&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection Agency
Land Research Program
Multi-Year Plan:
Fiscal Years 2007-2012
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Research and Development
Washington, DC 20460
Final Report, July 2007
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Administrative Note
The Office of Research and Development's (ORD) Multi-Year Plans (MYPs) describe
what research ORD proposes to accomplish over the next 5-10 years in a variety of areas. The
MYPs serve three principal purposes: to describe where the research programs are going, to
present the significant outputs of the research, and to communicate the research plans within
ORD and with stakeholders and clients. Multi-year planning permits ORD to consider the
strategic directions of the Agency and how research can evolve to best contribute to the
Agency's mission of protecting health and the environment.
MYPs are intended to be "living documents." ORD will update MYPs on a regular basis
to reflect the current state of the science, resource availability, and Agency priorities. This MYP
was internally reviewed by ORD's Science Council in November 2005. The Land MYP was
externally peer reviewed by the Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC) Land Subcommittee in
December 2005, and a formal response to comments was provided to the BOSC Executive
Committee in 2006.
Land Research Program Writing Team
ORD Members OSWER * & Regional Members
Randall Wentsel Leah Evison
Patricia Erickson Timothy Taylor
Dermont Bouchard Bernie Zavala
Robert Dyer David Bartenfelder
Robert Puls
Barbara Bergen
Andrew Gillespie
Michele Aston
Thomas Holdsworth
Barbara Walton
* Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response
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Table of Contents
Major Acronym List v
1.0 Introduction 1
2.0 Background Overview of Land Multi-Year Plan (MYP) 3
3.0 Progress to Date, 2002-2006 6
4.0 Current Priorities of OSWER and Associated Research Issues 9
4.1 OSWER and Regional Research Needs 10
4.3 Need for Identification Process in Land Preservation Research 12
4.4 Research Shifts in Program Related to OSWER and Regional Priorities 12
5.0 Development of the Research Program 13
5.1 Changes in the Research Program 14
5.2 Changes in the MYP Programs 15
5.3 Program Description 16
5.4 Long-Term Goal 1: Research Questions, Description of Research
Program, and Performance Measures 18
5.4.1 Theme: Contaminated Sediments 18
5.4.2 Theme: Ground Water 22
5.4.3 Theme: Multimedia and Technical Support Program 25
5.4.4 Performance Measures: Wiring Diagram of Research Theme APGs Leading
toLTG 28
5.4.5. Summary of Performance Measures Linking Research Activities, Outputs, and
Short- Term Outcomes 30
5.5. Long-Term Goal 2: Research Questions, Description of Research
Program, and Performance Measures 31
5.5.1 Theme: Resource Conservation 32
5.5.2 Theme: Materials ManagementEmerging Research 34
5.5.3 Theme: Materials ManagementDisposal, Reuse, and Containment 35
5.5.4. Performance Measures: Wiring Diagram of Research Theme APGs Leading
toLTG2 37
5.5.5. Summary of Research Activities, Outputs, and Short-Term Outcomes 38
6.0 Annual Performance Goals and Measures 39
7.0 References 54
APPENDICES
Appendix A: Client Needs and Current and Planned Research (generated in September
2005, update in progress) for Long-Term Goals (LTGs) 1 and 2 55
Appendix B: Legislative History 88
Appendix C. EPA Strategic Plan and Land MYP Linkages 90
iii
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Appendix D. EPA Science Advisory Board Reviews 93
Appendix E: Research Conducted Under the Human Health Risk Assessment MYP
and Related Research 103
Appendix F: Performance Assessment Rating Tool (PART) Measures 107
Appendix G: Coordination and Collaboration (Intra- and Inter-Agency) 109
Appendix H: ORD Superfund and RCRA CA Technical Support (Revised May 2007) ....116
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Land Program Resources and Funding Areas in 2007 President's Budget 2
Figure 2. Example of a Summary of ORD Support at a Superfund Site 4
Figure 3. Logic Diagram of the Land Research Program 6
Figure 4. DNAPL Source Zone and Dissolved Plume 23
Figure 5. Performance Measures (APGs) Supporting the Long-Term Goal 29
Figure 6. Performance Measures (APGs) Supporting Long-Term Goal 2 38
LIST OF TABLE
Table 1. Level of Emphasis for Research Themes 23
Table 2. Research Activities, Outputs, and Short-Term Outcomes to Support Long-Term
Goall 30
Table 3. Research Activities, Outputs, and Short-Term Outcomes for Long-Term Goal 2 38
Table 4. Annual Performance Goals and Measures for LTGs 1 and 2 39
IV
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Major Acronym List
3MRA
APG
ARM
ATSDR
BAF
BOAT
BIF
BOSC
BSAF
CA
CCR
CEAM
CEM
CERCLA
DNAPL
ECNIMS
EFDC
ERO's
ESTCP
FRAMES
FTE
FY
GC/MS
GCL
GPRA
GSI
GW-SW
HHRA
HSWA
HWC
HWIR
ICERR
ICP-MS
ITRC
LHS
LNAPLs
LRP
LTG
LUST
LUST CA
MACT
MCL
MNA
MNR
MOU
MS
MYP
Multimedia, Multireceptor, Multipathway Risk Assessment
annual performance goal
annual performance measure
Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry
Bioaccumulation Factor
best demonstrated available treatment
boiler and industrial furnace
Board of Scientific Counselors
Biota-Sediment Accumulation Factor
corrective action
coal combustion residues
Center for Exposure Assessment Modeling
continuous emissions monitoring
Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act
dense non-aqueous phase liquid
electron capture negative-ion mass spectrometry
Environmental Fluid Dynamic Code
EPA Research Object-oriented-oil Spill Model
Environmental Security Technology Certification Program
Framework for Risk Analysis in Multimedia Environmental Systems
full-time equivalent
fiscal year
gas chromatography/mass spectometry
geosynthetic glay liner
Government Performance and Results Act
ground water-surface-water interaction
ground water-surface water
Human Health Risk Assessment
Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments
hazardous waste combustors
Hazardous Waste Identification Rule
Interagency Collaboration on Environmental Remediation Research
inductivity coupled plasma mass spectrometry
Interstate Technical Regulatory Cooperation
Latin hypercube sampling
light non-aqueous phase liquids
Land Research Program
long-term goal
leaking underground storage tanks
LUST corrective action
maximum achievable control technologies
maximum contaminant level
monitored natural attenuation
monitored natural remediation
memorandum of understanding
mass spectrometry
multi-year plan
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NAPLs
MAS
NCEA
NCER
NERL
NIEHS
NPL
NRC
NRMRL
NSF
OAQPS
OEM
OMB
ORD
OSRTI
OSW
OSWER
OUST
PAH
PART
PBT
PCB
PCDD
PCDF
PM
PRB
QSAR
RCC
RCRA
RCRA CA
RCT
RT/FS
RDRD
REMPI
ROD
RSA
S&T
SA/UA
SAB
SARA
SERDP
SITE
SPI
SPMD
STAR
SW
TAGS
TCDD
TCLP
TIO
non-aqueous phase liquids
National Academy of Science
National Center for Environmental Assessment
National Center for Environmental Research
National Exposure Research Laboratory
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
National Priority List
National Research Council
National Risk Management Research Laboratory
National Science Foundation
Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards
Office of Emergency Management
Office of Management and Budget
Office of Research and Development
Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation
Office of Solid Waste
Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response
Office of Underground Storage Tanks
polyaromatic hydrocarbons
Program Processing Rating Tool
persistent bioaccumulative toxic
polychlorinated biphenyl
polychlorinated dibenzodioxin
polychlorinated dibenzofuran
particulate matter
permeable reactive barriers
quantitative structure activity relationships
Resource Conservation Challenge
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
RCRA corrective action
Research Coordination Team
Remedial investigatory/Feasibility Study
Research Development and Demonstration Rule
resonance enhanced multi-photon ionization
record of decision
regional sensitivity analysis
science and technology
sensitivity analysis/uncertainty analysis
Science Advisory Board
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act
Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program
superfund innovation technology evaluation program
submersible photographic instrumentation
semi-permeable membrane device
Science to Achieve Results grants
surface water
Tools for Analysis of Contaminated Sites
trichlorinated Dibenzodioxins
toxicity characteristic leaching procedure
Technology Innovation Office
VI
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TOE
TSC
TSDE
UA/SA/PE
uses
USS
UST
VI
VOC
WDP
WM
WMPC
XRF
total organic emissions
Technical Support Centers
tree-structured density estimation
uncertainty analysis, sensitivity analysis, and parameter estimation
U.S. Geological Survey
undisturbed sediment sampler
underground storage tank
vapor intrusion
volatile organic contaminant
waste-derived product
waste management
Waste Minimization Priority Chemical
x-ray fluorescent spectometry
Vll
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1.0 Introduction
The EPA Office of Research and Development (ORD) uses multi-year planning to chart
the direction of our research program in selected topic areas over a period of approximately five
to ten years. This approach promotes ORD's focus on the highest priority issues and provides a
roadmap to achieving our long-term research goals. The purpose of the multi-year plans (MYPs)
is to provide a framework integrating research across ORD's Laboratories and Centers and
Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) goals in support of the Agency's mission to
protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment. MYPs are composed of three
major components: (1) a narrative description of the plan; (2) a wiring diagram outlining the
sequence and relationship of annual performance goals (APGs) needed to achieve each long-term
goal (LTG); and (3) a matrix of goals and measures (APGs and associated annual performance
measures [APMs]) needed to meet the LTGs identified in the plan. The MYP matrices align the
outputs in a particular year with the APGs they support, even if the APG is in an out-year. These
goals and measures are based on total annual resource levels for the topic area consistent with the
resource level proposed in the most recent President's Budget.
