfer, silicates, and oxides, the concentrates are stockpiled
by composition. The storage areas inside the building are segregated
by concrete walls forming bins. The concentrates are transferred
into the storage building via a belt conveyor which discharges into
the bins. To reduce fugitive emissions, the storage building is kept
under negative pressure; the suction is provided by a baghouse. Fines
from the baghouse are returned to the building via screw conveyor.
The baghouse is not very effective according to NJZ officials, however
the atmosphere in the building is not dusty because the concentrates
are fairly moist and settle rapidly.
Some of the raw material stored outside is covered with canvass
or plastic, however most of the material is exposed. Runoff from the
-------
42
Table 7
PRODUCTS AND PRODUCTION CAPACITIES
NEW JERSEY ZINC COMPANY
PALMERTON, PA
Product
Ammonia
Carbon dioxide
Cadmium
Metal Powder
Sulfuric Acid
Zamak Alloy
Zinc Metal
Zinc Dust
Zinc Oxide (French Process)
Zinc Oxide (American Process)
Capacity
m tons/day
100
100
0.45
19
454
45
272
27
118
145
tons/day
110
110
0.5
21
500
' 50
300
30
130
160
-------
NATURAL
GAS.
ZINC
CONCENTRATES
OGOENSBURG
ORE
t
SINTER
ION
LEADSULFATE
BY-PRODUCT
CADMIUM METAL
BALLS & STICKS
ACID
PLANT
SULFURIC
ACID
PAINT & CERAMIC
ZINC OXIDES
CLASSIFICATION
I SPECIAL
REQUIREMENT
AMER. PROCESS
ZINC OXIDE
HORSE HEAD
SPECIAL
ALUMINUM
COPPER
LEAD
MAGNESIUM
IRON
HORSE1 ANODES
HEAD
ZAMAK
OTOX
AMERICAN
PELLETED
(X X GRADES)
UNTREATED
AMERICAN *-
PELLETED %
(X X GRADES)
PROTOX FRENCH
PELLETED IKADOX^
OR SEALS GRADES)
UNTREATED. FRENCH
PELLETED (KADOX v
OR SEALS GRADES)
ROLLED ZINC
STRIP, SLUGS, PLATE
Figure 5. Process Flow Sheet Raw Materials to Finished Products
New Jersey Zinc Company
Pafmerfon, Pa.
CO
-------
44
storage area is not collected to prevent it from reaching Aquashicola
Creek.
Additional raw materials, coal, limestone and bentonite clay, are
stockpiled adjacent to the ferro-alloy department between the north
side of the railroad trestle* and the cinder bank. Runoff collects
behind the trestle and is removed by pumping to the south side of the
trestle to storm drains which empty into the Aquashicola Creek via NPDES
Outfall 005. There are storm drains between the cinder bank and the
storage area, but runoff from the storage area does not reach these
because the land slopes away from the drains to the trestle.
Roasting
Concentrates containing excessive moisture are dried to less than
5% moisture in gas- or oil-fired rotary dryers before discharging to
the storage bin [Figure 6]. There are two stub-shaft flash roasters,
both about 7.6 m (25 ft) in diameter. The combustion chamber in one
is 8.5 m (28 ft) high and the other 9.8 m (32 ft) high. The roasters,
operated in parallel, are designated Nos. 2 and 3; No. 1 no longer
exists. The dried concentrates are discharged from the storage bin
into the roaster drying hearths. The discharge from the lower drying
hearth is ground to approximately 93% - 325 mesh in wind-swept ball
mills. The finely ground concentrate is collected by a cyclone and
blown into the top of the combustion chamber with air in excess of
that required for conversion of the zinc sulfide to zinc oxide, and of
the sulfur to sulfur dioxide. Each roaster is provided with two grind-
ing systems and two concentrate burners which, with the dual gas han-
dling systems, enable operation at 2/3 of capacity. The roasted con-
centrate collected on the two hearths under the combustion chamber is
discharged from the roaster to the sinter plant.
* The incoming raw material is off-loaded into process feed bins or
onto the storage area on the north side of the trestle.
-------
FINES
IBM
X^ ROTARY
K DRYER
1~ STORAGE
i *~|
BUILUINt. | L. ROTARY-
Mi
J F
ATM
*
i
LASH ROASTER 1 "1 J CYCLONE
J OUTSIDE - i II »
STORAGE STORAGE f*~
BIN 1 [
i 1
HOT FAN
("* L_ WASTE
r— ESP - — 1 CYC P
1 k I HEAT
\ \p BOILER
1
L_ P«iP - — | I
| DUST
* 1 .
1 l
*
1
- ESP —1
HOT FAN
t- WASTE
HEAT
BOILER
_^ .-, • BALL MILL »• 1 DRY 1
T — ^— ^— ^ 1 ORE 1
UME
L BIN 1
1 .- / BLOWER \ ^
\\
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
^ 1
7 DUST
UKYINfci 1 .- ..
f
1 ^—^^y A IF?
U, 1 jj AIR
ROASTED
ORE
SO, GAS FROM
OTHER ROASTER
1
X"">.PEABODY SCRUBBER
LA...
SO2 GAS
I TO1 AC ID PLANTS
O"
PEABODY SCRUBBER
Figure 6. Raw Material Handling And Roasting Process
New Jersey Zinc Company, Palmerton, PA
on
-------
46
The 1,000°C gas containing 7 to 8% sulfur dioxide is continually
withdrawn from each roaster. Each roaster has a dual gas handling
system consisting of two single pass, water-tube waste-heat steam
boilers (450 psig) and two cyclones with hot fans. The gas from the
hot fans is collected in a manifold system connected to three elec-
trostatic precipitators (ESP's). Each roaster dual gas system is
served by three ESP's, operated in parallel. About 50% of the roaster
feed is collected as dust and returned to the roaster. The S02 gas
is washed and cooled further by water sprays in two cooling towers
(Peabody scrubbers), one for each roaster, and converted to sulfuric
acid in the two acid plants.
Fugitive emissions are partially controlled with three MikroPulse*
baghouses; there are about 100 pickup points throughout the roasting
area. The recovered material is returned to the feed preparation
operation.
The roasters run about 11^ months/year, 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.
Each roaster is shut down for maintenance for 2 weeks, one roaster in
May and the other in October.
Acid Production
The gas from the roaster ESP's passes through the Peabody scrub-
bers operated in parallel, to remove particulates and cool the gas
[Figure 7]. Aquashicola Creek water is used for the Peabody scrubbers
on a single-pass basis and is discharged to the wastewater treatment
plant. After passing through the scrubber, the washed gas can be sent
to either Leonard-Monsanto acid plant, however each acid plant uses
its own roaster about 90% of the time.
MikroPul Corporation
-------
TO SINTER STACK
AQUASHICOLA CREEK WATER
STRONG ACID
SO,FROM
ROASTER H2
MIST
DRV
SOj
_...»_«»
GAS BLOWER
SLOWDOWN TO
TREATMENT PLANT
SO, FROM
ROASTER 03
(CONVERTER
1 S
CREEK WATER
J_
SULFURIC
ACID
STORAGE
SHIPMENT
k^
AE
STRONG ACID
f SOa ~~{
"Wi / \
^\ 1 \CONVERTER>
\y \ 7
AS BLOWER \ /
] S03
ISORP1
TOWEF
TO
f"
1
r
ION ACD NCCW
1 COOLER
^INTER STACK
CREEK WATER
f SULFURIC
1 ^5 1 ^ ACID SHIPMENT
•*O -_ ==> STORAGE "•
\ NCCW r ,
AQUASHICOLA CREEK WATER
ABSORPTION
TOWER
ACID
COOLER
66
NEUTRALIZATION
TANKS
pH PROBE
OO1
Figure 7. Sulfuric Acid Production, New Jersey Zinc Company, Palmerton, PA
-------
48
The washed gas from the scrubbers passes through Cottrell acid
mist eliminators and then through a ceramic packed tower for drying
by contact with sulfuric acid. The blowdown from the Cottrell units
is discharged to the wastewater treatment plant. The gas is pulled
from the Cottrell mist eliminator through a blower to a converter which
changes sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide with a vanadium pentoxide
catalyst. The S03 is sent to an absorption tower where strong sulfur-
ic acid is continually recirculated. The unabsorbed gas from the ab-
sorbing tower is sent to the sinter process stack. The S03 is absorbed
in the strong acid which is sent through an acid cooler. Cooling water
from Aquashicola Creek is sprayed on the acid cooler cast iron pipes
(heat exchanger) on a once-through basis. The cooled acid is stored
in 4 large and 3 small steel tanks prior to shipment. About 70% of
the acid is shipped by truck and the rest by railroad tank car.
The non-contact cooling water from the acid cooler is discharged
to Aquashicola Creek via NPDES Outfall 001. If there is a leak in the
acid coolers, the pH is sensed and the water collected in the basin
underneath the coolers is pumped to 2 neutralization tanks adjacent
to the wastewater treatment plant. Feed water pumps to the coolers
are shut off and diversion pumps turned on manually when the diversion
pumps are off, the cooling water overflows the basin to the pH probe.
Two grades of acid are produced, 99% 66°Be and 93% 66°Be. The
latter is traded to a Company in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area
which ships directly from Palmerton to its customers. The Philadelphia
Company in turn supplies 93% acid to NJZ's Gloucester City titanium
dioxide plant.
Sintering
The sintering process is located in the acid production area.
The roasted concentrates from the roasting operation are processed in
-------
49
a Dwight-Lloyd downdraft sintering machine to change the physical
structure to one more amenable to vertical retort smelting and for
cadmium and lead elinination [Figure 8].
Approximately 23 m tons (25 tons)/hour of roasted ore are "con-
ditioned" with water or zinc sulfate solution recycled from the cad-
mium metal production sponge tank, mixed with anthracite cool dust
and recycled fines in a pug mill. When the cadmium plant is not run-
ning, water is added as the conditioner. This mix is fed to rotary
drum pelletizers. The pellets are fed to the sinter machine and
placed on top of a hearth layer consisting of large size return sin-
ter. The hearth layer is on top of a moving grate. The bed passes
under a fuel oil-fired ignition box, and due to the downdraft, igni-
tion proceeds downwardly. Just before the discharge side of the sin-
ter machine, rotating scalper removes the top portion of the bed from
which most of the lead and cadmium has been removed. With each pass
through the sinter machine, lead and cadmium are driven off as a fume
through the sinter grate. (Less than 50% of the sinter material is
recycled). The downdraft fume and combustion products are sucked
through a cyclone and fan and collected dry in a baghouse. The gas
from the baghouse is emitted through the 300 ft. stack; the baghouse
fumes are calcined and sent to the cadmium production area. The re-
covered material from the cyclone is returned to the belt conveyor
under the sinter machine.
The scalped material is removed to two finished sinter bins which
feed two rod mills. Water is added to the sinter product for dust con-
trol after grinding in the mills before being delivered to the Slab
Zinc Department for metal production. The remaining cake on the mov-
ing grate, after scalping, is crushed and recycled to the pelletizing
system.
-------
en
o
FUGITIVE DUST
BAGHOUSES
H O or ZnSO. SO
FROM ROASTING
PROCESS
TO SLAB ZINC DEPT
ALCINER -»TO CADMIUM
PLANT
ATM-
D
I FT STACK
FROM ADSORPTION TOWER
SULFURIC AGO PRODUCTION
Figure 8. Sintering Process Acid Department, New Jersey Zinc Company
Palmerton, PA
-------
51
The fugitive dusts are controlled with two Mikro-Pulse air bag-
houses. The collected material is returned to the feed preparation
equipment.
The sintering operation is the major source of cadmium, lead, and
zinc emissions (through the 300 ft. stack). The particulate emissions
are between 0.04 and 0.05 grains/ft3 which exceed the State regulation
of 0.02 grains/ft3.
There are no wastewater sources in the sintering process.
Cadmium Metal Production
Cadmium metal is produced on a batch basis requiring from 3 to
4 days [Figure 9]. The operation is dependent upon the amount of
stored sinter fume; each batch requires 4,535 to 5,440 kg (10,000 to
12,000 Ib) of sinter fume. The production runs 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.
The calcined sinter, which is fine and dense, is ground in a
wet ball mill and pumped to a wash tank to make a slurry. The slurry
is pumped to a leach tank and mixed with sulfuric acid. The amount
of acid added varies depending upon the acidity of the water in the
wash tank. About 10 grams/liter of S04 is required in the leach tank.
Lead sulfate is precipitated in the leach tank, filtered in a plate
and frame press, drummed and sold. The filtrate from the press is
pumped to a purification tank, mixed with limestone (for pH control
4.5 - 4.8), and potassium permanganate (oxidizer). After purification,
the underflow is pumped to another plate and frame press. The residue
waste from the press is recycled to the wash tank. The filtrate is
sent to the sponge tank (called sponge because of texture of material)
and mixed with zinc dust to displace the cadmium. The zinc dust is made
in the Slab Zinc Department. The zinc sulfate solution from the sponge
tank is sent to the sinter process.
-------
Ul
ro
FROM ACID SINTER PLANT
SULFURIC ACID
ZINC DUST-
REAGENTS
INTERMITTENTLY
RESIDUE
DRUMS -< CAKE
CHARSED IN RETORT WASTE~~ftj
PBSO< RESIDUE
(CONTAINING AU & AG)
2NSO
CADMIUM SETTLING
VAPOR *J~
STAINLESS STEEL
RETORT
BRIQUETTE PRESS
DISTILLING FURNACE
CADMIUM CAST IN
STICKS OR BALLS
Figure 9. Cadmium Metal Production, New Jersey Zinc Company, Palmerton, PA
-------
53
The sponge material is pressed into briquettes which are placed
in a steel retort bottle, about 1.2 m (4 ft) high and 0.6 m (2 ft) in
diameter and distilled in a furnace. Cadmium vapors are condensed in
an air condenser and the cadmium flows onto a mold stand or into a
melting pot for casting. Vapors from the distilling furnace and cast-
ing pot are collected in a hood over the mold area and sent to a set-
tling chamber followed by a baghouse. The baghouse fines are placed in
drums and recycled to the leach tank. The retort residue is dumped into
a box which is vented to the baghouse. The semidry residue powder
containing 60 to 65% cadmium, zinc, and high temperature refractory
materials go to an experimental sponge tank, and then transferred to the
sponge tank. The bottle residue can be recycled through the entire
process if not placed in the experimental sponge tank.
The baghouse is reportedly 98% efficient, but a test has not been
conducted to confirm this. There is no visible plume. Based on a
material balance, the process loses 0.07 kg (0.15 lb)/hr which is equi-
valent to 0.02 grains/ft3. The State standard is 0.04 grains/ft3. The
stack is 8.5 m (28 ft) high and the gas temperature is 49°C (120°F). The
bags are replaced on a specified cycle. The discarded bags are hauled
away for disposal by a commercial carrier.
Wastewater produced is minimal and recycled. Liquid from the
briquette press is collected in a floor drain and recycled to the wash
tank. Gutters have been placed around the wet processing area and spills
are recycled.
Anhydrous Ammonia Production
Anhydrous ammonia is produced 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. The plant
was installed in 1963 and has a nominal capacity of 100 m tons (110
tons)/day [Figure 10].
-------
54
ANHYDROUS AMMONIA
Q-CATALYST
CAS ^
1
1
1
JRGE AND FLASH GASi
AIR fc
AMMONIA
i
REFRIGERATION
i
jnr.r rj^s
_ ___^
SECONDARY
SEPARATOR
1 1
COMPRESSOR 1
i
i
.!__
1
1
;i
i
i
i
J
ji
DESULPHURI
ZER © j
1
DESULPH
RINC_FU E_L._ ^_| 1 ^-
PRIMARY £7\ -
REFORMER v-'
4
^y 1
\
i
«- •*
SECONDARY gr\
REFORMER
-------
55
Carbon dioxide from the stripper is compressed and chilled for
liquifaction, then stored in 200 ton insulated cylinders. The C02
is very pure and the plant is Kosher. The C02 is purchased by Carbon
Air and Liquid Carbonic. When the C02 plant is shutdown, the C02 is
vented to the atmosphere. Water and amonia are used to chill the C02
gas. The chill water: 1,135 liters/min (300 gpm), is discharged to
Aquashicola Creek via NPDES Outfall 001.
Non-contact cooling water (NCCW) from Aquashicola Creek, recycled
through a cooling tower, is chemically treated before use. A chromate
solution supplied by BETZ is added along with sulfuric acid and chlorine.
The blowdown from the cooling tower, 38 liters/min (10 gpm), is sent to
the wastewater treatment plant. The cooling tower has a throughput of
17 to 18 mVmin (4,500-4,800 gpm). Compressor condensate [15 1 (4 gal)/
day], passes through an oil trap and is discharged through Outfall 001.
The desludgers are regenerated every 15 days with natural gas which
flows back into the natural gas line. Previously, the desludgers were
regenerated with steam. The heavy hydrocarbons from regeneration were
put in 55 gal drums and hauled away commercially to an oil reclamation
facility.
Flash gas is returned to the reformer for firing. Therefore, the
only emission is from the 2,00 ton ammonia storage spheres. These two
low pressure spheres, 28 to 30 Ibs, vent to the atmosphere when the pres-
sure builds up.
Ferro-Alloy Waelz Process
Ore from the Sterling mine at Ogdensburn, New Jersey consists of
approximately 30% franklinite, an oxide of zinc, iron and manganese; 32%
willemite, a silicate of zinc; slightly less than 2% zincite, an oxide
of zinc; and 56% combined gangue silicates and carbonates. The ore is
-------
56
lead-free. As mined, Sterling ore assays 15 to 23% zinc. The ore is
crushed and screened at the mine before being shipped to Palmerton.
Because Sterling ore is not amenable to flotation, recovery of the
zinc is by means of reduction, vaporization and oxidation in four Waelz
Kilns [Figure 11]. The kiln charge consists of ore mixed with proper
amounts of anthracite coal and limestone which is conveyed to the kilns
from the storage bins. Water is added to the charge as a conditioner to
moisten and agglomerate the feed so that it does not carry over in the
zinc oxide fume which leaves the kiln at the charging end. Prior to
July 1976, a filter slurry was added to the charge. The slurry was from
the scrubber water treatment system for the ferroalloy (Spiegeleisen)
electric furnace. After the electric furnace was shutdown in July 1976,
water has been used as a conditioner.
There are four kilns: Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 5. Number 4, not in use,
is a smaller kiln and was used to reheat material for the electric
furnace. The four kilns range in size from 3 m (10 ft) in diameter by
43 m (140 ft) long to 3.7 m (12 ft) in diameter by 49 m (160 ft) long.
Feed to the kilns ranges between 9 to 11 m tons (10 to 12 tons) per
hour, depending upon the kiln size and charge conditions. Only three
kilns are used, the fourth is used as a standby unit. While the heat
developed by the oxidation reactions resulting in ZnO and C02 is usually
sufficient to sustain the zinc reduction, additional heat can be sup-
plied by burning pulverized bituminous coal, oil, or natural gas.
The charge is fed into the kiln above the dust chamber. A hot fan
pulls a suction on the kiln. As the ore travels through the kiln, the
zinc is vaporized and oxidized and pulled from the feed end of the kiln
through the hot fan to a baghouse. The pipes between the kiln and fan,
and fan and baghouse, are several hundred ft long to allow for cooling
to protect the bags. Excess air can be added to the pipes for addi-
tional cooling. The hot fans move air between 914 to 1,220 m (3,000 to
4,000 ft)/minute. Excess air, 110,000 scfm, is supplied at the fuel side
-------
ORE
COAL
LIMESTONE
AREA
R R
CAR
1
1
DRAGI
&
.?
'
ATM
\
1
1
STORAGE
BINS
WAE
FEED
* BINS
f
r
i
,"C O ARSE
LZ PI
WAT
1
^
_>^
^-*
/
L.
10
ER
—• —
-*-
•M.
•*-*.
I M
I
/~\BAGHOUSE
'CINDER BANK
/ \BAt
Y--
BAG
HOUSE
v_/
DUST
CHAMBER
HOT FAN
•BITUMINOUS COAL OR GAS OR OIL
SINTERING OXIDE DEPT
TO OTHER AREA CINDER BANK
FOR QUENCH
CINDER BANK
_rn=5».
CONVEYOR
BINS COAL BIN
I20
FUGITIVE EMISSIONS
BAGHOUSES
RESIDUE
ATM
RESIDUE
PUG MILLWPELLETIZE
It
IGNITION BOX
D
SCALPER
tool.
FUGITIVE EMISSIONS
BAGHOUSE
PRODUCT
/r
\ '(
'x
r\
I
•0
/^sz^
o
I HjC
_L jL
FAN
--[O
SUCTION FAN
CONDITIONER
PN
STEEL STACK
R R CARS TO SLAB
ZINC OR OXIDE WEST
Figure 11. Ferro Alloy Process, New Jersey Zinc Company, Palmerton, PA
in
-------
58
of the kiln. The automatic 10-compartment dust tube chamber collects
both the coarse products which are recycled to the bin preceding con-
ditioning and the zinc oxide from the gas stream previously cooled by
radiation losses and introduction of ambient air.
The solid residues, containing 20 to 24% iron and 10% manganese are
discharged from the kiln. A pneumatic ram bar and Cardox C02 charges
(inserted in the kiln from the outside) are used to break up the large
agglomerates in the kiln. The solid residue was processed in two 9,000
KVA, 3 electrode, open-arc electric furnaces where the iron and the man-
ganese were recovered as a nominal 20% manganese iron called Spiegel-
eisen.
The residue is now hauled by the interplant railroad to the Cin-
der Bank for disposal. The fine solid residue is conveyed to the ground
below each kiln (except kiln No. 1) and quenched. There are three
quench water supply tanks, one for each kiln (2, 3, and 5). After
quenching, the fines are loaded into railroad side-dump cars for dis-
posal. The coarse residue from the kilns falls directly into railroad
cars and is hauled to another area of the East plant for quenching.
The fine residue from kiln No. 1 also falls into the railroad car with
the course residue. The coarse residue is quenched in the railroad
cars, removed by crane, then placed inside dump cars for disposal.
There are not sufficient side-sump cars to eliminate the transfer
operation after quenching. The quenching of the coarse material is
done at another location to prevent the moisture from quenching from
reaching the baghouse.
The quench areas below the kilns for the fine residue do not have
a discharge or sewer line. The water either remains on the ground or
is liberated as steam. The coarse quench water is sprayed onto the
railroad cars. Some of the water spills to the ground and collects in
pools. There is no sewer line serving this area.
-------
59
There are three large baghouses, all located in one building.
The piping is such that all of the kilns can use all of the baghouses.
There is one small baghouse common to all of the kilns and fugitive
emission control.
One significant source of air pollution can occur at the fuel
end of the kiln where the residue exists. Certain conditions in the
kiln can occur which result in puffs of gases and fumes being released.
Hoods have been placed at the exit ends to collect the emissions.
The hoods are connected to one common baghouse. The residue from the
baghouse is hauled to the Cinder Bank. During the November 1978 re-
connaissance, the baghouse had been in operation for 30 days and had
a 60-day operating permit from the State.
The zinc oxide (ZnO) recovered by the baghouses is sintered on a
1.1 m (3.5 ft) wide by 10 m (33 ft) long downdraft machine in exactly
the same manner as that used for the roasted sulfide concentrates.
The ZnO material and anthracite coal (dust type) is conveyed to a pug-
mill and thoroughly mixed. The mixture is pelletized and fed to the
traveling grate sinter machine. Fuel oil is used for ignition. The
downdraft created by the suction fan is collected in a baghouse before
exiting through an 18 m (60 ft) high by 1.8 m (5.9 ft) diameter steel
stack.
The scalper at the end of the sinter machine removes the product
from the top of the moving bed; the scalped material is ground in a
rod mill. The lower bed material is recycled to the pelletizer. The
sintered product is conditioned with water after the pelletizing, placed
in railroad cars and transported to the Slab Zinc Department vertical
retort process or to Oxide West.
Fugitive emissions in the sinter plant are collected by three sep-
arate dust control systems. Two pulse jet baghouses (with a single
fan for both) serve the feed end area of the sinter machine and a third
-------
60
baghouse serves the product end of the machine. The residue from the
two baghouses at the feed end is returned to the sinter machine. The
residue from the third baghouse is collected in drums and dumped onto
the conveyor from the Waelz Oxide Process which feeds the storage bins.
The sinter building is not in compliance with fugitive emissions.
The Company plans to add more baghouses to the dusty areas at the bin
loading area and the conveyor from the Waelz Oxide Process to comply
with the 20% opacity regulation.
The steel stack is in compliance with the State particulate regu-
lation of 0.02 grains/gt3; sulfur oxide is less than 500 ppm and there-
fore in compliance. The stack emissions were monitored according to EPA
Method 5 with the Pennsylvania provision which includes wet portion
soluble sulfates.
Wastewater sources from the Ferro-Alloy Department include 2.6 m3
(700 gal)/min of non-contact cooling water at the residue end used to
cool supports, grizzles (which separate the fines and coarse) and hop-
pers; 75 1 (20 gal)/min of cooling water from two air compressors with
water-jacketed coolers; a total of 95 1 (25 gal)/min from the 5 hot fans
water-cooled bearings; and 38 1 (10 gal)/min of non-contact cooling
water from sinter machine ignition box. The cooling water and surface
runoff is discharged to Aquashicola Creek from NPDES Outfall 004. The
Ferro-Alloy Department contributes most of the manganese to the Creek.
The pH of the wastewater is higher than background levels due to the
limestone in the feed.
Rolled Zinc
The rolling mill usually operates 5 days/week, 16 hours/day. About
3,900 m tons (4,300 tons) of rolled zinc are produced per year. Slabs
of zinc are brought over from the West Plant's Slab Zinc Department in
-------
61
railroad cars, melted and cast into two sizes in molds. The molds are
placed in the annealing furnace, then put through the roll mill, and
coiled. The coil is put in a stretcher-leveler to make very precise
widths and to remove distortions. Finally, the rolls are put through
the finish rolls to produce sheets of specified thickness. These can be
split into different widths requested by the customer. Finished rolls
go through a Gale interceptor to remove penetrating oil, as well as
vegetable, peanut, and palm oils. The rolls are then shipped to cus-
tomers.
The rolling mill discharges wastewater through NPDES Outfalls 002,
003 and 012. Wastewater flow is small when compared to the other
processes. Outfall 002 carries contact cooling water from the rough
roll operation, finish roll and from bearing cooling. The vegetable oil
recovered in the separator is recycled to the process. The other oils
recovered in the separator are picked up by a commercial hauler for
disposal. The discharge from Outfall 002 exceeds the 0/G effluent
limitations according to Company officials. After leaving the oil-
separator, the wastewater flows through 4 septic tanks prior to dis-
charge to Aquashicola Creek.
Outfall 003 carries non-contact cooling water from the two electric
induction furnaces used for alloying. The furnaces are not used on a
daily basis, therefore the discharge is intermittent.
Indirect cooling water (contacts mold only) from slab casting is
discharged from Outfall 012. There is a continuous flow during the day,
averaging as much as 225 1 (60 gal)/min. over the eight-hour period when
casting is done.
Oxide East
In the French Process, 1,360 kg (3,000 Ib) zinc ingots and scrap
zinc are melted, placed into ladles, and hoisted to a feed pot [Figure 12].
-------
AIR a GASES
OOT
CT>
ro
PACKER LIFT TRUCK
(BASS) TO swmzm
CANS OH
STCWEHOUK
PRODUCT OUT-
Figure 12.Oxide East — French Process
New Jersey Zinc Company
Palmerfon, Pa.
-------
63
The molten zinc is metered (no flow device, operator judgment deter-
mines amount) from the feed pot through a feed box into any of three
distillation columns.
Silicon carbide trays are heated in the furnace zone of the column
with natural gas; air is preheated in the heat recuperator. The molten
zinc, vaporized in the furnace zone, is conducted to the blow box where
the preheated air is introduced. Zinc oxide is formed in the vapor.
The vapor is withdrawn through the hood over the blow box and the high-
purity zinc oxide is collected in a baghouse. The zinc oxide is packed
in 23 kg (50 Ib) paper bags or in cardboard boxes for storage or
shipment.
The bottom of the distillation column collects lead and iron and
residual zinc which flows into a liquating pot. The molten mixture is
dipped out of the pot and cast into 23 kg (50 Ib) slabs. The slabs are
predominantly lead.
Each column has a baghouse to recover product. The product through-
put for each column is 38 m tons (42 tons)/day. Each column has two
fans, each fan is rated at 35,000 scfm. The stack exhaust for each
column is 1,400 scfm.
If a leak occurs in the distillation column, the zinc oxide would
be emitted through the recuperator stack along with waste gas. The flow
would be diverted to a baghouse. The baghouse was installed in mid-1977
and it never had been used as of November 1978. This baghouse serves
all three columns.
Wastewater sources include non-contact cooling water, 379 1 (100
gal)/min, from water jacketed air compressors and 340 1 (90 gal)/min of
non-contact cooling water from four screw conveyors in a ZnO process
considered confidential by the Company. These cooling waters are dis-
charged to Aquashicola Creek from NPDES Outfall 005.
-------
64
Zinc powder and copper based powder are produced In the Oxide-East
Department [Figure 13]. Slab zinc, ingot copper and piglead are melted
in three Ajax tilting 80 kW induction furnaces, atomized with compressed
air and collected as powder in cyclones. After screening and blending,
the powder is packed in steel drums and shipped. Each shift produces
2.7 m tons (3 tons) of copper based powder and 3.6 m tons (4 tons) of
zinc powder.
A baghouse is used to collect the dusts from various points in the
metal powder plant. The residue from the baghouse is drummed and sold
to a commercial hauler.
Zinc powder is also produced by the same process using only zinc
ingots in another building. The zinc ingots do not require a melting
furnace (induction furnace) and can be placed directly into atomizer
furnace.
Water is not used in the zinc powder production area, and all solid
residue is either recycled or sold as scrap.
Research Field Station
The research field station is used for pyrometalurgical simulations
for research, producing special zinc oxide and indium products and
producing metal powders. All wastewater is discharged to the field
station lagoon which discharges to the wastewater treatment plant.
In the furnace building, used for pyrometalurgical research, steam
condensate is collected in sumps and drains to NPDES outfall 010. There
are no other sources of water.
Metal powders, zinc oxide and indium are made by batch process in
the main building. Zinc oxide from Oxide West is brought to the field
-------
BAGHOUSE;
^DRUMMED
SLAB ZINC
PIG LEAD
INGOT COPPER
r
I INDUCTION MELTING
1
1
J
FURNACE 1 T
/ F;
/ ~~ ~
/ i
i
- ~i r/
r- ' I
1 1
" *-
INUUC 1 ION ' 1 * COLLE
T CHAI
LADDLE X
FURNACE j \
COMPRESSED AIR
^ HEAVY MATERIAL '
OVERSIZE
J
ROLL
* :RUSHEF
^^^V^ | SECONDARY CYCLONES
"S^^NS>V--3x* (21 (f> x 4' 9" HIGH)
i --T
Y
'PTIOM* ' -« •
.ClKJN^j MAIN COLLECTIN
\ABER « - <* CYCLONES (4
G
/V
FINE MATERIAL
{ ^fltVORATING FEEDER
1 ^h
i
ROTEX
SCREENS
UNDERSIZE
1 i
PACKAGE
Figure 13. Oxide East - Metal Powder
New Jersey Zinc Company
Palmerton, PA
in
-------
66
station and stirred in water. Alum is added, the mixture is filtered
and dried. The dried filter cake is micropulverized, calcined to change
surface properties and packaged. The filtrate is collected in a holding
tank. At the end of the production day, the filtrate is refiltered
before being discharged to the lagoon. The total wastewater flow from
the operation is about 38 1 (100 gal)/batch and contains varying con-
centrations of zinc oxide, iron and alum. There are four batches/shift,
12 batches/day for 5 days/week. A baghouse is used to control process
emissions. About 7 to 8 kg (15 to 18 Ib) of product is recovered daily
and returned to Oxide West.
The indium process began in April 1976 [Figure 14]. Indium chlor-
ide, zinc chloride and lead chlorine slag are dissolved in hydrochloric
acid. The indium is precipitated with zinc strips to produce a sponge
material which is made into briquettes or cast for shipment. Wash
waters from the purification processes are recycled to the dissolving
tank. Liquor from the sponge tanks are neutralized with sodium bi-
carbonate to pH greater than 9. The precipitate from neutralization is
filtered and sent to the Ferro-Alloy Process; the filtrate is sent to
the lagoon. The batch discharge is minimal, 6,000 (1,585 gal) and
occurs twice/month. Residue from the dissolving tank is leached a
second time in the dissolving tank with 30% hydrochloric acid, then
washed with scrubber water from the slag process and sold or disposed of
by commercial contractor. According to NJZ personnel, the material does
not have a market value. There are no emission control devices required
for the process.
The slag for the indium process is made in another area of the main
building. Pig lead is melted, then reacted with chlorine gas to produce
chlorides of zinc, lead and indium. The slag is skimmed from the molten
metal and cast into slabs. The indium free lead is either returned to
the French Process, if indium concentration is several tenths percent or
greater, or sold if the indium concentration is low.
-------
ATM
HCI
EnCI. InCI PbCI. SLAG
SECOND LEACH •*-
RESIDUE TO DISPOSAL
PRODUCT
WASH
WATER
HOLDING
TANK
1
FIRST
PURIFIC-
ATION
TANK
SECOND
PURIFIC-
ATION
TANK
f IMPURITIES
INDIUM METAL
BRIQUETTE OR CASTING
FERRO-ALLOV
CREEK WATER'
LEAD
FRENCH PROCESS
SALE
GAS
FILTRATE TO LAGOON
Figure 14. Indium Metal Production Field Station
New Jersey Zinc Company, Palmerton, PA
cr>
-------
68
A water scrubber and Brinks mist eliminator is used to collect fumes.
The scrubber water is recirculated through the scrubber and also is sent
to the holding tank used for leaching the residue from the dissolving
tank.
PROCESS DESCRIPTION WEST PLANT
Slab Zinc Department
Vertical retort furnaces, a development of the New Jersey Zinc
Company, are used to process sintered concentrates and other zinc-
bearing materials into metallic zinc [Figure 15]. In excess of 90,700 m
tons (100,000 tons) per year of slab zinc are produced in 43 vertical
retorts which range in size from 1.8 m (6 ft) long by 9 m (30 ft) high
to 2.4 m (8 ft) long by 11 m (37.5 ft) high. Production in the retorts
ranges from 5.4 m tons (6 tons)/day in the smaller to 10.9 m tons (12
tons)/day in the largest.
Ore sinter, anthracite dust coal, clay, and bituminous coal are
transported to weigh hoppers which proportionally feed the charge to a
mix house. The bituminous coal is finely ground in rod mills prior to
mixing; the rod mills are sealed and the grinding mechanisms are kept
tight to control dust emissions. Sulfate liquor from the paper industry
is added as a binder and represents about 3.8% of the charge. There are
three mix houses, operated in parallel, which prepare the charge for
roll-pressing into briquettes. The raw materials from the weigh hoppers
are fed into very large chasers (Mullers); each chaser has two 5,900 kg
(13,000 Ib) rolls which mix the materials with a knead-like or rolling-
sliding motion to insure a uniform, dense feed. Mechanical scrapers
bring the material back towards the center of the chaser where it drops
into a conveyor. A small quantity of water is added to each chaser.
Numbers 1 and 3 mix houses each have 4 chasers in series; No. 2 mix
house has 2 chasers in series.
-------
FROM ROD MU.S
TO NO 1 Mix MOUSE
KIOUETTING AND COKING
LIQUATING POT
VERTICAL ZINC 1EFINEIY
Figure 15. Slab Zinc Department, New Jersey Zinc Company, Palmerton, PA
CT>
uO
-------
70
The materials are best conveyed from the mix house to the vertical
retort briquette press mix bins. The material is mixed, water added,
and pre-pressed into small briquettes. These briquettes are then
pressed into large loaf-shaped briquettes. The discharge from each of
the 8 briquette presses constitutes a continuous charge over a grizzly
(grates which slip over each other in a slow, step-like motion) to each
of 8 parallel cokers which operate autogenously on the heat provided
by the combustion of the volatile material in the bituminous coal com-
ponent. The grizzly separates the fines from the charge and returns
them to the pre-press mix bin via a skip hoist. Volatiles are driven
off to a combustion chamber and the hot, cooked briquettes are withdrawn
from the coker-holding hopper on a specified cycle for charging to each
of the 43 vertical retorts. The gas stream from the combustion chamber
is sprayed with water for cooling as it passes through the coker stack.
The water is atomized by using sonic nozzles and compressed air, thus
eliminating a wastewater source.
Each coker stack is vented to its own baghouse. There is one spare
baghouse and baghouse stack for standby purposes. The coker stacks have
a covered bypass for venting to the atmosphere if the power goes out and
the fans stop. The bypass caps will also open to protect the baghouse
if the gas stream temperature is too high. Accretions buildup in the
line from the coker stack to the baghouse which are cleaned manually.