By helping to identify the impact of potential planning decisions, MYPs aid in the
evaluation of research options and foster the integration of strategic, risk-based environmental
protection and anticipation of future environmental issues. They also allow for a more
comprehensive understanding of changes needed to emphasize a new direction or accelerate an
existing program. MYPs are updated periodically to reflect changes in Agency strategic
thinking, the realities of available resources, and the current state-of-the-science. The MYPs
provide a link between the strategic plans and annual plans, showing how we intend to meet our
out-year goals. MYPs also link the research strategies and research plans to show how ORD
conducts research in an integrated fashion to reach major milestones and end points.
The Land Research Program (LRP) MYP puts forward ORD's strategy for planning and
conducting research in response to the following:
Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) and Regional priorities for
the LRP, presented in Appendix A
Authorizing legislation (e.g., Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act [SARA]
9660b; Resource Conservation and Recovery Act [RCRA]), discussed further in
Appendix B
Linkage to the EPA Strategic Plan, appropriate research areas under the Land
Preservation and Restoration Goal (Appendix C)
Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC) and EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB) peer
reviews (Appendix D)
National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and other resource documents1
Documents that contributed to the development or revision of this plan include the following:
EPA Strategic Plan, http://+www.epa.gov/ocfo/
. SAB Review of Contaminated Sites and RCRA MYPs, June 2005.
BOSC Review of Land Research Program, December 2005.
. NRC: A Risk Management Strategy for PCB-Contaminated Sediments, 2001, p. 5, Research Needs.
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Office of Management (OMB) Program Processing Rating Tool (PART) evaluations and
measures (Appendix F)
ORD strategic decisions and initiatives.
The LRP MYP is built upon two previous reports, the Contaminated Sites MYP and the
RCRA MYP. The ORD Executive Council and the EPA SAB, in their review of these two
plans, endorsed the combination of the plans and the development of an integrated research
program.
Approximate total research funding (FY07 PB) for EPA's Goal 3 Land program is $34.1
million; this funding supports extramural projects and 143 full-time employees (FTEs). Within
Goal 3 there are four components, resource conservation (science and technology [S&T]
appropriation) and three trust fund accounts: Superfund, Oil Spills, and Leaking Underground
Storage Tanks (LUST CA). The trust funds can be used only to support research within the
specific trust fund (e.g., oil spills). Figure 1 presents the funding and FTE levels for each of the
four components of Goal 3. This plan is written on the assumption that the resources within each
funding source will remain constant each year.
Goal 3:
Land
Preservation
and Restoration*
Total Dollars:
$34.1
and 142.8
S&T
Appropriation
Total Dollars:
$10.6 M
and 50.8 FTEs
Superfund
Appropriation
Total Dollars:
$22.0 M
and 89.2 FTEs
LUST
Appropriation
Total Dollars:
$0.7M
and 1.9 FTEs
OIL
Appropriation
Total Dollars:
$0.9M
and 0.9 FTE
Goal 4 HHRA
Superfund
Appropriation
Total Dollars: $5.8 M
and 7.0 FTEs
Figure 1. Land Program Resources and Funding Areas in 2007 President's Budget
Beyond RCRA: Prospects for Waste and Materials Management in the Year 2020 White Paper, August 2002.
NRC: Superfund and Mining MegasitesLessons from the Coeur d'Alene River Basin, July 2005.
Superfund's Future: What Will It Cost? Resources for the Future, 2001, ISBN 1-891853-39-2.
MYP guidance.
Compilations of program office needs and formal and informal discussions with clients.
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2.0 Background Overview of Land Multi-Year Plan (MYP)
Purpose: Land Research Program
Restoration: The purpose of this research program is to provide improved scientific knowledge
and develop and apply more cost-effective tools, models, and methods to inform decisions on
land restoration.
Preservation: The purpose of this research program is to provide improved scientific knowledge
and develop and apply more cost-effective tools, models, and methods to manage material
streams and inform land revitalization decisions.
The Land MYP describes ORD problem-driven research as defined by the National
Academy of Sciences (NAS, 1997), supporting the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency
Response (OSWER) research needs and three OSWER trust fund programs for which research is
authorized: Superfund (SF), LUST, and the Oil Spills Program.
The Superfund research program is designed, in collaboration with OSWER and Regions,
to address the most important science issues that affect policy development and program
implementation. Because of limited resources, it is essential that our efforts are focused on the
types of sites and problems that have higher risks, higher uncertainty, or higher impact in terms
of number of sites, proximity to people, or value/size of ecological resources. The research
program focuses on the important issues of contaminated sediments, ground water contaminant
transport and remediation, and site characterization. The research program also provides site-
specific technical support through topic-based centers and liaisons located in each region. Figure
2 outlines the variety of ways scientific support is provided by ORD to a site during site
characterization and National Priorities Listing (NPL), remedial investigation/feasibility studies
(RI/FS), communication to communities, and remedy selection.
Related risk assessment research activities and technical support for the Superfund
program are an important part of ORD support to OSWER. The Integrated Risk Information
System (IRIS) and Provisional Peer-Reviewed Toxicity Values (PPRTV), as well as the
production of risk assessments on major chemicals of concern, are important for OSWER
guidance and regional risk assessment activities. These are addressed in a Human Health Risk
Assessment (HHRA) MYP, discussed in Appendix E along with other related research. The oil
spill and LUST CA research are small programs focused on client needs for tools, models, and
methods to address oil spill prevention and remediation, and underground storage tank issues
concerning chemical fate and transport (F&T).