The bypass is opened 0.5% of the time for safety purposes to allow
cleaning. According to Company officials, the State has not issued an
operating permit because of the planned bypassing.
The coked material (glowing briquettes) passes over a grizzly and is
discharged into buckets on railroad cars (tapping). The tapping, done
under a hatchway, is controlled by a baghouse; the exhaust from each
tapping is 30,000 scfm. The baghouse residue is pneumatically conveyed
to a holding bin, then taken by railroad car to the No. 1 mix house for
reprocessing. The green fines (material not fully coked) are separated
on the grizzly and returned by conveyor to the mix house.
-------
71
The briquettes are then sent to the vertical furnaces. There are
five batteries of retorts, A through E; a battery is the vertical fur-
nace. Batteries A, B, and C each consist of 8 retorts, battery D con-
sists of 10 retorts, and battery E consists of 9 retorts. The 9 retorts
in battery E are 10.7 m (35 ft) high and the remaining 34 retorts are
9.8 m (32 ft) high.
The buckets are hoisted, four at a time, from the railroad cars
through the hatchway and weighed. The manually-operated structure which
suspends the buckets and contains the hoist is called a Larry car. The
charge from the buckets is fed into the retorts every 90 minutes. The
emissions from the charging to the retorts are controlled by baghouses.
The zinc oxide collected in the baghouses is returned to the mix house.
There are 3 baghouses, one for batteries A and B, one for batteries C
and D, and one for battery E. Each baghouse is rated at 14,600 scfm;
less than 0.01 grains/ft3 are emitted according to Company officials.
Only one bucket at a time is emptied into the retorts. Continuous
operation of the retorts on a batch-wise charge is ensured by the
holding capacity of the charge columns atop each of the tall, gas-tight,
silicon carbide refractory retort structures.
Each of the two thin, parallel retort sidewalls is heated exter-
nally by combustion of natural gas in a firing chamber, one wall of
which is the retort sidewall. Heat for reduction and vaporization of
the zinc is transmitted through the highly conductive silicon carbide
walls to the briquetted charge. The operating temperature is 1,180°C
and requires 14 days of preheating before the briquettes can be added.
Combustion air is preheated in brick recuperators. The recuperators
have internal walls which separate the air and the exhaust gases from
the retorts. The exhaust gases provide the heat for the combustion
air. The exhaust gas is emitted through natural shaft stacks. Batteries
C, D, and E each have a stack while batteries A and B share a common stack.
-------
72
The zinc and carbon monoxide vapors rise through the retort to the
upper extension and are drawn through a downwardly-si oping conduit into
the zinc splash condenser where the vapors are cooled and condensed by
contact with a copious shower of molten zinc. The carbon monoxide goes
through a condenser stack to a water scrubber which removes additional
zinc. The carbon monoxide is returned to the vertical furnace setting
(area outside the gas heated chamber). The condensed zinc is incorpora-
ted into the molten zinc and is collected into a trough along with the
"scrubber blue powder," a form that zinc takes when it has not been
condensed. The blue powder accretion buildup in the condenser stack
base has to be scraped out periodically. The scrubber blue powder is
removed manually with a shovel every shift.
The water from the scrubber is recirculated to a settling basin,
then back to the scrubber. The recirculation pumps have a capacity of
3.4 m3 (900 gal)/min. The blowdown from the settling basin is used as
the water spray in the 8 coker stacks. No bleed-off water is discharged;
if cyanide is detected in the discharges to Aquashicola Creek, it indi-
cates that there is leakage in the system.
It requires 8 hours for the briquettes to travel through the re-
tort. The briquettes are removed from the bottom of the retorts,
quenched, and removed by screw conveyor to a belt conveyor which empties
into railroad cars. Approximately 113,400 m tons (125,000 tons)/year of
spent briquettes, containing 4 to 6% zinc, are sent to the Cinder Bank
for disposal. The residue from each battery is analyzed daily for zinc
content. The residue, when stockpiled on the Cinder Bank, is segregated
by concentration piles containing 4% zinc and piles containing 6% zinc.
There is one splash condenser per retort; the molten zinc from the
condensers flow into a brick-lined trough common to all retorts in a
battery. The brick-lined trough empties into a holding pot. The five
holding pots, one for each battery, discharge to a melting pot (zinc
-------
73
not melted but kept in molten state) for casting. Most of the molten
zinc can be diverted to the vertical zinc refinery process by trough
or by ladle before reaching the melting pot. The Company has de-
veloped molten metal pumps to transfer the molten zinc to other pro-
cess buildings. To keep the molten zinc "cool" in the melting pot, a
water-filled coil is lowered into the molten metal to reduce the tem-
perature. The non-contact cooling water is discharged to NPDES Out-
fall 009 and averages 4.8 m3 (1,275 gal)/min. for all retorts.
The molten zinc from the melting pot is cast without further re-
fining into ingots. Small ingots, less than 23 kg (50 Ib), are auto-
matically cast; manual casting is done for the 544 kg (1,200 Ib), 907
kg (2,000 Ib), and 1,360 kg (3,000 Ib) ingots. The molten zinc can
also be transferred from the melting pot to the Zinc Dust plant.
The molten zinc from the vertical retorts is sent to a holding
pot at the vertical refinery; zinc slabs can be melted in the holding
pot if necessary. The vertical refinery consists of 8 first-stage
distillation columns and 4 second-stage columns with a total capacity
of 181 m tons (200 tons) net/day of special high grade zinc. (The
zinc from the vertical furnaces is galvanizing quality). The first-
stage columns remove the high-boiling impurities, such as iron and
lead, and the second stage columns separate the low-boiling impuri-
ties such as cadmium.
The molten zinc is charged into the first-stage columns con-
taining silicon carbide trays. The temperature is carefully con-
trolled for selective refining. The lead is kept molten and the zinc
and cadmium is vaporized. The lead flows into a liquating pot, stra-
tifies, and is scooped out after it settles. The upper strata metal
is returned to the melting pot. The material in the liquating pot is
called "runoff." After the lead has settled, some of the runoff is
removed and cast into ingots for the French Process. In the upper
-------
74
portion of the distillation column, the temperature is lower and the
lead carried with zinc and cadmium vapor is condensed and drips back
down to the trays in the hotter portion.
At the top of the distillation column, a refractory connector
connects to another column for selective condensing of zinc and cad-
mium. The zinc, 99.9% pure, is collected at the bottom of the con-
densing column and cast into large ingots. The condensed cadmium is
sent to the cadmium column where the impurities are removed. The
cadmium vapor is condensed at the top of the column and the impuri-
ties are discharged to a refined metal pot, then cast.
Combustion air is preheated in recuperators by the exhaust gases
from the columns. The exhaust gases are emitted through 4 stacks.
Each stack serves two first-stage and one second-stage column. Be-
cause natural gas is used for heating and does not contact the product,
there are no emission controls. However, the silicon carbide refrac-
tory in the columns develops cracks, and zinc vapor escapes and forms
zinc oxide in the combustion zone and is emitted through the stack.
Oxide West
Coal and Zinc ore briquettes are formed to produce zinc oxide by
the American Process in traveling grate furnaces [Figure 16]. The
anthracite dust coal is placed into a bin which empties onto a series
of screens and belt conveyors which size the coal and feed the German-
manufactured Eirich Mixer. Bentonite clay and water are added to the
mixer. The mixture goes to a briquette press. After pressing, the
briquettes are either dried in a new Proctor and Schwartz dryer or in
an older dryer and conveyed to a storage bin. Both dryers are oil-
fired.
-------
ANTH
DUST COAL
COAL BRIQUETTE CIRCUIT
1 BELT CONVEYORS AND
CLAY AND H,O
BIN
SINTER ORE
P4S DRVER
| ORYCR |
(
\
I COALl
1 BRIO 1
I BIN J
3RE ANC
COAL
BRIO
ORE BRIQUETTE CIRCUIT
FURNACE
X^!/
I ' —^C.
TRAVELING GRATE?
MONITION
HEARTH
COMBUSTION
CHAMBER
^^ _llNKt:
'" Lite
BIN
CINDER BANK
NCCW
006 AND 013
006
SHIPMENT
CHASERS
Figure 16. Oxide Weif — American Procen, New Jersey Zinc Company, Pa/merton, PA.
-------
76
Ore briquettes are made in similar fashion. The sinter ore from
the Roasting and Sintering operation in the East Plant's Acid Department
is mixed with bentonite clay, anthracite dust coal and sulfite liquor
(when chasers are used) or water (when Eirich Mixer used). After dry-
ing, the ore briquettes are placed in a storage bin.
Weigh hoppers under the storage bins provide a proportional mix
onto five traveling grate furnaces. The ore briquettes are placed in a
layer on top of the ignited coal briquettes which supply the heat for
zinc reduction (Zinc is vaporized in a reducing atmosphere produced by
the carbon). The vapor mixes with air in the combustion chamber and
zinc oxide fume particles are formed. The fumes are conveyed through
hot fans to a bagroom which services all 5 furnaces. The zinc oxide
dust is collected in hoppers on the bottom of the baghouse, carried by
fork lift to a blending bin and packed in paper bags, or rubber and steel
drums. The zinc oxide is also treated with propionic acid, reheated or
pelletized, when required by customers. The ducting from the furnaces to
the baghouse discharges into a manifold system which empties inside the
bags. Each bag is 46 cm (18 in) in diameter and 9.1 m (30 ft) long.
Mechanical shakers are used to clear the bags.
The spent briquettes drop into a concrete basin at the end of the
grate. Water sprays over the material as it drops. The material is
removed by a Payloader and stored on the ground until loaded into rail-
road cars for disposal on the Cinder Bank.
Between the air blow boxes on the grate furnace, there are pans
(called "ash pits") which collect the material falling through the
grates. Water is kept in the pans to keep them from burning up and to
produce steam for cooling the grates. The pans also overflow (approxi-
mately 19 liters (5 gal/min) due to too much water being added. The
floors under the furnaces are washed daily. All wastewater flows to the
-------
77
basement. The water is collected in a large sump, pumped to the end of
the furnace's traveling grate conveyors and sprayed over the spent
briquettes. If excess water accumulates in the sump, it is pumped to
another concrete basin and allowed to settle. After settling, the
supernatant is pumped to NPDES outfall 006 and the Lehigh River. Resi-
due is sent to the Cinder Bank.
Non-contact cooling water for the furnaces is discharged from NPDES
Outfalls 006 and 013 when four furnaces are running. The flows average
1.4 m3 (375 gal)/min and 0.95 m3 (250 gal)/min, respectively. The non-
contact cooling water from the hot fan, 190 1 (50 gal)/min, the reheater
screw conveyor, 378 1 (100 gal)/min, and water from the rotary compres-
sor and vacuum pumps, 260 1 (69 gal)/min each, are discharged from
outfall 006.
Normal procedures are to run two or three furnaces; all 5 are not
run at the same time. Up to 52,600 m tons (58,000 tons) of zinc can be
produced yearly with four furnaces operating continuously.
Zinc Dust Process
Zinc dust is produced from the molten zinc or slab zinc from the
Vertical Furnace process. This process was developed by the Company
and was discussed during the November reconnaissance. Because the Com-
pany stated that the process is CONFIDENTIAL, it will not be described
in this report.
There are no wastewater sources in the operations. Fugitive dusts
are controlled in the packing areas with a baghouse designed by the
Company. The air flow was reported as 5,300 scfm. Six of the ten fur-
naces in the operation, fired by oil or natural gas, have been modified
and do not produce emissions from material charges. The charges to the
-------
78
remaining four furnaces are controlled with a 2,000 scfm Mikro-Pulse
baghouse; the pick-up points above the four furnaces are connected to a
common manifold system.
The State regulations for particulates is 0.04 grams/ft3 and an
opacity of 20%. Company officials reported that the furnace baghouse is
in compliance. The State has issued an operating permit for the furnace
baghouse; because the packing area baghouse was installed prior to 1972,
it does not require an operating permit.
WASTEWATER TREATMENT - EAST PLANT
.Wastewater from the East Plant processes is discharged to Aquashi-
cola Creek along with high volumes of non-contact cooling water (NCCW),
contact cooling water, surface runoff and water from seeps. NCCW com-
prises the majority of the discharges. Process and cooling water is
obtained from the Aquashicola Creek and Pohopoco Creek. The only treat-
ment is sand filtration for water used in the ammonia plant cooling
tower. A description of the discharges from each NPDES Outfall is sum-
marized in Table 8.
The process wastewater generated in the Acid Department is treated
in the Waste Acid Treatment Plant prior to discharge to Outfall 001
[Figure 17]. Slowdown from the acid plants' gas scrubbers and Cottrell
mist eliminators, tail gas condensate and cooling tower blowdown from
the ammonia plant, laboratory sink wastes and washwater from finished
acid railroad cars and storage tanks are collected in a sump and pumped
to the inlet sump of the treatment system. Wastewaters from the Re-
search Field Station are discharged to a lagoon adjacent to NDPES Out-
fall 001 for removal of suspended solids and flow equalization. The
wastewater is pumped to the sump preceding the inlet sump to the Waste
Acid Treatment Plant. During heavy rainfall, the lagoon may overflow
and discharge through Outfall 001.
-------
79
Table 8
WASTEWATER DISCHARGES TO AQUASHICOLA CREEK
NEW JERSEY ZINC COMPANY
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
NPDES
Outfall
001
FlowVmVday
19,600
mgd
5.2
Sources
Waste acid treatment process
(P);b
002
98
sinter fire box compressors, screw
conveyors (NCCW); ammonia plant
after cooler/in cooler on C02 compressor,
catch basins (NCCW); backwash from
sand filters (P); catch basins through
processing area (R)
0.026 Rolling Mill chill water from castings,
contract cooling water from the rough
mill bearings and contact cooling water
from finish roll (after 0.1 separation).
003
004
19 0.005
4,080 1.08
005
4,080C
006
w
3,270
007
w
2,450
NCCW from Rolling Mill induction furnace
and surface runoff.
Waelz kiln quench water, NCCW from air
compressors, NCCW from Walez kilns,
NCCW hot fan bearings, NCCW from firebox,
air compressor blowdown (after passing
through oil separator), railroad car
drainage, and surface runoff.
1.08 Oxide East Freeh Process NCCW, compressor
condensate, NCCW from compressors, boiler
blowdown (once/shift), backwash (P) from
sand filters used to treat boiler make-up
water, washwater (P) from mobile equipment
cleaning (after treatment in a settling
pit and oil trap), and surface runoff from
the Cinder Bank.
0.864 NCCW from Oxide West American Process
hot fans, reheater screws, conveyors,
vacuum pumps, rotary compressors and
surface runoff.
0.648 Mobile equipment washwater (P), sand
filter and softener backwash (P),
compressor blowdown after oil-separation
(P), NCCW from compressors, and surface
runoff from Palmerton.
-------
80
Table 8 (continued)
WASTEWATER DISCHARGES TO AQUASHICOLA CREEK
NEW JERSEY ZINC COMPANY
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
NPDES
Outfall
Flow /m3/day
mgd
Sources
008
w
009
,w
010
Oil
012
013
014
015
016
017
w
w
8,175
53
136
106
1,362
Receives overflow from Outfall 009.
2.16 Wastewater from locomotive and r.r.
crane repair shop (P), after oil
skimming; NCCW from refinery casting
molds; NCCW from retort condensers;
compressor blowdown after skimming;
and surface runoff.
0.014 Steam condensate, surface runoff, and
NCCW from air compressor after cooler
at Research Field Station.
0.036 Steam condensate, steam condensate
from thaw shed, and surface runoff
(Pipe plugged at Blue Mountain).
0.028 NCCW from slab casting in the Rolling
Mill and surface runoff.
0.36 NCCW from the Oxide West American
Process traveling grate furnaces and
surface runoff.
Surface runoff; no flow observed for
past 3 years.
Surface runoff
Surface runoff
Runoff from coal pile to conrete
channel
a Flow estimates by NJZ (in mad).
b (P) = process wastewater; (NCCW) = non-contact cooling water; (R) = runoff
c Includes 3,050 mVday (8.06 x 10s gpd) of runoff and seepage from Cinder
Bank
w Indicates outfalls located in West Plant
-------
LAB SINKS .
TAIL GAS CONOENSATE-
NH, COOLIN6 TOWER SLOWDOWN
FIELD STATION LAGOON-
R R CAR & ACID STORAGE-
TANK WASHINGS
SOLIDS TO
SINTER PLANT
RUNOFF
o
IL
o
SLUDGE
BASIN
SLUDGE
BASIN
_ SLUDGE
HOLD IN
L
LIME
t
ACID SPILL
L TROUGH
CATCH BASINS
OVERFLOW
SAND FILTER BACKWASH
SOLIDS REMOVED
AND RETURNED
TO SYSTEM
PLUGGED
NH3 PLANT COMP
COOLING WATER '
OVERFLOW FROM
RESEARCH FIELD
STATION LAGOON
-CATCH BASINS
NPDES OUTFALL OO1
Figure 17. Waste Acid Treatment Plan! And Waster Sources On Outfall 001
New Jersey Zinc Company Palmerfon, PA East Plant
00
-------
82
The acidic wastewater containing high concentrations of dissolved
metals is pumped into the neutralization tank and mixed with lime slaked
in an adjacent building. The lime feed rate is automatically controlled
by a pH sensor which maintains the pH at 11.2. The neutralized waste
is transferred to two thickeners, operated in series. The underflow
from the first thickener is sent to the other thickener for concentra-
tion. The solids from the second thickener are sent to the sinter
process and the overflow is sent to the roasters, sinter plant and hot
roast process or recycled to the second thickener. The overflow
from the first thickener is discharged to the two sludge lagoons, operated
in parallel for solids removal. Because the solids cannot be removed
from the first thickener as fast as they accumulate, the thickener is
emptied into the sludge lagoons every 3 to 4 days. The settled sludge
is removed from the lagoons every 4 to 14 days by a railroad crane car
and dumped into railroad cars. The sludge, containing 50 to 60% water,
is stockpiled outdoors in the southeast part of the East Plant used for
storing raw materials. The sludge is stored for about one-year period
during which it is returned to the process at the roaster. The amount
returned depends upon the sulfur content of the roaster feed due to
combustion requirements. The storage area has not been lined to prevent
infiltration, however, the area has been diked with the sludge itself to
minimize runoff. Currently more sludge is being stored than is recycled,
therefore the solids are also being stockpiled on the Cinder Bank. The
sludges contain high concentrations of metals removed in the neutraliza-
tion process.
The supernatant from the sludge lagoons is discharged to the sewer
terminating at Outfall 001. Additional sources of wastewater, primarily
non-contact cooling water, also flow into the sewer. The pH of the
effluent is monitored at the outfall; when the pH falls outside the
permitted range, an alarm sounds to alert the Acid Department operators.
The operators must manually turn on the equipment which add either acid
-------
83
or lime. Due to the delay caused by flow time between The Outfall and
pH adjustment locations, the pH of the effluent frequently is outside
the permitted range.
The water from the Peabody scrubbers is recycled between three
settling basins. The settled solids are removed by crane and returned
to the process. Seeps from springs and runoff from the raw material
concentrate storage area drain to the settling basins. The backwash
from the sand filters used to treat the ammonia plant cooling tower
make-up water is discharged to the settling basins. The overflow from
the basins flows to a sump which also receives runoff from catch basins
and leaks or spills collected in the spill trough surrounding the sul-
furic acid storage tanks. The water in the sump is pumped to either the
south or north surge lagoons. The combined capacity of the lagoons is
about 5,680 m3 (l.SxlO6 gal). The north lagoon receives flow only when
solids are being cleaned out of the south lagoon. A flexible hose must
be placed on the pipe discharging to the south lagoon to reroute the
flow to the north lagoon. The south lagoon overflows to the north
lagoon. The effluent from the north surge lagoon flows by gravity to
the inlet sump serving the waste acid treatment plant. If the south
lagoon overflows, the wastewater drains to the acid spill trough. If
the influent flow to the sump receiving the settling basin overflow
exceeds the capacity of the three pumps, the overflow is discharged to
the sewer terminating at Outfall 001.
Other wastewater sources discharged from Outfall 001 include cool-
ing water from the ammonia plant incooler/outcooler on the carbon diox-
ide compressor and surface runoff from the ammonia plant and acid
and No. 2 fuel oil storage areas.
-------
84
SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL (CINDER BANK)
Residues from the various processes are either recycled to the
operations or are disposed of on the Cinder Bank. The Company has
stored the residues for 80 years in a segregated fashion based on the
zinc content. To date, technology has not been developed which would
allow for the economic recovery of the metals. The Cinder Bank is
approximately 4 km (2.5 miles) long and about 60 m (200 ft) high. The
Cinder Bank lies between the East Plant and Blue Mountain. According
to Company estimates, the Cinder Bank contains between 27 to 32 million
m tons (30 to 35 million tons) of residue.
The residues are transported to the top of the Cinder Bank either
by the plant railroad inside dump gondola cars or by truck. The resi-
due is moved after dumping by heavy equipment. The Cinder Bank is also
graded by the heavy equipment to minimize erosion. The oldest residue
is on the west end of the Cinder Bank. Some of the residue is still
hot and produced "hot spots" within the disposal area. Company offi-
cials stated that part of the Cinder Bank was used as a disposal area
for commercial and residential refuse from Palmerton. Some of the refuse
is reportedly smoldering inside the Cinder Bank due to contact with the
hot residue.
Some of the residue from the Cinder Bank is recovered by a contrac-
tor and reused by cinder block manufacturers or is used for cindering
icy roads by highway maintenance departments. Approximately 3.2 million
m tons (3.5 million tons) have been reclaimed since 1957. The residues
have also been sold to the cement industry as a cement additive and used
by the railroads as fill material.
The Company has been experimenting since 1976 with various grasses,
trees, plants, etc., to develop a revegetation program for the Blue
Mountain area behind the plant; the natural vegetation has been destroyed
-------
85
by plant air emissions. The experimentation has also included the
development of a Cinder Bank vegetation program. According to Company
proposals, the program will revegetate at least 20 acres/year, and
maintain the existing vegetation beginning in 1981, pending on the
results of tests. The area requiring vegetation is estimated to be
between 445 and 485 hectares (1,100 and 1,200 acres).
During periods of runoff, contaminated storm water flows into
Aquashicola Creek via surface ditches and Company sewers, and percolates
through the Cinder Bank to the groundwater. The groundwater recharges
the creek and also seeps out through the Cinder Bank. The Company has
attempted to isolate Blue Mountain runoff from the Cinder Bank with
little success. Pipes were placed at the surface discharges of two
rills to convey this water over the Cinder Bank. The pipes on top of
the Cinder Bank froze, split and were not repaired. As a result, the
water flows into the Cinder Bank.
The Cinder Bank has been contoured to a slope approaching 2 to 1
which is unstable. Additional contouring is required to stabilize the
slopes and to transport runoff from the Cinder Bank as quickly as pos-
sible.
WATER SUPPLY
The industrial water supply system at the East Plant is a complex
network of mains and feeder pipes. Aquashicola and Pohopoco Creeks are
the water sources. The intake water is not treated beyond screening
except for the ammonia plant non-contact cooling water which is sand-
filtered, treated with a BETZ chromate solution and chlorinated.
Under normal condition, the main intake source is Aquashicola
Creek, which is pumped into the system from the No. 3 Pump House located
-------
86
near the Field Station Bridge. The pump station operates 24 hours/day
at a constant rate of 17,400 nrVday (3,200 gpm), regardless of condi-
tions in the plant. This water is the normal source for the processes
at the east half of the plant; processes discharging from Outfalls 001
and 010 are supplied by water from Aquashicola Creek. In an emergency,
Aquashicola Creek water may be pumped from the Nos. 1 and 2 Pump House,
but this is a rare occurrence.
The second intake source is Pohopoco Creek, a Lehigh River tribu-
tary which flows from the Beltzville Dam about 8 km (5 mi) north of
Palmerton. The Pohopoco Creek intake station is managed by the Palmerton
Water Company and gravity feeds from the Parryville Dam to the NJZ West
Plant through a 75 cm (30 in) diameter main. Some Pohopoco Creek water
is used in the West Plant and the rest is pumped up 45 m (150 ft) in
elevation to three 7,600 m3 (2,000,000 gal) water storage tanks. The
water flows by gravity from these storage tanks to the East Plant [ele-
vation drop approximately 50 m (170 ft) through a 60 cm (24 in) diameter
main] and is distributed on a demand basis to the west half of the plant
via the Booster Pump House. Pohopoco Creek is the normal source water
for processes discharging to NPDES Outfalls 002, 003, 004, 005 and 012,
but can be used under unusual circumstances, to supply the entire East
Plant by using the booster pumps.
While the Company has designated the source of water which even-
tually is discharged from each NPDES outfalls, the complexity of the
piping network makes it difficult to determine whether certain Outfalls
contain water originally supplied by Aquashicola Creek, Pohopoco Creek
or a combination of both. All the valves in the system are normally
wide open to allow water consumption on a demand basis. Because the
Aquashicola Creek water is pumped in at a constant rate while the
Pohopoco Creek water gravity flows to make up the difference for the
west half of the East Plant, any process changes or shutdowns that cause
a decrease in demand for Aquashicola Creek water in the east half, can
-------
87
result in the excess being pumped farther west into the piping net-
work. The Aquashicola Creek water may therefore displace or mix with
some of the Pohopoco Creek water. The determination of the water
source supplying the majority of the water discharged from each Out-
fall, which is required to compute the net effluent concentrations
specified in the NPDES permit, is aided by the different character-
istics of the two source waters. Pohopoco Creek water is piped in
from 8 km (5 mi) away and contains relatively low concentrations of
metals - about 0.10 mg/1 zinc and 0.003 mg/1 cadmium. Conversely,
Aquashicola Creek water has much higher levels of zinc and cadmium at
the East Plant intake, due largely to infiltration of contaminated
groundwater. The respective zinc and cadmium concentrations are
usually in the ranges of 1 to 2 mg/1 and 0.02 to 0.08 mg/1.
In theory, the designation of a particular source for a parti-
cular Outfall can be made by sampling the industrial water supply at
a point close to the Outfall and comparing the results with the source
characteristics. In practice, the Company collects samples of the
industrial water supply in the Rolling Mill close to Outfalls 002,
003, 004 and 012. A comparison of the results with source water char-
acteristics showed the water in this area to be from Pohopoco Creek.
Outfall 005 is the process Outfall closest to the Pohopoco Creek in-
take and is assumed to use this source exclusively.
-------
V. FINDINGS
STREAM CHARACTERIZATION
The results of field measurements and analyses performed on
Aquashicola Creek, Mill Creek, and Lehigh River water qualtiy samples
collected during the May 8 to 14, 1979 survey are presented below in
Tables 9 through 17.
Water Quality and Flow Measurement
Table 9 presents total metals concentrations and mass loadings
from seven days of sampling and flow measurement at four Aquaschicola
Creek Stations* and one Mill Creek Station [Figure 1]. The results
are presented on a daily basis and follow the course of the creek
from the farthest upstream Station (Harris Bridge) to the mouth (Tatra
Inn Bridge).
The data indicate significant increases of zinc, cadmium, and
manganese concentrations and loads in the reach of Aquashicola Creek
between Harris Bridge and the 6th Street Bridge. Mass loads for these
metals decreased between 6th Street and the Tatra Inn Bridges but
this was caused largely by 19% decreases in the flow over the same
segment of the creek. The metals contribution from Mill Creek was
relatively insignificant.
Based on 7-day averages (5 days at the 6th Street Bridge), zinc
and cadmium loads each increased about 30 times from Harris Bridge to
* There were only five days of sampling at one of the four
Stations - Station 21 at 6th Street Bridge.
-------
Table 9
vo
CD
AQUASHICOLA CREEK AND MILL CREEK METALS SAMPLING DATA
New Jersey Zinc - East Plant
Palmer-ton , Pennsylvania
May 8-14, 1979
HE 1C
Station
No.
27
24
19
21
20
27
24
19
21
20
Station Description
Detection Limit
Aquashicola Creek at
Harris Bridge
Aquashicola Creek at
Field Station Bridge
Mill Creek
Aquashicola Creek at
6th Street Bridge
Aquashicola Creek at
Tatra Inn Bridge
Aquashicola Creek at
Harris Bridge
Aquashicola Creek at
Field Station Bridge
Mill Creek
Aquashicola Creek at
6th Street Bridge
Aquashicola Creek at
Tatra Inn Bridge
Flow
mj/day x 103 cfs
(mgd)
350 143
(92)
336 137
(88)
24 10
(6.5)
e e
220 90
(58)
313 128
(83)
277 113
(73)
22 9.0
(5.8)
e e
242 99
(64)
Total Zinc
mg/1 kg/day
(Ib/day)
0.08a
May
NDd 0
(0)
0.62 210
(460)
ND 0
(0)
e
0.92 200
(440)
May
ND 0
(0)
0.55 150
(330)
ND 0
(0)
e
0.74 180
(400)
Total
mg/1
0.0053
0.002°
8, 1979
NDb
0.007b
NDb
e
0.05a
9, 1979
NDb
0.007b
NDb
e
0.03a
Cadmium
kg/day
(Ib/day)
0
(0)
2.4
(5.3)
0
(0)
11
(24)
0
(0)
1 9
(4.2)
0
(0)
7.3
(16)
Total Lead
mg/1 kg/day
(Ib/day)
0.01C
ND 0
(0)
0.01 3.4
7.5
0.01 0.24
(0.54)
e
ND 0
(0)
0.01 3.1
(6.8)
ND 0
(0)
ND 0
(0)
e
0.02 4.8
(11)
Total
mg/1
0.08a
0.18
0.10
0.09
e
0.15
0.10
0.10
0.08
e
0.15
Iron
kg/day
(Ib/day)
63
(140)
34
(75)
2.2
(4.9)
33
(73)
31
(68)
28
(62)
1.8
(4.0)
36
(79)
Total Manganese
mg/1 kg/day
(Ib/day)
0.02a
0.03 10
(22)
0.22 74
(160)
ND 0
(0)
e
0. 19 42
(93)
0.03 9.4
(21)
0.17 47
(100)
0.02 0.44
(0.97)
e
0.15 36
(79)
-------
Table 9 (Cont'd.)
AQUASHICOLA CREEK AND MILL CREEK METALS SAMPLING DATA
New Jersey Zinc - East Plant
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
May 8-14, 1979
NEIC
Station
No.
27
24
19
21
20
27
24
19
21
20
Station Description
Detection Limit
Aquashicola Creek at
Harris Bridge
Aquashicola Creek at
Field Station Bridge
Mill Creek
Aquashicola Creek at
6th Street Bridge
Aquashicola Creek at
Tatra Inn Bridge
Aquashicola Creek at
Harris Bridge
Aquashicola Creek at
Field Station Bridge
Mill Creek
Aquashicola Creek at
6th Street Bridge
Aquashicola Creek at
Tatra Inn Bridge
Flow
mj/day x 103
313
277
22
321
242
313
277
22
321
242
cfs
(mgd)
128
(83)
113
(73)
9.0
(5.8)
131
(85)
99
(64)
128
(83)
113
(73)
9
(5.8)
131
(85)
99
(64)
Total
mg/1
0.08a
ND
0.52
0.11
0.81
0.70
ND
0.38
ND
0.92
0.59
Zinc
kg/day
(Ib/day)
May
0
(0)
140
(310)
2.4
(5.3)
260
(570)
170
(370)
May
0
(0)
110
(240)
0
(0)
290
(640)
140
(310)
Total
mg/1
0.005*
0.002°
10, 1979
NDb
0.005b
NDb
0.04a
0.03a
11, 1979
NDb
0.006b
NDb
0.03a
0.03a
Cadmium
kg/day
(Ib/day)
0
(0)
1.4
(3.1)
0
0
13
(29)
7.3
(16)
0
(0)
1.7
(3.7)
0
(0)
9.6
(21)
7.3
(16)
Total
mg/1
0 Olc
ND
ND
ND
0.01
ND
0.01
ND
ND
0.01
0.01
Lead
kg/day
(Ib/day)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
3.2
7.1
0
(0)
3.1
(6.8)
0
(0)
0
(0)
3.2
(7.1)
2.4
(5.3)
Total
mg/1
0.08a
0.15
0.12
ND
0.16
0.14
0.14
0.15
0.08
0.15
0.14
Iron
kg/day
(Ib/day)
47
(100)
33
(73)
0
(0)
51
(110)
34
(75)
44
(97)
41
(90)
1.8
(4.0)
48
(110)
34
(75)
Total
mg/1
0.02a
0.04
0.20
0.02
0.22
0.18
0.03
0.17
0.03
0.20
0.16
Manganese
kg/day
(Ib/day)
13
(29)
55
(120)
0.44
(0.97)
71
(160)
44
(97)
9.4
(21)
47
(100)
0.66
(1.5)
64
(140)
39
(86)
-------
Table 9
(Cont'd )
10
INJ
AQUASHICOLA CREEK AND MILL CREEK METALS SAMPLING DATA
New Jersey Zinc - East Plant
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
May 8-14, 1979
NEIC
Station
No
27
24
19
21
20
27
24
19
21
20
Station Description
Detection Limit
Aquashicola Creek at
Harris Bridge
Aquashicola Creek at
Field Station Bridge
Mill Creek
Aquashicola Creek at
6th Street Bridge
Aquashicola Creek at
Tatra Inn Bridge
Aquashicola Creek at
Harris Bridge
Aquashicola Creek at
Field Station Bridge
Mill Creek
Aquashicola Creek at
6th Street Bridge
Aquashicola Creek at
Tatra Inn Bridge
Flow
mVday x 103
272
279
17
301
296
272
279
17
301
296
cfs
(mgd)
111
(72)
114
(74)
7
(4.5)
123
(79)
121
(78)
111
(72)
114
(74)
7
(4.5)
123
(79)
121
(78)
Total
mg/1
0.08a
ND
0.56
ND
0.81
0.70
0.23
0.58
0.16
0.80
0.83
Zinc
kg/day
(Ib/day)
May
0
(0)
160
(350)
0
(0)
240
(530)
210
(460)
May
63
(140)
160
(350)
2.7
(6.0)
240
(530)
250
(550)
Total
mg/1
0.005a
0.002°
12, 1979
NDb
0.006°
ND°
0.04a
0.03a
13, 1979
ND°
0.012°
ND°
0.04a
0.04a
Cadmi urn
kg/day
(Ib/day)
0
(0)
1.7
(3.7)
0
(0)
12
(26)
8.9
(20)
0
(0)
3.3
(7.3)
0
(0)
12
(26)
12
(26)
Total
mg/1
0.01C
ND
0.01
0.02
ND
0.01
0.01
ND
0.01
ND
0.01
Lead
kg/day
(Ib/day)
0
(0)
2.8
(6.2)
0.34
(0.75)
0
(0)
3.0
(6.6)
2.7
(6.0)
0
(0)
0.17
(0.37)
0
(0)
3.0
(6.6)
Total
rag/1
0.08a
0.14
• 0.13
0.20
0.27
0.19
0.23
0.14
0.11
ND
0.16
Iron
kg/day
(Ib/day)
38
(84)
36
(79)
3.4
(7.5)
81
(180)
56
(120)
62
(140)
39
(86)
1.9
<4.2)
0
(0)
47
(100)
Total
mg/1
0 02a
0.03
0.21
0.03
0.22
0.18
0.05
0.27
0.04
0.31
0.28
Manqanesi
kg/day
(Ib/day
•
8.1
(18)
59
(130)
0 51
(1.1)
66
(150)
53
(120)
14
(31)
75
(170)
0.68
(1.5)
93
(210)
83
(180)
-------
Table 9 (Cont'd.)
AQUASHICOLA CREEK AND MILL CREEK METAL'S SAMPLING DATA
New Jersey Zinc - East Plant
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
Mayj 8-14,-1979 r
NEIC
Station Station Description
No
Detection Limit
27 Aquashicola Creek at
Harris Bridge
24 Aquashicola Creek at
Field Station Bridge
19 Mill Creek
21 Aquashicola Creek at
6th Street Bridge
20 Aquashicola Creek at
Tatra Inn Bridge
27 Aquashicola Creek at
Harris Bridge
24 Aquashicola Creek at
Field Station Bridge
19 Mill Creek
21 Aquashicola Creek at
6th Street Bridge
20 Aquashicola Creek at
Tatra Inn Bridge
a Analysis was by flame atomic
b Analysis was by flameless ato
c Analysis was by ICAP for all
Flow
ma/day x 10d cfs
(mgd)
313
279
22
321
242
306
287
21
313
255
absorption for
mic absorption
lead samples.
•128
(83)
114
(74)
9
(5.8)
131
(85)
99
(64)
125
(81)
117
(76)
8.6
(5.6)
128
(83)
104
(67)
Total
mg/1
0.08a
ND
0'.43
0.09
0.94
0.73
0.039
0.52
0.059
0.86
0.75
Zinc
kg/day
(Ib/day)
May
0
(0)
120'
(260)
2.0
(4.4)
300
(660)
180
(400)
7 Day
9.0
(20)
150
(330)
1.0
(2.2)
270
(600)
190
(420)
Total
mg/1
0.005a
0.002°
14, 1979
0.007b
0.006b
NDb
0.04a
0.04a
Averages
0.0019
0.007
0
0.04
0.04
0.04
Cadmium
kg/day
(Ib/day)
2.2
(4.9)
1.7
(3.7)
0
(0)
13
(29)
9.7
(21)
0.31
(0.68)
2.0
(4.4)
0
0
12
(26)
9.1
(20)
Total Lead
mg/1 kg/day
(Ib/day)
0.01C
ND 0
(0)
ND 0
(0)
ND 0
(0)
ND 0
(0)
0.01 2.4
(5.3)
0.0049 1.3
(2.9)
0.0039 0.89
(2.0)
0.0059 0.11
(0.24)
0.0049 1.3
(2.9)
0.0099 2.2
(4.9)
Total Iron
mg/1
0.08a
0.23
0.12
0.14
0.78
0.19
0.17
0.12
0.10
0.27
0.16
kg/day
(Ib/day)
72
(160)
33
(73)
3.1
(6.8)
250
(550)
46
(100)
.51
(112)
35
(77)
2.0
(4.4)
86
(190)
41
(90)
all zinc, iron and maganese samples; cadmium samples analyzed by flame AA have suoersci
for cadmium samples with superscript 'b1.
d ND means not detected (less than the detection limit
involving ND value are conservative.
e Sampling at 6th Street Bridge
) and assic
ined a val
ue of zero
for all
load and averaging computations; hence,
Total
mg/1
0.02a
0.04
0.19
0.03
0.31
0.18
0.04
0.21
0.02
0.25
0.19
ript "a1.
Manganese
kg/day
(Ib/day)
13
(29)
53
(120)
0.66
(1-5)
100
(220)
44
(97)
11
(24)
59
(130)
0.48
(1-1)
79
(174)
49
(110)
all averages to
began on May 10, 1979.
g Average is less than detection limit.
average
load and flow data.
Averages
for 6th Street Bridge Station
(Station
21) are for 5 days
only.
-------
94
Table 10
Total Metals (Zinc/Cadmium) Contributions to Aquashicola Creek
New Jersey Zinc - East Plant
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
Source
May 10, 1979
1. Aquashicola Creek at Harris Bridge - Background Conditions
2. Aquashicola Creek-Net gain, Harris Bridge to Field Sta. Bridge fl
3. Aquashicola Creek-Net gain, Field Sta. Bridge to 6th St. Bridge
4. Total contribution from East Plant Discharges (Net Loads)
5. Groundwater contribution between Field Sta. Bridge & 6th St. Bridge
6. Total groundwater contribution bet. Harris Bridge & 6th St. gridge
7. Total metals increase between Harris Bridge & 6th St. Bridge
May 11, 1979
1. Aquashicola Creek at Harris Bridge - Background Conditions
2. Aquashicola Creek-Net gain, Harris Bridge to Field Sta. Bridge
3. Aquashicola Creek-Net gain, Field Sta. Bridge to 6th St. Bridge
4. Total contribution from East Plant Discharges {Net Loads)
5. Groundwater contribution between Field Sta. Bridge & 6th St. Bridge
6. Total groundwater contribution bet. Harris Bridge & 6th St. |ridge
7. Total metals increase between Harris Bridge & 6th St. Bridge
May 12, 1979
1. Aquashicola Creek at Harris Bridge - Background Conditions
2. Aquashicola Creek-Net gain, Harris Bridge to Field Sta. Bridge
3. Aquashicola Creek-Net gain, Field Sta. Bridge to 6th St. Bridge
4. Total contribution from East Plant Discharges (Net Loads)
5. Groundwater contribution between Field Sta. Bridge & 6th St. Bridge
6. Total groundwater contribution bet. Harris Bridge & 6th St. gridge
7. Total metals increase between Harris Bridge & 6th St. Bridge
May 13, 1979
1. Aquashicola Creek at Harris Bridge - Background Conditions
2. Aquashicola Creek-Net gain, Harris Bridge to Field Sta. Bridge
3. Aquashicola Creek-Net gain, Field Sta. Bridge to 6th St. Bridge
4. Total contribution from East Plant Discharges (Net Loads)
5. Groundwater contrib. between Field Sta. Bridge & 6th St. Bridge
6. Total groundwater contribution bet. Harris Bridge & 6th St. gridge
7. Total metals increase between Harris Bridge & 6th St. Bridge
May 14, 1979
1. Aquashicola Creek at Harris Bridge - Background Conditions
2. Aquashicola Creek-Net gain, Harris Bridge to Field Sta. Bridge g
3. Aquashicola Creek-Net gain. Field Sta. Bridge to 6th St. Bridge
4. Total contribution from East Plant Discharges (Net Loads)
5. Groundwater contribution between Field Sta. Bridge & 6th St. Bridge
6. Total groundwater contribution bet. Harris Bridge & 6th St. gridge
7. Total metals increase between Harris Bridge & 6th St. Bridge
5-day Average
1. Aquashicola Creek at Harris Bridge - Background Conditions
2. Aquash-icola Creek-Net gain, Harris Bridge to Field Sta Bridge fl
3. Aquashicola Creek-Net gain, Field Sta Bridge to 6th St. Bridge
4. Total contribution from East Plant Discharges (Net Loads)
5. Groundwater contribution between Field Sta. Bridge & 6th St. Bridge
6. Total groundwater contribution bet. Harris Bridge & 6th St. gridge
7. Total metals increase between Harris Bridge & 6th St. Bridge
a Excluding Mill Creek contribution which has been subtracted.
b. Negative number indicates apparent loss of cadmium between Harris
Total
kg/day
0
140
120
66
54
190
260
0
110
180
55
120
230
290
0
160
80
32
48
210
240
63
97
80
45
35
130
180
0
120
180
32
150
270
300
13
130
130
46
84
210
260
Zinc
Ib/day
0
310
260
150
120
420
570
0
240
400
120
260
510
640
0
350
180
70
110
460
530
140
210
180
100
80
290
400
0
260
400
70
330
600
660
29
290
290
100
190
460
570
Total
kg/day
0
1.4
12
1.1
11
12
13
0
1.7
7.9
0.8
7.1
8.8
9.6
0
1.7
10
0.6
9.4
11
12
0
3.3
8.7
1.1
7.6
11
12
2.2h
_ _b
-0.5
11
0.7
10
10
11
0.4
1.5
10
0.9
9.1
11
12
Cadmium
Ib/day
0
3.1
26
2.4
24
26
29
0
3.7
17
1.8
16
19
21
0
3.7
22
1.3
21
24
26
0
7.3
19
2.4
17
24
26
4.9K
i iD
-1 . 1
24
1 .5
22
22
24
0.9
3.3
22
2 0
20
24
26
Bridge and Field Station.
-------
Table 11
PROFILE OF TOTAL ZINC AND TOTAL CADMIUM CONCENTRATIONS OF VARIOUS CROSS-SECTIONS OF AQUASHICOLA CREEK3
New Jersey Zinc, Company - East Plant
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
May 9 and 13, 1979
NEIC May Section Section Section
Sta. Description 1979 1D 2 3
Total Zinc (Zn) and Total
20
21
24
25
27
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
Zn Cd Zn Cd Zn
Aquashicola Creek 9 0 66 0.03 0.66 0.03 0.67 0
at Tatra Inn Bridge 13 0.82 0.03 0.85 0.04 0.83 0
Aquashicola Creet at
6th Street Bridge 13C 0.90 0.04 0.87 0.04 0.82 0
Aquashicola Creek at 9 0.35 0.002d a 0.35 0.003d 0.36 0.
Field Station Bridge 13 0 52 ND°'e 0.49 0 002° 0.44 0.
Aquashicola Creek at 9* 0.17 NDd 0.21 0.002d 0.17
Aggregates Bridge 139 0.69 0.002° 0.68 0.002° 0.58 0.
Aquashicola Creek at 9 ND NDd ND NDd ND
Harris Bridge 13 ND ND° ND ND° ND
Cd
.03
.04
.03
002d
002d
d
003d
NDj
NDd
Section
4
Section Section
5 6
Section
7
Section
Cadmium (Cd) - All values in mg/1
Zn Cd
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
68 0.03
81 0.03
86 0.04
58 0.018d
52 0.008°
24 NDd
57 ND°
ND NDd
ND NDQ
Zn
0.69
0.82
0.85
0.39
0.53
0.40
0.52
ND
0.09
Cd Zn
0.03 0.65
0.03 0.83
0.04 0.90
0.005d 0.47
0.004° 0.52
NDd 0.38
ND° 0. 52
NDd ND
0.006° ND
Cd
0.03
0.03
0.05
0.005d
0.007°
0.002d
0.002°
NDj
0.007°
Zn
0.65
0.80
0.95
0.87
0 66
0.47
0.53
ND
ND
Cd
0 03
0.03
0.04
0.009d
0.009°
0.003d
0.002°
NDj
ND
Zn
0.66
0.82
0.98
1.0
0.88
0.44
0.48
ND
ND
Cd
0.04
0.04
0.04
0.015d
0.015d
NDd
0.003°
NDd
ND
Each cross-section of Aquashicola Creek was divided into eight equal-width
sub-sections and one grab sample for total metals was collected
of the sub-sections on each of the dates listed.
from
Section 1 is closest to the left bank (looking upstream) and Section
closest to the right bank.
No sampling at this Station on May 9.
Some Cadmium analysis by f Tameless atomic absorption; all other
(cadmium and zinc) by flame AA
NO means Not Detected (below detection limit).
Sampling site was upstream of Aggregates Bridge.
Sampling site was downstream from Aggregates Bridge.
each
8 is
analyses
en
-------
96
Table 12
LEHIGH RIVER - METALS SAMPLING DATA3
Palmer-ton, Pennsylvania
May 8 - 14, 1979
Total Total
Zinc Cadmium
Station Number and Description mg/1 mg/1
May 8, 1979
Station 30 - Lehigh River above NJZ West Plants 0.09 ND
Station 29 - Lehigh River upstream of Aquashicola Creek ND ND
Station 28 - Lehigh River below Aquashicola Creek ND 0.003
May 9, 1979
Station 30 - Lehigh River above NJZ West Plants ND ND
Station 29 - Lehigh River upstream of Aquashicola Creek 0.27 ND
Station 28 - Lehigh River below Aquashicola Creek 0.11 0.002
May 10, 1979
Station 30 - Lehigh River above NJZ West Plants ND ND
Station 29 - Lehigh River upstream of Aquashicola Creek ND ND
Station 28 - Lehigh River below Aquashicola Creek 0.13 0.004
May 11, 1979
Station 30 - Lehigh River above NJZ West Plants ND ND
Station 29 - Lehigh River upstream of Aquashicola Creek 0.19 0.006
Station 28 - Lehigh River below Aquashicola Creek ND ND
May 12, 1979
Station 30 - Lehigh River above NJZ West Plants ND ND
Station 29 - Lehigh River upstream of Aquashicola Creek ND ND
Station 28 - Lehigh River below Aquashicola Creek 0.09 0.002
May 13, 1979
Station 30 - Lehigh River above NJZ West Plants ND ND
Station 29 - Lehigh River upstream of Aquashicola Creek 0.10 NO
Station 28 - Lehigh River below Aquashicola Creek 0.12 0.002
May 14, 1979
Station 30 - Lehigh River above NJZ West Plants NO ND
Station 29 - Lehigh River upstream of Aquashicola Creek ND ND
Station 28 - Lehigh River below Aquashicola Creek 0.12 0.002
f
7-day Average
Station 30 - Lehigh River above NJZ West Plants 0.01 ND(0)
Station 29 - Lehigh River upstream of Aquashicola Creek 0.08 0.001
Station 28 - Lehigh River below Aquashicola Creek 0.08 0.002
a All data based on one grab sample per day at each station.
b All zinc, iron and manganese samples analyzed by flame atomic absorption;
limits are 0.08 mg/1, 0.08 mg/1, and 0.02 mg/1, respectively.
• 11%
mg/1
ND
NO
0.01
ND
0.01
ND
ND
ND
0.01
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
0 01
NO
ND
NO
ND
ND
ND
ND(0)
0.0014
0.004
detection
Total
Iron
mg/1
0.26
0.23
0.12
0.17
0.27
0.12
0.16
0.26
0.14
0.55
0.16
0.22
0.20
0.73
0.09
0.13
0.17
0.14
0.15
0.19
0. 14
0.23
0.29
0.14
Total .
Manganese
mg/1
0.14
0.13
0.12
0.13
0.20
0.13
0.11
0.12
0.12
0.15
0.17
0.13
0.13
0.14
0.13
0.12
0.13
0.14
0.12
0.13
0. 12
•0.13
0.15
0.13
c All cadmium samples analyzed by flameless atomic absorption; detection limit is
0.002 mg/1.
d All lead samples analyzed by ICAP; detection limit is 0.01 mg/1.
e ND means not detected (below detection limit) and assigned a value of zero
for
averaging computations, hence all averages involving ND values are conservative.
f Average values are presented, even if below detection limit.
-------
97
Table 13
pH AND TEMPERATURE DATA
MILL CREEK, AQUASHICOLA CREEK AND LEHIGH RIVER
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
May 8-14, 1979
NEIC
Station
No.
19
20
21
24
25
Station
Description
Mill Creek
Aquashicola Creek at
Tatra Inn Bridge
Aquashicola Creek at
6th Street Bridge
Aquashicola Creek
at Field Station
Bridge
Aquashicola Creek at
Aggregates Bridge
Date (Time) pH
May 1979 (su)
8 (0955) 6.7
9 (1133) 7.0
10 (0725) 6.5
11 (0804) 6.9
12 (0840) 6.8
13 (0843) 6.9
14 (0709) 6.9
Average Temperature
8 (1242) 8.8
9 (1616) 8.5
10 (1200) 7.3
11 (1212) 7.6
12 (1110) 6.9
13 (1130) 7.2
14 (1123) 6.5
Average Temperature
10 (1115) 7.2
11 (1102) 8.2
12 (1017) 6.8
13 (1030) 6.9
14 (1025) 6.5
Average Temperature
8 (1048) 6.8
9 (1310) 7.5
10 (0956) 6.8
11 (1042) 7.1
12 (0905) 6.8
13 (0956) 6.9
14 (0939) 6.7
Average Temperature
9 (1223) 6.9
13 (0818) 7.4
Average Temperature
Temperature
(°C)
13
18
14
14
15
14
13
14
17
21
19
19
16
15
14
17
18
17
16
15
14
16
14
18
17
17
15
14
14
16
18
14
16
-------
98
Table 13 (Cont'd)
pH AND TEMPERATURE DATA
MILL CREEK, AQUASHICOLA CREEK AND LEHIGH RIVER
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
May 8-14, 1979
NEIC
Station
No.
27
28
29
30
Station
Description
Aquashicola Creek at
Harris Bridge
Lehigh River below
Aquashicola Creek
Lehigh River Upstream
of Aquashicola Creek
Lehigh River Upstream
of West Plant
Date (Time) pH
May 1979 (su)
8 (0712) 7.6
9 (0952) 6.8
10 (0650) 6.5
11 (0704) 6.4
12 (0635) 7.3
13 (0638) 7.6
14 (0652) 6.8
Average Temperature
8 (1928) 7.2
9 (1810) 6.5
10 (1429) 6.4
11 (1440) 6.7
12 - 6.7
13 (1450) 6.8
14 - 6.3
Average Temperature
8 (1647) 7.0
9 (1740) 6.9
10 (1359) a
11 (1415) 6.8
12 (1410) 6.5
13 - 7.7
14 (1357) 6.4
Average Temperature
8 (1500) 6.5
9 (1655) 7.0
10 (1316)
11 (1347) 6.7
12 (1250) 6.7
13 - 6.8
14 (1314) 6.5
Average Temperature
Temperature
(°C)
12
16
16
15
15
13
13
14
19
20
19
19
16
16
14
18
19
-
20
18
17
16
15
17
18
20
18
18
16
16
14
17
a pH meter malfunctioned
-------
Table 14
SEDIMENT METAL ANALYSES - AQUASHICOLA CREEK
AND LEHIGH RIVER (ICAP-AES)
(ng/g)
L'lcnw •
'me
odnn .in
•ing iese
<.ad
.pp.r
ron
liroti'ium
ickle
udium
me
admiinn
ingai.ese
oad
opper
•ron
liro:,,ium
'ickle
odiun
Har. Br.
27-01
840.
13.
570.
52.
57.
24.000.
33.
41.
2.000.
Le. Riv.
Bo. Br.
99-01
420.
2.
520.
99.
86.
22,000.
35.
37.
3,600.
Avg
620
6
730
73
59
26.000
35
38
2.670
Le. Riv.
Pal. Br.
30-01
600.
3.
1.100.
70.
35.
32.000.
32.
36.
2.300.
Aqr. Br.
25-01
6.200.
39.
5,400.
1.000.
1,300.
40,000.
45.
35.
, ^2,400.
(X32)
(X26)
(X16.8)
(X11.2)
(X9.7)
(XI. 75)
(XI. 3)
(XI. 1)
(X0.83)
Fid. Sta. Br.
24-01*
17.000.
120.
15,500.
820.
500.
49,000.
46.5
31.
2,500.
Main Gate
23-01
29,000.
420.
13,000.
1,400.
600.
63,000.
48.
51.
1,500.
Dr. USGS Gaoe
Avg
19,000
157
12,250
815
570
45,500
47
43
2,220
22-01
42,000.
210.
20.000.
310.
350.
52.000.
38.
66.
1,300.
6th St. Br.
21-01
14.080.
58.
9.700.
870.
368.
35,000.
51.
38.
2,100.
Tatra Inn
Br.
20-01
11,000.
95.
9,900.
490.
300.
34,000.
56.
36.
3,500.^
Le. Riv.
above Le. Cr.
29-01
1,100.
10.
360.
35.
25.
12,000.
6.
22.
640.
Le. Riv.
Walnut K
28-01*
2,600.
15.5
2,000.
125.
94.
24,000.
30.
29.
2,450.
' Average of duplicate analyses (sample splits) made for quality control.
to
10
-------
100
Table 15
BEMTHIC MACROINVERTEBRATES
LEHIGM RIVER AND AQUASHICOLA CREEK, PENNSYLVANIA
May, 1979 2
(Number per H )
Stations
Organisms
Annelida
Oligochaeta
Naidldae
Insecta
Cphereroptera
Baetidae
Baelis
Pscimocleon
Leptophleoiiaae
Paraleptoohlebia
Heptageniidae
Iron
Stenonema
Epnemerellidae
Cohere rel la
Sipnlonurioae
Aneletus
Isorycnia
Sionlonurus
Tricoptera
Hyeropsychidae
Diplettrona
Hyaroos.cne
Glossosoffloiidae
Aoapetus
Bracnyccntridae
Brachycentrus
Polyceniropodidae
Polycentroous
Leptoceridae
Oeeetis
Linnepnilidae
t',1',"*
PTcnoctycne
Philoptomaoae
Chirmara
Rhyacophilidae
Atopsyche
Plecoptera
Perlodidae
isooenus
PerTTaae
Acroneuria
Faragnetina
Peltopcrlidae
Ptltoperla
Coleoptera
Psephenidae
Pscphenus
Diptera
Tabanidae
Tabanus
Sirculiicae
Cnepnia
Chironomdae
Ablabesmyia
Brillu
Cardiucladius
CnironeTiis
Cricoiopus
Lauleroorniplla
Hicrcd'secirj
brtnoe Iddnis
ParalauicrDorn i e 1 1 a
Polvpedilun
Pseudochirnnoirm
Rnpotanylar"'/u s
iiittid
Snctochironomm
lanyur'.uT
TrTilocTaJl us
Hollusca
Physidae
Piiyia
Total No. of kinds
Nuober/H2 1
27 32 25
97 161 195
54
86 32
54
323 75 22
291 172 118
43
21
86 21
22 258 205
21
21
2!
54
11
11 11 11
21 11
11 11
11 11
21
32 11
11
43 215
65
11 11 S3
11
21
65
11
312 97 53
11
11
S3 11
11 11 11
11
11
29 18 17
.851 969 1.007
23 31 2J. 20 34
11 21 H
21
-
33 11 183
1]
43
11 «
11 11
11
S4 140
11
11
11 11
64 75 21 11 43
II II
11 11
11 11
21
21
194 237 441 22 75
21
11 11 22
11 11 11
32 22
11
21
11 11
11
9 23 13 3 7
3
-------
Table 16
LEHIGH RIVER AND AQUASHICOLA CREEK PERIPHYTON
MAY 5-14. 1979
Mo. Location
Periphytic Algal Populations - Number/cm (%)
River Filamentous Unicellular Diatoms
Km Blue-Green Green Green Flagellates Pennate Centric Total
Chlorophyll
mg/cm2 Vorticella
27 Aquashicola Creek at Harris Bridge 8.4 256(1) 428(1) 342(1)
38.646(96) 428(1) 40,100
25 Aquashicola Creek at Aggregates
Bridge
4.9 239(1) 86( 1) 51{ 1) 17( 1) 19,152(97) 188(1) 19,733
69
24 Aquashicola Creek at Field
Station Bridge
3.7 34( 1) 51(1) 17( 1) 17( 1) 4,754(96) 86(2) 4,959
27
23 Aquashicola Creek at Main Gate
Bridge
3.0 718(1) 205( 1) 376( 1) 86( 1) 56,020(97) 222{ 1) 57,627
314
51
22 Aquashicola Creek at USGS Gage
Station
2.2 462( 1) 188( 1) 530(1) 51( 1) 55,113(98) 86{ 1) 56,430
1141
222
21 Aquashicola Creek at 6th Street
Bridge
1.9 598(2) 51( 1) 496(1) 17( 1) 36,235(96) 205( 1) 37.602
342
51
20 Aquashicola Creek at Tatra Inn
Bridge
30 Lehigh River above West Plant
(near Bowmanstown Bridge)
0.2 471(4) 150(1) 107(1)
214(21) 14(1) 43(1)
10,037(93) 43( 1) 10,808
741(73)
1,012
143
7
43
28 Lehigh River below Aquashicola
Creek (3.5 Km downstream from
Aquashicola Creek)
214(8) 214(8) 28(1) 14( 1) 2,252(81) 43(2) 2,765
13
-------
o
PO
Table 17
IN-SITU FISH SURVIVAL*
Lehigh River and Aquashicola Creek
May 11 - 14, 1979
Station
No 20
% Survival 80
D.O. mg/1 12.6
pH (Range) 6.8-7.7
Aquashicola Creek
21
60
11.0
6.8-7.8
22
80
10.2
6.8-7.5
23
80
10.2
6.9-7.6
on
90
10.5
7.3-7.8
24
100
10.6
7.2-9.0
25
90
10.5
7.2
27
100
10.3
7.1-7.2
Lohiqh River
28
100
10.0
7.1
29
100
9.7
6.3-7.1
30
100
10.1
6.9-7.
a Expressed as percent.
-------
103
the 6th Street Bridge. The respective average values for zinc and
cadmium were 9.0 kg/day and 0.31 kg/day at Harris Bridge and 270
kg/day and 12 kg/day at the 6th Street Bridge. The average manganese
load increased from 11 kg/day to 79 kg/day over the same stream reach,
a seven-fold increase. Although the average iron load showed a 68%
increase in this reach of the creek, the individual daily concentra-
tions and loads showed that there was no consistency to this trend.
Also, no significant trends are evident with the lead data, since
most measured concentrations were at or below the detection limit.
Table 10 presents daily mass contributions of zinc and cadmium
to Aquashicola Creek in the reach from Harris Bridge to Field Station
Bridge and from Field Station Bridge to 6th Street Bridge. This table
incorporates total zinc and cadmium loadings from all NJZ East Plant
discharges with Table 9 load data in order to differentiate between
discharge contributions and groundwater contributions to the creek.
Data from May 8 and 9 are not included in this table because no sam-
pling was conducted at the 6th Street Bridge Station on these days
and a mass balance could not be performed. Data from the Tatra Inn
Bridge station are also excluded because the previously mentioned
loss of flow makes mass balance calculations unworkable. The data
from this table have been incorporated into Figure 18 which graphi-
cally shows the sources of the zinc and cadmium contributions at the
three Stations listed.
The data in Table 10 and Figure 18 clearly indicate that the
majority of the zinc and cadmium in Aquashicola Creek is contributed
by groundwater sources rather than the East Plant discharges. The
5-day average data demonstrates that 82% of the zinc increase and 92%
of the cadmium increase between Harris Bridge and 6th Street Bridge
was from groundwater intrusion.
-------
In Cd
Zn Cd
Zn Cd
Zn Cd
Zn
Key:
I
Harris
Bridge
Sum of East Plant Discharges to
Aquashicola Creek (net loads)
Groundwater contribution from Field
Station Bridge to 6th St. Bridge
Groundwater contribution from Harris
(Bridge to Field Station Bridge
Contribution from upstream of Harris
Bridge (background conditions)
all values in kg/day
6 T 4'
River kilometer
Field Station
Bridge
6th Street
Bridge
63
.Cd
Zn Cd
1.1
" |L "P
May 13, 1979 63 Jg 3.3 63 & 3.
*& Q
o
-p*
Harris
Bridge
5 4
River kilometer
Field Station
Bridge
6th Street
Bridge
Figure 13. Total Metals (zinc and Cadmium) Contributions to Aquashicola Creek
New Jersey Zinc Company - East Plant
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
May 10-14, 1979
-------
105
Table 11 presents data profiling zinc and cadmium concentrations
at five Aquashicola Creek cross-sections on two days, May 9 and 13.
Zinc concentration data were incorporated into Figure 19 to graphically
illustrate cross-section profiles. In all instances the left and
right banks were designated looking upstream. Thus the Cinder Bank
and the East Plant are on the right bank.
At Aggregate Field Station and 6th Street Bridges, the zinc and
cadmium concentrations were generally higher near the right bank of
the creek. This trend is strongest at Field Station Bridge where
zinc and cadmium concentrations were from two to eight times greater
on the right side than on the left. The data from the first day of
sampling at Aggregates Bridge shows a conclusive profile with much
higher concentrations on the right side. The sampling site on this
day was about 30 m (100 ft) upstream of the bridge. On the second
sampling day, however, the site was changed to the downstream side of
the bridge and the mixing action from the water being channeled through
the bridge's culverts was the probable cause for the higher left side
concentrations on the 2nd day. The data from the Harris Bridge and
Tatra Inn Bridge Stations indicate uniform concentrations of the two
metals at these cross-sections.
Table 12 presents total metals results of seven days of water
quality sampling at three Lehigh River Stations - upstream of the NJZ
West Plant, downstream from the West Plant but upstream of Aquashicola
Creek, and downstream from Aquashicola Creek. Zinc, cadmium, and
lead concentrations, especially the seven-day averages, indicate some
influence from the West Plant and a lesser influence from Aquashicola
Creek. However, many concentrations were found to be near or less
than their respective detection limits, making it difficult to distin-
guish trends. The iron and manganese data show no trends.
-------
106
1.0,
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
left right
"bank bank '
Station 27 - Aquashicola Creek at
Harris Bridge
•
(only one result
above detection limit)
tii t,^^ • ^**»« i •
S,
I/'
r-Vv"* •
Station 24 - Aquashicola Creek at
Field Station Bridge
fiiiftfctt
k •
^^-*-~^- a_
Station 20 - Aquashicola Creek at
Tatra Inn Bridge
I 1 1 1 A * I 1 j
1.
left right
bank bank '
Station 25 - Aquashicola Creek at
Aggregates Bridge
^*^3
• i i « i t t i
_^-^
• Station 21 - Aquashicola Creek at '
6th Street Bridge
(sampling on May 13 only)
• ••••••*
0
Figure 19. Cross-sectional zinc
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
concentration profiles at various
0.8 points on Aquashicola Creek
New Jersey Zinc-East Plant
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
0.6 May 9 and 13, 1979
n A. Key:
U-H • data from May 9 sampling
• data from May 13 sampling
0.2
all values in mg/1 total zinc;
left and right banks identified
0 bv lookina uostream into the flow.
-------
107
Field Measurements
The pH and temperature data collected from the receiving water
quality stations on Aquashicola Creek, Mill Creek and Lehigh River
are presented in Table 13. A comparison of these data with the State
of Pennsylvania receiving water quality criteria [Table 1], show that
on no occasion were these parameters outside or above their respective
limits at any of the sampling locations.
Sediment Quality
Zinc concentrations in sediments from the background Stations
(27, 99 and 30) ranged from 420 ug/g to 840 pg/g and averaged 620
pg/g. The Stations (25, 24, 23, 22, 21 and 20) adjacent to the NJZ
Cinder Bank, East Plant and downstream on Aquashicola Creek to its
confluence with the Lehigh River ranged from 6,200 ug/g to 42,000
ug/g and averaged 19,900 ug/g [Table 14]. This is 32 times the av-
erage of the background stations.
Cadmium concentrations in sediments from the background stations
ranged from 2 to 13 pg/1 and averaged 6 ug/g. The Stations (25, 24,
23, 22, 21 and 20) adjacent to NJZ's Cinder Bank, East Plant and down-
stream on Aquashicola Creek to its confluence with the Lehigh River
ranged from 39 |jg/g to 420 pg/1 and averaged 157 ug/g. This is 26
times the average of the background stations.
Similarly manganese, lead and copper showed corresponding in-
creases adjacent to the Cinder Bank and East Plant areas as compared
to the background stations of about 17%, 11%, and 10%, respectively.
Background concentrations of zinc in stream sediment in south-
eastern Pennsylvania are generally les than 200 parts per million (ppm)
according to Rose. He recognized anomalously high zinc concentration
in stream sediments of the upper Lehigh River Valley and attributed
this occurrence to the presence of the zinc smelter at Palmerton.
-------
108
Therefore it is probable that the background stations selected
for this survey show from 200 to 400 ppm zinc from smelter dust drift
and fallout.
McMean2 confirmed Rose's findings and also indicated that na-
tural cadmium, lead and copper concentrations in stream sediments
would not be expected to exceed 1 to 30 and 20 to 40 ppm, respectively.
Hence, the high concentrations of metals in Aquashicola Creek
and in the Lehigh River sediment are attributed to discharges from
New Jersey Zinc Company's facilities including erosion from the
Cinder Bank and fallout of fugitive zinc and cadmium bearing par-
ticles and direct emissions from process operations.
Benthic Macroinvertebrates
Both Aquashicola Creek and the Lehigh River were characterized
by a well-entrenched channel, moderate gradient and frequent large
cobble-filled riffles over a hard-rock bottom. Throughout the study
area, including reference (control) sites, benthic macroinvertebrate
population levels were low (44 to 1851/m2) indicating that both
Aquashicola Creek and the Lehigh River are not highly productive
[Table 15]. According to the system developed by Madsen3, where pro-
ductivity is based on numbers of benthic macroinvertebrates/m2, both
streams would fall into the "poor productivity" category.
In Aquashicolc Areek at Station 27, the reference station, the
benthos reflected good water quality. The 29 kinds of organisms col-
lected were well distributed among the forms present. Conditions
began to deteriorate at the next two downstream sites, Stations 32
and 25, where about a 40% reduction in the number of kinds and 45%
reduction in numbers/in2 occurred. This reach of the stream is in-
fluenced by runoff from the NJZ Cinder Bank and changes in the benthos
-------
109
population are attributed to the high heavy metal concentrations of
the runoff. Roback4 presented data that would support the conclusion
that metals concentrations in the stream were sufficiently high to
cause the more sensitive forms to disappear.
At Station 23, kinds and numbers of organisms were reduced severly.
Aquashicola Creek in this reach carries runoff, NJZ process wastes
and materials contributed by Mill Creek. Mill Creek was organically
enriched, causing the benthos at Station 23 to be dominated by dipter-
ans. Partial recovery was evident at Station 31 where 23 kinds of
organisms, again well distributed, were found, but in low population
densities.
Downstream at Station 21, the number of kinds decreased to 13,
reflecting poor water quality. Water quality also was low at Station
20, where only three kinds of benthic organisms were found.
Weber5 reported that when a reduction occurs in both numbers/m2
and in the number of taxa the condition is usually due to a toxic
component in water. Such conditions of low-level, chronically toxic
heavy metals occur in the downstream reach of Aquashicola Creek.
Conditions found in the Lehigh River, both upstream and down-
stream of Aquashicola Creek, reflect typical conditions for large,
organically enriched, eastern U.S. rivers. No apparent effect of
Aquashicola Creek on the river was observed.
Periphyton
Periphyton communities reflected the influence of NJZ facilities
in several ways. Attached algal populations responded to the toxicity
of Cinder Bank runoff and seepage by decreasing from about 40,000
organisms per cm2 at reference Station 27 to about 20,000 and 5,000/cm2
-------
no
in the reach adjacent to the Cinder Bank [Table 16]. This toxicity
induced decrease also was reflected in low chlorophyll concentrations
of 69 and 27 ug/cm2.
Organic enrichment was apparent in the reach of Aquashicola Creek
downstream from the Field Station Bridge. At Stations 23 and 22,
attached algal populations increased to about 58,000 and 56,000/cm2,
and chlorophyll increased to about 300 and 1100 |jg/cm2, respectively.
Bacteria-feeding Vorticella, protozoa typically found in waters con-
taminated by untreated sewage, were found at Stations 23, 22, and 21;
this suggests that the apparent enrichment was caused by discharges
of inadequately treated domestic waste.
Aquashicola Creek periphyton communities recovered partially at
Station 20; the number of attached algae decreased to about 11,000/cm2
and chlorophyll decreased to about 140 ug/cm2. it appears that wastes
carried by Aquashicola Creek did not influence Lehigh River periphyton
significantly; communities were similar in numbers and composition
upstream and downstream from the creek confluence [Table 16].
Fish Survival
Mortalities among in-situ test fish occurred at six of eleven
exposure sites. Significant mortality (greater than the 10% allow-
able for the control group) only occurred at Stations 20, 21, 22, and
23; this is the reach of Aquashicola Creek extending from the mouth
to approximately 3 river kilometers upstream [Table 17]. This stretch
of the creek receives both NJZ effluent and Cinder Bank runoff and
seepage.
There appears to be a correlation between total zinc concen-
tration and mortality. At Station 24, the average total zinc concen-
tration during the exposure period was 0.49 mg/1 [Table 9] and no
-------
Ill
mortality of test fish was recorded. Station 21 had an average total
zinc concentration of 0.87 mg/1, and produced the highest mortality
of any site (40%). At Station 20, near the mouth of Aquashicola Creek,
total zinc concentration was somewhat lower at 0.71 mg/1 and 20% mor-
tality occurred.
CINDER BANK EVALUATION
Physical Characteristics, Runoff and Seepage
The Cinder Bank is located along the base of the north slope of
Blue Mountain, south and east of the town of Palmerton between Aqua-
shicola Creek and the upper slopes of Blue Mountain. The Cinder Bank
is composed of slag, cinders, briquettes and miscellaneous debris
associated with the smelting and refining of zinc and cadmium ores.
Much of the Cinder Bank residue is in the form of briquettes
from the vertical retorts and contains residual metals and carbona-
ceous material. As a result of either incomplete quenching or spon-
taneous combustion large portions smolder continuously and several of
these areas are posted as "Fire Areas". In areas that have not been
physically disturbed, large cracks form in the surface roughly parallel
to the outer edge. Occasionally large blocks of partially consolidated
residue come off of the main mass of the Cinder Bank and tumble down
the steep north slope toward Aquashicola Creek. As the cracks develop,
steam and smoke issue from them leaving sublimated yellowish deposits
on the adjacent surfaces. These cracks and resulting broken rough
surfaces provide avenues for rapid infiltration and percolation of
rain and snow melt, and facilitate leaching of soluble constituents
from the Cinder Bank.
Since NJZ operations began at Palmerton in 1898, the Cinder Bank
has been built to its present dimensions which are: 2.3 miles (3.7 km)
-------
112
long, 0.1 to 0.2 miles (0.16 to 0.32 km) wide and a few feet (less
than one) to about 200 feet (60 m) thick. NJZ officials report that
there are about 30 x 106 tons of smelter residue and other waste in
the Cinder Bank. Because of the irregular configuration of the Cinder
Bank and the unknown pre-Cinder Bank topography, the exact volume of
the Cinder Bank is not known, but it is estimated to be about 40 x
106 yds3 (30 x 106m3).
Evidence of mineral leachate from the Cinder Bank is abundant.