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OKD Support Site Cleanup Process
Toxicity Data and InformaUon on Heavy Metals
Site Assessment / NPL
Determining Hydraulic Conductivity in Aquifer
Sediment Transport Modeling
RI/FS
Evaluation of Ecological Effects
National Remedy Review Board
Community Involvement
Support to Communities
Technical Liaison Position to Enhance Region and
QRD Interface
Remedy Selection
Figure 2. Example of a Summary of OKD Support at a Superfund Site (Reed et al., 2007)
The preservation-oriented research program is transitioning to be responsive to program
peer-review recommendations and broader OSWER strategic directions by addressing emerging
issues in materials management and support of land revitalization decision processes. This
change involves building on the foundation of the Multimedia, Multireceptor, Multipathway
Risk Assessment (3MRA) program to support nanotechnology F&T research. We envision that
EPA would be the Federal lead for nanomaterial environmental F&T research. Resources will
support characterizing, modeling, and measuring the F&T of engineered nanomaterials in the
environment, and analytical methods will be developed for detection and quantification of these
nanomaterials. The exposure research will predict and evaluate unintended exposure pathways
of engineered nanomaterials and evaluate and develop F&T mechanisms for nanomaterial
release from intended pathways, such as zero-valent iron used for groundwater remediation.
Additional material management research will support landfill bioreactors, landfill energy
recovery, and technology transfer of cover/liner methods and debris management, which
includes construction/demolition and disaster wastes. Reuse/Revitalization will focus on
supporting Brownfields decision processes as well as bioavailability and teachability material
reuse research.
Within OSWER, principal clients of the research program include the Office of
Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation (OSRTI), Office of Solid Waste (OSW),
Office of Emergency Management (OEM), Office of Underground Storage Tanks (OUST), and
Office of Brownfields Cleanup and Redevelopment. Additional research clients include
4
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Regional and State staffs who implement these programs, regulated and responsible parties, and
contractors who perform site-specific assessment and remediation.
Peer Reviews and Evaluations
In the past 3 years, the LRP has undergone two external peer reviews and an evaluation
by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The EPA SAB conducted an advisory of the
Contaminated Sites and RCRA MYPs in July 2004. The following quote is from the SAB letter
to the Administrator on the findings of the panel:
"In general, the Panel finds that the Contaminated Sites and RCRA Multi-Year Plans are
programmatically and scientifically sound. We note in particular the remarkable
coordination of the program's research with that of the relevant program offices and other
institutions and are encouraged by the judicious use of leveraging opportunities to
significantly stretch limited resources to meet more of the Agency's needs."
The LRP and the draft Land MYP were externally peer reviewed by the ORD BOSC in
December 2005. The panel had positive comments on relevance, quality, and performance of
program. In 2006, the LRP underwent an OMB Program Processing Rating Tool (PART)
evaluation and received an adequate rating. Long-term, annual, and efficiency measures were
established for the program under the PART process. The programmatic changes in response to
peer-review and OMB comments are discussed in Section 5.1 and Appendices D and F.
This MYP incorporates peer-review recommendations and presents a transparent
planning process that incorporates regional research needs and priorities, and program office
research needs and priorities and utilizes that information in the Land Research Coordination
Teams (RCT) evaluation and prioritization process. LTGs are focused on research products
utilized by our clients that lead to outcomes in support of OSWER programs. The plan also
addresses OMB relevance, quality, and performance criteria in focusing on the program goals
and documented performance measures of the problem-driven research program.
Figure 3 shows a logic diagram5 that summarizes the features of the research program.
The OSWER statement of research needs indicates areas within this framework where ORD
should direct its efforts, and the Activities and Outputs columns in the diagram reflect the
research themes of the program. OSWER and the Regions are identified as the primary clients
and the short-term outcomes for the research program are client use of our products to support
their activities in cleanup, corrective action, and material management. The client use of our
research products is specified in the two long-term goals for this MYP. The regions, states, and
their contractors are identified in intermediate outcomes to which our products and technical
support are further applied to address site-specific issues. The environmental and long-term
outcomes support the objectives of Goal 3 in the EPA Strategic Plan.
McLaughlin, J.A., andG.B. Jordan, 1999, Logic Models: A Tool for Telling Your Program's Performance Story, Evaluation and
Program Planning, 22, 65-72.
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Land Research Program Logic
Resources
ORD human
resources
(143 FTE)
and funding
($34.5M) are
leveraged
with
stakeholder
guidance
and
resources
from other
ORD
programs,
Agencies
(DOD, DOE,
NRC),
states,
private
sector and
trade
associations
Effective Transfer to Intended Clients
Key peer-reviewed research outputs are transferred to
clients through briefings, technical consultations,
scientific workshops, conferences, reports, white papers
and scholarly publications
Program Mission
To ensure timely, leading-edge scientific input to
programmatic decisions made under RCRA and
CERCUVSARA programs
t 4-
Activities
Research
focusec
on
characterizing
and assessing
risks posed by
contaminated
sites, resource
conservation,
and waste
management
activities,
including
.development I
assessment of
remediation
and
management
alternatives is
planned,
implemented,
peer-reviewed
and
communicated
.
Outputs
expertise and
knowledge,
leading to
scholarly
publications,
reviews and
syntheses,
white papers,
assessments,
fact sheets, I
software, |
computer
models, user's
guides,
databases, and
technical
support
*
Intended
Clients
Primary:
EPA's Office
of Solid
Waste and
Emergency
Response
and EPA
regions 1
>
Short-
Term
Outcomes
Clients use
ORD's outputs
to inform and
issue advice,
guidance and
policies about
cleanup,
corrective I
action and 1
waste
management
.
Intermediate
Outcomes
Program Office,
Regions, states
and the private
sector use the
advice and
guidance, and
implement the
policies that .
incorporated |
ORD research
outputs
.
Environ-
Mental
Outcomes
Cost-effective
reductions in
risk posed to
humans and
ecosystems
by
contaminated
land, and
beneficial re-
materials
management
»
Long-
Term
Outcomes
Clean, safe
land at the
lowest
possible cost
»
External influences that may impact the Land Research Program
Congressional appropriations and Administration budget decisions, changes in EPA science priorities,
changes in EPA regulatory requirements, availability of investment capital, consent agreements
Figure 3. Logic Diagram of the Land Research Program
3.0 Progress to Date, 2002-2006
Key Accomplishments of the Land Program
Restoration Long-Term Goal
Contaminated Sediments
Enhanced F&T modeling was incorporated at three major sediment sites.
Evaluation of sediment resuspension models showed that they generally over-estimate the
release and bioaccumulation of persistent organic contaminants from sediments after
dredging operations. Key data were identified to improve the models.
Combined use of field data and bioaccumulation models was demonstrated in a hybrid
approach to extrapolate accumulation of persistent contaminants found in sediments.
These findings improve ecological risk assessment of contaminated sediments.
Bauxite has been found to be capable of sequestering a broad variety of heavy metals,
including Hg, As, Cr, Cd, Pb, Zn, and Ni. Due to its unique surface properties, bauxite is
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able to sequester both cationic and oxy-anionic forms of the metals through a
combination of adsorption, absorption, ion exchange, and precipitation. Bauxite can be
installed as a much thinner cap over the contaminated sediments, a critical parameter for
remedy selection in navigable waters.
Field evaluations of the performance of monitored natural remediation (MNR) and both
sand and innovative caps will continue, with the aim of quantifying contaminant transport
mechanisms to facilitate the prediction of remedy performance. Innovation in capping,
both amendments and construction techniques (e.g., mats), will continue to be
investigated.
Boston Harbor/Eagle Harbor/Wyckoff Superfund Site. ORD is investigating the
migration of contaminants through a sand cap and resuspension during cap placement to
identify potential field methods for minimizing sediment resuspension during cap
placement. The research indicated that resuspension can be minimized by using
improved release techniques that result in fewer disturbances of the contaminated
sediments.