Table 18 lists field and laboratory measurements of pH, specific
conductance and metals (Cd, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn) in runoff from Blue
Mountain above the Cinder Bank. The pH of the runoff ranged from 5.0
to 9.7 and averaged 7.3. Specific conductance ranged from 65 umhos/cm
to 210 umhos/cm and averaged 153 umhos/cm. In contrast, the runoff
and seepage below the Cinder Bank, Table 19 had a pH range of from
4.3 to 8.2 and averaged 6.3. The specific conductance of seeps and
springs at and near the base of the Cinder Bank ranged from 260 pmhos/cm
to 3,500 (jmhos/cm and averaged nearly 1,000 umhos/cm. Specific conductance
in umhos multiplied by a factor of 0.65 +0.1 approximates the residue
(total dissolved solids) on evaporation in parts/million6. Increase in
mineralization of the average of teh low levels seeps and springs over
that of the runoff from Blue Mountain is about 6.5 times.
Cadmium and zinc were detected in all samples of runoff from
Blue Mountain and in all samples from seeps and springs near the base
of the Cinder Bank. The average concentration of dissolved cadmium
in samples of Blue Mountain runoff was 0.012 mg/1 whereas the average
of samples from the seeps and springs at the base of the Cinder Bank
was 0.118 mg/1 or about 10 times higher than the runoff not influenced
by the Cinder Bank. The average of all dissolved zinc concentrations
in Blue Mountain runoff samples was about 1.4 mg/1 and that of seeps
and springs at the base of the Cinder Bank was 35 mg/1 or about 24
times greater than in Blue Mountain runoff.
-------
Table 18
BLUE MOUNTAIN RUNOFF ABOVE AND AROUND CINDER BANK
(mg/1)
Sta. No. Seq. No,
52 01
02
03
04
53 01
02
03
04
54 01
02
03
04
55 01
02
03
04'
56 01
02
03
04
57 01
02
03
04
. SIT I
6.6
6.6
6.5
6.4
6.0
6.4
6.9
5.8
6.7
7.1
6.2
6.2
6.9
6.7
6.6
6.9
5.6
6.6
Sp. Cond.
[ymhos/cm)
180
210
190
200
165
125
160
160
95
155
140
150
110
110
100
110
80
100
90
105
130
140
125
145
Cd
T
0.05F
0.013?
0.011°
o.or
O.OlP
0.022°
0.019°
0.01C
p
0.022b
. 0.019°
0.02C
NDa
0.006b
0.006°
0.004a
0.03^
0.028°
0.021°
0.02C
0.02?
0.017°
0.020°
0.02C
D
0.012b
0.012°
0.011°
0.011°
0.019?
0.018°
0.018°
0.019°
0.020b
0.020°
0.019°,
0.017
0.004b
0.003°
0.003?
0.003
0.025b
0.024°
0.019°
0.020°
0.020b
0.018°
0.019°
0.020°
Fe
T
£
NDb
NDb
NDC
£
NDb
NDC
NDC
o!20b
NDC
Q
ND°
ND°
NDC
°'84b
0.85°
NDb
0.1 5C
°'NDb
NDb
4.0C
D
NDb
4^3b '
NDb
NDb
n
M [j
NDb
h
NDb
NDb
b
ND.
NDb
NDb
ND,
NDb
NDb
NDu
MDb
HD°
Mn
T
Q
NDb
NDC
0.02J;
0.02°
0.02°
0.02C»
^
0.10b
0.06b
NDC
Q
NDb
ND°
NDC
0.12^
0.10°
tlD°
0.03C
_r
A TO
'MDb
NDb
0.38C
D
0.0lb
ND°
MDb
NDb
0.02b
0.02°
0.02b
0.02°
NDb
ND°
NDb
NDb
NDb
ND,
ND°
NDb
NDb
ND°
ND°
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
Pb
T
NDa
ND°
NDb
NDa
NDa
0.02°
0.02°
NDa
IIDa
0.05°
0.02°
NDa
NDa
ND°
NDa
0.043g
0.043°
MD°
0.029a
o-i oj
NDb
0.29C
D
tlDb
ND°
MDb
ND
5
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
ND°
NDb
NDb
b
K
ND°
HD?
NDb
NDb
ND°
IID°
NDb
NDb
NDb
MDb
NDb
Zn
T D
„ _c 9 ,b
i.j, ^-Jh
1.9° 2.1°
1.9b 2.0b
1.9C 2.0°
t
1 2C 3 3b
*/•(.! */ • Jl
3.0b 3.1b
3.1b 3.1b
3.1C 3.1b
2'5b 2'5b
2.6° 2.4°
2.4b 2.4b
2.4C 2.4b
0.64^ 0.64b
0.56° 0.56°
0.55° 0.5C
0.52C 0.52°
3 lc 1 5b
J-'b sb
l'.6c l'.3b
2.4^ 1.6b
1.5b 1.6b
1.5b 1.6b
4.7C 1.8b
CO
-------
Table 18 (Continued)
BLUE MOUNTAIN RUNOFF ABOVE AND AROUND CINDER BANK
(mg/1)
Sta. No. Seq. No.
53 01
02
03
04
59 01
02
03
04
60 01
02
03
04
83 01
02
03
04
84 01
02
03
85 01
02
03
04
pH
su
7.1
6.4
6.5
6.9
5.9
6.5
6.5
6.9
6.5
7.6
6.4
7.9
7.2
6.4
7.5
7.8
8.6
9.7
Sp. Cond.
(pmhos/cm)
110
110
100
120
120
120
80
125
70
65
80
90
100
80
80
60
130
155
170
260
290
300
420
Cd
T
0.005a
0.006?
0.005°
0.008a
°'01h
0.012°
0.013°
0.01
a
0.005b
0.005°
NDa
0.004a
0.004°
0.004°
0.004a
£
0.034b
0.02C
0.005^
0.008°
0.009°
o.or
Fe
D
0.005b
0.006?
0.006°
0.006°
0.010b
0.008°
0.010°
0.010°
NDb
0.003b
0.003°
0.003b
0.002°
0.004°
0.004°
0.029b
0.034b
0.026°
0.005b
0.003°
0.006°
0.005°
T
Q
0.08°
HDC
NDb
0.09°
'NDC
Q
0.08b
MD°
MDC
C
Olo9b
NDC
£
K
0.32°
0.39C
IIDh
0.20°
0.13b
0.15C
D
!$
NDb
NDb
b
ND,
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
K.
MDb
0.03b
0.10°
0.04°
M0b
MH
0.03b
Mn
T
p
K
"Ob
MO
NDC
£
0.02b
NDb
MDC
NDb
"Db
0.02°
HDC
NDC
NDb
0.02C
0.02^
0.02C
f;
olo7b
0.06b
0.09C
D
b~"
!lDb
NDb
NDb
MD.
' NDb
b
l!Db
tiob
tiub
t-|Db
MDb
NDb
0.02b
0.04b
0.04°
0.06°
0.06b
Pb
T
IIDa
t!Db
MD°
0.005
f!Da
MD,
IIDa
"Db
!!DDb
i;oa
f!Da
I;D°
NDb
MDa
"Db
0.02
!10a
o.oosij
0.02°
0.0123
Zn
D T
IIDb 0.54^
MDb o!52b
ND° 0.58C
MDb 0. 6C
K H
!!D° 0.73°
IID° 0.64C
"°b °-34b
fl'jP 0.20°
NDb 0.34b
i!0° 0.35C
b c
l!Pb 0.5Qb
MDb 0.45°
flD° 0.53C
b c
F i r^ o r^
M M
i!D° 2.7°
110° 2.9C
b c
I!D 0.60
i!0b o!53b
I!D° 0.83b
!ID° 0.54C
D
0.58b
_, n
0.52°
0.52b
0.54°
0.67b
0.63°
0.63°
0.61b
0.32b
0.27°
0.29°
0.29b
0.33b
0.32°
0.32b
0.34°
2.9b
2'.4b
0.63b
0.26u
0.75b
0.21°
-------
Table 18 (continued)
BLUE MOUNTAIN RUNOFF ABOVE AND AROUND CINDER BANK
Sta. Mo. Seq. Me
86 01
02
03
04
pji
>..su
7.1
5.0
5.4
Sp. Cond.
\"'H/ 1
Cd
(nmhos/cm) T
110
160
510
550
°-02h
0.033°
0.017b
0.009C
D
0.031b
0.035°
0.010°
0.008°
Fe Hn
T
°-10h
0.30°
4.8b
8.8C
D T
NDb 0.06'
0.12b 0.09b
5.1° 0.25°
9.3° 0.24C
D
0.03b
n 08
U • UOi
0.36°
0.23b
Pb
T
0.036?
0.03b
0.04b
0.084a
D
b
MDb.
0.033°
0.080°
Zn
T
2f°
r.ib
1.2C
D
2.3b
?'ob
0.96b
a = Analysis by flameless atomic adsorption spectroscopy (flameless AAS)
b = Analysis by inductively coupled argon plasma - atomic emission spectroscopy
c = Analysis by flame atonic adsorption spectroscopy (flame AAS)
D = Dissolved
T = Total
SU = Standards units
-------
Table 19
CINDER BANK RUNOFF AND SEEPAGE QUALITY
(mg/1)
Sta.
61
62
63
64
Seq.
01
02
03
04
01
02
03
04
01
02
03
04
01
02
03
04
pH
SU
6.6
6.6
_
6.5
6.0
6.0
_
6.0
7.0
7.1
_
6.9
7.1
7.0
_
6.7
Spe. Cond.
(pmhos/cm)
540
700
725
750
925
650
775
775
625
600
650
520
440
500
465
480
Cd
T
0.03C
0.28b
0.017b
0.03C
0.02C
0.021b
0.026b
0.01C
0.02C
0.040b
0.018b
0.02C
0.004a
0.007b
0.007b
0.0063
D
0.006b
0.005b
0.004b
0.004b
0.015b
0.013b
0.014b
0.012b
0.018b
0.021b
o.onb
0.020b
0.003b
0.005b
0.003b
0.006b
Fe
T
9.8C
4.5b
2.1b
10C
NDC
1.7b
0.34b
0.31C
NDC
3.0b
0.15b
0.12C
0.17C
NDb
NDb
NDC
D
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
Mn
T
5.5C
3.5b
1.8b
5.6C
6.1C
3.7b
2.1b
2.1C
0.03C
1.7b
0.05b
0.06C
0.02C
NDb
NDb
NDb
D
3.1b
NDb
NDb
NDb
7.0b
2.6b
2.2b
1.9b
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
Pb
T
0.60C
0.31b
0.16b
0.64C
NDC
o.nb
0.06b
0.02
0.0063
0.013b
NDb
0.0073
NDa
NDb
NDb
NDb
Zn
D
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
T
7.0C
4.5b
2.5b
7.0C
4.3C
5.5b
3.6b
3.7C
l.lc
3.9b
l.lb
1.4C
0.51C
0.56b
0.65b
0.69C
D
2.5b
0.99b
0.95b
0.79b
4.4b
3.5b
3.5b
3.5b
1.2b
1.3b
0.84b
1.4b
0.51b
0.57b
0.63b
0.69b
-------
Table 19 (continued)
CINDER BANK RUNOFF AND SEEPAGE QUALITY
(mg/1)
Sta.
65
66
67
69
Seq.
01
02
03
04
01
02
03
04
01
02
03
04
01
02
03
04
PH
SU
7.5
7.1
_
7.2
7.4
7.0
_
7.0
8.0
7.6
_
7.7
5.8
6.2
_
5.9
Spe. Cond.
((jmhos/cm)
260
280
280
280
1025
1100
800
775
1200
1050
1000
1000
1200
1375
1300
1000
Cd
T
NDa
0.006b
0.006b
NDa
0.0063
0.008b
0.008b
o.oia
0.01°
0.023b
0.015b
0.01C
0.17C
0.26b
0.25b
0.19C
D
0.002b
0.004b
0.003b
0.003b
0.006b
0.006b
0.005b
0.005b
0.009b
0.010b
o.oiob
0.008b
0.22b
0.25b
0.26b
0.25b
Fe
T D
NDC NDb
NDb NDb
NDb NDb
NDC NDb
NDC NDb
NDb NDb
NDb NDb
NDC NDb
1.9C NDb
3.5b NDb
0.12b NDb
0.56C NDb
NDC NDb
0.38b NDb
0.10b NDb
0.10C N0b
Mn
T
0.02C
NDb
NDb
NDC
NDC
NDb
NDb
0.04C
0.92°
1.5b
0.03b
0.28C
0.16C
0.17b
0.14b
0.16C
D
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
0.17b
0.12b
0.13b
0.13b
Pb
T
0.0063
NDb
NDb
NDa
NDa
NDb
NDb
NDa
0.123
0.27b
NDb
0.026a
NDa
0.02b
NDb
0.0053
D
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
Zn
T D
0.32C 0.32b
0.36b 0.33b
0.38b 0.36b
0.36C 0.38b
0.65° 0.69b
0.78b 0.73b
0.73C 0.72b
0.73C 0.72b
2.5C 1.0b
3.7b 0.78b
1.6b 0.88b
1.3C 0.896
26C 22b
25b 22b
26C 24b
26C 24b
-------
00
Table 19 (continued)
CINDER BANK RUNOFF AND SEEPAGE QUALITY
(mg/1)
Sta.
70
71
72
73
74
Seq.
01
02
03
04
01
02
03
04
01
02
03
04
01
02
01
pH S
SU (
4.3
4.9
_
5.2
4.7
4.6
_
4.9
4.4
4.6
_
4.8
6.3
7.0
7.4
ipe. Cond.
Cd
(jmhos/cm) T
1200
1325
1300
1200
1050
1250
1400
1250
1600
2000
2000
1900
540
900
370
0.33C
0.51b
0.25b
0.37C
0.22C
0.33b
0.31b
0.25C
0.29C
0.38b
0.35b
0.27c
0.05C
0.02C
0.01C
D
0.44b
0.54b
0.26b
0.53b
0.32b
0.35b
0.34b
0.33b
0.39b
0.39b
0.37b
0.37b
0.06b
0.013b
0.007b
Fe
T
0.17C
1.5b
0.10b
1.4C
0.61C
1.4b
0.19b
2.2C
NDC
0.18b
0.15b
NDC
NDC
9.4C
0.29C
D
0.01b
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
0.10b
0.10b
0.10b
0.10b
NDb
NDb
NDb
Mn
T
4.3C
3.2b
3.3b
3.2C
3.4C
4.1b
3.8b
4.5C
160C
94b
92b
160b
2.4C
1.4C
0.14C
D
3.9b
3.1b
3.3b
3.1b
3.3b
4.0b
4.0b
3.8b
114b
112b
113b
nob
2.3b
0.05b
NDb
Pb
T
0.0243
0.03b
NDb
0.0463
0.053
0.14b
0.08b
0.25C
O.ll3
0.13b
0.09b
0.093
0.023
0.23C
0.0293
Zn
D
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
0.05b
0.07b
0.05b
0.04b
o.iob
0.13b
0.10b
0.08b
NDb
NDb
NDb
T
63C
61b
68b
66C
53C
50b
51b
55C
240°
202b
200b
230C
30C
4.4C
1.9C
D
61b
63b
69b
69b
55b
56b
58b
56b
230b
218b
216b
218b
26b
_ Q
b
-------
Table 19 (continued)
CINDER BANK RUNOFF AND SEEPAGE QUALITY
(mg/1)
Sta.
75
76
77
78
79
Seq.
01
02
03
04
01
02
03
04
01
02
03
04
01
01
pH !
su
6.6
6.4
_
6.5
7.6
7.6
_
7.9
4.6
4.3
_
4.3
5.9
5.9
Spe. Cond
Cd
(jjmhos/cm) T
700
700
710
725
950
975
850
975
825
850
800
800
2400
2300
0.07C
0.080b
0.081b
0.07C
0.01C
0.019b
0.017b
0.02C
0.13C
0.19b
0.18b
0.13C
0.20C
0.18C
D
0.080b
0.080b
0.084b
0.087b
0.014b
0.016b
0.018b
0.020b
0.18b
0.20b
0.19b
0.18b
0.28b
0.24b
Fe
T
NDC
l.lb
0.19b
8.2C
NDC
0.31b
NDC
1.0C
NDC
NDb
NDb
NDC
0.22C
NDC
D
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
0.06b
NDb
Mn
T
0.06C
0.05b
0.08b
3.4C
NDC
0.08b
NDC
0.36C
7.6C
6.2b
5.8b
5.9C
150C
37C
D
0.03b
0.04b
0.03b
0.03b
NDb
0.03b
NDb
NDb
7.6b
6.6b
6.1b
5.8b
117b
31b
Pb
T
NDa
0.05b
NDb
0.37C
ND3
NDC
NDC
0.0723
ND3
NDb
NDb
NDa
0.17a
NDa
Zn
D
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
0.10b
NDb
T
19°
18b
17b
22C
0.61C
0.80C
0.80C
1.8C
37C
34b
34b
36C
110°
97C
D
17b
!7b
17b
18b
0.70b
0.78b
0.78b
0.79b
36b
34b
34b
34b
103b
99b
80
01 6.7 3500 0.20° 0.28b NDC NDb 0.67C 0.79C
0.008a NDb 86C 85b
'.O
-------
ro
CD
Table 19 (continued)
CINDER BANK RUNOFF AND SEEPAGE QUALITY
(mg/D
Sta.
81
82
87
88
Seq.
01
02
03
04
01
01
02
03
01
02
03
pH !
SU I
6.7
6.3
-
6.7
7.1
4.6
-
8.2
7.5
-
7.3
Spe. Cond.
Cd
(|jmhos/cm) T
1500
1600
1500
1400
1350
625
650
650
420
450
420
0.08C
0.10b
0.094b
0.07C
0.017a
0.13C
0.65b
0.05C
0.0053
0.006b
0.0043
D
0.12b
O.llb
0.10b
0.093b
0.014b
0.18b
0.05b
0.05b
0.004b
0.005b
0.005b
Fe
T
1.0C
1.6b
0.08b
NDb
NDC
NDC
0.17b
NDC
NDC
NDC
NDC
Mn
D
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
T
0.65C
0.87b
0.03b
O.llc
NDC
7.6C
0.21b
0.20C
NDC
NDb
NDC
D
0.02b
0.02b
0.01b
0.01b
NDb
7.6b
0.16b
0.17b
NDb
NDb
NDb
Pb
T
0.143
0.10b
NDb
0.0073
NDa
NDa
NDb
0.0143
o.na
NDb
NAa
Zn
D
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NBb
T
103C
91b
91b
100C
8.9C
37C
3.9b
4.1C
0.48b
0.46b
0.57C
D
100b
102b
102b
100b
8.0b
36b
l.lb
1.3b
0.44b
0.45b
0.47b
a = Analysis by flameless atomic adsorption spectroscopy (flameless AAS)
b = Analysis by inductively coupled argon plasma - atomic emission spectroscopy (ICAO-AES)
c = Analysis by flame atonic adsorption spectroscopy (flame AAS)d = Dissolved
y = Total
SU = Standard units
-------
121
The highest concentrations of cadmium and zinc observed were in
samples from seeps and springs along the eastern 0.6 mile (1 km) at
the base of the Cinder Bank. These samples also exhibited low pH
values from 4.3 to about 6 standard units.
Data from samples -of Blue Mountain runoff and seeps and springs
at the base of the Cinder Bank show clearly that cadmium and zinc are
being leached from the Cinder Bank and contribute to the contamination
of Aquashicola Creek.
Dissolved iron, manganese, and lead concentrations were low or
not detectable in most samples, and are not considered significant in
this investigation.
Average annual precipitation in the vicinity of Palmerton is
about 46 in (117 cm) of which about 49% falls during the growing
season (May to September); average annual runoff is about 24 in (61
cm). The drainage area directly above Aquashicola Creek to the crest
of Blue Mountain in the reach spanned by the NJZ East Plant and the
Cinder Bank is about 1,100 acres (4.5 x 106 sq m). Therefore, the
average annual runoff to Aquashicola Creek from the area of investiga-
tions is about 2,200 acre ft (2.70 x 10s). Assuming that runoff and
seepage flows and metals concentrations during the survey were repre-
sentative of average conditions, the average annual loads of cadmium
and zinc contributed to Aquashicola Creek in the reach between the
east end of the Cinder Bank and the 6th Street Bridge would be esti-
mated at about 0.48 tons/yr (435 kg/yr) and 110 tons/yr (100,000 kg/yr)
zinc, respectively.
Groundwater Quality
Specific conductance of groundwater samples from seven wells on
the East Plant site ranged from 130 to 800 micromhos per centimeter
-------
122
(|jmho/cm). Calculated total dissolved solids concentrations ranged
from 85 mg/1 to 520 mg/1. Generally, waters of this quality are con-
sidered acceptable for public drinking water supply. However, zinc
concentrations in groundwater ranged from 0.003 mg/1 to 3.2 mg/1, and
cadmium concentrations ranged from 0.002 mg/1 to 0.024 mg/1. Zinc
was detected in all seven wells sampled and cadmium was detected in
four of the seven wells samples [Table 20].
Higher levels of zinc and cadmium were detected in the two wells
designated as Stations 93 and 94. These wells are located on the
east side of the Field Station between the Cinder Bank and raw mater-
ials storage area on the south and Aquashicola Creek on the north.
Because of this location and the presumed direction of natural ground-
water flow from south (Blue Mountain) to north (Aquashicola Creek),
it is likely that the high metals concentrations in the wells resulted
from leachate originating in the Cinder Bank and the raw materials
storage area. Pumping of the wells in this well field induces ground-
water flow toward the well field from the surrounding shallow alluvial
(sand and gravel) aquifer adjacent to Aquashicola Creek. Because
these wells are within 200 ft (60 m) of the Creek, it is probable
that a large proportion of the water produced from these wells is
induced infiltration from the Creek. The dilution of the groundwater
provided by this infiltration results in metals concentrations some-
what lower than would be expected in the shallow aquifer if no pump-
ing and induced infiltration were occurring.
Station No. 92 is the well farthest east in the well field east
of the NJZ Field Station, and is in the bend of Aquashicola Creek.
The Creek is only about 100 ft (30 m) northeast of the well. This
well appears to be little affected by percolating leachate from the
Cinder Bank and the raw materials storage area [Table 20].
-------
Table 20
ANALYSES OF WELL WATER SAMPLES IN THE VICINITY OF PALMERTON, PA
(mg/1)
Station Sequence pH
SU
91
92
93
94
96
97
98
01
02
01
02
01
02
01
02
01
02
01
02
01
02
7.7
7.6
6.8
6.8
6.9
7.2
6.1
6.6
7.0
7.0
8.2
7.4
7.2
7.0
Sp. Cond
(umhos/cm)
260
270
270
300
540
600
800
600
320
340
130
140
550
520
Cd
T
NDa
NDa
NDa
N0a
°-02c
0.02
°-01c
0.01C
NDa
NDa
NDa
NDa
ND3
NDa
D
NDb
NDb
NDh
0.002°
0.024b
0.021°
0.016b
0.011°
ND£
ND°
Dh
ND°
NDu
0.002°
Fe
T
NDC
NDC
NDC
NDC
NDC
ND
0.39^
NDC
0.15C
NDC
NDC
NDC
NDC
NDC
D
0.03b
NDD
NDh
NDD
NDu
NDb
0.10b
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
Mn
T
0.06C
0.06C
NDC
NDC
0.05C
0.04C
o.oej;
0.06C
NDb
NDC
NDC
NDC
NDC
NDC
D
0.06b
0.05°
NDb
NDD
NDb
0.05b
0.06b
0.06b
NOf;
NDb
NDb
ND°
NDb
NDb
Pb
T
NDa
ND3
NDa
NDa
NDa
ND3
NDa
NDa
NDb
NDa
NDa
NDa
0.016a
NDa
D
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
0.036a
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
NDb
Zn
T
°'08c
0.12C
0.70°
0.62C
3.2^
2.4C
^'*l
1.2C
NDb
NDC
NDC
NDC
0.70C
0.57C
D
0.03b
0.006°
0.63b
0.58b
3'2b
2.6b
1.6b
1.2C
0.015b
0.003°
0.033b
0.008°
0.62b
0.55b
a = Analysis by flameless atomic adsorption spectroscopy (flameless AAS)
b = Analysis by inductively coupled argon plasma - atomic emission spectroscopy (ICAP-AES)
c = Analysis by flame atonic adsorption spectroscopy (flame AAS)
d = Dissolved
t = Total
SU = Standard units
ro
-------
124
Station No. 91 is the deep well adjacent to the Acid Plant. It
is an artesian well that was open and flowing throughout the survey.
The artesian pressure in the deep aquifer tapped by this well is ap-
parently great enough to prevent infiltration of contaminated surface
water and shallow groundwater. No cadmium and only low concentrations
of zinc were detected in this well.
Station Nos. 96, 97, and 98 are wells at the west end of the
East Plant area on the lower flank of Blue Mountain near the Palmer
Water Company maintenance building and a railroad switching yard.
These wells are referred to by the Palmer Water Company as "deep
wells", ranging in depth from about 200 ft (60 m) to more than 400 ft
(120 m). The aquifers tapped by these wells are bedrock aquifers of
small yield and have little or no direct contact with surface waters
or the shallow alluvial aquifer. A small amount of cadmium was detec-
ted in Station No. 98 and low concentrations of zinc were detected in
each of these three wells [Table 20].
EFFLUENT CHARACTERIZATION
The results of field measurements, analyses and tests performed
on NJZ East Plant discharges during the May 1 to 15, 1979 survey are
presented in Tables 21 through 40.
Water Quality Metals
Table 21 presents total metals data from composite and grab sam-
ples collected at the East Plant's eleven permitted Outfalls (001-005,
010-012, 014-106). The concentration data have all been corrected for
analytical and sampler blanks. The gross data are presented on the
first line for each day and the net data are on the second line.
The background station used to compute the net concentrations at each
-------
TABLE 21
TOTAL METALS DATA3
NEW JERSEY ZINC - EAST PLANT DISCHARGES
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
May 8-14, 1979
Station Number Date
& Description May
(Background Sta ) 1979
Station 01- 2
Outfall 001
(Station 08 - 3
Aquashicola Creek)
4
5
6
5-day average
9
10
11
12
13
14
Duplicate sample* 14
15
7-day average
12-day average
Flow
mVday ragd
x 1000
15.9
15.1
16.8
15.3
13.7
15.4
13.1
14.5
15.1
14.9
15.0
14.9
14.9
14.3
14 5
14.9
4.21
3 98
4.43
4.04
3 63
4.06
3.47
3.82
3.98
3.94
3.95
3.93
3.93
3.77
3 84
3.93
Total Zincb
mg/1 kg/day
4.9
3.7
5.4
4.0
4.9
3.7
3 4
2.1
3 4
2.4
4.4
3 2
1.7
0.8
1.8
0.9
2.5
.1.5
1.1
0.3
1.0
0.2
1.2
0.5
1.2
0.5
1.0
0.3
1.4
0.6
2.8
1.7
78
59
82
60
82
62
52
32
47
33
68
49
22
10
26
13
38
23
16
4
15
3
18
7
18
7
14
4
21
9
41
26
Ib/day
170
130
180
130
180
140
110
71
100
73
150
110
49
22
57
29
84
51
35
9
33
7
40
15
40
15
31
9
46
20
90
57
Total
Cadmium b'c>d
mg/1 kg/day
0.12b
0 09
0.12b
0.10
O.llb
0.09
0.06b
0.04
O.llb
0 09
0 10
0.08
0.04b
0 02
0.05b
0.03
0.06b
0.04
0.04b
0.02
0.03b
0 01
0.07b
0.05
0.10b
0.08
0.04b
0.03
0.05
0.03
0 07
0 05
1.9
1.4
1.8
1 5
1.8
1.5
0 9
0.6
1.5
1.2
1.6
1.2
0 5
0.3
0.7
0 4
0.9
0.6
0.6
0.3
0.4
0.2
1.0
0.7
1.5
1.2
0.6
0.4
0.7
0 4
1.0
0 8
Ib/day
4.2
3.1
4.0
3.3
4.0
3.3
2.0
1.3
3.3
2.6
3.5
2 6
1.1
0.7
1.5
0.9
2.0
1.3
1.3
0.7
0.9
0.4
2.2
1.5
3.3
2.6
1.3
0.9
1.5
0.9
2 2
1.8
Total Lead c>d
mg/1 kg/day
0.12C
0.11
0.23C
0.21
0.26C
0.25
0.18C
0.17
0.09C
0 08
0.18
0 17
0.08C
0.07
0.21C
0.20
0.08C
0.07
0.08C
0.06
0.03C
0.02
0.06C
0.05
0.05C
0.05
0.06C
0.05
0.08
0.08
0.13
0.11
1.9
1.7
3.5
3.2
4.4
4.2
2.8
2.6
1 2
1.1
2.8
2.6
1.0
0.9
3.0
2.9
1 2
1 1
1 2
0.9
0.4
0.3
0.9
0 7
0.7
0.7
0.9
0.7
1.2
1.1
1 9
1.7
Ib/day
4 2
3.7
7.7
7.1
9.7
9.3
6 2
5.7
2 6
2.4
6.2
5.7
2.2
2.0
6.6
6.4
2 6
2.4
2.6
2.0
0.9
0.7
2 0
1.5
1.5
1.5
2.0
1.5
2.6
2.4
4.2
3.7
Total Ironb
mg/1
0.57
0.43
0.73
0.52
0.41
0.30
0.46
0.28
0.55
0.41
0.54
0.38
0 35
0.15
0.43
0.26
0.56
0.26
0.26
0.06
0.31
0.27
0.27
0.06
0.24
0.03
0.33
0.10
0.36
0.17
0 44
0.26
kg/day
9.1
6.8
11
7.9
6.9
5.0
7.0
4 3
7.5
5.6
8.3
5.9
4 6
2 0
6 2
3.8
8.5
3.9
3.9
0.9
4.6
4.0
4.0
0.9
3 6
0.4
4 7
1.4
5.2
2.4
6.5
3.9
Ib/day
20
15
24
17
15
11
15
9.5
17
12
18
13
10
4.4
14
8 4
19
8.6
8.6
2.0
10
8.8
8.8
2.0
7.9
0.9
10
3.1
11
5.3
14
8.6
Total Manqanese
mg/1
0 26
0.06
0 37
0.14
0.26
0
0.24
0.03
0.26
0.02
0.28
0 05
0.22
0.03
0.21
ot
0.25
0
0.18
Ot
0.19
Ot
0 21
Ot
0.19
Ot
0 19
0.02
0.21
0.01
0.23
0.03
kg/day
4.1
1.0
5.6
2.1
4.4
0
3.7
0.5
3.6
0.3
4 3
0.8
2.9
0 3
3.0
Ot
3.8
0
2.7
Ot
2.8
Ot
3.1
or
2.8
Ot
2.7
0.3
3 0
0.1
3.5
0.4
Ib/day
9.0
2.2
12
4.6
9.7
0
8.2
1.1
7.9
0.7
9 5
1 8
6 4
0.7
6.6
Ot
8.4
0
6.0
Ot
6.2
ot
6.8
Ot
6.2
Ot
6.0
0.7
6 6 '
0.2 c
7.7
0.9
-------
TABLE 21 (Cont'd)
TOTAL METALS DATA3
NEW JERSEY ZINC - EAST PLANT DISCHARGES
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
May 8-14, 1979
Station Number
& Description
(Background Sta. )
Station 02 -
Outfall 002
(Station 09 -
Pohopoco Creek)
Date
May
1979
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
7-day average
Station 03 -
Outfall 003
(Station 09 -
Pohopoco Creek)
3-riau
8
10
11
12
13
14
15
averano
Flow
mVday mgd
x 1000
0.144 0.038
0.110 0.029
0.136 0.036
0 095 0.025
0.004 0.001
0.019 0.005
0.155 0.041
0.095 0.025
0.441 0.1171
0.29 0.077
k k
0 17 0.046
k k
k k
0.15 0.040
0.20 0.054
Total Z1ncb
mg/1
0.50
0.409
0.37
0.24
0.38
0.11
0.54
0.42
0 40
0.309
0.41
0.41
0.42
0.42
0.44
0.32
0.19j
0.099
0.16
0.03
k
0.17
0.05
k
k
0.27
0.27
0 19
10
kg/day
0.072
0.058
0.041
0.026
0.052
0.015
0.051
0.040
0.002
0.001
0.008
0.008
0.065
0.065
0.042
0.030
0.08
0.04
0.05
0.01
-
0.03
0.01
:
-
0.04
0.04
0.04
Ib/day
0.16
0.13
0.090
0.057
0.11
0.033
0.11
0.088
0.004
0.002
0 018
0.018
0.14
0.14
0.093
0.066
0.18
0.09
0.11
0.02
-
0.07
0.02
:
-
0.09
0.09
0 09
i
Total Cadmium
mg/1
0.004C
0.0019
0.003d
Ot
NDc'h
Ot
0.002C
0.001
0.003C
O9
0.003C
0.002
0.003C
0.002
0.002
0.001
O.Q02C>
ot9
0.003C
Ot
k
0 003C
0.002
k
k
0.002C
0.001
0 003
i
kg/day
°-6e
O.le
0.3e
Ot
0
Ot
oil6
0.01e
0
0.06e
0.04e
0.5^
0.3e
o'ie
J le
ot
le
ot
-
°'5e
0 3e
-
-
°-3e
0.2e
0.6e
ro
CP>
•c'd Total Lead c'd Total Iron5 Total Manganese5
Ib/day mg/1
0.02*.
0.004T
0.01*
Ot
0
Ot
0.007*
0.004T
0.0004*
0
0.002*
o.oor
0.02*
0 01
0.007*
0.004T
0.04*
Ot
0.04*
Ot
-
0 02*
o.or
—
-
0.01*
o.or
0.02!
G
kg/day Ib/day mg/1
0.18
0
0.18
Ot
0.19
Ot
0.23
Ot
0.32
0.13
0.51
0.34
0.27
0.09
0.22
0.03
kg/day Ib/day mg/1 kg/day Ib/day
0.026 0.057
0 0
0.020 0.044
ot ot
0.026 0.057
ot ot
0.022 0.049
ot ot
le 0.002
0.5e 0.001
0.010 0.022
0.006 0.013
0.042 0.093
0.014 0.031
0.021 0 046
0.003 0.007
-------
TABLE 21 (Cont'd)
TOTAL METALS DATA3
NEW JERSEY ZINC - EAST PLANT DISCHARGES
Palmer-ton, Pennsylvania
May 8-14, 1979
Station Number
& Description
(Background Sta.
Station 04 -
Outfall 004
(Station 09 -
Pohopoco Creek)
7- day
Station 05 -
Outfall 005
Date
May
) 1979
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
average
9
(characteristics 10
as discharged -
gross values
only)
7-day
11
12
13
14
15
average
Flow
mVday mgd
x 1000
3.3
3.1
3.0
3.0
3.0
2.9
2.9
3 0
1.3
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
0.86
0.83
0 79
0.80
0.79
0.76
0 76
0.80
0.34
0 29
0.29
0.29
0.29
0.30
0.29
0.30
Total Zincb
mg/1 kg/day
0.15
0.059
0.40
0.27
ot
OT
0.56
0 44
0 03
ots
0 26
0.26
Ot
Ot
0.20
0 13
t
0.56
0.46
1.1
4.1
0.68
0.54
0.39
1.1
0.5
0.2
1.2
0.8
Ot
Ot
1.7
1.3
0.1
Ot
0.8
0.8
Ot
Ot
0 6
0.4
0.7
0.5
1.2
4.5
0.8
0.6
0.4
1.2
Ib/day
1.1
0.4
2.6
1.8
Ot
Ot
3.7
2.9
0.2
Ot
1 8
1.8
Ot
Ot
1.3
0.9
1.5
1.1
2.7
9.9
1.8
1.3
0.9
2.6
Total
Cadmium b'c'd Total Lead c>d
mg/1 kg/ day Ib/day mg/1 kg/day Ib/day
0.007C
0.0049
0.008C
0.001
0.001C
Ot
0.004C
0 003
0 004C
0 0019
NDC
0
0.009C
0.008
0.005
0.002
0.02b
0.02b
j^
0.04b
0.06b
o.oib
0.01b
0.01b
0.02
0.02 0.04
0.01 0.02
0 02 0.04
0.003 0.007
0 003 0.007
Ot Ot
0.01 0.02
0.009 0.02
0.01 0.02
0.003 0 007
0 0
0 0
0 03 0.07
0.02 0.04
0.01 0 02
0 006 0.01
0.03 0.07 0.01d 0.01 0 02
0.02 0.04 NDd 0 0
0.04 0.09 O.llc 0.12 0.26
0 07 02 0.13C 0 14 0 31
0 01 0.02 NDd 0 0
0 01 0.02 0.01d 0.01 0.02
0.01 0.02 NDd 0 0
0 03 0.07 0.04 0.04 0.09
Total
mg/1
0.04
Ot
0.38
Ot
0.03
Ot
0.30
Ot
Ot
Ot
0.23
0.06
0
Ot
0.13
0.01
ND
ND
0.02
0.03
0.02
ND
ND
ND
Iron"
kg/day Ib/day
0.
Ot
1
Ot
0.
Ot
0.
or
ot
ot
0.
0
0
or
0
0.
Total
0
0
0.
0.
0.
0
0
0.
1 0.2
Ot
2 2.6
Ot
1 02
Ot
9 20
Ot
Ot
Ot
7 1.5
2 0.4
0
Ot
4 09
03 0.1
Copper
0
0
02 0.04
03 0.07
02 0.04
0
0
01 0.02
Total Manganese
mg/1
0.01
ot
0.19
Ot
Ot
Ot
0 12
0
Ot
Ot
0.09
0.04
0.01
Ot
0.06
0 01
kg/day
0.03
Ot
0.59
Ot
Ot
Ot
0.36
0
Ot
ot
0.26
0.12
0.03
ot
0.18
0 02
Ib/day
0.07
ot
1 3
Ot
ot
Ot
0 79
0
Ot
Ot
0.57
0.26
0.07
Ot
0.40
0.04
_
ro
-------
TABLE 21 (Cont'd)
TOTAL METALS DATA3
NEW JERSEY ZINC - EAST PLANT DISCHARGES
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
May 8-14, 1979
00
Station Number
& Description
(Background Sta.
Station 05 -
Outfall 005
[Process Load
Characteristics
(Stations 06,
07 & 09)
7- day
Station 10 -
Outfall 010
Date
May
) 1979
9
m 10
m]
11
12
13
14
15
average
9
(Station 08 - 10
Aquashicola Creek)
7-riav
11
12
13
14
15
qveranp
Flow
mVday mgd
x 1000
0.52 0.13
0.76 0.20
0.86 0.23
0.87 0.23
0 90 0.24
0.91 0.24
0.94 0.25
0.82 0.23
0.023 0.006
0.023 0.006
0 023 0.006
0.023 0.006
0.026 0.007
0.034 0.009
0 019 0.005
0.0?3 0.006
Total Zincb
mg/1 kg/day
Ot
Ot
0.3
0.2
1.0
0 7
4.8
4.7
0.7n
0.69
0.4
0.4
0.2
0.2
1.1
1.0
1.8
'0.9
1.8
0.9
2.1
1.1
60
59
3 3
2 5
79
78
2.7
2 0
27
Ot
Ot
0.2
0.2
0.9
0.6
4.2
4.1
0 6
0.5
0.4
0.4
0.2
0.2
0 9
0.8
0 04
0.02
0.04
0.02
0.05
0 03
1 4
1.4
0.09
0.06
2.7
2.7
0.05
0.04
0 62
Ib/day
Ot
Ot
0.4
0.4
2.0
1.3
9.3
9.0
1.3
1.1
0.9
0.9
0.4
0.4
2.0
1.8
0.09
0.04
0.09
0.04
0.11
0.07
3.1
3.1
0.20
0.15
6.0
6.0
0.11
0.09
1.4
1.
Total Cadmium
b.c.d
mg/1 kg/day Ib/day
0.027
0.0249
0.022
0.015
0.050
0.043
0.071
0.070
0.009
0.0069
0.011
0.010
0.010
0.009
0.028
0.024
0.041b
0.021
0.041b
0.026
0.041b
0.021
0 089b
0.074
0.105b
0.085
0.186b
0.171
0 057b
0.047
0.091
O.C
0.014
0.012
0.017
0.011
0.043
0.037
0.062
0.061
0.008
0.005
0 010
0.009
0.009
0.008
0 023
0.020
O'.5e
0 6e
°9e
0.5e
i:°e
2'7e
2.2e
S.8?
1 le
0.9e
"I
L.7e
0.031
0.026
0.037
0.024
0.095
0.082
0.14
0.13
0.018
0.011
0.022
0.020
0.020
0.018
0.051
0.044
0.03*
0.02
0.03*
0.02T
o 03!
0.02
0 07*
0.06
0.10*
0.08T
0.22t
0.20
0.04*
0.03T
0.07*
I6T
Total Lead c>d
mg/1 kg/day
0.02
0.02
Ot
Ot
0.14
0.13
0.17
0.15
Ot
Ot
0.01
0.01
Ot
Ot
0.05
0.05
NDd
Ot
0.01d
0.005
0.01d
0.005
0.02d
0
0.03d
0.02
0.08C
0.08
0.02d
0.01
0.03
>2
0.01
0.01
ot
ot
0.12
0.11
0.14
0.13
Ot
Ot
0.01
0.01
Ot
Ot
0.04
0.04
0
Ot
o!ie
O.le
0.56
0
0.8°
0.5e
2 7e
2.7*
°'4e
0.2e
0.7!
Ib/day
0.02
0.02
Ot
Ot
0.26
0.24
0.31
0.29
Ot
Ot
0.02
0.02
Ot
Ot
0.09
0 09
0
Ot
0.007*
0.004
0.007*
0.004T
0.02*
0
0.03*
0.02
0.10*
o.ior
0.01*.
0.007T
0.02*
0.
Total Coooer Manganese
mg/1
0
0
0
0
0.02
0.02
0 03
0.03
0.02
0.02
0
0
0
0
0.01
0.01
kg/day
0
0
0
0
0 02
0 02
0.03
0.03
0.02
0.02
0
0
0
0
0.01
0.01
Ib/day Mg/1 kg/day Ib/day
0
0
0
0
0.04
0.04
0.07
0.07
0.04
0.04
0
0
0
0
0.02
0.02
-------
TABLE 21 (Cont'd)
TOTAL METALS DATA3
NEW JERSEY ZINC - EAST PLANT DISCHARGES
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
May 8-14, 1979
Station Number
& Description
(Background Sta. )
Station 11 -
Outfall Oil
(no background -
gross values only)
Date Fl
Hay 1979 mVday
(Collection x 1000
Time)
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
7-day average
Station 12
Outfall 012n
(Station 09
Pohopoco Creek )
Average
8(0845)
9(0805)
9(1020)
10(0750)
10(0925)
11(0755)
11(1005)
14(0755)
14(1005)
0.61
0.60
0.60
0.57
0.56
0.56
0.40
0 56
0.34
0.45
0.38
0.49
0.42
0.42
0.42
0.45
0.49
0.42
ow
mgd
i
0.160
0.159
0 159
0.151
0.149
0.148
0 106
0.147
0.09
0.12
0.10
.
0.13
0.11
0.11
0.11
0.12
0.13
0.11
Total Zincb
mg/1 kg/day Ib/day
64
75
70
78
50
61
67
66
0 19
0.099
0.21
0.08
0.22
0.09
0.30
0.03
0.25
ot
0.23
0.11
0.14
0.02
0.42
0.42
0.23
0.23
0 24
0.12
39
45
42
44
28
34
27
37
0 06
0.03
0.09
0.04
0.08
0.03
0.15
0.01
0.10
Ot
0.10
0.05
0.06
0.01
0.19
0.19
0.11
0.11
0.10
0.05
86
99
93
97
62
75
60
82
0.13
0.07
0.20
0 09
0.18
0.07
0.33
0.02
0.22
Ot
0.22
0.11
0.13
0.02
0.42
0.42
0.24
0.24
0.22
0.11
Total Cadmium
b.c.d
mg/1 kg/day Ib/day
0.77b
u
0.72b
0.76b
h
0.76°
0.77b
0.73b
0.75b
0 75
NDC
0
NDC
o-,
NDC
ot
NDC
Ot
NDC
ot
NDC
0
NDC
0
0. 004C
0 003
NDC
0
ND
0
0.47
0.43
0.46
0.43
0.43
0 41
0.30
0 42
0
0
0
Ot
0
Ot
0
Ot
0
Ot
0
0
0
0
2l
le
0
0
O.*l
o.ie
1.0
0.95
1.0
0.95
0.95
0.90
0.66
0 93
0
0
0
Ot
0
Ot
0
Ot
0
ot
0
0
0
0
0.07^
0.04T
0
0
0.007,
0.004T
Total Lead c'd Total Ironb Total Manganese"
mg/1 kg/day
0.013C
0.008
NDd
0
0.01d
0.005
0.01d
0
0.010C
0
NDd
ot
0 Old
ot
0.01d
0
0.010C
0
0 007
0.002
«:
3e
0
0
«:
2e
5e
0
4e
0
0
ot
4e
ot
4e
0
5e
0
3e
le
Ib/day mg/1 kg/day Ib/day mg/1 kg/day Ib/day
0.1}
0.1T
0
0
O.lff
0.07T
0.2f
0
O.lf
0
0
ot
O.lf
ot
O.lf
0
02f
0 ro
10
O.!ff
0.04T
-------
CO
CD
TABLE 21 (Cont'd)
TOTAL METALS DATA3
NEW JERSEY ZINC - EAST PLANT DISCHARGES
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
May 8-14, 1979
Station Number Date
& Description May 1979
(Background Sta.) (Collection
Station 14 -
Outfall 014n
(no background -
gross values only)
Time)
8(1317)
9(1325)
10(1325)
11(0915)
12(0920)
13(0920)
14(0920)
7-day average
Station 15 -
Outfall 15n
(no background -
gross values only)
8(1350)
9(1350)
10(1335)
11(0935)
12(0935)
13(0940)
14(0940)
7-day average
Station 16-
Outfall 016"
(no background -
gross values only)
• uaj ave1.
8(1335)
9(1350)
10(1335)
11(0935)
12(0935)
13(0940)
14(0940)
ua=
Flow
nrVday mgd
x 1000
3.
7.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1.
3p
2P
7p
9p
Op
Op
5p
3.9p
0.30
0.28
0.25
0.21
0.17
0
0
0
0
0
<0
<0
<0
0
0
,„
.17
.16
.22
.045
.030
.019
.019
019
.47
08
880q
1900q
1500q
1300q
780q
520q
390q
1000q
0.079
0.073
0.067
0.056
0.046
0.046
0.041
0.058
0.012
0.008
<0.005
<0.005
<0.005
0.125
0
Total Zincb
mg/1 kg/day
3.8
4.1
4.1
4.4
4.5
4.2
4.2
4.4
1.6
1.7
1.7
1.8
1.9
1.8
1.8
1.7
2.8
2.4
2.3
2.1
2.1
0.39
-
v. •»
0.013
0.030
0.023
0.022
0.014
0.008
0.006
0.017
0.48
0.48
0.42
0.38
0.32
0.31
0.29
0.38
0.13
0.072
<0.044
<0.040
<0.040
0.18
0
<0.-..
Ib/day
0.029
0.066
0.051
0.049
0.031
0.018
0.013
0.037
1.1
1.1
0.93
0.84
0.71
0 68
0.64
0.84
0.29
0.16
<0.10
<0.09
<0.09
0.40
0
-0.1-
Total Cadmium
b.
c'd Total Lead c>d Total Ironb Total Manganese
mg/1 kg/day Ib/day mg/1 kg/day Ib/day mg/1 kg/day Ib/day mg/1 kg/day Ib/day
0.02b
0.02
0.02b
0.02b
0.02b
0.02b
0.02b
0.02
0.03b
0.02°
0.02b
h
0.02°
0.02b
0.02b
0.02b
0.02
0 03b
u
0.03b
0.02b
h
0.02D
0.02b
0.01b
-
0.0-
0.07e
0.14e
O.lle
0.10e
0.06e
0.04e
6. 03e
0.08e
9.0e
5.6e
5.0e
a
4.2e
3.4e
3.4e
3.2e
4.8e
1.4e
A
0.90e
<0.38e
p
<0.38e
<0. 38e
4.7e
0
...2e
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
002f
•f
005T
004f
004f
002f
001f
001f
003f
32f
.
20r
18f
f
15T
0.12f
0.
0.
12f
,llf
0.17f
0.05f
t
0.03'
<0.01f
<0
<0
0
0
f
.or
.Olf
.17f
f
-------
TABLE 21 (Cont'd)
TOTAL METALS DATA3
NEW JERSEY ZINC - EAST PLANT DISCHARGES
Palmer-ton, Pennsylvania
May 8-14, 1979
Total Zinc Total Cadmium Total Lead Total Iron Total Manganese Total Copper
Detection Limit Q Ogb Q OQ5b Q ^c Q ngb Q Q2b n Q2b
0.002*; 0.01°
0.002°
a - All data have been corrected for both sampler and analytical blanks. Gross concentrations and mass loads are displayed on the first
line for each day, and net values are displayed on the second line. All samples are 24-hour composites unless noted otherwise. Average
concentrations were back-calculated from average flows and average mass loads.
b - Analysis was by flame atomic absorption for all zinc, iron, manganese and copper samples; cadmium samples analyzed by flame AA have
superscript "b".
c - Analysis was by flame less atomic absorption for cadmium and lead samples with superscript "c."
d - Analysis was by ICAP for cadmium and lead samples with superscript "d."
e - Load in units of grams/day
f - Load in units of ounces/day.
g - On two of the monitoring days, May 9 and 13, zinc and cadmium concentrations at the Pohopoco Creek Intake were from 20 to 59 times greater
than the averages of the other five days. These two samples were judged to be contaminated and the averages of the other five days were used in
computing net concentrations for zinc and cadmium for these two days at stations 02, 03, 04, 05 and 12
h - NO means not detected (below the detection limit) and assigned a value of zero for load and averaging calculations; hence averages involving ND values
are conservative.
i - Average of two instantaneous readings.
j - Average of two grab samples.
k - Negligible flow; no sample collected.
1 - Average of 3 composite samples.
m - Outfall 005 process load characteristics were computed by
1. Subtracting the Station 06 and 07 flow and load contributions from the Station 05 "as discharged" characteristics to obtain
the gross process flov/s and loads,
2. back - calculating the gross process concentrations, and
3. subtracting the Station 09 background concentrations to obtain the net process values.
Background values (concentrations and/or loads) for Stations 06, 07, 08, and 09 are in Appendix .
n - Grab samples only.
o - Metals concentrations from Station 09 composite samples were used as background for Station 12 samples.
p - mVday
q - gallons/day
t - Values less than zero are presented and averaged as zero.
* - Duplicate sample data not included in averages.
CO
-------
WASTE ACID TREATMENT
New
Datec
May
1979
10
11
12
13
14
15
Sampling
Location
WWTP Influent
WWTP Effluent
WWTP Influent
WWTP Effluent
WWTP Influent
WWTP Effluent
WWTP Influent
WWTP Effluent
WWTP Influent
WWTP Effluent
WWTP Influent
WWTP Effluent
Average Influent
Average Effluent
TSS
mg/1
no
76
60
35
39
36
45
21
30
19
25
40
52
38
Rem
Eff(%)
31
42
8
53
37
-60
27
Total
mg/1
600
2.2
410
1.7
430
1.1
520
1.6
440
2 1
327
4.2
450
2.2
Zinc d
Rem.
Eff(%)
99+
99+
99+
99+
99+
99
99+
Table 22
PLANT SAMPLING DATA3 AND REMOVAL EFFICIENCIES1*
Jersey Zinc - East Plant
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
May 10 - 15. 1979
Total Cadmium
mg/1
4.3
0.023s
4.20
0.0046
3.50
NDe
5.1
0 008e
5 2.
0.005e
3.5o
0.0406
4.3
0.013
Rem
Eff(%)
99+
99+
100
99+
99+
99
99+
Total
mg/1
10
1.0
6.0
0.5
4.3
0.5
7 2
0.5
5 6
0 5
5.2
0.3
6.4
0 6
Leadd
Rem.
Eff(X)
90
92
88
93
91
94
92
Total
mg/1
58
0.69
34
0.62
26
0.16
27
0.26
18
0.75
14
0.56
30
0.51
Irond
Rem.
Eff(%)
99
98
99+
99
96
96
98
Tot. Manganese
mg/1 Rem.
Eff(%)
4.9 99
0.05
4.5 99+
0.04
3.5 99+
0.02
2.8 99
0.03
2.9 99+
0.02
2.5 98
0.05
3.5 99
0.04
Tot Arsenic
mg/1
0.54.
NDf
0.38
NO
0.34
ND
0.41
ND
0.30
ND
0.38
0.004
0.39
ND
Rem
Eff(%)
100
100
100
100
100
99
100
OJ
PO
Total Se 1 en i ume
mg/1
3.8
0.58
2.5
0.72
1.9
0.69
4.4
1.5
2 7
1.9
1 7
1.6
2.8
1 2
Rem.
Eff(%)
85
71
64
66
30
6
57
a Data are based on 24-hour equal volume composite samples; aliquots were collected at 4-hour intervals.
b Removal efficiencies are based on concentration.
c Date listed is date 24-hour composite period ended.
d Zinc, lead, iron and manganese, and some cadmium analyses by flame AA.
e Arsenic and selenium samples analyzed by fTameless atomic absorption. Some cadmium samples
were analyzed by fTameless AA and are indicated by superscript 'e1.
f ND means less than the detection limit and assigned a value of zero for averaging calculations.
-------
Table 23
SUMMARY OF ZINC AND CADMIUM EFFLUENT LOAD DATA3
NEW JERSEY ZINC - EAST PLANT
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
May 10 - 14, 1979
May 1979
Outfall
001
002
003
004
005
010
on
012
014
015
016
Totalc
10
Zn
23
0.015
0
0
0.6
0.03
42
0 005
0.023
0.42
<0.044
66
Cd
0 6
0
0
0
0.037
0
0.46
0
0
0.005
0
1.1
11
Zn
4
0.040
0.01
1.3
4.1
1.4
44
0.03
0.022
0.38
<0.040
55
Cd
0.3
0
0
0.009
0.061
0.002
0.43
0
0
0.004
0
0.8
12
Zn
3
0.001
0
0
0.4
0.06
28
0
0.014
0.32
<0 040
32
Cd
0 2
0
0
0.003
0.005
0.002
0.43
0
0
0.003
0
0.6
13
Zn
7
0.008
0
0.8
0 4
2.7
34
0
0.008
0.31
0.18
45
Cd
0.7
0
0
0
0.009
0.006
0.41
0
0
0 003
0.005
1.1
14
Zn
4
0.065
0.04
0
0.2
0.04
27
0.15
0.006
0.29
0
32
Cd
0.4
0
0
0.023
0.008
0 001
0 30
0
0
0.003
0
0.7
5-day
Zn
8
0.026
0.01
0.042
1.1
0 85
35
0 037
0.014
0.34
<0.06
46
Avg.
Cd
0 4
0
0
0.007
0.024
0 002
41
0
0
0.004
0.001
0.9
a All loads are net kg/day.
b Dates were selected to match days,on which a metals mass balance
was performed on Aquashicola Creek
c Total loads were rounded to two significant figures.
co
co
-------
134
Table 24
CONTINUOUS pH DATA - OUTFALL 001
New Jersey Zinc - East Plant
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
May 1-15, 1979
Date Composite
May 1979 Period (hr)
1-2 1800-1800
24-hour total
2-3 1800-1800
24-hour total
3-4 1800-1800
24- hour total
4-5 1800-1800
24- hour total
5-6 1800-1800
24-hour total
pH <6.0 s u.
Time Period Minutes Elapsed
1529-1539 10
1 excursion 10
3
1732-1735 =
1 excursion 3
0
0909-0912 3
0917-0919 2
1108-1116 8
1411-1423 12
4 excursions 25
0
pH >9 0
s.u.
Time Period Minutes Elapsed
1515-1516
1557-1558
2 excursions
1805-1820
1840-1845
1848-1851
1909-1911
1447-1502
1532-1533
1542-1554
1607-1631
8 excursions
1745-1800
1 excursion
1800-1841
1908-0220
0227-0323
0325-0335
0336-0408
0411-0421
0425-0432
0706-0906
0912-0914
0920-1024
1038-1103
1116-1156
1212-1311
1334-1340
1423-1439
1451-1459
1501-1503
1507-1750
1753-1800
19 excursions
1800-1820
1826-1907
2002-2027
2058-2115
2148-2205
0759-0800
6 excursions
1
1
2
15
5
3
2
15
1
12
24
77
15
15
41
432
56
10
32
10
7
120
2
64
25
40
59
6
16
8
2
163
7
1.100
20
41
25
17
17
1
121
Min. pH Max pH
(time of occurrence, hr)
5.8 9.6
(1535) (1557)
5.6 10.3
(1735) (1607)
7.1 9.3
(1801) (1751)
4.3 >12.0a
(1115) (0316)
.
6.3 >12 Oa
(2145) (0759)
6-8
No monitoring from May 6 at 1800 to May 8 at 0600
-------
135
Table 24 (Cont'd.)
CONTINUOUS pH DATA - OUTFALL 001
New Jersey Zinc - East Plant
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
May 1-15, 1979
Date Composite pH <6.0 s u. pH >9.0
s.u.
May 1979 Period (hr) Time Period Minutes Elapsed Time Period Minutes Elapsed
8-9 0600-0600 0753-0759
0919-0936
1006-1029
1142-1145
1302-1325
1634-1657
1734-1842
1914-1930
2042-2313
2317-0111
0113-0125 12
0125-0140
0142-0153 11
0154-0211
0231-0324
0454-0527
0530-0559
24-hour total 2 excursions 23 15 excursions
9-10 0600-0600 0611-0626
0646-0720
0730-0933
1045-1127
1147-1530
1600-1616
1641-1650
1739-1817
1824-1834
1837-1839
1852-1920
1928-1932
2135-2146
0136-0220
24-hour total 0 13 excursions
10-11 0600-0600 0648-0707
0807-0809
1036-1039
1205-1257
1317-1442
1626-1657
24-hour total 0 6 excursions
11-12 0600-0600 0754-0756
0933-0950
1700-1746
1805-1835
1842-1933
2109-2207
0013-0037
0416-0420
0442-0445
0508-0512
6
17
23
3
23
23
68
16
151
114
15
17
53
33
29
591
15
34
128
42
223
16
9
38
10
2
28
4
11
44
604
19
2
3
52
85
31
192
2
17
46
30
51
58
24
4
3
4
Mm. pH Max pH
(time of occurrence, hr)
2.8 >12.0a
(0123) (1015)
6.0 >12 Oa
(1736) (1500)
6.3 11 4
(0647) (0652)
6.2 11 8
(0440) (0944)
24-hour total
10 excursions
243
-------
136
Table 24 (Cont'd.)
CONTINUOUS pH OAT« - CUTFALL 001
New Jersey Zinc - East Plant
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
May 1-15, 1979
Date Composite
May 1979 Period (hr)
12-13 0660-0600
24-hour total
13-14 0600-0600
24-hour total
14-15 0600-0600
24 -hour total
pH <6.0 s.u.
Time Period Minutes
-
0534-0538
0546-0548
0549-0551
3 excursions
0641-0647
0657-0659
0709-0716
0952-1110
4 excursions
Elapsed
4
2
2
8
6
2
7
78
93
0
pH >9.0 s.u.
Time Period Minutes
1933-1935
1939-1957
2033-2108
2110-2116
4 excursions
0648-0650
1 excursion
0907-0909
0911-0915
2 excursions
Elapsed
2
18
35
6
61
2
2
2
4
6
Min. pH Max pK
(time of occurrence, hr)
4.3 11.1
(0546) (2052)
5.0 >12.0a
(0642) (0649)
6.7 10.6
(0858) (0908)
Total for twelve
24-hour periods 16 excursions
282
89 excursions 2,989
a - recorder had upper limit of 12 s.u.
-------
137
Table 25
INSTANTANEOUS pH AND TEMPERATURE DATA
New Jersey Zinc - East Plant Discharges
Palmer-ton, Pennsylvania
May 1-15, 1979
Sequence No
Sta. or
No. Description Time (hr)
11 Outfall 001
1
2
3
Min
Max
Min
Max
Avg
a
2
7.5 (1050)
7.5
7.5
22
22
22
Date- May 1979
3
10.6 (0755)
4.6 (0830)
7.3 (2320)
4.6
10 6
20
23
21
4 5
pH (su) (hour of
8 6 (0752) 10.6 (1755)
10.0 (0935)
9.2 (1745)
8.6 10.6
10.0 10.6
Temperature ('
23 24
25 25
24 24
6
collection)
7.9 (0755)
7.2 (1108)
6 9 (1715)
6.9
7.9
>C)
21
24
22
Date: May 1979
1
2
3
4
5
6
Mm
Max
Mm
Max
Avg
02 Outfall 002
,
0900
1100
1300
1500
1700
1900
2100
2300
0100
0300
0500
Mm
Max
8-9
8.6 (0655)
8.7 (0658)
6.5 (0858)
8.2 (1406)
8.9 (1717)
9.0 (1920)
9 4 (2204)
6.5
9.4
21
29
25
-
6 8
7.1
7.1
7 0
7 2
6.6
7 1
8.2
6.2
6.8
6.7
6.2
8.2
9-10
9.0 (0655)
9.7 (0700)
8.7 (0953)
9.4 (1534)
9.1 (1907)
6.9 (2242)
6.9
9.7
24
29
26
7.0
7.0
7.2
7 0
8 0
8.2
7 8
7 8
7 8
7 6
7.1
6.4
8.2
10-11 11-12
pH (su) (hour of
11.7 (0650) 7.6 (0655)
9.6 (0700) 7 2 (0710)
6.8 (0945) 6.7 (1054)
7 1 (1511) 8.0 (1610)
6.8 (1905) 9.3 (1910)
7.3 (2250) 9 9 (2138)
6.8 6.7
11.7 9.9
Temperature ('
24 22
29 29
27 26
pH (su)
J . 30
8.2 78
6.4 8.0
7.5 7 3
7.1 7.0
7.0 7.0
4.1 6.5
84 b
7.7 b
8 0 6.9
7.8 7 2
6.7 8.5
4.1 6.5
8.4 8.5
12-13
collection)
7.0 (0644)
6.9 (0700)
7.0 (1020)
8.3 (1450)
7.5 (1910)
9.4 (2121)
6.9
9.4
5C)
21
26
24
7.^-
7 7
7.6
7.4
5 6
8.2
7.0
b
b
b
6.5
b
5.6
8.2
13-14
7.4 (0645)
7.2 (0700)
7.6 (0928)
7.4 (1103)
6.8 (1608)
7.6 (1904)
8.3 (2142)
6 8
8.3
23
27
25
•7 "
7.3
8.0
7.1
8.2
7.8
7.1
7.3
b
b
b
6.4
6.4
8.2
14-15
7.0 (0655)
7 1 (0708)
8.0 (0943)
8 6 (1500)
8.4 (1915)
7.2 (2156)
7.1 (0645)
7.0
8 6
23
25
24
7.0
---
_ —
7.2
7.0
8.5
7.3
8.1
7.4
6.5
7.0
8.3
6.5
8 5
-------
138
Table 25 (Cont'd.)
INSTANTANEOUS pH AND TEMPERATURE DATA
New Jersey Zinc - East Plant Discharges
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
May 1-15, 1979
Sequence No
Sta. or
No. Description Time (hr)
Outfall 002
continued
Min
Max
Avg
03 Outfall 003
0700
0900
1100
1300
1500
1700
1900
2100
2300
0100
0300
0500
Min
Max
8-9
17
21
19
7 0
7.2
—
—
—
7.0
—
7.7
b
b
b
7.0
7.7
9-10
18
21
20
6.5
7.4
7.9
7.1
7.5
8.2
7.7
b
b
b
b
b
6.5
8.2
Date: May 1979
10-11 11-12
Temperature (
18 19
23 22
20 20
pH (su)
b 8 5
b 7.9
b 7 5
b 7.6
b 6.8
b 8.2
b b
b b
b b
b b
b b
b b
b 6.8
b 8.5
12-13
«C)
19
21
20
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
13-14
18
20
19
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
14-15
18
20
19
7.2
8.2
...
8.0
7.5
8.8
b
b
b
b
b
b
7.2
8.8
Temperature (°C)
Min
Max
Avg
04 Outfall 004
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Min
Max
Min
Max
Avg
05 Outfall 005
1
2
3
4
11
17
14
7.2 (0708)
7.3 (1005)
7.3 (1125)
7.1 (1353)
7.1 (1656)
7.1 (2035)
7.1 (2224)
7.1
7.3
12
19
16
13
20
15
7.0 (0820)
7.4 (0850)
7.5 (1110)
7 1 (1550)
8 3 (2028)
7.1 (2254)
7.0
8.3
18
20
18
b 15
b 21
b 17
pH (su) (hour of
8.0 (0810) 7.2 (0735)
7.8 (0848) 8.1 (0810)
6.7 (1007) 7.1 (1124)
6.5 (1530) 6 9 (1622)
6.1 (2020) 7.0 (2025)
7.3 (2300) 6.9 (2150)
6.1 6.9
8.0 8.1
Temperature (
17 18
21 21
19 19
b
b
b
collection)
7.2 (0740)
7.6 (1044)
7.1 (1504)
7.8 (2010)
7.8 (2136)
7.1
7.8
°C)
19
21
20
b
b
b
7.9 (0737)
7.5 (0755)
7.4 (1118)
7.1 (1622)
8.1 (2010)
7.7 (2154)
7.1 •
8 1
18
21
19
15
18
16
7.4 (0741
7.5 (080!
7.3 (lOOo;
7.5 (1553)
7.2 (2001
7.4 (2201
7.3 (070 .
7.2
7.5
18
20
19
pH (su) (hour of collection)
8 0 (0755)
7.1 (0759)
12.3 (1150)
7.7 (1338)
8.2 (0830)
8.7 (0830)
7 0 (1126)
7.3 (1609)
8.1 (0725) 8.8 (0720)
9.6 (0815) 8 3 (0845)
7.5 (1020) 8.7 (1116)
7.3 (1552) 7.4 (1642)
7.8 (0725)
7.0 (0945)
7.6 (1100)
7.6 (1519)
8.3 (0725)
8.0 (0837)
7.5 (1138)
7.5 (1645)
8.1 (0725)
7.4 (084tn
7.4 (102
7.7 (162
-------
139
Table 25 (Cont'd.)
INSTANTANEOUS pH AND TEMPERATURE DATA
New Jersey Zinc - East Plant Discharges
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
May 1-15, 1979
Sequence No.
Sta. or
"o. Description Time (hr)
Outfall 005 5
contini.ac 5
7
Min
Max
Date: May 1979
8-9
7.2 (1652)
7 6 (1954)
7.2 (2254)
7.1
12.3
9-10
8.1 (1936)
7.0 (2307)
7.0
8.7
10-11
6.1 (1934)
7.4 (2312)
6.1
9.6
11-12
8.1 (1944)
7.0 (2203)
7.0
8.8
Temperature (°
Min
Max
Avg
"6 Outfall 005
Background - 1
0700
0900
1100
1300
1500
1700
1900
2100
2300
0100
0300
0500
Min
Max
14
17
16
7.4
7.7
7.8
8.2
8.4
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
7.4
8.4
15
18
16
7.6
6.6
8.0
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
6.6
8.0
15
19
17
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
15
19
17
pH (su)
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
12-13
7.1 (1940)
7.8 (2148)
7.0
7.8
C)
15
18
17
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
13-14
7.2 (1935)
7.7 (2208)
7.2
8.3
16
18
17
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
14-15
8.0 (1938)
7.0 (2230)
7.7 (0745)
7.0
8.1
15
17
16
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
Temperature (°C)
Mm
Max
Avg
"7 Outfall 005
Background - 2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Mm
Max
11
28
19
8.5 (0740)
9.0 (1135)
9.0 (1338)
8.9 (1642)
8.9 (1942)
8.7 (2247)
8.5
9.0
15
20
18
8.0 (0715)
8 9 (0810)
9.0 (1115)
9.0 (1558)
8 8 (1930)
8.9 (2300)
8.0
9.0
b
b
b
pH (su)
8 0 (0715)
8.9 (0800)
8.9 (1026)
8 7 (1544)
7 1 (1925)
8 9 (2303)
7 1
8.9
b
b
b
(hour of
9.5 (0710)
8.1 (0752)
7.9 (1110)
8.7 (1430)
8 3 (1935)
8.6 (2156)
7.9
9 5
b
b
b
collection)
6.4 (0715)
8.2 (0755)
8.8 (1051)
8.6 (1513)
7 1 (1930)
8 9 (2140)
6.4
8.9
b
b
b
"
8.8 (0720)
8.9 (0803)
8.9 (1130)
8.9 (1637)
9.1 (1928)
8.8 (2200)
8.8
9.1
b
b
b
8 4 (0710)
8.7 (0810)
8 7 (1008)
8.9 (1607)
7.9 (1930)
8.7 (2217)
8.7 (0718)
7.9
8.9
-------
140
Table 25 (Cont'd.)
INSTANTANEOUS pH AND TEMPERATURE DATA
New Jersey Zinc - East Plant Discharges
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
May 1-15, 1979
Sequence No.a
Sta. or
No. Description Time (hr)
Outfall 005
Background - 2
Continued
Max
Min
Avg
08 Aquashicola Creek
Intake
1
2
3
Min
Max
Min
Max
Avg
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Min
Max
Min
Max
Avg
09 Pohopoco Creek
Intake
0700
0900
1100
8-9
21
11
16
2
6.3 (1710)
6.5 (2240)
6.3
6.5
12
12
12
8-9
7.4 (0624)
6.7 (0655)
7.0 (0848)
7.3 (1410)
7.4 (1703)
7.8 (1913)
7.4 (2155)
6.7
7.8
12
23
17
7.8
7.4
7.4
9-10
22
14
18
3
7.2 (0820)
6.5 (1710)
6.9 (2310)
6.5
7.2
9
12
10
9-10
7.2 (0632)
6.6 (0655)
7.4 (1103)
7.4 (1526)
8 1 (1917)
7.3 (2248)
6.6
8.1
15
21
19
6.3
7.6
8.2
Date: May 1979
10-11 11-12 12-13
Temperature (°C)
22 22 17
14 14 13
17 18 15
Date: May 1979
456
pH (su) (hour of collection)
6.9 (0819) 6.1 (0655) 6.8 (0853)
6.4 (1720) 6.4 (1725) 6.8 (1050)
6.5 (2120) 6.6 (1705)
6.4 6.1 6.6
6.9 6.4 6.8
Temperature (°C)
11 10 13
13 14 14
12 12 13
Date: May 1979
10-11 11-12 12-13
pH (su) (hour of collection)
7.4 (0628) 7.5 (0631) 7.3 (0624)
7.7 (0700) 8 2 (0700) 7.1 (0705)
7.1 (0940) 7.1 (1044) 7.3 (1009)
8.0 (1503) 7.9 (1602) 8.0 (1440)
6.1 (1907), 7.5 (1909) 6.9 (1910)
7.5 (2225) 7.3 (2136) 7.4 (2125)
6.1 7.1 6.9
8.0 8.2 8.0
Temperature (°C)
17 15 15
21 20 17
19 18 16
pH (su)
8.0 8.9 7.7
8.4 7.7 8.8
6.4 8.4 7.7
13-14 14-15
17 16
15 14
16 15
13-14 14-15
6.8 (0632) 6.6 (0643)
7.1 (0700) 7.0 (0655^
7.2 (1045) 7.3 (093C
7.5 (1603) 7.6 (1505
7.1 (1905) 6.7 (1914,
7.4 (2135) 7 5 (2140)
6.7 (062E
6 8 6.6
7 5 7.6
15 14
16 15
16 15
8.0 7.3
8.2 8.1
7.8
-------
141
Table 25 (Cont'd.)
INSTANTANEOUS pH AND TEMPERATURE DATA
New Jersey Zinc - East Plant Discharges
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
Hay 1-15, 1979
Sequence No.
Sta. or
"-. Description Time (hr)
Pohopoco Creek 1300
Intake (cont'd) 1500
1700
1900
2100
2300
0100
0300
0500
Min
Max
Min
Max
Avg
Outfall 010
0700
0900
1100
1300
1500
1700
1900
2100
2300
0100
0300
0500
Min
Max
Mm
Max
Avg
11 Outfall Oil
0700
0900
1100
1300
1500
1700
1900
2100
2300
0100
0300
8-9
7 4
7.7
7.5
7.9
7.5
8.0
6.3
6.5
7.3
6.3
8.0
12
15
13
7.2
7.2
7.3
7.7
7.7
8.4
8.0
7.7
7.4
6.9
7.4
7.1
6 9
8.4
24
29
27
6.4
6.4
6.3
6.5
6.4
6.4
6.5
6.5
6.3
6.3
6.4
9-10
8.0
7.9
9.3
8.3
7.5
8.0
8.5
7.8
7.8
6.3
9.3
13
25
15
7.5
9.0
8.2
7.9
7.5
7.6
8.2
8.1
7.8
7.6
7.6
7.6
7.5
9.0
24
31
27
5.8
6.2
6.3
6.2
6.5
6.0
6.7
7.2
6 8
7.1
6.8
"5
10-11
-- "=^=
10.0
6.2
7.2
6.1
10.1
8.4
8.5
8.2
7.2
6.1
10.1
13
19
15
7.0
7.0
7.5
8.0
7 6
7.5
9.5
8.1
7.9
8.0
7.6
7.2
7.0
9.5
25
30
28
6.2
5.3
5 0
5.0
4 5
6.2
4.9
8.7
7.4
7.9
7.4
5 5
Date: May 1979
11-12
=^=^=^=
9.5
7.1
7.3
6.7
7.7
7.3
7.0
7.4
8.9
6.7
9.5
Temperature (°C)
14
16
15
pH (su)
7.2
7.6
7.7
8.0
6.5
6.3
7.6
7.0
7.2
7.2
6.9
6.6
6.3
8.0
Temperature (°C)
20
30
25
pH (su)
8 2
7.6
8.5
6 3
5 8
6.4
6.2
6.5
6.3
6.3
6.5
7 "
12-13
^^= —
8.1
5.8
8.6
7.1
8.2
7.2
6.1
7.1
5.8
8.8
14
16
15
6.2
6.8
7.0
6.1
6.2
6.8
6.5
6 8
7.1
7.1
7.2
6.1
7.2
19
22
20
6.5
7.0
6.9
6.1
5.6
6 5
6.3
6.6
6.6
6.2
6.4
13-14
8.2
6.8
8.5
8.1
7.6
8.5
7.6
7.5
6.7
6.7
8.5
14
16
14
7.0
7.1
7.0
7.0
7.2
7.0
7.8
7.6
7.6
7.6
7.0
7.2
7.0
7.8
19
22
20
6.7
7.1
7.1
7.0
7.5
7.6
7.1
7.0
7.4
6.3
6.5
6.4
14-15
!_.