Ground Water
Results of the permeable reactive barriers (PRBs) long-term performance study were
recently published in a synthesis of research findings, "Capstone Report on the
Application, Monitoring, and Performance of Permeable Reactive Barriers for Ground
Water Remediation" (EPA/600/R-03/045). This report represents a synthesis of 10 years
of research and development on PRBs.
PRB technology has expanded rapidly in its use and acceptance as a viable approach for
achieving site cleanup and closure. Over 100 applications of the technology are
documented in the U.S. and worldwide. The primary reason for this expansion is that
technology results in cost savings over other alternative methods.
For example, use of PRBs over traditional pump & treat methods results in an operation
& maintenance savings at two sites of $12 million.
Research products on monitored natural attenuation (MNA) of metals were applied to the
Region 1 Industriplex site to treat arsenic contamination and resulted in a remedial
decision that saved more than $10 million and earned a regional award in 2006.
ORD developed and tested a patented technology for treating ground water contaminated
with Chrome VI in situ. Region 4 estimates the technology saved them over $1 million
in remediation costs relative to initial estimates for cleanup.
Multimedia
ORD oil spills research supported the implementation of 40 CFR, Subchapter J, Part 300
-National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan, Sub-Part J - Use of
Dispersants and Other Chemicals.
Modeling tools to support oil spills: http://www.epa.gov/athens/onsite/
Method 8261: Method/instrument developed, patented, and commercialized by ORD to
support Superfund's need for robust methods to address problematic matrices. Vacuum
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distillation was pioneered as an analytical technique for determining volatile organic
contaminants (VOCs) in environmental/biological samples (two patents awarded for the
vacuum distillation apparatus). One of the first true performance-based methods
developed for RCRA SW-846 was Method 8261: a vacuum distillation/gas
chromatography & mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method, using optimized quality control,
and used for the analysis of all environmental/hazardous waste matrices, except that for
air.
Method 5032: use of vacuum distillation as an extraction technique (FY04 APM 209);
"Interlaboratory Study Evaluating Vacuum Distillation VOC Analysis Technology (SW-
846 Method 8261) for Superfund Application."
Analytical support to OSRTI, either through direct requests or via the Las Vegas
Technical Support Center or other centers. This support includes analysis of extracts,
data generated by various state-of-the-art analytical techniques (i.e., high-resolution mass
spectrometry), and consultation on technical questions as requested from the Regions,
States, Tribes, or Superfund Program Office.
Preservation Long-Term Goal
The risk from arsenic-bearing water treatment sludge residuals leaching from municipal
landfills was shown by 3MRA to be minimal, potentially saving several million dollars
per landfill.
Technology transfer: Eight evapotranspiration covers for landfills under construction in
2006 are expected to save more than $30 million.
Research and technology transfer on evapotranspiration covers for landfills has resulted
in construction of the innovative cover at more than 35 sites. For 13 of the sites that
reported figures (FY06 data), cost savings ranged from $20,000 to $100,000 per acre,
with a median savings of $40,000, compared to a conventional multi-layer cover. More
than 2,500 people have attended classroom or internet training, much of it leveraged
through the Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council, a state-federal partnership for
state regulators.
Bioreactor research won a Kentucky Governor's Award in 2003 and a SWANA Landfill
Management award in 2005.
Brownfields Tools: SMARTe contains four primary components:
Screening Tool- leads users through the entire revitalization process
eDocument - provides information, links, and resources regarding the revitalization
process
Search engine - allows users to search for information, tools, and best practices
Toolbox - contains electronic tools (e.g., searchable databases, templates, calculators)
to analyze and solve revitalization issues.
http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/tools/tti_smarte.htm
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4.0 Current Priorities of OSWER and Associated Research Issues
Four themes characterize OSWER's land program activities under Goal 3: The One
Cleanup Program; Recycling, Waste Minimization, and Energy Recovery; Revitalization;
and Homeland Security.
One Cleanup Program: Through the One Cleanup Program, OSWER is looking across
its programs to bring consistency and enhanced effectiveness to site cleanups. The Agency
is working with its partners and stakeholders to enhance coordination, planning, and
communication across the full range of Federal, State, Tribal, and local cleanup programs.
This effort is intended to improve the pace, efficiency, and effectiveness of site cleanups as
well as more fully integrating land reuse and continued use into cleanup programs.
OSWER is developing environmental outcome performance measures that report progress
among all cleanup programs.
Recycling, Waste Minimization, and Energy Recovery (Objective 3.1 Preserve Land):
OSWER's strategy for reducing waste generation and increasing recycling is based on the
following: (1) establishing and expanding partnerships with businesses, industries, States,
communities, and consumers; (2) stimulating infrastructure development, environmentally
responsible behavior by product manufacturers, users, and disposers ("product
stewardship"), and new technologies; and (3) helping businesses, government, institutions,
and consumers by education, outreach, training, and technical assistance.
Revitalization: OSWER and its partners are restoring contaminated land to make it
economically productive or available as green space. Like the Brownfields program
included under Goal 4, these revitalization efforts complement OSWER's traditional
cleanup programs under Sub-objective 3.2.2 and enable affected communities to reuse
contaminated lands in beneficial ways. OSWER is developing performance measures to
assess its success in restoring and revitalizing sites under all its cleanup programs.
Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Homeland Security (Sub-objective 3.2.1):
OSWER has a major role in reducing the risk to human health and the environment posed
by accidental or intentional releases of harmful substances and oil. OSWER is working to
improve its capability to effectively respond to these incidents, working closely with other
federal agencies within the National Response System.
OSWER relies upon its 10 Regions, in partnership with States and Tribes, to
implement these program priorities nationally. Through their work, the Regions and their
partners enable communities to reuse contaminated land, effectively clean up contaminated
sites, reduce waste generation and increase recycling, and reduce risk by responding to
releases of harmful substances and oil.
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4.1 OSWER and Regional Research Needs
OSWER identified its research needs through an iterative process, beginning with a
review by Office of Science Policy staff of previously developed needs lists. During this
review, needs that had already been met by ORD or other offices were deleted, and new
needs were added. To this revised list were added OSWER-related needs suggested by the
EPA Regional Science Council and EPA Regional staff in both the Superfund and RCRA
Corrective Action programs.
OSWER added to its master list additional needs relayed from Regional Division
Directors, Branch Chiefs, Technical Support Section Chiefs, and Technical Support Project
members during a review of potential research projects being considered for funding under a
proposed FY06 research project program. This compiled list of research needs was then
combined and cross referenced with the ORD current research program for further
prioritization and evaluation. The resulting tables are presented in Appendix A.
In 2005, OSWER formed five Regional Research Advisory Workgroups (RRAWG)
to help develop and prioritize research needs as well as perform other coordinating functions
between ORD and the Regions related to site cleanup. These workgroups consist of
Regional and OSRTI staff, with liaisons from ORD's Hazardous Substance Technical
Liaisons in the Regions and ORD staff from the Laboratories and Centers. The workgroups
are discussed in the following section.
4.2 Description of Process to Prioritize and Address Research Needs
Needs for Superfund-Oriented Research
As part of the process in combining the RCRA and Contaminated Sites MYPs, the
Land RCT wanted an improved method to incorporate Regional scientists into the research
planning process and to document responsiveness in the research program to Regional input.
The Regional and OSWER
representatives on the RCT identified
research planning workgroup topics
and recruited experts from various
regional technical groups, such as the
Engineering Forum, the Ground Water
Forum, members of the Risk
Assessment Teleconference for
Superfund, Ecological Risk
Assessment Forum, and Sediments
workgroups to serve in these research
planning workgroups. The
workgroups were asked to become
The general duties for these advisory workgroups:
Form a basic understanding of current ORD research in the
above areas (from summary presentations from ORD via
conference call, lab visits, etc.).
Advise Land RCT of regional needs in their area and priorities
in OSWER's list of research needs.
Provide feedback on ORD products in the above areas.
Advise Land RCT about specific projects that they see as high
and low priorities among items in the MYP.
Read quarterly reports from the ORD Technical Support
Center in the above areas and provide feedback on their
functioning when needed.
The time commitment for these advisory teams will be 1-2 years,
with an approximate time commitment of 4-8 hours per month.
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familiar with the current research program and the associated research products, and to
evaluate the research program activities and the list of research needs that have been
identified by the Program Office and the Regions.
The workgroup utilized a set of criteria and rankings so that a documented process
was produced.
The primary task for the advisory
workgroups was to review the research needs and
current research program (Appendix A) under
their topic (e.g., contaminated sediments) and
rank them (high, medium, or low).
Ranking criteria for each activity/need:
Feasibility and timeliness:
Is investing in this now likely to meet the need?
Applicability across sites/assessments:
Would meeting the need impact a large number of
sites or a high-priority risk pathway, or reduce
cost/response time?
Importance to several regions or programs:
Is the need important to multiple Superfund Regions
and/or RCRA, Water, Air, or Toxics?
There are five advisory workgroups:
1. Sediment: ecological effects, modeling, sampling, monitoring, and remedy-specific
research; Superfund Sediment Resource Center; Ecological Risk Assessment Center.
2. Ground Water: MNA, dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL), and vapor intrusion
(VI) research; Ground Water Technical Support Center.
3. Engineering, Containment, and Soil Treatment: soil containment and treatment;
landfill covers, gas, and liners; Engineering Technical Support Center.
4. Site Characterization and Methods: sampling techniques, analysis methods, and
statistics; Monitoring and Site
Characterization Technical Support Center;
Environmental Photographic Interpretation
Center.
5. Human Health Risk Assessment: all
research conducted through the National
Center for Environmental Assessment
(NCEA).
The RCT criteria:
Feasibility and timeliness:
Is investing in this now likely to meet the need?
Importance to Regions
Importance to OSRTI
Responsiveness to BOSC and SAB recommendations
Ability and expertise of ORD to do the research
Is it a strategic direction for ORD and the research
program?
Are any shifts in resources or FTE strategic?
For this task, the output for each workgroup was a prioritized list of research
activities of importance to the Regions. The results of these workgroup reviews were then
used by the OSW and Superfund representatives to the Land Research Coordination Team to
better represent program views to ORD during research planning. The Land RCT is
committed to communicating to Regional managers, the workgroups, and other regional
groups any shifts in the research program that reflect Regional and Program Office priorities.
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Needs for Oil Program and Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) Research
The Oil Program research needs are presented in Appendix A. They are based on
discussions with OEM Oil Program staff and support the National Contingency Plan Product
Schedule or are related to recent statutory requirements. OUST research needs are included in
Appendix A under LTG 1. They are based on discussions with office staff and regulatory
requirements.
4.3 Need for Identification Process in Land Preservation Research
Whereas OSRTI operations and programs tend to be addressed at the regional level,
RCRA programs tend to be coordinated at the national level and implemented by the states.
Therefore, a higher percentage of RCRA research needs assessment and prioritization took place
at the headquarters level.
A request was made across RCRA regional and
headquarters personnel for research needs in addition to
those already listed in the previous MYP. Additional
needs were added to the culled list of pre-existing needs.
Representatives from all RCRA divisions met and
prioritized the list into the following categories:
Prioritization Criteria:
Resource Conservation Challenge (RCC):
RCC-related projects should be
apriority.
Cost: Something that costs less is more
likely to be funded than something that
costs more.
Leveraging: Opportunities to leverage our
needs with those of other Offices.
Duration: Preferably a year or two.
Quantifiable outcomes directly related to
RCRA's strategic goals: Can we relate
project outcomes (preferably quantita-
tively) to the Agency's strategic goals?
Clear, narrowly defined scope: A clearer,
more narrowly defined project with
quantifiable outcomes.
Regional priority: Support from
(preferably multiple) Regional Offices.
Category 1: RCC-related, with a specific product
deliverable within 2 years
Category 2: important, but less confident it can
be accomplished in 2 years
Category 3: important, requiring research
duration longer than 2 years.
RCRA management had the opportunity to further review
the prioritized list. The research needs for the RCRA
program and associated ORD research are presented in
Appendix A.
4.4 Research Shifts in Program Related to OSWER and Regional Priorities
The Land RCT received the prioritizations of the regional workgroups and evaluated the
higher priority topics. The workgroups evaluated research needs along with the current research
program. The higher priority research from each workgroup (typically 4-6 research needs) were
evaluated by the RCT, and ORD wrote a response for each of these, which was (a) a shift in the
research program, (b) confirmation that current research addressed the need, or (c) the RCT was
unable to address the need. For most of the higher research needs, the RCT was able to shift the
research program or the current program addressed the need. Examples of research shifts:
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Ground water research: increased research effort for ground water-surface water (GW-
SW) and VI by redirection of the Soil VOC's sampling guide to "Sampling Protocol for
Subsurface Vapors" (VI support). Geophysics work was redirected to include a
geophysics tool box to monitor natural attenuation for site managers.
Contaminated sediments research: the highest and higher research needs were being
addressed by the current research program.
Site characterization research: real-time monitoring methods for ground water, and a
shift of bioanalytical work from soil to ground water matrix to support rapid field-
screening techniques. Bioavailability of arsenic in soil was also a high-priority need.
Engineering research: The metal speciation need was discussed above and will be an
ongoing issue. A short-term project on mining issues was also initiated.
5.0 Development of the Research Program
This version of the ORD Land MYP was developed using a process designed to focus on
client priorities (OSWER and the EPA Regions), coordinate with other Agencies and
organizations engaged in research on related topics, consider scientific advice from independent
bodies (e.g., EPA SAB and BOSC), incorporate PART measures in the accountability of the
program, acknowledge ongoing research activities, build upon previous planning efforts, and be
consistent with ORD mission and capabilities.
The core planning/writing team for the Land MYP consists of the ORD Land National
Program Director, Assistant Directors of ORD Labs and Centers, and liaisons from the client
offices (OSRTI, OSW, and the regions). The team met regularly, either face-to-face or by
telephone, and proceeded through the following tasks:
identifying desired program outcomes (LTGs)
reviewing BOSC and SAB peer review recommendations
reviewing ORD strategic decisions
identifying scientific questions and research needs that must be answered and addressed
to achieve the desired outcomes
identifying ongoing and previously planned research projects and outputs responsive to
the scientific questions and research needs
determining program and regional priorities for the research needs and ongoing/planned
research projects and outputs
proposing and prioritizing additional or alternative projects and outputs.
As practicable, prioritization criteria were developed and applied, but programmatic
decisions were made ultimately by the National Program Directors (NPDs) considering all of the
above inputs. Major goals, which must be achieved in order to successfully address the research
needs, were developed for each year (called annual performance goals, or APGs). These APGs
were developed through dialogue between the Labs/Centers, the clients, and the planning team.
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Once the research needs to be pursued were identified, and the APGs were agreed upon
in terms of nature and Lab/Center responsibility, the process of determining how to meet those
research needs and APGs was a bottom-up process. Each ORD Lab and Center accomplished
this task using a process consistent with their mission and culture. The result of these
Lab/Center-specific deliberations consisted of lists of proposed APMs that the organizations
expect to produce as milestones toward fulfilling their commitment to achieve the APG and
resolve the critical research need. The proposed APMs were reviewed by the planning team to
ensure understanding and agreement that their delivery would fulfill the Lab/Center's
commitment.