8.3
7.5
9.5
7.7
8.8
7.7
6.4
7.1
8.8
6.4
9.5
14
15
14
7.2
7.1
7.0
6.5
6.5
7.7
7.2
7.4
7.5
6.7
6.8
6.5
7.7
19
23
22
7.0
6.6
6.2
6.9
6.3
7.0
6.7
6.3
6.8
7 5
-------
142
Table 25 (Cont'd.)
INSTANTANEOUS pH AND TEMPERATURE DATA
New Jersey Zinc - East Plant Discharges
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
May 1-15, 1979
Sta.
No. Description
Outfall Oil
continued
12 Outfall 012
14 Outfall 014
15 Outfall 015
16 .Outfall 016
Sequence No.
or
Time (hr)
Min
Max
Min
Max
Avg
1
2
Min
Max
Min
Max
Avg
1
1
1
1
1
1
8-9
5.6
6.5
11
15
12
7.0 (0955)
6.5 (1150)
6.5
7.0
11
23
17
7.2 (1317)
11
7.1 (1350)
15
6.9 (1335)
16
Date: May 1979
9-10 10-11 11-12 12-13
5.8 4.5 5.8 5.6
7.2 8.7 8.5 7.0
Temperature (°C)
10 10 11 11
12 13 13 13
11 11 11 11
pH (su) (hour of collection)
6.5 (0805) 8.0 (0750) 7.9 (0755) b
7.0 (1020) 8.5 (0925) 7.7 (1005) b
6.5 8.0 7.7 b
7.0 8.5 7.9 b
Temperature (°C)
20 20 20 b
20 21 21 b
20 20 20 b
pH (su) (hour of collection)
6.7 (1325) 8.1 (1325) 10.5 (0915) 7.4 (0920)
Temperature (°C)
11 12 11 12
pH (su) (hour of collection)
6.7 (1350) 5.8 (1335) 6.8 (0935) 7.5 (0935)
Temperature (°C)
12 13 11 11
pH (su) (hour of collection)
7.2 (1350) 6 5 (1335) 7.7 (0935) 7.6 (0935)
Temperature (°C)
25 12 11 14
13-14 14-15
6.3 6.2
7.6 7.6
11 11
13 13
12 12
b 7.2 (0755)
b
b '7.2
b 7.2
b 21
b 22
b 21
7.0 (0920) 7.3 (0920)
11 12
7.2 (0940) 8 0 (0940^
12 11
7.3 (0940) b
14 b
-------
143
Table 25 (Cont'd.)
INSTANTANEOUS pH AND TEMPERATURE DATA
New Jersey Zinc - East Plant Discharges
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
May 1-15, 1979
Sequence No.
Sta. or
"i. Description Time (hr) 8-9
New Jersey Zinc
Wasteviater Treatment
Plant Influent
0900
1300
1700
2100
0100
0500
Min
Max
9-10
2.2
3.0
2.3
2.8
3.0
2.8
2.2
3.0
10-11
3.1
3.0
2.8
3.0
3.1
2.7
2.7
3.1
Date: May 1979
11-12
pH (su)
2.5
3.2
2.5
2.7
2.8
2.8
2.5
3.2
12-13
3.2
2.6
2.8
2.6
2.5
2.5
3.2
13-14
3.0
3.2
4.0
3.3
4.0
3.0
3 0
4.0
14-15
4.0
3.0
3.4
2.6
3.0
2.9
2.6
4.0
Temperature (°C)
Mm
Max
Avg
) New Jersey Zinc
Wastewater Treatment
Plant Effluent
0900
1300
1700
2100
0100
0500
Min
Max
26
33
30
11.0
13.0
12.1
12.1
12.0
11.8
11.0
13.0
26
30
28
11 3
12.0
12.0
11.4
11.1
11.2
11.1
12.0
24
31
29
pH (su)
12.0
12.4
11 9
11.6
11.4
11.3
11.3
12.4
25
30
28
11 5
11.1
11.0
11 2
11.3
11.0
11.5
26
29
27
11. 3
11.2
11.5
11.2
11.3
11.9
11.2
11.9
21
27
25
12.0
11.5
11.8
11.6
11.6
11.6
11.5
12.0
Temperature (°C)
Min
Max
Avg
24
31
28
25
30
27
26
31
28
26
28
27
25
28
27
24
26
25
For automatic sampling stations (01, 04, 05, 07 and 08) a sequence number indicates the order of pH data collection;
actual times are °n plrentheses. For manuai sampling stations (02, 03, 06, and 14-18) the data were collected at
regular intervals; the start time of each sampling run is listed.
Negligible flow
-------
144
Table 26
TOTAL SUSPENDED SOLIDS (TSS) DATA
New Jersey Zinc - East Plant Discharges
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
May 1-15, 1979
Station ttS'tation Description
Number
01
/ ^-Background
SDutfall 001
^Station OS
"Wquashicola
5
6
Station)
_
Creek)
Date3
May 1979
2
3
4
5
6
Flow
m3/dayxlOJ
15.9
15.1
16.8
15.3
13.7
mgd
4.21
3.98
4.43
4.04
3.63
TSS
mg/1
9
21
13
23
11
Gross Values
kg/day
140
320
220
350
150
Ib/day
310
710
490
770
330
TSS
mg/1
2
15
11
21
9
Net Values
kg/day
32
230
180
320
120
Ib/day
71
510
400
710
260
,a i av
9
10
11
12
13
5-day average 15.4
4.06
02
03
OJutfall 002
lC(Station 09 -
ITPohopoco Creek)
1^
13
1'.
fflutfall 003
£(Station 09 -
ICPohopoco Creek)
i2-
15
-c / -3'
04 'Outfall 004
ICCStatlon 09 -
IJPohopoco Creek)
12
13
1-1
1C
05
-------
145
Table 26 (Continued)
TOTAL SUSPENDED SOLIDS (TSS) DATA
New Jersey Zinc - East Plant Discharges
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
May 1-15, 1979
Station Station Description
Number (Background Station)
(c
05 Outfall 005
Process Load
Characteristics'*
(Stations 06, 07, 09)
10 Outfall 010
(Station 08 -
Aquashicola Creek)
11 Outfall Oil
(no background -
gross values only)
12 Outfall 012h
(Station 09 - .
Pohopoco Creek )
14 Outfall 014h
(no background -
gross values only)
15 Outfall 015h
(no background -
gross values only)
Date3
Flow
May 1979 nrVdayxlO3 mgd
ol lection time)
9
10
11
12
13
14
15 .
7-day average
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
7- day average
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
7- day average
8 (0955)
9 (0805)
9 (1020)
10 (0750)
10 (0925)
11 (0755)
11 (1005)
14 (0755)
14 (1005)
Average
8 (1317)
9 (1325)
10 (1325)
11 (0915)
12 (0920)
13 (0920)
14 (0920)
7- day average
8 (1350)
9 (1350)
10 (1335)
11 (0935)
12 (0935)
13 (0940)
14 (0940)
7-day average
0 46
0.74
0.84
0.85
0.89
0.95
0.92
0.81
0 023
0 023
0.023
0.023
0.026
0.034
0.019
0.023
0.61
0.60
0.60
0.57
0.56
0.56
0.40
0.56
0.34
0.45
0.38
0.49
0.42
0.42
0.42
0 45
0.49
0.42
33J
JJl
4.9J
3.QJ
2.0J
1.5J
3.9j
0.30
0.28
0.25
0 21
0.17
0.17
0.16
0.22
0.121
0.195
0.223
0.225
0.234
0.252
0.244
0.213
0.006
0 006
0.006
0.006
0.007
0.009
0.005
0.006
0 160
0 159
0.159
0.151
0.149
0.148
0.106
0 147
0 09
0.12
0 10
0.13
0.11
0.11
0.11
0.12
0.13
0.11
880^
1900k
1500 j-
1300.
780k
520k
390K
1000k
0.079
0.073
0.067
0.056
0 046
0.046
0.041
0.058
TSS
mg/1
OT
1
2
12
2
4
3
4
2
2
4
4
3
6
4
4
0
3
6
4
2
0
2
2
2
0
0
2
2
6
3
7
3
3
0
0
2
6
3
0
0
3
0
2
0
0
0
3
0
1
Gross Values
kg/day
OT
0.5
2 4
10
1.4
3.5
2.4
2.9
0.05
0.05
0.09
0.09
0.08
0.20
0.08
0.09
0
1.8
3.6
2 3
1 1
0
0.8
1.4
0.7
0
0
1.0
0.8
2.5
1.3
3.2
1.5
1.2
0
0
0.01
0.03
0.01
0
0
0.01
0
0.56
0
0
0
0.51
0
0.15
Ib/day
OT
1.1
5.3
22
'3.1
7.7
5.3
6.4
0.11
0.11
0.20
0.20
0.18
0.44
0.18
0.20
0
4.0
7.9
5.1
2.4
0
1.8
3.1
1.5
0
0
2.2
1.8
5.5
2.9
7.1
3.3
2.6
0
0
0.02
0.07
0.02
0
0
0.02
0
1.2
0
0
0
1.2
0
0.34
TSS
mg/1
OT
OT
OT
6
0
1
0
1
OT
0
i
0
0
3
0
1
OT
OT
OT
OT
OT
0
OT
4
0
<1
Net Values
kg/day
OT
OT
OT
5.1
0
0.95
0
0.86
OT
0
0.02
0
0
0 10
0
0.02
OT
OT
OT
OT
OT
0
OT
1.8
0
0.2
Ib/day
OT
OT
OT
11
0
2.1
0
1.9
OT
0
0.04
0
0
0.22
0
0.04
OT
OT
OT
OT
OT
0
OT
4.0
0
0 4
-------
146
Table 26 (Continued)
TOTAL SUSPENDED SOLIDS (TSS) DATA
New Jersey Zinc - East Plant Discharges
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
May 1-15, 1979
Station Station Description
Number (Background Station)
Date3
May 1979
Flow
nrVdayxlO
TSS Gross Values TSS Net Values
3 mgd
mg/1
kg/day
Ib/day mg/1 kg/day Ib/day
(collection time)
16 Outfall 016h
(no background -
gross values only)
8 (1335)
9 (1350)
10 (1335)
11 (0935)
12 (0935)
13 (0940)
14 (0940)
0.045
0.030
<0.019
<0.019
<0.019
0.47
0
0.012
0.008
<0.005
<0.005
<0.005
0.125
0
21
4
7
2
8
2
— — —
1
0.1
<0.1
<0.04
<0.1
1
_ w
2
0.2
<0.2
<0.08
<0.2
2
w —
7-day average <0.08 <0.02 <0.3 <0.7
a Date listed for composite samples is date composite period ended; grab samples for Stations 12, 14, 15,
and 16) are listed by date and time of collection.
b average concentrations computed on flow-weighted basis by back-calculating from average flow and load
data.
c duplicate sample - data not included in average.
d grab sample
e composite sample
f average of composite data
g Outfall 005 process load characteristics were computed by:
1. Subtracting the Station 06 and 07 flow and load contributions from Station 05 "as discharged
characteristics to obtain the gross process flows and loads,
2. Back-calculating the gross process concentration, and
3. Subtracting the Station 09 background concentration to obtain the net process values.
Background values (concentrations and/or loads) for Stations 06, 07, 08, and 09 are
in Appendix .
h grab samples only
i TSS concentrations from Station 09 composite samples were used as background at Station 12.
j mVday
k gal/day
t Values less than zero are presented and averaged as zero.
-------
Table 27
OIL AND GREASE DATA3
New Jersey Zinc - East Plant Discharges, Intakes, and Background Stations
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
May 8 - 14, 1979
NEIC
: tat ion
.lumber
Station
Description
Intake or
Background
Station
Gross Oil
and Grease (all values in mg/1)
May 1979
8
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
Outfall 001
Outfall 002
Outfall 003
Outfall 004
Outfall 005
005 Background 1
005 Background 2
Aquashicola Creek
Intake
Pohopoco Creek
Intake
08
09
09
09
06,07,09
NAf
NA
NA
NA
0655*
ND
0950
ND
0825
ND
1005
ND
0755
ND
0722
ND
0740
ND
0655
ND
0805
ND
1920
ND
2028
ND
2015
ND
2035
ND
1954
ND
1942
ND
1913
160
1958
9
NO
0655
ND
0800
ND
0745
140C
0820
24C
0830
ND
0725
34
0715
250
0655
ND
0735
210C
1907
ND
2002
ND
1953
56C
2028
8
1936
ND
1930
12
1917
41
1944
10
ND
0650
ND
0745
e
ND
0810
ND
0725
ND
0715
ND
0700
8
0735
ND
1905
d
1950
e
ND
2020
ND
1934
9
1925
NO
1907
ND
1940
11
ND
0655
d
0750
d
0740
ND
0810
ND
0720
ND
0710
d
0700
ND
0730
12
ND
1910
ND
2000
e
ND
2025
ND
1944
ND
1935
ND
1909
ND
1950
ND
0700
ND
0745
e
ND
0752
ND
0725
ND
0715
ND
0705
ND
0730
ND
1910
ND
2000
e
ND
2010
ND
1940
ND
1930
ND
1910
ND
1943
13
ND
0700
ND
0750
e
ND
0755
ND
0725
ND
0720
ND
0700
ND
0735
14
ND
1904
ND
1950
e
ND
2010
ND
1935
ND
1928
ND
1905
ND
1942
ND
0655
NO
0747
ND
0745
d
0805
ND
0725
ND
0710
ND
0655
ND
0730
ND
1915
11
1955
e
ND
2006
ND
1938
ND
1930
ND
1914
ND
1945
Average
15
0.92
ND
15
2.3
3
20
15
Time of sample collection is presented below each result.
All data based on grab samples.
ND means not detected (below detection limit of 7.5 mg/1).
These relatively high oil and grease concentrations were preceded by similarly high
concentrations in the intake or background water source for these discharges. Thus
the source of the oil and grease was probably the water source rather than the process.
Sample lost in laboratory accident.
Negligible flow; no sample.
Mot applicable. •
-------
CO
Table 28
24-HOUR STATIC BIOASSAY SURVIVAL DATA
NEW JERSEY ZINC - EAST PLANT
PALMERTON, PENNSYLVANIA
May, 1979
NEIC Station Mo.
01
02
03
04
05
11
12
Control
% Survival
100
100
"100
100
100
100
100
Effluent
100%
% Survival %
100
100
100
100
90
0
100
Concentrations
(%)
50% 25%
Survival % Survival
90
100
100
100
100
0
100
100
100
100
100
100
0
100
10%
% Survival
100
100
100
100
100
0
100
-------
2')
24-Hour Static Bioassay
Physical Chemical Characteristics
New Jersey Zinc-East Plant
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
May, 1979
Effluent
Concentration
Station No. (%)
01 Control
100%
50%
25%
10%
02 Control
100%
50%
25%
10%
03 Control
100%
50%
25%
10%
04 Control
100%
50%
25%
10%
05 Control
100%
50%
25%
10%
11 Control
100%
50%
25%
10%
12 Control
100%
50%
252
10%
Parameter
0.0
Initial
9.0
8.0
8.5
9.0
9.0
8.5
8.0
9.0
9.0
9.5
9.0
9.0
8.5
8.5
9.0
8.5
8.5
8.5
8.5
9.0
8.5
8.0
8 5
8.5
8.5
9.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
. mg/1
24-hour
6.5
5.5
5.5
6.0
6.0
7.0
6.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
7.5
6.0
6.5
6.5
6.5
7.0
6.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
6.5
7.0
7.0
7.0
6.5
6.5
6 0
6.0
6.0
6.0
PH
Initial
7.5
7.6
7.4
7.3
7.3
7.2
6.3
6.8
6.9
7.0
7.2
6.9
7.0
7.1
7.2
7.2
6.9
6.9
6.9
6.9
7.2
7.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
, 7.5
7.0
7.3
7.2
7.3
7.5
7.4
7.5
7.5
7.5
24-hour
7.2
7.2
7.1
7.0
7.0
7.0
6.4
6.8
6.9
7.0
7.3
6.7
6.9
7.1
7.1
7.0
6.7
6.9
6.9
6.9
7.0
6.9
6.8
6.9
6.8
7.2
7.2
7.2
7.3
7.2
7.2
Temperature C°
Initial
16.0
17.4
17.2
16.8
17.7
16.5
16.5
14.5
15.0
15.0
16.0
17.4
16.3
15.9
15.6
16.5
16.0
14.0
14.7
15.0
16.5
16.2
14.4
15.0
15.0
16.0
15.8
15.8
16.0
16.8
16.0
17.4
17.4
17.4
17.8
24-hour
16.2
16.6
16.6
16.6
16.4
16.4
16.6
16.2
16.2
16.3
16.4
16.2
15.6
15.8
16.0
16.4
17.0
16.0
16.0
16.2
16.2
16.2
16.6
16.4
16.6
16.6
Total Alkalinity
(mg/1 CaCOa)
Initial 24-hour
22
36
22
10
22
14
22
11
22
18
22
19
22
10
-------
in
o
PRObABILITY
0.111
0.0?
u.CM
0.04
0,15
J.OA
o.n?
0,10
0,15
0.20
U.25
o,?n
0.-<5
0,40
0.45
J.6H
0.^5
0.71
0.7S
0.30
O.S5
0.90
0.01
J.92
o.1?:
0.96
0.95
0.96
0.97
0.9?
0.99
uOSE
0,001 Vif JV
O.UO?oV%9
0.0(13iJ776
O.iJG'. 'i^4l s
O.CO/.631 7i
0,0']t?'»29j
O.u050759o
0,J05J.,6iV
0.006^1515
0.007i7?43
O.OQ8,)dV91
0.0093j117
0,011
o.oi
O.J1
0.0 13 VIA 18
O.OUoV/66
0,016n1560
3.016SJ".l J
0.0171^916
0,017/,702o
95 PEHCFNT
LOWER
-0.007763fi54US56
0.02604857
0,02678044
0.0276<>265
0.02870570
0.03012332
0,03236610
Table 30. Probit Analysis on Dose
Palmerton, Pennsylvania,
(% effluent). New Jersey Zinc-East Plant Outfall Oil
Hay 1979.
-------
PRODI! ANALYSIS ON DOSE
PROBABILITY
O.U1
0.02
0.03
0.04
O.OS
0.06
0.07
O.US
0.09
0.10
0,15
0.20
o.as
0.30
0.35
0.40
0.45
0.50
0.55
0.63
0.65
0.70
0 75
0.80
0.85
0.90
0.91
0.92
0.93
0.96
0,95
0,96
0.97
0.98
0.99
DOSE
0.60403151
0.63595340
0.65620682
0.67144268
0.68383^87
0.69438443
0.70363344
0.71191484
0.71944643
0.72637928
0.75508312
0.77789602
0.79746746
0.81504321
0.83132977
U. 84678412
G.36173638
0.87645153
0.89116678
0.90611904
0.92157339
0.93785995
0.95543570
0.97500714
0.99782004
1 .02652387
1 .03345672
1 .04098832
1.04926971
1 .05851873
1 .06906729
1.08146048
1.09669034
1.11694976
1.14887165
95 PFRCtNT
LOVFR
0.41018751
U.46244881
0.49539173
0.52003503
0.53997651
0.55686523
0.57160102
0.58473124
0.5966U81
0.60750034
0.65191986
0.63627490
U.71486522
0.73967634
0.76180453
0.78193483
0.80054280
0.81799373
0.83459806
0.85064594
0.8o643542
0*38230285
0.89867033
0.91613309
0.93570195
0.95940045
0.96500352
0.97104569
11.97764000
0.98494920
0.99322083
1 .00286072
1 .01461050
1.03008287
1 .05419517
FIDUCIAL
LIMITS
UPPER
0*69336036
0.71769840
0.73335531
0.74527177
0.75506883
0.76349228
0.77095032
0.77769201
0.78333116
0.78963160
0.81408942
0.83447590
0.85284893
0.87021236
0*88716518
0.90411892
0.92139019
0.93924961
0.95795572
0.97778709
0.99903166
1 .02229523
1 .04810229
1.07759789
1.11277556
1 .15795439
1 .16898729
1.18101734
1 .19429545
1 .20918007
1 .22622001
1 .24631927
1 .27112924
1.30425669
1.35674374
Tabla 31. Probit Analysis on Dose (% effluent). New
Outfall 001, Palmerton, Pennsylvania. May
Jersey Zinc-East Plant
1979.
en
-------
O1
Table 32
HEAVY METALS CONCENTRATION (mg/1)
96-HOUR CONTINUAL FLOW BIOASSAY
NEW JERSEY ZINC - EAST PLANT
PALMERTON, PENNSYLVANIA
May, 1979
Outfall 001
24 hour
48 hour
72 hour
96 hour
Outfall Oil
24 hour
48 hour
72 hour
96 hour
Fe
T * D **
0.32 0.03
0.26 0.03
0.19 0.05
0.18 0.07
Nd Nd
Nd Nd
Nd Nd
Nd Nd
Mn
T D T
0.22 0.19 1.3
0.16 0.14 1.2
0.14 0.12 1.0
0.18 0.16 1.9
0.27 0.26 64
0.27 0.26 59
0.27 0.26 67
0.27 0.26 64
Zn Pb
DTD
0.89 0.05 Nd
0.67 0.045 Nd
0.61 0.043 Nd
1.3 0.04 0.04
60 Nd Nd
58 0.02 Nd
58 Nd Nd
60 0.01 Nd
Cd
T D
0.13 0.14
0.03 0.02
0.03 0.03
0.05 0.05
0.73 0.70
0.75 0.71
0.74 0.71
0.74 0.71
Cu
T D
Nd Nd
Nd Nd
Nd Nd
Nd Nd
Nd Nd
Nd Nd
Nd Nd
Nd Nd .
As
T D
Nd Nd
0.002 Nd
0.002 Nd
Nd Nd
Nd Nd
.007 Nd
Nd Nd
Nd Nd
* Total Metal
** Dissolved Metal
-------
Table 33
Heavy Metals Concentrations mg/1*
96-Hour Continual Flow Bioassay
New Jersey Zinc-East Plant Outfall 001
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
May, 1979
Effluent Concentration (%)
Control
T** p.***
24-hour
ZN Nd
Cd Nd"
Pb
48- hour
Zn Nd
Cd Nd
Pb
72-hour
Zn Nd
Cd Nd
Pb
96-hour
Zn
Cd
Pb
10
T
0.13
0.01
0.12
0.003
0.10
0.003
0.19
0.005
0
0.09
0.07
0.002
0.06
0 003
0.13
0.005
18
T
0.23
0.02
0.22
0 005
0.18
0 005
0.34
0.009
D
0.16
0.02
0.12
— ooo4 —
0.11
0 005
0.23
0.009
32
T D
0.42 0.28
0.04 0704
0.38 0.21
0.32 0.20
0.61 0.42
0.02 0 02
56
T D
0.73 0.50
0.07 0.08
0.67 0.38
n n? n nl
0.56 0.34
:\JC \3.\1C
1.1 0.73
0.03 0.03
Z5
T D
0.98 0.67
0.10 0.10
0.90 0.50
0.02 0.01
0.75 0.46
0.02 0.02
1.4 0.98
QJ)4 0.04 _
100
T
1.3
0.13
0.05
1.2
0.03
0.05
1.0
0.03
0.04
1.9
_ __0 05
0.004
0
.89
0 "1"'!
Nd_
o.e;
0.0?
rid
0.61
0.0.''
Nrl
1.3
0.05
0 04
Metals concentrations in the control and 100% effluent are analytical values; other values were extrapolated
**Total Metal
***Dissolved Metal
tn
CO
-------
ITi
Table 34
ACUTE TOXICITY OF ZINC AND CADMIUM
TO
RAINBOW TROUT*
96 hour LC5Q mg/1
Zinc
0.24
0.56
0.83
Cadmium
0.003
0.003
Lethal Threshold mg/1**
30% (3 0.11
10% (<» 0.13
10% (? 0.34
40% (3 0.0024
5% @ 0.0015
Water Hardness mg/1
22
23
30
14
31
Fish length mm
70
140
179
"0
135
*Goettl and Davies, Fed. Aid Project
F-33-R-12, Water Pollution Studies
Colorado Division of Wildlife, 1977.
**Lowest concentration that killed fish during test,
-------
Table 35
96-HOUR CONTINUAL-FLOW BIOASSAY SURVIVAL DATA*
NEW JERSEY ZINC - EAST PLANT OUTFALL 001
PALMERTON, PENNSYLVANIA
MAY, 1979
Time Period
24-hour
48-hour
72-hour
96-hour
Effluent Concentration (%)
Control
(Aquashicola Creek
100
100
100
100
Water) 10
100
100
100
95
18
100
100
100
100
32
100
100
100
100
56
100
100
100
100
75
100
95
95
85
100
15
15
15
15
*Expressed as percent.
Ol
en
-------
Table 36
PHYSICAL-CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS
NEW JERSEY ZINC-EAST PLANT, OUTFALL 001
PALMERTON, PENNSYLVANIA
May, 1979
CTl
Parameter Control
(Aquashicola Creek Water)
DO mg/1
PH
Temperature °C
Total Alkalinity
DO mg/1
PH
Temperature °C
Total Alkalinity
DO -ing/ 1
PH
Temperature °C
Total Alkalinity -
DO mg/1
PH
Temperature °C
Total Alkalinity
8.5
7.1
17.2
25
8.5
7.1
16.0
22
8.5
7.5
16.4
22
8.5
7.4
16.7
23
10
8.5
7.2
17.3
8.5
7.0
16.0
8.5
7.5
16.0
8.5
7.6
16.5
Effluent Concentration (%)
18 32 56 75
24-hour
8.0 8.0
7.1 7.1
17.2 17.3
48-hour
8.0 8.0
7.0 7.0
16.1 16.1
72-hour
8.5 7.5
7.5 7.6
16.3 16.4
96-hour
8.5 8.0
7.6 7.7
16.6 16.6
8.0
7.1
17.4
7.0
7.0
16.2
7.5
7.6
16.7
7.5
7.7
16.8
8.0
7.1
17.4
7.0
7.0
16.6
7.0
7.8
17.2
7.0
7.8
17.3
100
7.5
7.3
18.2
36
6.5
7.1
17.2
41
6.5
8.0
17.4
38
6.5
8.0
17.4
40
-------
Table 37
Heavy Metals Concentrations mg/1*
96-Hour Continual clow Bioassay
New Jersey Zinc-East Plant Outfall Oil
Palmerton, New Jersey
May, 1979
Effluent Concentration (*)
24-hour
ZN
Cd
48-hour
ZN
Cd
72-hour
ZN
Cd
96-hour
ZN
Cd
Control
•y ** Q ***
lid
(Id
rid
lid
Nd
Nd
0.32
T D
0.16 0.14
0.002 0.002
0.23 0.26
0.003 0.003
0.21 0.21
0.003 0.003
0.17 0.17
0.003 0.002
0.
T
0.28
0.003
0.41
0.005
0.38
0.005
0.31
0.015
56
D
0.25
0.004
0.47
0.006
0.38
O.OC5
0.31
• 0.004
1.0 1.8
T D T D
0.50 0.44 0.90 0.79
0.006 0.008 0.01 0.01
0.74 0.83 1.3 1.4
0.01 0.01 0.02 0.02
0.67 0.67 1.2 1.2
0 01 0.01 0.02 0.02
058 058 1.0 1.0
0.01 0.006 0.02 0.01
2
T
1.2
0.02
1.7
0.02
1.6
0.02
1.4
0.02
.4
D
1.1
0.02
2.0
0.02"
1.6
0.02 "
1.4
"0.02
3.
T
1.6
0.02
2.3
0.03
2.1
0.03
1.8
0.03
2
1,
0.
2
U
2
0
1
0
5.6
DTD
,4 2.8 2.5
,02 0.03 0.04
.6
.03
.1
.03
.8
.OZ
7.5 10.0
T D T D
3.8 3 3 5.0 4.4
.04 0.06 0.06 0.08
*Metals concentrations at 10% and 3.2X and the control are analytical values; other values were extrapolated.
**Total Metal
***Dissolvrd Metal
en
-vl
-------
en
oo
Table 38
PHYSICAL-CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS
96-HOUR CONTINUAL FLOW 3IOASSAY
NEW JERSEY ZINC - EAST PLANT OUTFALL Oil
PALMERTON, PENNSYLVANIA
May, 1979
Control
Parameter (Aquashicola Creek Vlater) 0.32
Di rng/1
pH
Temperature °C
Total Alkalinity *
DO mg/1
pH
Temperature °C
Total Alkalinity
DO mg/1
PH
Temperature °C
Total Alkalinity
DO mg/1
PH
Temperature °C
Total Alkalinity
8.5
7.1
16.8
24
8.0
7.1
16.1
22
8.5
7.5
16.0
22
8 5
7.5
16.2
22
8.0
7.1
16.2
8.5
7.5
16.2
8.5
7.5
16.2
8.5
7.5
16.3
Effluent
0.56
24-Hour
8.0
7.1
16.1
48-Hour
8.5
7.5
16.0
72-Hour
8.5
7.5
16.2
96-Hour
8.5
7.5
16.2
Concentration (%)
1.0
8.0
7.2
16.8
8.0
7.1
16.2
8.5
7.5
16.0
8.5
7.5
16.2
1.8
8.5
7.1
16.6
7.5
7.1
16.1
8.5
7.5
16.1
8.5
7.5
16.2
2.4
7.5
7.1
16.2
8.5
7.5
16.0
8.5
7.5
16.2
8.0
7.5
16.4
3.2 5.6
8.5 8.5
7.1 7.1
16.8 16.6
7.5
7.1
16.3
24
8.5
7.5
16.0
23
8.5
7.5
16.2
22
7.5 10.0
8.5 8.0
7.1 7.1
16.8 16.8
20
mg/1 CaCOj
-------
Table 39
96-HOUR CONTINUAL-FLOW BIOASSAY SURVIVAL DATA*
NEW JERSEY ZINC - EAST PLANT OUTFALL Oil
PALMERTON, PENNSYLVANIA
May, 1979
Effluent Concentration (%)
Time Period
24-hour
48- hour
72-hour
96-hour
Control
100
100
100
100
0.32
100
100
100
100
0.56
100
100
95
80
1.0
100
95
80
65
1.8
100
80
60
5
2.4
100
65
10
0
3.2 5.6 7.5 10.0
30 0 0 0
id
5
0
*Expressed as percent.
-------
C7>
O
PR03ABILITY
0.01
0.02
0.03
0.04
0.05
0.06
0.07
0.08
0.09
0.10
0,15
0.20
0.25
0.30
0,35
O./.O
0.45
0.50
0.5S
0.60
0.65
0.70
0.75
0.80
0.85
0,90
0.91
0,92
0.93
0.94
0.95
0.96
0.97
0.98
0.99
DOSE
0.1865U11
0.25022564
0.29064357
0.32105716
0,34579221
0.36684562
0.33530536
0,40183381
0,41686580
0.43070277
0.48799153
0.533522R2
0.57250461
0.60766330
0.64016894
0.67101361
0.70085619
0.73022562
0.75959506
0.72943763
0.82023231
0.85278794
0.88786664
0.92692843
0.97245971
1.C2974847
1.04358544
1.0S861743
1.07514591
1 .09360563
1 .11465904
1.13939408
1.16900267
1.21022560
1.27393714
95 PERCENT
LOVER
•0.19369107
•0.084 98399
•0.01640895
0.03491256
0.07645311
0.11163844
0.14233788
0.16968854
0.19443534
0.21709598
0.30938200
0.38032736
0.43876878
0.48874246
0.53247529
0.57140321
0.60659704
0.63395076
0.66926200
0.69827094
0.72669568
0.75528641
0.78492100
0.81679127
0.85283089
0.89697075
0.90747848
0.91883790
0.93126720
0.94508060
0.96075627
0,97907858
1 .00143190
1.03108779
1.07742500
FIDUCIAL LIMITS
UPPER
0.35027110
0.39753800
0.42792345
0,45104606
0.47006006
0.48641616
0.50090847
0.51402164
0.52607458
0.53728911
0.58525323
0.62577433
0.66296117
0.69886461
0.73470975
0.77129352
0.80915813
0.84870454
0.89029344
0,93434293
0.93142990
1.03241712
1 .08365966
1 .15241764
1 .22784444
1 .32395476
1 .34732171
1 .37276252
1 .40079704
1.43217540
1 .46804117
1 .51027341
1 .56231421
1 ,63166381
1.74130559
TABLE 40. Probit Analysis on Dose
Zinc-East Plant Outfall
May 1979.
(mg/1 dissolved zinc). New Jersey
001 and Oil. Palmerton, Pennsylvania.
-------
161
Outfall is listed with the Outfall. Intake and background concentra-
tions subtracted from the gross concentrations are in Appendix D.
When subtraction of the background concentration from the gross con-
centration resulted in a zero or negative net value, this value was
listed as zero. All average concentrations in Table 21 were computed
on a flow-weighted basis by back-calculating from average load and
flow data. Detection limits for the particular analyses are on the
footnote page.
The data at Outfall 001, the main process discharge, show net
metals concentration ranges of 0.2 to 4.0 mg/1 for zinc, 0.01 to 0.10
mg/1 for cadmium, 0.02 to 0.25 mg/1 for lead; 0.03 to 0.52 mg/1 for
iron and 0 to 0.14 for manganese. The 12-day average net concentra-
tions for the metals were 1.7 mg/1 for zinc, 0.05 mg/1 for cadmium,
0.11 mg/1 for lead, 0.26 mg/1 for iron and 0.03 mg/1 for manganese.
The data show a marked difference in 001 effluent quality before
and after the shutdown of the No. 3 roaster and the two Peabody scrub-
bers in the acid plant. Based on the averages of the before-shutdown
and after-shutdown periods, the concentrations and loads for the five
metals were reduced by 52 to 90% after the shudown.
The data at Outfall 002, the discharge from four in-series oil
separation tanks, show net concentration ranges of 0.11 to 0.42 mg/1
for zinc, 0 to 0.002 mg/1 for cadmium and 0 to 0.34 mg/1 for iron.
Average net concentrations for these three metals during the 7-day
monitoring period were 0.32, 0.001, and 0.03 mg/1, respectively.
Outfall 003, an intermittent discharge of induction furnace cooling
water, contained net zinc concentrations of from 0.03 to 0.27 mg/1
with an average of 0.10 mg/1, and net cadmium concentrations of from
0 to 0.002 mg/1 with an average of 0.001 mg/1.
-------
162
The data at Outfall 004, the Waelz kiln and sinter plant cooling
water discharge, showed net concentration ranges of 0 to 0.44 mg/1
for zinc, 0 to 0.008 mg/1 for cadmium, 0 to 0.06 mg/1 for iron and 0
to 0.04 mg/1 for manganese. Seven-day average net concentrations for
these respective metals were 0.13, 0.002, 0.01, and 0.01 mg/1.
The results from Outfall 005, which contains Blue Mountain and
Cinder Bank runoff and Oxide East cooling water, are presented in two
sets. First presented are the characteristics of the waste stream
that is actually discharged to Aquashicola Creek ("characteristics as
discharged"). The second set of data ("process load characteristics")
have had the flow and load characteristics from the two runoff moni-
toring stations (06 and 07) subtracted from the "characteristics as
discharged" to show only the gross and net contribution of the Oxide
East department. It is the net process load characteristics that are
limited by the NPDES permit. The net process concentration ranges
were 0 to 4.7 mg/1 for zinc, 0.006 to 0.070 mg/1 for cadmium, 0 to
0.15 mg/1 for lead and 0 to 0.03 mg/1 for copper. Seven-day average
net concentrations for the respective metals were 1.0, 0.024, 0.05
and 0.01 mg/1. The 7-day average flow and load data show that, dur-
ing this study, the contributions from the two runoff stations was a
minor portion of the 005 discharge, accounting for only 27% of the
flow, 25% of the zinc, 19% of the cadmium and none of the lead or
copper.