5.1 Changes in the Research Program
Addressing Customer Priorities
Section 4 presented the process used to identify and address program office and regional
research needs. A table, organized by research themes, presented client research needs and the
current and planned research addressing the research need (Appendix A). This table was useful
for the RCT to visualize areas where we were meeting research needs, partially meeting needs,
or not addressing a research need. Both the prioritization process that the RRAWG performed
and the categories that the OSW generated helped to focus the RCT on addressing the higher
priority needs.
Addressing Peer-Review Recommendations
In developing the research program, recommendations from the 2004 SAB review of the
MYPs were incorporated into the revised MYP. The SAB supported merging the two OSWER-
oriented MYPs and wanted a stronger connection of the research to the EPA Strategic Plan. The
panel stressed rewriting the LTGs to move toward "outcomes" and to address emerging issues,
and they suggested that more information be presented on how research is prioritized. The LRP
incorporated the majority of SAB's suggestions (Appendix D).
A BOSC external peer review of the research program and draft MYP was conducted in
December 2005. The panel also made recommendations for improvements in the MYP, such as
readability of the document, performance metrics and outcomes, use of research questions, and
other aspects on the progression of research. Emerging needs were also stressed for areas such
as nanotechnology and mining wastes. This document is responsive to the panel's
recommendations. The BOSC comments and the EPA responses are in Appendix D.
In combining the MYPs, the number of LTGs was reduced from six to two. This
reflected PART Guidance that a program should have a limited number of specific long-term
performance measures that focus on outcomes and reflect the purpose of the program. The OMB
Research & Development (R&D) Investment Criteria, Appendix A
(http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/part/), stress relevance, quality, and performance of research
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programs. The LRP was evaluated by the OMB PART in 2006 and received an adequate rating.
Long-term and annual measures to track performance were negotiated with OMB and reflect
additional measures of program efficiency and effectiveness (Appendix F).
OKD Strategic Directions
An additional factor was responding to strategic priorities within the ORD research
program. Responding to support initiatives and shifting staff to focus on higher priority research
resulted in shifts in the research program.
5.2 Changes in the MYP Programs
Significant programmatic changes were made in the LRP in response to BOSC and SAB
recommendations, particularly addressing emerging issues. The RCT decided to make a
strategic shift in the research program to conduct nanomaterial F&T research and establish the
program as the leader across the Federal government in this research theme. This work will
complement funded Science-to-Achieve-Results (STAR) grants. The Agency's efforts are
2
coordinated with other federal agencies through the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI),
which the Administration has identified as a FY 2008 research and development budget
priority. The RCT also decided to more broadly support the Brownfields program research
needs in the land revitalization area through an enhanced research effort. Mining waste
treatment and monitoring efforts will also be increased. Of decreased emphasis will be
combustion research, multimedia modeling, and analytical method development.
The Hazardous Substance Research Centers (HSRCs) were universities funded with 5-
year grants to conduct basic research, with each center focusing on a specific topic such as
contaminated sediments, mining or urban issues. The HSRCs provided research, technology
transfer, and community outreach that addressed hazardous substance problems of concern to the
ten EPA regions. Funding for the HSRCs was eliminated in FY05, and ORD has attempted to
mitigate their loss through an MOU with NIEHS and through other collaboration activities with
Federal agencies that provide grants to universities in the remediation area. Funding for the
Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation (SITE) Program was eliminated in FY06. The
program was judged to be mature and had accomplished many of its goals. The purpose of the
program was to accelerate acceptance of newly developed tools and technologies, largely arising
from the private sector. The SITE program evaluated characterization, monitoring, and
remediation approaches and produced reports that project managers use to gain confidence in
selecting innovative tools and technologies for their sites. ORD is working with the Department
2
For more information, see http://www.nano.gov/.
Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget and Office of Science and Technology Policy,
FY 2008 Administration Research and Development Budget Priorities (Washington: OMB, 2006), p. 5. See
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/memoranda/fy2006/m06-17.pdf.
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of Defense (DOD) Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP), a
technology demonstration program, to meet the needs previously met by the SITE program.
Table 1. Level of Emphasis for Research Themes
Research Theme
Long-Term Goal 1
Contaminated
Sediments
Ground Water
Multimedia
Hazardous Substance
Research Centers
Superfund Innovative
Technology
Evaluation
Long-Term Goal 2
Materials
Management
Nanomaterial F&T
Multimedia Modeling
Revitalization
Resource
Conservation
Emphasis
Level
Level
Increased for mining;
decreased for
analytical methods
Eliminated in FY05
budget development
Eliminated in FY06
budget development
Combustion
eliminated in FY07
Initiated leveraging
from 3MRA to
nanomaterials
Focused on
nanotechnology;
decreased model
development
Brownfields increased
Decreased level of
effort
Mitigation
MOU with NIEHS Superfund
grants
Increased interaction with
DOD ESTCP technology
program
5.3 Program Description
The purpose of the restoration research is to provide improved scientific knowledge and
develop and apply more cost-effective tools, models, and methods to inform decisions on land
restoration. The purpose of the preservation research is to provide improved scientific
knowledge and develop and apply more cost-effective tools, models, and methods to manage
material streams and inform land revitalization decisions.
ORD is in a unique position to link applied research to effective technical support at the
site-specific level. This linkage is enhanced through eight ORD Technical Support Centers (see
Appendix H), which exist to address inquiries from site managers and regional risk assessors and
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engineers. ORD also has a liaison stationed in each region to facilitate the application of ORD
science to address site-specific issues. ORD researchers partner with OSWER and Regional
scientists and engineers to produce OSWER guidance documents, OSWER Directives, and fact
sheets. They serve with regional staff on advisory groups and work with them to conduct
technology demonstrations.
Collaboration Across Federal Agencies
EPA expends substantial effort coordinating with other agencies, including work with the
(DOD in its Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) and the
ESTCP, the Department of Energy (DOE), National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
(NIEHS), Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Department of the
Interior (DOI), and state groups to communicate results, leverage expertise, and collaborate on
complex issues. Summary information on EPA collaboration with federal agencies and state
groups is presented in Appendix H by topic area. The research topics and associated
collaborative activities and products show the degree of collaboration and leveraging of technical
expertise across the federal government on restoration and preservation issues.
In addition to the above activities in 2006, we established an Interagency Collaboration
on Environmental Remediation Research (ICERR) Workgroup to develop increased
understanding of federal environmental remediation research programs among the EPA, DOE,
NIEHS, National Science Foundation (NSF), and DOD SERDP through the following:
Program manager-level research program reviews
Identification of research areas among the agencies to enhance collaboration, encourage
leveraging of research, and minimization of duplicative research.
Long-Term Goal (LTG) Development
In the RCT, there were discussions about how to combine the two previous MYPs, and
converting the six LTGs into two LTGs. In addition, the RCT had facilitated meetings to
develop client oriented goals and outcomes. LTG 1 was primarily directed at ORD research that
supported remediation activities of OSWER and the regions. This included Superfund, Oil
Spills, and LUST research. The process to determine what research to conduct was presented in
Sections 4.2-4.4. Three research themes are contained in LTG 1: contaminated sediments,
ground water contamination, and multimedia and analytical methods. LTG 2 supports the
prevention research needs of OSW and emerging issues. Research themes are resource
conservation and management of material streams, which will include emerging material
streams, specifically, nanomaterial fate and transport.
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Each LTG includes the following:
a. Definition and key research questions within the LTG research themes
b. Research theme: Responses to key research questions and a description of the research
program
c. Performance measures: Wiring diagram of research theme APGs leading to the LTG.
Land Research Program Long-Term Goals (LTGs)
LTG 1: Clients request and apply ORD research products and
services needed for mitigation, management, and long-term
stewardship of contaminated sites.
LTG 2: Clients request and apply ORD research products and
services needed to manage material streams, address emerging
material streams, and conserve resources.
5.4 Long-Term Goal 1: Research Questions, Description of Research Program, and
Performance Measures
LTG 1: Clients request and apply ORD research products and services needed for
mitigation, management, and long-term stewardship of contaminated sites.
To achieve this goal, ORD must identify accurately the scientific uncertainties which,
when addressed, make the clients' mandated responsibilities and actions most cost-effective and
scientifically defensible. From the clients' perspective, activities related to mitigation,
management, and long-term stewardship at contaminated sites are dependent on the
environmental medium of concern, and the needs for research vary accordingly. For that reason,
this LTG is organized according to the following themes: contaminated sediments, ground water
contamination, and multimedia and analytical methods. Each theme is described separately
below, guided by key research questions and producing performance measures addressing the
LTG.
5.4.1 Theme: Contaminated Sediments
Key research questions addressed:
How can we build consensus in application of F&T models of contaminants and improve
modeling use in site decisions?
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What is the most appropriate framework for modeling F&T of contaminants under
different remedial alternatives?
When dredging is used to remediate a sediment site, what are the (a) effects on biota,
(b) F&T of resuspended contaminants, (c) measurement tools, and (d) management
options?
How effective are alternative technologies vs. sediment dredging?
What are the critical tissue residues to use as screening levels for aquatic organisms
exposed to persistent bioaccumulative toxins (PBTs)?
How can we use field data and bioaccumulation models to extrapolate bioaccumulation of
PBTs across ecosystems?
What are monitoring and measurement tools to improve the characterization of sediments
and their biota?
How do we identify sediment remediation options that minimize contaminant
accumulation in fish and impacts on benthic communities?
At contaminated sediment sites, the Superfund program must decide whether to leave the
site alone or select a remedial option. These decisions are based in part on the relative risks to
the environment and health posed by each alternative. Whatever decision is made at a site, the
Superfund program must have an understanding of the potential risks posed by the remedial
action itself, and an understanding of how best to monitor effectiveness of the action over time.
The research questions, when addressed adequately, will provide an improved scientific basis for
these decisions.
Because risk posed by a given contaminant concentration in sediment is likely to be
related to the depth at which that contamination is found, the ability to sample selectively the top
layers of sediment is important. Traditional approaches to sampling disturb the sediment
surface, rendering assessment of distribution within layers inaccurate. This research addresses
measurement tools to characterize sediments, specifically, how can the sediment surface be
sampled without disturbing it? Based on determination of the best principles of existing
commercially available devices, work was initiated on a sampling device. A prototype
undisturbed sediment sampler (USS) has been developed and has undergone initial testing,
resulting in technical improvements and modifications. Currently, field testing in different
sedimentary environments is being planned to test the robustness of the sampler, along with
technology transfer activities.
Decision makers must forecast changes in nature and extent of contamination under
various management, temporal, and hydrodynamic scenarios. This research is therefore
addressing F&T questions such as: What is the most appropriate framework for modeling F&T
of contaminants under different remedial alternatives? Existing contaminated sediment transport
models and bioaccumulation models were evaluated to determine their capabilities and
limitations and to identify capabilities that should be added to these models. A three-step plan
was developed:
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1. Capability of the public domain F&T model that ranked highest in the model
evaluation (Environmental Fluid Dynamic Code, or EFDC) was augmented to
include:
a. a sediment consolidation-contaminant transport model to simulate consolidation
due to sediment self-weight and cap overburden, and the resulting contaminant
flux.
b. a model to simulate wave-induced resuspension of highly organic sediments and
associated contaminants.
The sediment transport, eutrophication, and diagenesis modules in EFDC will be
linked to account for resuspension of inorganic sediment and organic carbon, and for the settling
and deposition of both inorganic sediment and organic matter.
2. The upgraded EFDC was tested in several types of water bodies, including:
a. a salt-wedge estuary (Lower Duwamish Waterway)
b. a reservoir (Lake Hartwell)
c. a partially stratified estuary (St. Johns River)
d. a river (Housatonic River).
EFDC will also be applied to Mobile Bay to test its ability to simulate formation and
movement of fluid mud. The application of this research tool directly to these sites has improved
the capability of the site-specific models to support management decisions.
3. The final step will be to develop the framework for modeling remedial alternatives.
The framework will include:
a. a watershed loading model
b. the enhanced EFDC model
c. a bioaccumulation model
d. protocols for applying the component models
e. software for evaluating uncertainties in a modeling study.
Understanding the toxic properties of contaminants is essential to understanding the risks
associated with contamination. To a large extent, this is a general problem in toxicology, not
restricted to contaminated sediments. The ORD Land Research Program is focused on those
contaminants that tend to be persistent and bioaccumulate within organisms, since they pose the
most evident long-term risk. Furthermore, since the risk to humans is primarily through
exposure to other organisms within whom contaminants may have accumulated, the future ORD
focus of this program is largely on ecological receptors. More specifically, ORD research is
directed to provide the site-specific risk assessor with tools to make risk predictions based on
extrapolation from an understanding of food web and bioavailability / bioaccumulation
relationships and on the impact of remediation alternatives on these variables and their
relationships. ORD's research will establish and improve understanding of causal relationships
between sediment contamination and chemical residues and exposure to aquatic organisms. This
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research will also provide tools for use in defining critical sediment and tissue residue thresholds
between acceptable and unacceptable effects for aquatic and aquatic dependent organisms.
Key research foci include the following:
Determining the critical tissue residues to use as screening levels for aquatic organisms
exposed to PBTs. Research consists of assembling and evaluating a residue-effects
database for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzodioxins
(PCDDs), and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) for aquatic and aquatic-dependent
organisms. The evaluation is identifying (a) major gaps in PCB residue-effect data; (2)
the extent to which risk estimates are altered significantly by the manner in which PCB is
expressed (e.g., total PCB, Aroclors, congeners, and dioxin-like congeners); and (3)
methods, tools, and techniques for screening and evaluating the toxicity data as well as
for deriving residue-effect relationships with varying amounts and types of laboratory-
derived toxicological data.
Determining how to extrapolate field-measured bioaccumulation data across species,
ecosystem, and/or time through development of a hybrid empirical/modeling approach.
Determining the impact of incomplete removal or resuspension of contaminated
sediments on the aquatic organisms.
Determining the conditions under which different approaches to measuring the integrity
of benthic organism communities at sites are most suited.
Current remediation approaches to addressing contaminated sediments, include dredging,
capping, and MNA. OSRTI must decide which of these options best suits a particular site. In
addition, considering the costs, strengths, and limitations of these approaches in the context of
the wide variety of sites to which they must be applied, development of new treatment
approaches is desirable. ORD's research program is designed to provide a better understanding
of the traditional risk management options and to investigate alternative options.
To improve understanding of existing risk management options, ORD will continue to
evaluate post-dredging residuals models through case study and field evaluation. Field studies
will be conducted to evaluate post-dredging residuals and implement innovative monitoring
tools, such as core profiling techniques, semi-permeable membrane devices, volatilization
chambers, and innovative techniques for evaluating capping technologies yet to be applied for
monitoring dredging operations.
ORD is investigating several alternative sediment remedies with the potential to be more
cost-effective than conventional dredging or capping remedies. An emphasis will be placed on
bioremediation of organics, electrochemical degradation, and conventional and reactive caps.
In coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and in association with the Strategic
Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP), ORD will complete a number of
research projects to evaluate the field performance of dredging and capping and to improve
understanding of the best management practices.