At Outfall 010, the discharge from the Field Station Facility
the effluent data reflect the batch-type processes that are conducted
there. The ranges of net metals concentrations were very wide: 0.9
to 78 mg/1 of zinc, 0.021 to 0.171 mg/1 of cadmium and 0 to 0.08 mg/1
of lead. The respective 7-day average net concentrations were 27,
0.074 and 0.02 mg/1.
-------
163
The data at Outfall Oil, a surface runoff and groundwater dis-
charge, show considerable amounts of zinc and cadmium being discharged.
Zinc concentrations ranged from 50 to 78 mg/1 and cadmium ranged from
0.72 and 0.77 mg/1 for the seven days. The respective average concen-
trations were 66 and 0.75 mg/1. The load data for these two metals
show that the only Outfall discharging more zinc and cadmium on a
daily basis was Outfall 001 before the roaster shutdown.
The data from Outfall 012, an intermittent discharge from the
slab casting and ball casting shops, show relatively low concentra-
tions of zinc, cadmium, and lead. Net concentrations ranged from 0
to 0.42 mg/1 for zinc, from 0 to 0.008 mg/1 for lead, and were always
0 mg/1 for cadmium. The respective average net concentrations were
0.12 and 0.002 and 0 mg/1.
The data from the surface runoff Outfalls 014, 015, and 016 indi-
cate some zinc and cadmium contamination. Zinc concentrations at the
three Outfalls ranged from 0.39 mg/1 to 4.5 mg/1 with most values
greater than 1.6 mg/1. The respective 7-day averages were 4.5, 1.7,
and 0.9 mg/1. Cadmium concentrations ranged from 0.01 to 0.03 mg/1
and the 7-day average was 0.02 mg/1 for all three Outfalls. However,
the load data show that the zinc load never exceeded 0.5 kg/day and
the cadmium load never exceeded 9 grams/day.
The results of six days of composite sampling of the influent to
and effluent from the NJZ Waste Acid Treatment Plant are presented in
Table 22. The data show an average of 98% or better removal effi-
ciency* for zinc, cadmium, iron, manganese, and arsenic. The average
removal for lead was 92%. The average removal for TSS and selenium
were relatively low, 27 and 57%, respectively. Load data were not
calculated at the treatment plant because no adequate flow device
exists at the site.
* Based on concentration.
-------
164
Table 23 presents a summary of metals load data from all East
Plant discharges for the five days, May 10 to 14, on which a metals
mass balance was performed on Aquashicola Creek. The data show that
Outfalls 001 and Oil were the sources of the major part of zinc and
cadmium contributions to Aquashicola Creek. Based on the 5-day av-
erages, these two Outfalls combined to account for 93 and 90% of the
zinc and cadmium loads, respectively. However, as was discussed pre-
viously, the total of all East Plant discharges accounted for only 18
and 8% of the zinc and cadmium contributions to Aquashicola Creek.
The remainder is attributable to non-point sources.
Field Measurements
Table 24 presents data from twelve days of continuous pH record-
ing at Outfall 001. The data show 89 excursions above 9.0 su* and 16
excursions below 6.0 su. Accumulated daily time at pH >9.0 ranged
from 0 to 1096 min/day, with a 12-day total of 2,989 minutes; accumu-
lated daily time at pH <6.0 ranged from 0 to 94 min/day, with a 12-day
total of 282 minutes. These data indicate that the pH control system for
the effluent from the Waste Acid Treatment Plant is totally inadequate.
Instantaneous pH and temperature data collected at all eleven Out-
falls and their background stations are presented in Table 25. The pH
data collected at the Outfalls are summarized below:
Outfall
001
002
003
004
005
010
Oil
012
014
015
016
No. pH
Readings
56
73
22
43
44
82
81
9
7
' 7
6
Readings
<6.0 su
1
1
0
0
0
0
9
0
0
1
0
Readings
>9.0
13
0
0
0
2
1
0
0
1
0
0
Total No.
Excursions
14
2
0
0
2
1
9
0
1
1
0
%
Excursions
25
3
0
0
4
1
11
0
14
14
0
* 12 days at Outfall 001, 7 days at all other Outfalls.
-------
165
The temperature data show that Outfalls 001 and 010 were the
only two discharges with temperatures in excess of 25°C (77°F) and
most temperatures were 20°C (68°F) or below.
TSS and Oil and Grease
Table 26 presents total suspended solids data composite and grab
samples collected from the 11 East Plant discharges (Outfalls 001-005,
010-012, 014-016). The concentration data have all been corrected
for analytical and sampler blanks. The background Stations are used
to compute the net concentrations at each Outfall are listed with the
Outfalls. All average concentrations were computed on a flow-weighed
basis by back-calculating from average load and flow data. The Outfall
005 TSS data are presented similarly to the 005 metals data.
The data show that, except for four days at Outfall 001 and one
day at Outfall 016, all net TSS concentrations were less than 10 mg/1.
Average concentrations over the monitoring period* ranged from 1 to 8
mg/1. The Outfall 001 concentration and load data show the effect of
the previously discussed process reductions. The average concentra-
tions and loads were decreased by 58 and 61%, respectively, after the
shutdown.
The oil and grease data in Table 27 show most measured concentra-
tions as less than detectable (<7.5 mg/1) but several relatively high
values on May 9. In all but one case, however, the high value at each
Outfall was preceded by a similarly high value at the background water
source(s) for the Outfall. The exception was for the last sample at
Outfall 002 which contained 11 mg/1.
* 12 days at Outfall 001, 7 days at all other Outfalls.
-------
166
Effluent Toxicity
The screening tests showed Outfall Oil to be acutely toxic to
fish within a 24-hour exposure period [Table 28]. No mortality of
test fish occurred at the 100% effluent concentration of Outfalls
001, 002, 003, 004, 005, and 012. No fish survived the screening
test in Outfall Oil effluent at concentrations down to 10%. Vital
physical and chemical characteristics (pH, temperature, and dissolved
oxygen concentration) for test chambers were adequate for fish sur-
vival [Table 29].
The results of the continual flow bioassays of Outfall 001 and
Oil showed both effluents to be acutely toxic to rainbow trout. The
96-hour LC50 for Outfall Oil was calculated to be a mixture of ap-
proximately 1% effluent and 99% Aquashicola Creek dilution water
(95% fiducial limits 0.86% to 1.4% [Figure 20, Table 30]. The
96-hour LC50 for Outfall 001 was calculated to be a mixture of 88%
effluent and 12% dilution water (95% fiducial limits 81.8% to 93%)
[Figure 21, Table 31].
Outfalls 001 and Oil contained heavy metals in concentrations
known to be potentially toxic to fish [Table 32]. The toxicity of
individual heavy metals to fish varies greatly as does the toxicity
of different chemical species of the same metal. However, some gen-
eral characteristics of heavy metals toxicity are similar for the
majority of metals. Studies indicate it is the ionic or labile
species of heavy metals that are toxic to fish and not the total
metal content of the water which may include insoluble chelated and
precipitated forms8. The percentage of the total metal content of
water in the toxic ionic state is dynamic and a function of various
physical and chemical characteristics of the water which include pH,
* LC50 indicates the concentration (actual or interpolated) at
which 50% of the organisms died or would be expected to die.
-------
-O^AuM I1Y
1,0 +
I ,
1 '©••
I » <
•J'° * ...
I
I
I
J.S .
I
I .
I
0.7 « .
I ..
I .
I .
).6 t .
I
I •
I I
0.5 + .
I
0 « 1 *
I
I
I
0.2 » © ..
I •
I ..
I
0,1 »
I
I • • • «
I .......
0.0 *..... ........
--» »• -f + + + + + . +
LC01 LOI^ LulO L025 LD50 L075 L090 L095 LD99
...Oul C.006 O.OJ5 O.U08 0.011 O.OU 0.017 0.018 0.021 JUSE
FIGURE 20. Probit Analysis on Dose. New Jersey Zinc-East Plant Outfall Oil, Palmerton, Pennsylvania
May, 1979
-------
CO
1 .0 +
0.7
O.S
J.A
0.2
0.1
.....
...
o."
L001 LD05 LD10 LD25 L050 L075 L090 LJ95 LJ99
0.637 0.750 0.784 0.841 0.903 0.966 1.023 1.057 1.1_0 oust
FIGURE 21. Probit Analysis on Dose. New Jersey Zinc-East Plant Outfall 001. Palmerton, Pennsylvania
May, 1979
-------
169
temperature, carbon dioxide levels and alkalinity9. This concept is
significant in that an effluent containing heavy metals which is ap-
parently not toxic at the point of discharge can become acutely toxic
when introduced into a receiving water of different physical and chem-
ical characteristics. In addition, where two or more heavy metals
are combined in solution the toxicity of the resulting mixture is not
always predictable and may be additive, synergistic or antagonistic.
The susceptibility of fish to heavy metals poisoning differs be-
tween species and invididual groups within the same species. In gen-
eral, younger and smaller of physically stressed fish have lower re-
sistance to heavy metals poisoning. Conversely, fish acclimated to
high sub-lethal concentrations of metals may show greater resistance
to toxic levels of the same metals. Exposure of fish to toxic levels
of heavy metals usually results in gill damage through precipitation
of mucous and or cytological damage. The major physiological change
preceding death appears to be tissue hypoxia which occurs once the
gas exchange process at the gills is no longer sufficient to supply
the oxygen requirements of the fish10.
Outfall 001 was mildly toxic to rainbow trout (96-hour LC50 =
88%). Chemical analyses of the 001 effluent revealed the presence of
Fe, Mn, Zn, Pb, Cd, and As [Table 32]. Only dissolved zinc and cad-
mium, averaging 0.87 mg/1 and 0.06 mg/1, respectively, were present
in potentially toxic concentrations [Tables 33 and 34].
The initial 24-hour exposure resulted in 85% mortality of test
fish in undiluted 001 effluent [Table 35]. No further mortalities
were recorded at this concentration in the 96-hour test. A 15% kill
occurred in the 75% effluent concentration between 48 and 96 hours.
The initial rapid mortality in the undiluted effluent and subsequent
survival of the remaining test fish indicated that some additional
stress, other than heavy metals exposure, occurred during the first
-------
170
24-hour test interval. Continuous flow pH data for Outfall 001 show
that between approximately 1930 and 2100 on May 12, the pH exceeded
9.0 (maximum 11.1) for approximately 61 minutes [Table 24]. The total
alkalinity of Outfall 001 averaged 39 mg/1 as CaC03 during the 96-hour
test [Table 36]. Water of such low alkalinity will generally have a
poor buffering capacity. A laboratory test using soft water (approxi-
mately 35 mg/1 CaC03) showed that addition of as little as 10% of pH
11 solution to dilution water of pH 6.7 resulted in a mixture pH of
8.9 [Figure 22]. A 15% addition resulted in a mixture of pH 9.5.
The diluter system was calibrated to deliver approximately 15% addi-
tions to the test chambers every 18 minutes. Short exposure to pH
9.5 would probably not by itself be lethal to rainbow trout [Figure 22].
However, a rapid change of pH from 7 to 9.5 would induce stress on
the fish making them more susceptible to other toxicants. The ultimate
toxicity of Outfall 001 probably is due to heavy metals toxicity;
however, the initial rapid kill probably resulted as a combination of
metals toxicity and physical stress induced by excessive pH variation.
While the bioassay of Outfall 001 indicated this effluent is only
moderately toxic, consideration must be given to the possibility that
the toxicity tests were performed under atypical operating conditions.
The 96-hour testing period for this Outfall occurred after a portion
of the East Plant had been shut down. Samples taken before and after
the shutdown showed the average concentration of metals in this efflu-
ent were reduced from 52 to 90% [Table 21]. Additionally, pH variation
was also significantly reduced during the testing period. For instance:
pH excursions greater than 9 averaged 406 minutes/24-hour period for
the four days period prior to bioassay testing as compared for the
first 72 hours after the test began [Table 24]. These factors indicate
that Outfall 001 is considerably more toxic under normal operating
conditions.
-------
RESPONSE OF SALMOMIDS
171
10.
9.0-4
Lethal Over Prolonged Periods
Likely Harmful Over
Prolonged Periods
o
t/t
6.0-
i
10
2\>
30
% ADDITION OF pH II SOLUTION
figure 22.Effect of pH II Solution Addition on Reconstructed Soft Water
Total Alkalinity 35 mg/l Co Co3
-------
172
Chemical analysis of Outfall Oil during the exposure period showed
the effluent contained Mn, Zn, Pb, Cd, and As [Table 32]. As with
Outfall 001, only dissolved zinc and cadmium were present at acutely
toxic concentrations averaging 59 mg/1 and 0.71, respectively, in the
undiluted effluent [Table 32]. At the calculated LC50 concentrations
of 1.1% effluent, these values extrapolated to 0.68 mg/1 zinc and
0.008 mg/1 cadmium [Table 37]. Both cadmium and zinc have been shown
to be acutely toxic to rainbow trout in this range [Table 34]. Daily
monitoring for pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen concentration
showed vital physical and chemical characteristics in all test chambers
were adequate for fish survival [Table 38].
Fish mortalities at effluent concentrations greater than 3.2%
were rapid, and no test fish survived 24-hours exposure. At effluent
concentrations down to 0.56%, mortalities continued to occur through-
out the 96-hour exposure decelerated rates [Table 39]. Regardless
of the concentration, behavioral characteristics of stricken fish
were similar. The initial response was general lethargy accompanied
by slow swimming near the surface interrupted by brief periods of
erratic swimming patterns. Preceding death, fish remained immobile
at the bottom of the test chamber, exhibiting rapid gill movement.
These symptoms are consistent with general anoxia of heavy metals
poisoning. Although no mortalities were observed at the 0.32% ef-
fluent concentration, after 96-hours of exposure some test fish became
lethargic indicating this effluent is probably toxic at 0.32% concen-
tration for exposures greater than 96-hours.
In the toxicity tests of Outfalls 001 and Oil zinc and cadmium
were identified at acutely toxic concentrations in both discharges
[Tables 33 and 32]. Aside from a small variation in alkalinity
[Tables 36 and 38], the physical and chemical characteristics at test
dilutions were similar. It would, therefore, be expected that the
toxic effect of zinc and cadmium would also be similar. To test this
-------
173
hypothesis, the data from both bioassays were pooled and a linear
regression done plotting percent mortality vs. mg/1 dissolved zinc
and cadmium. Results showed a correlation coefficient for mortality
vs. zinc concentration to be 0.89 and for cadmium 0.12. This indi-
cates a high probability exists for a relationship between dissolved
zinc concentration and mortality, and virtually no correlation for
dissolved cadmium. The data were then subjected to probit analysis
for dissolved zinc concentration vs. mortality. The resulting 96-hour
LC50 was calculated to be a dissolved zinc concentration of 0.73 mg/1
[(95% fiducial limits 0.64 to 0.85 mg/1) Table 40, Figure 23]. The
extrapolated zinc concentration for 001 and Oil at their respective
96-hour LC50 dilutions were 0.76 mg/1 and 0.68 mg/1, well within the
confidence limits of the pooled data. These calculations strongly
indicate that zinc was the principle toxicant in Outfalls 001 and Oil
and cadmium had little or no toxic influence. It also indicates that
the combination of cadmium with zinc had no synergistic or additive
effect on toxicity.
-------
PROBABILITY
1.0 +
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0 + i
X.
o
O
LD01
0.187
LOOS LD10 L02S
0.346 0.431 0.573
LD50
0.730
LD75 LD90 L095
0.888 1.030 1.115
LD99
1.274
DOSE
FIGURE 23. Probit Analysis on Dose. New Jersey Zinc-East Plant Outfall 001 and Oil.
Palmerton, Pennsylvania, May, 1979.
-------
VI. ASSESSMENT OF BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES DEFINED
The Environmental Protection Agency has been authorized by the
Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1977 to develop Best Management Practices
(BMP) for industrial facilities discharging wastewaters to the nation's
receiving waters. Section 402(2)(1) of the CWA allows EPA to impose
NPDES permit conditions considered necessary for compliance with pro-
visions of the act. Four general ancillary industrial sources are
identified in Section 304(3) as subject to BMPs: plant-site runoff,
spills or leaks, sludge or waste disposal, and raw-material drainage.
Through the inclusion of BMP for ancillary industrial sources in the
NPDES permitting requirements, EPA can control the discharge of toxic
and hazardous substances from the total plant-site as well as from
discrete outfalls.1
BMP is subdivided into two groups, base-line and advanced. The
base-line BMP should be applicable to all ancillary sources of toxic
chemicals for all industry groups. These require human commitments
and procedural actions such as material inventory and compatability,
employee training, spill reporting, preventive maintenance, good house-
keeping and security.
The advanced BMPs have been related to five ancillary sources:
material storage areas; in-plant transfer areas, process areas, and
material handling areas; loading and unloading operations; plant site
runoff; and sludge and hazardous waste disposal areas.
* "Best Management Practices for Control of Toxics and Hazardous Materials,"
Stowe, C.W., Cleary, J.G. and Thorn, H.M. Jr., Paper Presented at Purdue
Industrial Waste Conference, May 8-10, 1979.
-------
176
NEED FOR BMP AT PALMERTON
On January 12, 1977, the Administrator established effluent guide-
lines for six toxic pollutants, and on January 31, 1978 published the
list of "65 toxic pollutants" recognized in NRDC V Train. Included
in the list are cadmium and compounds, lead and compounds, and zinc
and compounds. The data from the NEIC survey show that lead, zinc
and cadmium are discharged to Aquashicola Creek and Lehigh River from
refining processes, the Cinder Bank, Blue Mountain, raw material stor-
age and handling areas, and the storage area for sludge from the waste-
water treatment plant. The data also show that the majority of the
toxic pollutants discharged to the Creek are from sources other than
the NPDES regulated Outfalls.
The Company has been aware of the problems for many years, but
has not pursued a comprehensive program to correct all of the problems.
If the compounds were being discharged primarily from process Outfalls
and emitted from the stacks, treatment systems could be installed to
further reduce the pollutants. However, at Palmerton the reduction
of the toxic materials requires total plant site control, therefore
the inclusion of Best Management Practices is necessary.
Best Management Practices for Palmerton
The NEIC data show that the Aquashicola Creek is being degraded
by the heavy metals from runoff, groundwater, and effluent discharges.
The mortality of the fish exposed during the survey is attributed to
the high zinc concentrations in the Creek water. Contamination of
the shallow aquifer by zinc, cadmium and other metals was documented.
Zinc was detected in the deep wells which might indicate that this
aquifer is becoming contaminated. Corrective actions must be imple-
mented to reduce the amount of contaminants released to the environ-
ment. The two most important actions to be implemented are control
of runoff, and to reduce the amount of infiltration to the groundwater.
-------
177
Runoff Control
The data show that about one-half of the zinc load in Aquashicola
Creek originates between the Harris Bridge and Research Field Station
Bridge. Approximately 90% of the cadmium and the remainder of the
zinc load enters the creek downstream from the Research Field Station
Bridge. The data also show that the Cinder Bank's seeps, and upstream
of the Aggregates Bridge, contain high concentrations of zinc. Because
there was no appreciable flow from seeps and springs between the Aggre-
gates and Research Field Station Bridges, it was not determined if
runoff was highly contaminated in this area. However, runoff contacting
the raw material storage and handling areas, and the storage area for
the sludge from the acid wastewater treatment plant, becomes highly
contaminated with zinc. Therefore, all Cinder Bank runoff from precip-
itation, seeps, and springs east (upstream) of the Aggregates Bridge
must be collected and conveyed to lined surface impoundments. The
impounded runoff must be monitored; if the zinc and cadmium concentra-
tions are greater than 5 and 0.5 mg/1, respectively, the impounded
water must be treated to reduce the concentrations to these levels.
(The zinc and cadmium concentrations are achievable by lime precipita-
tion as specified in the Development Document and as demonstrated by
the NJZ's wastewater treatment plant).
The two raw material storage areas and handling areas (east of
the acid department and south of the railroad car unloading trestle)
must either be lined to prevent infiltration and diked to contain
contaminated runoff, or as an alternative, the raw materials may be
stored inside a building. The area used for sludge storage must be
lined and diked. Contaminated runoff inside the diked areas cannot
be discharged unless the zinc and cadmium concentrations are 5.0 and
0.5 mg/1 or less, respectively.
To treat the runoff, the Company must either expand the waste
acid treatment plant or build another treatment facility. Because
the waste acid treatment facility is currently overloaded, the system
-------
178
should be expanded and sludge handling facilities incorporated to
reduce volumes for disposal. The expansion of the facility should
include capacity for the highly contaminated runoff. If an adequate
settling and filtration system is installed, the treated water could
be used in the plant to supplement the Aquashicola and Pohocopo'Creek
waters. According to Company personnel, the raw water supply systems
are being used at maximum capacity.
Runoff from the plant site must be diverted around the raw mater-
ial storage and handling areas and the sludge storage area. Diversion
channels, ditches, and drains should be placed throughout the East
Plant site to quickly remove runoff to the creek. All runoff should
be monitored; if zinc and cadmium concentrations are greater than 5
and 0.5 mg/1, respectively, the runoff must be treated. In addition,
the Company should re-evaluate the runoff drainage system and eliminate
the sources of contamination. If, over a 3-month period, the monitor-
ing shows that the zinc and cadmium concentrations are less than 5.0
and 0.5 mg/1, the Company should then request a relaxation of the
monitoring requirements.
Control of the runoff from Blue Mountain can be achieved through
two concurrent actions. First, all runoff must be isolated from the
Cinder Bank by using channels, pipes, etc., to convey the water around
the Cinder Bank to the Creek. Second, the amount of runoff can be
reduced by restoring and maintaining the vegetation on Blue Mountain.
Much of the water will be taken up by the .vegetation, especially dur-
ing the growing season. Water from seeps and springs should also be
intercepted and monitored before being discharged to the Creek and
before it contacts the Cinder Bank.
Infiltration Control
The amount of rainfall that enters the ground and penetrates to
the groundwater table is influenced by many factors including permea-
bility of the ground, turbidity of the water, nature of rainfall and
-------
179
wetness of the soil, nature and growth of vegetation, geology of the
area and slope. At Palmerton, the measure which can be implemented
to reduce infiltration include vegetation, permeability, and slope
modifications.
The raw material storage and handling areas are subject to heavy
equipment movement. Impervious liners are required in these areas to
prevent infiltration. Concrete pads or equivalent which can withstand
heavy equipment may be constructed to prevent groundwater contamination;
buildings could be constructed over the storage and handling areas as
an alternative to collection and treatment of contaminated runoff.
The waste acid treatment plant sludge storage areas must be lined
to prevent the water contained in the sludge from leaching into the
groundwater. The contaminated water from the sludge contains high
levels of zinc, cadmium, and other metals. Covering the area to prevent
precipitation from reaching the sludge will not prevent the natural
dewatering of the sludge. The storage area must be diked and all
contained water treated.
The Cinder Bank contributes most of the contaminated flow to the
groundwater. The Cinder Bank is permeable and covers a large area,
it has unstable slopes which crack and allow channels into the ground-
water; infiltration cannot be stopped. However, there are methods
which can be used to reduce the amount of infiltration. The surface
of the Cinder Bank is currently contoured in such a manner as to hold
much of the rainfall. The Cinder Bank must be contoured to facilitate
runoff and stabilize the area.
Hillside erosion is greater on the straight segments of slopes
than on either convex or concave segments, therefore slopes of 4 to 1
with an S-shaped profile having as short a straight segment as possible,
are preferred. The runoff should be collected in channels (which are
-------
180
maintained) to remove the stormwater from the Cinder Bank to the surface
impoundments. Water from seeps and springs should be conveyed to the
runoff channels.
Ponding of water on top of the Cinder Bank must be eliminated to
prevent the runoff from flowing down the face of the slope. This can
be accomplished by constructing a dike or berm along the top edge and
diverting the runoff to drainage channels.
Vegetation affects runoff and evapotranspiration of moisture
from the surface, and the root zone. Obviously the effects are greatest
during the growing season. The Company has initiated a revegetation
program in inactive areas on Blue Mountin and the Cinder Bank, and
proposes to test materials and procedures necessary to support the
vegetation for the next five years. Revegetation of at least 20 acres
will commence in 1981. The program should be accelerated and the
amount of vegetation added annually should be increased. Revegetation
of twenty acres/year will not solve the infiltration problem expediti-
ously. If the Company believes that five years will be required, then
1/5 of the Cinder Bank should be revegetated yearly. A compliance
schedule should be included in the permit for the revegetation phase.
Revegetation of Blue Mountain and the Cinder Bank should not ex-
ceed 5 years. The areas can be seeded and planted to reduce contami-
nation from the runoff infiltration and restore the natural beauty.
The Company has been working with the Soil Conservation Service since
1976. Preliminary data indicate that there are grasses which will
grow on Blue Mountain and Cinder Bank. The Company should be required
to complete recontouring and revegetation by 1984.
-------
181
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Rose, Arthur W., 1971. Trace Metals in Stream Sediment of South-
eastern Pennsylvania - Bull. Earth and Min. Sci. Exp. Sta., Penn.
St. Univ., No. 86.
2. McMeal, James M., 1979. Geochemist, U.S. Geol. Survey, Denver,
Colo. Personal Communication.
3. Madsen, M.J. 1935. A biological survey of streams and lakes of
Fort Apache and San Carlos Indian Reservations, Arizona. U.S.
Bureau Fish, 16 pp. (mimeographed).
4. Roback, S.S. 1974. Insects (Arthropoda: Insecta). IN:
Pollution Ecology of Freshwater Invertebrates. C.W. Hart
and S.L.H. Fuller, Eds. Academic Press. New York. 389 pp.
5. Weber, C.I., 1973. Ed. Biological Field and Laboratory
Methods for Measuring the Quality of Surface Waters and
Effluents. EPA publication EPA-670/4-73-001. Cincinnati, OH.
6. Rainwater, F.H. and L.L. Thatcher, 1960. Methods for Collection
and Analysis of Water Samples: U.S. Geol. Survey, W.S.P. No. 1454,
p. 84.
7. Parker, G.G., A.G. Hely, W.B. Keighton, F.H. Olmsted and Others,
1964. Water Resources of the Delaware River Basin: U.S. Geol.
Survey, Prof. Paper No. 381.
8. Goettl, John P. Jr., Davies, Patrick, H. 1977. Water Pollu-
tion Studies (Heavy Metals Toxicants in Fresh Waters) Opt.
of Nat. Res., Colo. Div. of Wildlife., Job Progress Report,
Fed. Ad. Proj. F-33-R-12.
9. Water Quality Criteria, 1972 EPA-R-73-033, March 1973, p 177-179.
10. Burton, P.T., A.H. Jones, and J. Cairns, Jr. 1972. Acure Zinc
Toxicity to Rainbow Trout (Salmo gairdneal): Confirmation of
the hypothesis that death is related to tissue hyporia.
J. Fish. Res. Bd. Canada 29: 1463-1466.
-------
APPENDIX A
PENNSYLVANIA WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
-------
A-l
PENNSYLVANIA WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
(Pennsylvania Code, Title 25 — Environmental Resources, Chapter 93 — Water
Quality Standards; Adopted August 21, 1979; Effective October 8, 1979; Pending
Approval by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)
§ 93.1. Definitions.
The following words and terms, when used in this chap-
ter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context
clearly indicates otherwise:
Ambient stream concentration — The range in concen-
tration or level of a water quality parameter which would
be expected to occur in the absence of human activities.
The value is normally determined from quality measure-
ments of waters that are not affected by waste discharges
or other human activities.
Ambient temperature — The temperature of the water
body upstream or outside of the influence of a heated waste
discharge or waste discharge complex. The ambient tem-
perature sampling point should be unaffected by any
sources of waste heat.
Application factor — The ratio of the safe concentration
to thp 96-hour LC50 concentration which is assumed to be
constant lor related groups of chemicals and is multiplied
hy an LC50 value in order to produce the estimated safe
concentration of a pollutant necessary to protect tnc
balanced indigenous community in the receiving body of
w jter.
Balanced community — A group of populations occupy-
ing a common area which consists of desirable species of
fish, shellfish, and other wildlife, including the biota of
other trophic levels which are necessary as part of the food
chain or otherwise ecologically important to the mainte-
nance of these populations.
Carcinogenic — Producing cancer.
Chan Streams Law — The Clean Streams Law (35 P. S.
§§ 691.1-691.1001).
Clean Water Act - 33 U.S.C. §1251 et seq.
11-16-70
• 'VASHINGTC'
-------
891:1002
STATE VvATER LAWS
A-2
t
'Cumulative pollutant — A pollutant which is measur-
ably increased in concentration within aquatic organisms
relative to concentrations in the receiving waters.
Daily average — The arithmetic average of all deter-
minations made during a calendar month.
Daily determination — The arithmetic average of all
determinations made during a 24-hour period.
Department — The Department of Environmental Re-
sources of the Commonwealth.
Effluent limits — Any restriction established by the De-
partment on quantities, rates, and concentrations of pol-
lutants which are discharged into the waters of this Com-
monwealth.
Epilimnion — Warm upper layer of nearly uniform tem-
perature in a stratified body of water, such as a lake or im-
poundment.
Existing potable water supply — A source of water sup-
ply which is presently being used by humans after conven-
tional treatment for drinking, culinary and other purposes.
such as inclusion in food products, after conventional
treatment.
Existing sensitive industrial water supply — An exist-
ing industrial water supply use which would require instal-
lation of additional water treatment by the industrial user
in the event that the total dissolved solids concentration
instream exceeds 500 rag/1 as a monthly average and 750
mg/1 at any one time.
LC50 value — The concentration of a pollutant in test
waters that is lethal to 50% of the test organisms during
continuous exposure for a specified period of time.
Maximum allowable daily load (MDL) — The maximum
amount of a pollutant from point and nonpoint sources
which the receiving waters can assimilate at the accepted
design stream flow without endangering the achievement
of the water quality standards.
Mutagenic — Producing adverse changes in the genes.
Noncumulative pollutant — A pollutant which is not
measurably increased in concentration within aquatic or-
ganisms relative to concentrations in the receiving waters.
Representative important species — Those species of
aquatic life whose protection and propagation will assure
the sustained presence of a balanced indigenous commu-
nity. Such species are representative in the sense that
maintenance of water quality criteria will assure both the
natural completion of the species' hfe cycles and the overall
protection and sustained propagation of the balanced
indigenous community.
Safe concentration value — An estimated pollutant con-
centration as may be determined by the Department from
relevant aquatic field studies, substantial available scienti-
fic literature, or bioassay tests tailored to the ambient
quality of the receiving waters which will allow the sur-
vival of representative important species that have been
chronically exposed to the concentration in the receiving
waters.
State water plan — The reports, studies, inventories and
plans prepared by the Department to guide the conserva-
tion, development, and administration of the Common-
wealth's water and related land resources as authorized by
71P.S.§ 510-4.
Teratogenic — Producing monstrosities, malformations.
or extreme deviations from the normal structure of life
forms.
waste discharge uhich is relatively unfiffuctcd by human
activities, or a reconstituted water which approximates the
ambient chemical characteristics of these receiving waters.
Total dissolved solids — The portion of the total residue
of water capable of passing through a standard glass fiber
filter — Reeve-Angel type 934A. 984H, Golman Type A: or
equivalent — and which remains after evaporation and
drying to a constant weight at a temperature of 103°-
105°C.
Water-quality-based effluent limitations — An effluent
limitation based on the need to attain or maintain specific
water quality criteria in order to assure protection of a des-
ignated use.
Water quality criteria. — Levels of parameters or stream
conditions that need to be maintained or attained to pre-
vent or eliminate pollution.
Water quality standards — The combination of water
uses to be protected and the water quality criteria neces-
sary to protect those uses.
§ 93.2. Scope.
The provisions of this chapter set forth water quality
standards for the waters of this Commonwealth. These
standards are based upon water uses which are to be pro-
tected and shall be considered by the Department in its
regulation of discharges.
§ 93.3. Protected water uses.
Water uses which shall be protected, and upon which the
development of water quality criteria shall be based, are
set forth, accompanied by their identifying symbols, in the
following Table 1:
Symbol
CWF
WWF
MF
TSF
PWS
IWS
LWS
Test water — A receiving water directly upstream from a A WS
Environment Reporter
Table 1
Protected Use
Aquatic Life
Cold Water Fishes — Maintenance and/or prop-
agation of fish species including the family
Salmonidae and additional flora and fauna
which are indigenous to a cold water habitat.
Warm Water Fishes — Maintenance and prop-
agation of fish species and additional flora and
fauna which are indigenous to a warm water
habitat.
Migratory Fishes — Passage, maintenance and
propagation of anadromous and catadromous
tishes and other fishes which ascend to flowing
waters to complete their life cycle.
Trout Stocking — Maintenance of stocked
trout from February 15 to July 31 and mainte-
nance and propagation of fish species and addi-
tional flora and fauna which are indigenous to a
warm water habitat.
Water Supply
Potable Water Supply — Use by humans after
conventional treatment for drinking, culinary.
and other purposes, such as inclusion into foods
(either directly or indirectly).
Industrial Water Supply — Use by industry for
inclusion into nonfood products, processing
and cooling.
Livestock Water Supply — Use by livestock
and poultry for drinking and cleansing.
Wildlife Water Supply — Use for waterfowl
130
-------
S-473
891-100?
— A-3
lating to designated water uses and water quality criteria)
may be adopted where it is demonstrated that:
(1) the existing designated use is not attainable because
of natural background conditions,
(2) the existing designated use is not attainable because
of irretrievable man-induced conditions; or
(3) application of effluent limitations for existing
sources more stringent than those required pursuant to 33
U.S.C. § 1311, in order to attain the existing designated
use, would result in substantial and widespread adverse
economic and social impact.
§ 93.5. Application of water quality criteria to discharge of
pollutants.
(a) The water quality criteria prescribed in this chapter
for the various designated uses of the waters of this Com-
monwealth apply to receiving waters and are not to be
necessarily deemed to constitute the effluent limit for a
particular discharge, but rather one of the major factors to
be considered in developing specific limitations on the dis-
charge of pollutants. Where water quality criteria become
the controlling factor in developing specific effluent limita-
tions, the procedures set forth in section 95.3 of this title
(relating to waste load allocations) will be employed.
(b) The accepted design stream flow, to which the water
quality criteria as set forth in this chapter shall apply, is
the actual or estimated lowest seven-consecutive-day aver-
age flow that occurs once in ten years for a stream with un-
regulated flow, or che estimated minimum flow for a
stream with regulated flows, except where the Department
determines that a more restrictive application is necessary
to protect a particular designated or existing use. Where
the lowest seven-consecutive-day average flow that occurs
once in ten years is zero, the Department shall specify the
design flow based on the identified or estimated flow at
that point where a use identified in section 93.4 of this title
(relating to statewide water uses) becomes possible.
(c) Where adopted water quality criteria as set forth in
section 93.9 of this title (relating to designated water uses
and water quality criteria) are more stringent than Jmbient
stream concentrations of specific water quality indicators,
such ambient stream concentrations shall be deemed to be
the applicable criteria used to establish specific effluent
limits.
(d) (Reserved)
(e) (Reserved}
§ 93.6. General water quality criteria.
(a) Water shall not contain substances attributable to
point or nonpoint source waste discharges in concentration
or amounts sufficient to be inimical or harmful to the water
uses to be protected or to human, animal, plant or nquatic
life.
(b) Specific substances to be controlled shall include, but
shall not be limited to. floating debris, oil. grease, scurn and
other floating materials, toxic substances, pesticides.
chlorinated hydrocarbons, carcinogenic, mutagcnic and
teratogcnic materials, and substances which produce color,
tastes, odors, turbidity, or settle to form deposits.
§ 93.7. Specific water quality criteria.
(a) Waters of this Commonwealth for which specific
criteria have been established are listed in section 93.9 of
this title (relating to designated water uses and water qual-
ity criteria).
(b) References to specific criteria in section 93.9 of this
title (relating to designated water u.ios and water quality
habitat and for drinking and cleansing by wild-
life
IRS Irrigation — Used to supplement precipitation
for grow ing crops.
Recreation
B Boating — Use of the water for power boating.
sail boating, canoeing, and rowing for recrea-
tional purposes when surface water flow or im-
poundment conditions allow.
F Fishing — Use of the water for the legal taking
offish.
WC Water Contact Sports — Use of the water for
swimming and related activities.
E Esthetics — Use of the water as an esthetic set-
ting to recreational pursuits.
Special Protection
HQ High Quality Waters — A stream or watershed
which has excellent quality waters and environ-
mental or other features that require special
water quality protection.
EV Exceptional Value Waters — A stream or
watershed which constitutes an outstanding
national, state, regional or local resource, such
as waters of national, state or county parks or
forests, or waters which are used as a source of
unfiltered potable water supply, or waters of
wildlife refuges or state game lands, or waters
which have been characterized by the Fish
Commission as "Wilderness Trout Streams."
and other waters of substantial recreational or
ecological significance.
Other
N Navigation — Use of the water for the commer-
cial transfer and transport of persons, animals
and goods.
§ 93.4. Statewide water uses.
(a) Those uses set forth in the following Table 2 were
considered in determining the water quality criteria appli-
cable to the particular waters listed in section 93.9 of this
title (relating to designated water uses and water quality
criteria) except where otherwise indicated in such section.
Table 2
Symbol Use
Aquatic Life
WWF Warm Water Fishes
Water Supply
PWS Potable Water Supply
IWS Industrial Water Supply
LWS Livestock Wuter Supply
AWS " Wildlife Water Supply
IKS Irrigation
Recreation
B Doating
F Fishing
WC Water Contact Sports
E Esthetics
(b) Loss restrict ive uses thun those currently designated
for particular waters listed in section 93.9 of this titlo (re-
11-16-79
Publ,sh,.rl by THC BUREAU OF NATIONAL AFFAIRS INC WASHINGTON DC 20037
131
-------
§91:1004
A-4
STATE WATER LAWS
criteria) shall lie keyed tn (he !i->t of .sprcilic criteria set
forth in subsection (cl of Lliis section and to the groups of
criteria set forth in bubscction (d) of this section.
(c) The following Table 3 shall display the specific water
quality criteria. Unli'-s othi-rwise specified, the specific
criti-ria concent i atimi limits an- for the total, rather than
the dissolved, form of a substance
Parameter
Aluminum
Alkalinity
Ammonia Nitrogen
Arsenic
Bacteria
Chloride
Chromium
Color
Copper
Cyanide
Dissolved Oxygen
Table 3
Symbol ' Criteria
Al Not to exceed 0.1 of the 96-hour LC50 for representative important species as deter-
mined through substantial available literature data or bioassay tests tailored to the
ambient quality of the receiving waters.
Alk, Equal to or greater than 20 mg/1 as CaCO,. except where natural conditions are less.
Where discharges are to waters with 20 mg/1 or less alkalinity, the discharge should
not further reduce the alkalinity of the receiving waters.
Alk, Not less than 20'mg/1 as CaCO,.
Alk, Between 20 a nd 100 mg/1.
Alk, Between 20 and 120 mg/1.
Am, Not more than 0.5 mg/1.
Am, Not more than 1.6 mg/1.
As Not to exceed 0.05 mg/1.
Bac, During the swimming season (May 1 through September 30). the fecal coliform level
shall not exceed a geometric mean of 200 per 100 milliliters (ml) based on five con-
secutive samples each sample collected on different days: for the remainder of the
year, the fecal coliform level shall not exceed a geometric mean of 2000 per 100 millili-
ters (ml) based on five consecutive samples collected on different days.
Bac, (Coliforms/100 ml) — Not more than 5,000/100 ml as a monthly average value, nor
more than this number in more than 20% of the samples collected during any month.
nor more than 20,000/100 ml in more than 5% of the samples.
Bac, (Coliforms/100 ml) - Not more than 5.000/100 ml as a monthly geometric mean.
Bac4 (Fecal Coliforms/100 ml) - Maximum geometric mean of 770/100 ml; samples shall
be taken at a frequency and location to permit valid interpretation.
Bac, The fecal coliform density in five consecutive samples shall not exceed a geometric
mean of 200/100 ml.
Ch, Not more than 150 mg/1.
Ch, Not more than 250 mg/1.
Ch, Not more than 200 mg/1.
Ch, Maximum 15-day mean 50 mg/1.
Cr Not to exceed 0.05 mg/1 as hexavalent chromium.
Col, Not more than 50 units on the platinum-cobalt scale; no other colors perceptible to
the human eye.
Col, Not more than 75 units on the platinum-cobalt scale: no other colors perceptible to
the human eye.
Cu, Not to exceed 0.1 of the 96-hour LC50 for representative important species as deter-
mined through substantial available literature data or bioassay tests tailored to the
ambient qual ity of the receiving waters.
Cu, Not to exceed 0.1 mg/1.
CN Not to exceed 0005 mg/1 as free cyanide (HCN+CN-).
DO, Minimum daily average 6.0 mg/1: no value less than 5.0 mg/1. For lakes, ponds and im-
poundments only, no value less than 5.0 mg/l at any point.
DO, Minimum daily average 5.0 mg/1: no value less than 4.0 mg/1. For the epilimnion of
lakes, ponds and impoundments, minimum daily average of 5.0 mg/1. no value less
than 4.0 mg/1.
DO, Minimum daily average not less than 5 0 mg/1. during periods 4/1-6/15 and 9/16-12/31
not less than 6.5 mg/1 as a seasonal average.
DO, Minimum daily average not less than 3.5 mg/1; during periods 4/1 • 6/15 and 9/16 -
12/31. not less than 6.5 mg/1 as a seasonal average.
DO, For the period 2/15 to 7/31 of any year, minimum daily average of 6 0 mg/l. no value
less than 5.0 mg/1. For the remainder of the year, minimum daily average of 5.0 mg/1.
no value less than 4.0 mg/1.
Environment Reporter
132
-------
PENNSYLVANIA STANDARDS
S-473
891:1005
Fluoride
Hardness
Iron
Lead
Manganese
Methylene Blue Active
Substance
Nickel
Nitrite plus Nitrate
pH
Phenolics
Phosphorus
(Total Soluble as P)
Radioactivity
Specific
Conductance
Sulfate
Temperature
D0k
F
Hd,
Hd,
Fe
Pb
Mn
MBAS,
MBAS,
Ni
N
pH,
pH,
pH,
pH,
Phen,
Phen,
P,
P,
P,
Rad
SC
Sul
Temp,
Temp,
Temp,
Temp,
A-5
No value tabs than 7 0 mg/1.
Not to exceed 2.0 mg/1.
Maximum monthly mean 150 mg/I.
Maximum monthly mean 95 mg/1.
Not to exceed 1.5 mg/1 as total iron; not to exceed 0.3 mg/I as dissolved iron.
Not to exceed the lesser of 0.05 mg/1 or 0.01 of the 96-hour LC50 for representative
important species as determined through substantial available literature data or
bioassay tests tailored to the ambient quality of the receiving waters.
Not to exceed 1.0 mg/1.
Not more than 0.5 mg/1.
Not more than 1.0 mg/1.
Not to exceed 0.01 of the 96-hour LC50 for representative important species as deter-
mined through substantial available literature data or bioassay tests tailored to the
ambient quality of the receiving waters.
Not to exceed 10 mg/1 as nitrogen.
Not less than 6.0 and not more than 9.0.
Not less than 6.5 and not more than 8.5.
Not less than 7.0 and not more than 9.0.
Not less than 6.0 and not more than 8.5.
Not to exceed 0.005 mg/1.
Maximum 0.02 mg/1.
Not more than 0.03 mg/1.
Not more than 0.10 mg/1.
Not more than 0.13 mg/1.
Alpha emitters, maximum 3 pc/1; beta emitters, maximum 1.000 pc/1.
Not to exceed 3400 micromhos/cm at 25 °C.
Not to exceed 250 mg/1.
No rise when ambient temperature is 58°F. or above; not more than 5°F. rise above
ambient temperature until stream temperature reaches 58°F.; not to be changed by
more than 2 "F. during any one-hour period.
No rise when ambient»emperature is 87 °F. or above; not more than a 5 °F. rise above
ambient temperature antil stream temperature reaches 87 °F.; not to be changed by
more than 2 °F. during any one-hour period.
For the period 2/15 to 7/31. no rise when ambient temperature is 74°F. or above; not
more than 5°F. rise above ambient temperature until stream temperature reaches
74°F.. not to be changed by more than 2°F. during any one-hour period; for the re-
mainder of the year, no rise when ambient temperature is 87 °F. or above; not more
than a 5°F. rise above ambient temperature until stream temperature reaches 87°F..
not to be changed by more than 2 "F during any one-hour period.
Not to exceed the following temperatures in the month indicated:
Month
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Temperature. "F.
56
56
62
71
80
90
90
90
90
78
69
58
Temp,
Not more than 5°F. nbovc the average daily temperature during the 1961-66 period.
which is shown below, or a maximum of 8G°F., whichever is less.
11-16-79
Published by THE DURF.AU OR NATIONAL AFFAIRS. INC.. WASHINGTON. D C. 20037
133
-------
891:1006
STATE WATER LAWS
A-6
Average Daily Temperature
1961-1966
(Temperatures may be interpolated)
Delaware Estuary, HeadofTide Delaware Estuary, River Mile
to RiucrMile 108 4 (about 1 mile 208.4 (about 1 mile below
below Pennypack Creek) Pcnnypack Creek) to Big Timber Creek
Date
January 1
February 1
March 1
April 1
Mayl
Junel
Julyl
August 1
September 1
September 15
October 1
November 1
December 1
December 15
37
35
38
46
58
71
79
81
78
76
70
59
46
40
Temp,
Temp,
Temp,
Temp,
Threshold Odor Number
Total Dissolved Solids
Turbidity
TON
TDS,
TDS,
TDS,
TDS,
Tur,
41
35
38
46
58
71
79
81
79
77
70
61
50
45
Delaware Estuary, from Big
Timber Creek to Pennsylvania
Delaware State Line
42
36
40
47
58
72
80
81
78
76
70
60
50
45
Not more than 5°F. rise above the ambient temperatures until stream temperatures
reach 50°F.. nor more than 2°F. rise above ambient temperature when temperatures
are between 50°F. and 58°F.. r.or shall temperatures exceed 58°F.. whichever is less.
except in designated heat dissipation areas.
As a guideline, the maximum length of heat dissipation areas shall not be longer than
3,500 feet measured from the point where the waste discharge enters the stream. The
width of heat dissipation areas shall not exceed two-thirds the surface width
measured from shore to shore at any stage of tide or the width encompassing one-
fourth the cross-sectional area of the stream, whichever is less. Within any one heat
dissipation area only one shore shall be used in determining the limits of the area.
Where waste discharges are close to each other, additional limitations may be pre-
scribed to protect stream uses. Controlling temperatures shall be measured outside
the heat dissipation area. The rate of temperature change in the heat dissipation area
shall not cause mortality of the fish.
As a guideline, the maximum length of heat dissipation areas shall not be longer than
3.500 feet or 20 times the average stream width, whichever is less, measured from the
point where the waste discharge enters the stream. Heat dissipation areas shall not
exceed one-half the surface stream width or the width encompassing one-half of the
entire cross-sectional areas of the stream, whichever is less. Within any one heat dis-
sipation area, only one shore shall be used in 'determining the limits of the area.
Where waste discharges are close to each other, additional limitations may be pre-
scribed to protect water uses. Controlling temperatures shall be measured outside
the heat dissipation zone The rate of temperature change in designated heat dissipa-
tion areas shall not cause mortality of the fish.
As a guideline, the maximum length of heat dissipation areas shall not be longer than
1.000 feet or 20 times the average width of the stream, whichever is less, measured
from the points where the waste discharge enters the stream. Heat dissipation areas
shall not exceed one-half the surface stream width or the width encompassing one-
half of the entire cross-sectional area of the stream, whichever is less. Within any one
heat dissipation area, only one shore shall be used in determining the limits of the
area. Where waste discharges are close to each other, additional limitations may be
prescribed to prolect water uses. Controlling temperatures shall be measured outside
the heat dissipation zone. The rate of temperature change in designated heat dissipa-
tion areas shall not cause mortality of the fish.
Not more than 24 at 60"C.
Not more than 500 mg/1 as a monthly average value; not more than 750 mg/1 at any
time.
Not more than 1.500 mg/1 at any time.
Not to exceed 133% of ambient stream concentrations or 500 mg/1. whichever is less.
Not to exceed 133% of ambient stream concentration.
Not more than 30 NTU during the period 5/30 — 9/15. nor more thnn a monthly mean
of 40 NTU or a maximum of 150 NTU during the remainder of the year.
Tur, Maximum monthly mean 40 NTU. maximum value not more thnn 150 NTU.
Environment Reporter
13-i
-------
PENNSYLVANIA STANDARDS
S-473
891:1007
Tur,
Zinc
Tur,
Tur,
Zn
(d) Unless otherwise specified in subsection (e) of this
section and section 93.9 of this title (relating to designated
water uses and water quality criteria), statewide specific
criteria set forth in the following Table 4 shall apply to all
surface waters of this Commonwealth:
Table 4
Symbol Specific Water Quality Criteria
AI Aluminum
AUc Alkalinity,
As Arsenic
Bac, Bacteria,
Cr Chromium
Cu, Copper,
CN Cyanide
F Fluoride
Fe Iron
Pb Lead
Mn Manganese
Ni Nickel
N Nitrite plus Nitrate
pH, pH,
Phen, Phenolics,
TDS, Total Dissolved Solids,
Zn Zinc
(e) The following Table 5 contains groups of specific wa-
ter quality criteria based upon water uses to be protected.
When the symbols listed below appear in the Water Uses
Protected column in section 93.9 of this title (relating to
designated water uses and water quality criteria), they
have the meaning listed in the table below. Exceptions to
these standardized groupings will be indicated on a stream-
by-stream or segment-by-segment basis by the words
"Add" or "Delete" followed by the appropriate symbols
described elsewhere in this chapter.
Tables
Symbol
WWF
CWF
TSF
HQ-WWF
HQ-CWF
HQ-TSF
EV
11-16-79
Water Uses Included
Statewide list
Statewide list plus Cold
Water Fish
Specific Criteria
Statewide list plus
DO, and Temp,
Statewide list plus
DO,, and Temp,
Statewide list plus Trout Statewide list plus
Stocking DO. and Temp,
Statewide list plus High Statewide list plus
Quality Waters
Statewide list plus High
Quality Waters and
Cold Water Fish
Statewide list plus High
Quality Waters and
Trout Stocking
Statewide list plus
Exceptional Value
Waters
Not more than 100 NTU.
For the period 5/15 — 9/15 of any year, not more than 40 NTU. for the period 9/16 —
5/1 4 of any year, not more than 1 00 NTU.
Maximum monthly mean of 10 NTU, maximum 150 NTU.
Maximum monthly mean of 20 NTU. maximum of 1 50 NTU.
Maximum monthly mean of 30 NTU. maximum of 150 NTU.
Not to exceed 0.01 of the 96-hour LC50 for representative important species as deter-
mined through substantial available literature data or bioassay tests tailored to the
ambient quality of the receiving waters.
(f) The list of specific water quality criteria does not in-
clude all possible substances that could cause pollution.
For substances not listed, the general criterion that these
substances shall not be inimical or injurious to the desig-
nated water uses applies. The best scientific information
available will be used to adjudge the suitability of a given
waste discharge where these substances are involved.
§ 93.8. Development of specific water quality criteria for the
protection of aquatic life.
(a) When a specific water quality criterion has not been
established for a pollutant in section 93.7(c). Table 3. or
pursuant to section 93.7(f) of this title (relating to specific
water quality criteria) and a discharge of a pollutant into
waters of this Commonwealth designated to be protected
for aquatic life in section 93.9 of this title (relating to desig-
nated water uses and water quality criteria) is proposed, a
specific water quality criterion for such pollutant may be
determined by the Department through establishment of a
safe concentration value.
(b) Establishment of a safe concentration value shall be
based upon data obtained from relevant aquatic field
studies, standard continuous flow bioassay test data which
exists in substantial available bterature, or data obtained
from specific tests utilizing one or more representative im-
portant species of aquatic bfe designated on a case-by-ca-3
basis by the Department and conducted in a water environ-
ment which is equal to or closely approximates that of the
natural quality of the receiving waters.
(c) In those cases where it has been determined that
there is insufficient available data to establish a safe con-
centration value for a pollutant, the safe concentration
value shall be determined by applying tho appropriate ap-
plication factor to the 96-hour (or greater) LC50 value. Ex-
cept where the Department determines, based upon sub-
stantial available data, that an experimentally derived ap-
plication factor exists for a pollutant, the following ap-
plication factors shall be used in the determination of safe
concentration values:
DO, and Temp,
Statewide list plus
DO. and Temp,
Statewide list plus
DO, and Temp,
Existing quality
(1) Concentrations of pollutants that arc noncumulativc
shall noKexceed 0.05 (1/20) of the 96-hour LC50.
(2) Concentrations of pollutants that ore cumulative
shall not exceed 0.01 (1/100) of the 96-hour LC50.
(3) Concentrations of pollutants with known syncrgistic
or antagonistic effects with pollutants in tho effluent or re-
ceiving water will be established on a case-by-case basis us-
ing the best available scientific data.
(d) Persons seeking issuance of a permit pursuant to the
Clean Streams Law and 33 U.S C. § 13-12 authorizing tho
discharge of a pollutant for which a safe concentration val-
ue is to be established using specific bioassay tests pursu-
ant to subsection (c) of this section shall perform such test-
ing with the approval of the Department and shall submit
the following in writing to tho Department:
(1) A plan proposing tho bioassay testing to be per-
formed.
Piitj'ibliiKf by THE BURCAU OF NATIONAL AFFAIRS INC WASHINGTON DC 20037
135
-------
A-8
(21 Such periodic progress reports of the testing as may
be required by the Department.
(3) A report of the completed results of such tostmg in-
cluding, but not limited to. the following.
(i) all data obtained during the course of testing, and
(ii) all calculations made in the recording, collection, in-
terpretation, and evaluation of such data.
(e) Bioassay testing shall be conducted in accordance
with the continuous flow methodologies outlined in EPA
Ecological Research Series Publication. EPA-660/3/75-009.
Methods of Acute Toxicity Tests with Fish. Macromverte-
brates. and Amphibians (April. 1975): Standard Methods
for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (Nth Edi-
tion): Standard Method of Test for ASTM D1345-59 (Heap-
proved 1970) and published in the 1975 Annual Book of
ASTM Standards — Part 31 - Water: or EPA Environ-
mental Monitoring Series Publication. EPA-600/-J-78-012.
Methods for Measuring the Acute Toxicity of Effluents to
Aquatic Organisms (January. 1978). Use of any other
methodologies shall be subject to prior written approval by
the Department Test waters shall be reconstituted
according to recommendations and methodologies
specified in the previously cued references, or methodolo-
gies approved in writing by the Department.
§ 93.9. Deiiiynaled waicr uses and water quality criteria.
The following tables shall display designated water uses
and water quality criteria. The County column in Drainage
Lists A through Z indicates the county in which the mouth
of the stream is located.
Environment Reporter
136
-------
PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTEER OF STREAMS
INDEX MAP
w.
-------
PENNSYLVANIA STANDARDS
-
891:1017
A-10'
Stream
Delaware River
Lchigh River
Mud Run
Buck Mountain Creek
Drakes Creek
Stony Creek
Penn Springs
Dlacl. Creek
Black Creek
Unnamed Tributaries
of Slack Creek
Beaver Creek
Quaka'r.e Creek
Quakake Creek
Maplo Hollow
Bear Geek
Nesquehoning Geek
Nesquehoning Creek
Unnamed Tributaries
of Nesquehoning Creek
Swartz Run
Grassy Meadow Run
Dear Creek
Nesquehoning Creek
Unnamed Tributaries
of Nesquehoning Creek
Dennison Run
Brood Run
Deep Run
First Hollow Run
Jenns Run
Robertson Run
LIST D - CONTINUED
lone
Basin
Basin
Basin
Basin
Basin
Basin, Source
to Beaver Creek
Main Stem from
Beaver Creek to
lehigh River
Basins from Beaver
Creek to Lchigh
River
Oosin
Basin, Source to
Wetzel Creek
Basin from and
including Wetzel
Creek to Black Creek
Basin
Oasm
Basin, Source to
Lake Greenwood
Main Stem from and
including lake
Greenwood, Lake
Hauto, and to and
including Tibbelts Pond
Basin's, those
Tributaries to Lake
Greenwood, Lake Hauto
and Tibbelts Pond
Basin
Basin
Oasm
Main Stem from
Tibbelts Pond Dam
to Lehigh River
Basins from TibbelM
Pond Dam to
lehigh River
Basin
Basin
Bonn
Basin
Basin
Basin
County
Carbon
Carbon
Carbon
Carbon
Carbon
Carbon
Carbon
Carbon
Carbon
Carbon
Carbon
Carbon
Carbon
Schuylkil!,
Carbon
Carbon
Schuylkill,
Carbon
Carbon
Carbon
Carbon
Carbon
Carbon
Carbon
Carbon
Carbon
Carbon
Carbon
lehigh
Water Uses
Protected
HQ-CWF
HQ-CWF
HQ-CWF
EV
HQ-CWF
HQ-CWF
CWF
HQ-CWF
CWF
HQ-CWF
CWF
HQ-CWF
HQ-CWF
HQ-CWF
HQ-WWF
HQ-CWF
HQ-CWF
HQ-CWF
HQ-CWF
CWF
HQ-CWF
HQ-CWF
HQ-CWF
EV
EV
HQ-CWF
HQ-CWF
'Exceptions To
Specific Criteria
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
Nona
None
None
lehigh River
Main Stem from
Route 903 Bridge at
Jim Thorpe to
Allcnlown Dam
Carbon, Lehigh
TSF
Nona
11-16-79
Published by THE BUREAU OF NATIONAL AFFAIRS INC WASHINGTON DC 20037
145
-------
891:1018
STATE WATER LAWS
/
Stream
Delaware River
Lehigh River
Unnamed Tributaries
of the Lehigh River
Silkmill Run
Mauch Chunk Creek
Unnamed • Tributariei
of Mauch Chunk Creek
White Bear Creek
White Bear Creek
Beaverdam Run
Long Run
Motioning Creek
Pohopoco Creek
Wild Creek
Pohopoco Creek
Fireline Creek
Lizard Creek
Aquashicola Creek
Aquoshicola Creek
LIST D -
Zone
Baiini from Route
903 Bridge at Jim
Thorpe to Allen-
town Dam
Basin
Main Stem, Source
to Lehigh River
Basins, Source la
Lehigh River
Basin, Source to
Route 902 Bridge
Basin from Route
902 Bridge to Mauch
Chunk Creek
Basin
Basin
Basin
Basin, Source to
Wild Creek
Basin
Basin from Wild
Creek to Mouth
Basin
Basin
Basin, Source to
and including
Buckwa Creek
Main Stem from
Buckwa Creek to
Mouth
CONTINUED
County
Carbon, Lehigh
Carbon
Carbon
Carbon
Carbon
Carbon
Carbon
Carbon
Carbon
Monroe, Carbon
Carbon
Carbon
Carbon
Carbon
Carbon
Carbon
Water Uie*
Protected
CWF
CWF
CWF
CWF
EV
CWF
CWF
CWF
CWF
CWF
EV
CWF
CWF
TSF
CWF
TSF
A-ll
Exceptions To
Specific Criteria
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
Environment Reporter
146
-------
APPENDIX B
ANALYTICAL METHODS
-------
B-l
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
Chemical analyses were performed employing methods approved by the
EPA for the NPDES program (40 CFR 136, Federal Register, Dec. 1, 1976).
Some metal analyses were performed utilizing Inductively Coupled Argon
Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICAP-AES). Although the ICAP-Argon
method is not as yet approved for the NPDES program, the analysis did
adhere to the proposed EPA method. When ICAP-AES data was reported,
comparability to the NPDES methods was proven. The references to the
methods for each parameter are listed below.
Parameter
Technique
Reference*
Oil and Grease
TSS
Aqueous Metals
Separatory Funnel Extraction
Glass-Fiber Filter Filtration
Flame Atomic Absorption Spec-
troscopy
Flameless Atomic Absorption
Spectroscopy
Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma-
Atomic Emission Spectroscopy
Sediment Metals Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma-
Atomic Emission Spectroscopy
A, Method 413.1
A, Method 160.2
A, Methods, 200.0
213.1, 220.1,
236.1, 239.1
243.1, 289.1
A, Methods, 200.0
206.2, 213.2,
220.2, 239.2,
245/1. 270.2,
282.2
B
B, C
* A
B
C =
Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes,
EPA-600/4-79-020, 1979.
Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometric
Method for Trace Element Analysis of Water and Wastes
Interim, U.S. EPA, EMSL, Cincinnati, OH, 1979.
"Digestion of Environmental Materials for Analysis by
Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry",
N.R. McQuaker, D.F. Brown, and P.O. Kluckner, Anal. Chem.
51, 1082, 1979.
-------
APPENDIX C
NJZ LABORATORY EVALUATION
-------
C-l
Evaluation of New Jersey Zinc Laboratory. Palmerton, Pennsylvania
The subject laboratory was visited on November 29, 1978, to evaluate the
procedures used to comply with the Plant's NPDES permit. Sample preservation
and handling methods, laboratory facilities, equipment type and condition,
analytical methods, quality control, record keeping procedures, consistency
of laboratory records and Daily Monitoring Reports (DMR) data were evaluated.
The laboraotry was requested to analyze reference samples to determine its
ability to accurately perform the analyses required by its permit.
Mr. Cliff Brown is the laboratory supervisor, Cindy Hoch, Gene Able,
Karen Everett and John Hunter perform the laboratory testing.
Summary of Findings and Conclusions
The lab was adequately equipped and organized; lab personnel were well
trained and consciencious about their work. However, significant deviations
from prescribed procedures were noted for the permitted parameters, i.e. pH,
metals, TSS, cyanide and oil and grease. The quality control program at the
New Jersey Zinc Lab was found to be minimal. Previously reported results
should be viewed with respect to the findings of this inspection.
Findings
1) Sample Preservation and Containers - Recommended containers are being
used. However, recommended holding times are not. Cyanide samples after pres-
ervation with NaOH are held up to 2 weeks before analysis even though the
recommended holding time is 24 hours. As a result, previously reported cyanide
values may be low. Also, oil and grease and TSS samples are not held at 4oc
prior to analysis in accordance with recommended procedures.
2) Laboratory Facility and Equipment - The laboratory equipment is adequate
to perform the required testing with one possible exception: a low-temperature
hot plate is used to evaporate the extract for the oil and grease procedure.
It could not be determined within the time constraints of the inspection, whether
this hot plate could provide adequate temperature control. The laboratory
facility itself appears to be adequate. It does, however, have a potential dust
problem during warmer months when windows to the outside are opened. Such a
problem could have a profound effect on metals samples which are exposed to
laboratory air for a period of time during concentration procedures.
3) Procedures - Procedures for the permitted parameters are acceptable with
the following exceptions:
a. Reagent grade petroleum ether is used in the oil and grease
procedure as opposed to 1,1,2-trichloro-l1,2,2-trifluoroethane
(Freon 113). Filter paper was used but it should be rinsed
at the end of the filtration step with small amounts of solvent
or some of the oil and grease will be lost. Each sample volume
-------
C-2
was measured with a graduated beaker; a more precise measuring
device such as a graduated cylinder must be used in order to
provide sufficiently accurate measurements.
b. The distillation step has been omitted from the total cyanide
procedure. The lab sites historically poor recovery for the
method when distillation is included. The method usually is
less than 100% efficient, however, distillation unless shown
otherwise must be included to remove interferences.
c. The pre-washing of filters is being omitted from the TSS pro-
cedure. Sample aliquots are measured in a beaker rather than
a volumetric device of higher accuracy such as a graduated
cylinder. Whatman GF/B filters are used in the determination;
results may be slightly higher due to greater retentiveness of
this filter media. The temperature of the drying oven at the
time of inspection was 110°Cwhile the procedure specifies 103 -
105°C; this can produce low results. Also, the drying time
used was 1/2 hour as opposed to the required minimum of 1 hour;
this could produce high results.
d. There is an error in the trace metals determinations. Some of
the metals samples were prepared by adding 5 ml of HMO^ to 100 ml
of sample and heating just to the point of boiling. Since the
resulting sample is compared directly to standards made up to
exact volumetric concentration, there is a resultant error of
approximately 5% in the subsequent determination by direct
aqueous aspiration into an atomic absorption spectrophotometer.
e. pH measurements are performed using a HACH* wet method rather
than an approved electrometric method.
4) Records - The laboratory record keeping system includes date and time
of sampling but does not include the time of analysis. Also, the name of the
analyst performing the tests is not always recorded.
Selected analyses were traced through various levels of laboratory
documentation. In all cases, numerical values were found to be consistent.
5) Quality Control - The laboratory quality control program is minimal.
Laboratory personnel stated that duplicate samples were analyzed only occasion-
ally for metals parameters; blanks were analyzed each time analyses were per-
formed, however; there was no record of either. Duplicates and blanks were not
being analyzed for TSS. Mr. Brown is currently instituting a program whereby
"blind" samples will be analyzed by the various analysts.
*HACH Chemical, Loveland, Colorado.
-------
C-3
The balance used for TSS was last serviced in June, 1978, however, daily
calibration checks are not being performed. The thermometer used in TSS
determinations to monitor oven temperature was stated to have been calibrated
at some time several years in the past, but no record was available.
Check Samples
The performance check sample results were within acceptable limits.
Check Sample Results
Parameter
Cd
Cd
Fe
Fe
Mn
Mn
Pb
Pb
Zn
Zn
Oil and Grease
TSS
Required Changes1
True Value
10 ug/1
70 "
50 "
900 "
55 "
500 "
80 "
400 "
60 "
400 "
28 mg/bottle
70 mg/1
Reported Value
13 ug/1
78 "
62 "
960 "
55 "
545 "
84 "
416 "
55 "
383 "
25 mg/bottle
72 mg/1
a. Freon 113 must be used as the extracting solvent for the oil and
grease procedure. Further, for this procedure a steam bath or more
precisely controlled hot plate, and more accurate sample measurement
devices must be used in the procedure.
*Note, where discrepancies exist, the lab must either modify its present
practice to conform with 40 CFR 136 or obtain formal approval for alternate
methods.
-------
C-4
b. Cyanide samples must be distilled before the determination. Further,
they must be analyzed as soon as possible after collection to insure
reliable results.
c. TSS sample aliquots must be more accurately measured than was being
done at the time of inspection. The temperature of the drying oven
must be maintained at 103 - 105°C and samples must be dried for a
minimum of 1 hour. Constant weight checks as referenced in Standard
Methods, 14th ed. (1), must be performed.
d. Metal samples and standards must be prepared equivalently so that
volumetric concentrations are comparable.
e. An electrometric method must be used to determine pH.
f. Records must include date and time of sampling, time of analyses,
and the identification of the analyst.
Recommended Changes
a. The laboratory should verify that the excessive holding times used
for cyanide samples do not lower results.
b. Some means should be instituted to protect samples from dust during
times when this is a problem in the laboratory.
c. The quality control program should be upgraded to include the routine
use of blanks, duplicates and standard additions with all parameters
where applicable. The calibration of the analytical balance should
be checked daily. The calibration of the thermometer should be re-
verified. All quality control date should be documented.
d. The DI system should be monitored to show that reagent water is of
satisfactory quality for the testing.
References
1) Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. 14th ed.,
APHA-AWWA-WPCF.
-------
APPENDIX D
BACKGROUND DATA
-------
D-l
Table D-l
INTAKE WATER QUALITY DATA3
NEW JERSEY ZINC COMPANY - EAST PLANT
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
May 1-15, 1979
Date
May
Total
Zinc
Total
Cadmium
Total
Lead
Total
Iron
Total Total
Manganese Copper
TSS
Station 08 - Aquashicola Creek Intake
2
3
4
5
6
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
15
1.2
1.4
1.2
1.3
0.95
0.88
0.91
0.96
0.78
0.76
0.72
0.67
0.10b
0.13
0.27
0.12
0.10°
ND
NO
ND
0.031
0.02
0.015
0.02
0.015
0.02
0.015
0.02
0.015
0.02
0.015
0.01
Station
0.003b
0.007
0.007
ND
0.003
ND
ND
Station 26
ND
0.01
0.02
ND
ND
0.01
0.01
0.005
0.005
0.02
0.01
0.005
0.01
0.14
0.21
0.11
0.18
0.14
0.20
0.17
0.30
0.20
ND
0.1
0.23
09 - Pohopoco Creek
ND
ND
0.01
0.02
0.03
ND
0.01
- Rolling
0.01
0.18
0.46
0.26
0.32
0.19
0.17
0.18
0.20
0.23
0.26
0.21
0.24
0.20
0.23
0.25
0.21
0.21
0.24
0.17
Intake
0.06
0.19
0.08
0.12
0.07
0.05
0.08
ND
0.02
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
7
6
2
2
2
3
2
3
4
3
3
4
2
7
3
2
2
3
3
Mill Industrial Water
ND
0.08
a All data corrected for sampler and analytical blanks.
b Samples collected on May 9 and 13 contained zinc and cadmium concentrations
ten to fifty times greater than the concentrations on all other days. These
values were judged invalid and were replaced with the average of the values
from the other five days.
-------
D-2
Table D-2
OUTFALL 005 BACKGROUND WATER QUALITY DATA
NEW JERSEY ZINC COMPANY - EAST PLANT
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
May 1-15, 1979
Date
May '79 -»
Parameter Sta. No. •*
Flow nrVday NO3
mgd
Total Zinc
mg/1
kg/day
1 b/day
06
0.
0.
3.
0.
0.
003
0008
4
01
02
9
07
0.78
0.21
1.2
0.94
2.1
Total
0.78
0.21
0.95
2.1
10
07
0.34
0.09
1.0
0.34
0.75
11
07
0.24
0.06
1.1
0.26
0.57
0
0
1
0
0
12
07
.23
.06
.1
.25
.55
13
07
0.20
0.05
1.0
0.20
0.44
14
07
0.19
0.05
1.1
0.21
0.46
15
07
0.16
0.04
1.1
0.18
0.40
Total Cadmium
mg/1
kg/day
1b/day
0.066 0.015 0.016 0.006 0.016 0.015 0.007 0.015
0.0002 0.012 0.012 0.0054 0.0014 0.0037 0.0030 0.0013 0.0024
0.0004 0.026 0.026 0.012 0.003 0.008 0.007 0.003 0.005
Total
Total
TSS
Lead
mg/d
kg/day
1 b/day
Copper
mg/1
kg/day
mg/1
kg/day
1 b/day
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
NO
0
0
01b
03b
001C
02b
06b
002C
ND
0
0
ND
0
0
5
3.9
8.6
h
0.03°
o.oor
h
0.06°
0.002C
3.9
8.6
0.07
0.024
0.053
ND
0
0
5
1.7
3.7
ND
0
0
ND
0
0
8
1.9
4.2
0.01
0.002
0.004
ND
0
0
7
1.6
3.5
ND
0
0
ND
0
0
4
0.8
1.8
ND
0
0
ND
0
0
6
1.1
2.4
ND
0
0
ND
0
0
5
0.8
1.8
a Flow at Stations 06 for one day only.
b grams/day
c ounces/day
-------
D-3
Table D-3
MERCURY AND TIN SAMPLING DATA
NEW JERSEY ZINC - EAST PLANT
(Aquashicola Creek, Mill Creek and LeHigh River)
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
Station and Description
01 Outfall 001
02 Outfall 002
03 Outfall 003
04 Outfall 004
05 Outfall 005
06 005 Background 1
07 005 Background 2
08 Aquashicola Creek Intake
09 Pohopoco Creek Intake
10 Outfall 010
11 Outfall Oil
12 Outfall 012
14 Outfall 014
15 Outfall 015
16 Outfall 017
17 WWTP Influent
18 WWTP Effluent
19 Mill Creek
20 Aquashicola Creek at Tatra Inn Bridge
21 Aquashicola Creek at 6th Street Bridge
24 Aquashicola Creek at Field Station Bridge
25 Aquashicola Creek at Aggregates Bridge
27 Aquashicola Creek at Harris Bridge
28 Lehigh River below Aquashicola Creek
May3
1979
5/2d
s/gj
5/8d
5/9d
5/9d
5/9d
5/9d
5/22
5/9d
5/9°
5/9$
5/8*
5/8f
5/8*
5/8T.
5/1 Oj
5/12d
5/1 5d
5/1 Qd
5/3;
5/8f
5/1 QT
5/8*
5/9;
5/8f
5/8*
29 Lehigh River upstream of Aquashicola Creek 5/8J.
30 Lehigh River upstream of West Plant
5/8'
Mercury Tin
(mg/l)D (mg/l)c
NDe
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND 0
0.23 0
0.16
0.22
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
.018
.074
-
-
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
a Dates for composite samples are dates on which the composite period
ended; for grab samples, the dates are the
b Mercury analyses by flame atomic absorption
0.005 mg/1.
c Tin analyses by flameless atomic absorption
mg/1.
d Indicates composite sample.
e ND means less than the detection limit.
f Indicates grab sample.
sample coll
; detection
; detection
ection dates.
limit is
limit is 0.001
------- |