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ORD will develop or test the applicability of a number of tools for monitoring
contaminated sediment and associated risks, which can then be applied to monitoring remedy
performance. The tools include sampling devices suitable to investigate contaminant migration
into natural or constructed sediment caps and migration from the sediment into the overlying
water column and atmosphere as well as monitoring techniques used in developing and
evaluating potential remedies. The models of sediment transport and uptake by organisms will
provide insight into the time scale appropriate for implementing the monitoring techniques to
measure progress toward the cleanup goal. We expect the program office to work with ORD to
provide this information to remedial project managers through fact sheets, guidance, or other
technology transfer mechanisms.
5.4.2 Theme: Ground Water
Contaminated ground water is a problem at most Superfund sites and at virtually all
LUST corrective action sites as well as many RCRA Corrective Action and Brownfield sites.
We now know that remedies are taking much longer than originally anticipated. Operation and
maintenance costs are substantial and conventional remedies may not be able to achieve cleanup
objectives in reasonable time frames or at all, particularly for contaminants that are newly found
to pose risks at concentrations once deemed acceptable.
The research is driven by science and technology questions related to characterizing the
contamination and developing cost-effective and efficient remedial options. These questions are
addressed differently for three classes of problematic yet pervasive ground water contaminants
DNAPLs, inorganic species, and fuel components, including oxygenatesand for hydrogeologic
regimes that challenge existing characterization and remediation options.
Key research questions addressed:
What are alternatives to pump and treat methods?
What characterization, sampling, and analytical methods will reduce the uncertainty in
F&T models and will improve exposure estimates supporting risk assessments?
For DNAPL research: (1) How much DNAPL must be removed to be protective of
human health and the environment, and (2) Are current technologies adequate to achieve
this level of removal?
What long-term performance tools are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of MNA?
Can PRBs be applied to treat inorganic GW contamination?
How can modeling and sampling methods be improved to reduce uncertainty in analysis
of vapor intrusion into homes?
What are strategic approaches to assess ground water-surface water interactions?
How can F&T models of fuel components be improved to reduce uncertainty?
What are cost-effective approaches for characterization and remediation of fractured rock
settings?
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What are the factors and improvements that could be applied to natural or commercial
processes to reduce the impact of mining sites on surface and ground waters?
To what extent are the scientific advances in ground water research impacting the long-
term stewardship of hazardous waste sites?
The remediation of subsurface formations contaminated by non-aqueous phase liquids
(NAPLs) is a major impediment to the restoration of many hazardous waste sites. NAPLs are
classified as those lighter than water (LNAPL) or denser than water (DNAPL) and can serve as
long-term sources of contamination impacting both ground water and surface water. The
remediation of DNAPL-contaminated sites is particularly challenging because DNAPLs can
migrate deep through the saturated zone, leaving a trail of hydraulically trapped organic liquid.
The rates and extent of migration are dependent on physical and chemical properties of the
DNAPL and hydrodynamic properties of the subsurface. The resultant spatial distribution of
DNAPLs can be very complex and difficult to locate and characterize. The region of the
subsurface containing DNAPL, either as randomly distributed pools of organic liquid or sub-
zones at residual saturations, is termed the DNAPL source zone.
Constituents from trapped DNAPL slowly partition into ground water to create and
sustain dissolved contaminant plumes that may extend significant distances from the source
zone. The extent of the dissolved plume will be determined by contaminant flux from the source
and the capacity of the subsurface to
attenuate the migrating dissolved
contaminant (Figure 4). The most prevalent
DNAPLs (halogenated organic solvents,
e.g., trichloroethylene and
tetrachloroethylene) are not readily
degraded and relatively large dissolved
plumes of these chemicals are frequently
observed.
Control Plane
Compliance Plane
Figure 4. DNAPL Source Zone and Dissolved Plume
Characterization of ground water contamination is a critical issue, particularly for
DNAPLs, which do not behave like dissolved contaminants, and for vapor intrusion into
buildings which has parameter uncertainty issues for modeling exposure and migration of ground
water contaminants into buildings. Research will produce characterization, sampling, and
analytical methods to reduce the uncertainty in F&T models, which will improve exposure
estimates supporting risk assessments. Improved understanding of the nature and extent of
contamination will also influence selection and implementation of remedial actions and will
result in more accurate cost estimates.
Research on releases from leaking underground fuel storage tanks will include
oxygenates that represent a characterization and remediation challenge in themselves as well as
affecting the behavior and treatment of hydrocarbon fuel components. F&T studies will lead to
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improved modeling capability that predicts plume behavior and the effectiveness of remedial
alternatives. Development will continue on a set of on-line calculators and a modeling system
intended to be used by states in assessing the large number of LUST corrective action sites.
Development or enhancement of remediation technologies on challenging ground water
contamination issues is a significant segment of the research effort. Recent research and
demonstration projects have led to new alternatives to conventional pump-and-treat technologies
that are being adopted in the field. Recommendations from an international external panel,
addressing the effectiveness of DNAPL source elimination and the options for dealing with
inevitable residual contamination, have helped shape the research goals that are being addressed
in the research program.
Conventional remediation techniques designed for dissolved contaminant removal have
proven inadequate for achieving acceptable environmental cleanup goals within reasonable time
frames for DNAPL source zones. However, field-scale research conducted by ORD has
demonstrated that a high percentage of DNAPL mass can be rapidly depleted from source zones
by using aggressive in situ thermal or chemical flushing technologies. Even with these
aggressive technologies, the efficiency of DNAPL removal often decays exponentially with
increasing mass removed, and complete DNAPL removal may not be technically or
economically feasible. For such sites, the key questions are as follows: (1) How much DNAPL
must be removed to be protective of human health and the environment, and (2) Are current
technologies adequate to achieve this level of removal? To answer these questions we must
understand the relationships between DNAPL mass depletion, contaminant mass flux from the
source zone, and dissolved plume properties. The ORD DNAPL source remediation research is
focused on three critical issues: (1) Demonstration, evaluation, and optimization of DNAPL
remediation technologies; (2) Assessment and prediction of the benefits of partial DNAPL
depletion; and (3) Development and assessment of integrated DNAPL source remediation
approaches.
Increasingly, inorganic contamination of ground water resources from arsenic, chromium,
perchlorate, and radionuclides is recognized as a significant issue. Sources include large DOE
and mining megasites as well as industrial and naturally occurring sources (e.g., arsenic).
Remediation of inorganic plumes in ground water follows a dual track of assessing the potential
effectiveness of MNA and PRBs, building on successful development of these approaches for
organic contaminants. Because metals can't be destroyed, the mechanisms of immobilization are
critical to the long-term performance of these approaches. MNA research focuses on identifying
the attenuation mechanisms and the anticipated stability of the immobilized metals under
anticipated geochemical conditions. One of the field studies will test the accuracy of the recently
completed, cross-office framework for how to evaluate the applicability of an MNA remedy for a
specific site. Research on PRBs will provide two cases of PRB performance in the near-term.
Additional research will evaluate the long-term performance and efficiency of PRBs and extend
the range of metals that can be addressed with this technology.
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Complex hydrogeology impedes the evaluation and remediation of contaminants at sites;
additional guidance on effective options for these sites will be provided. Regional experience
and research are increasingly identifying the zone of ground water discharge to surface water to
be the site of complex interactions. While past research addressed this as it was encountered in
field studies, planned research will address the ground water-surface water interaction (GSI)
zone more systematically.
A summary of the research for PRBs, MNA, and remediation of DNAPL source zones
will be documented to determine the impact of each research area with respect to the long-term
stewardship of hazardous waste sites. An evaluation of the state of the science is needed for each
research area to determine the actual impact of the research on the stewardship of the sites.
5.4.3 Theme: Multimedia and Technical Support Program
Key research questions addressed:
What cost-effective analytical and statistical methods are needed to support site
characterization issues?
What improvement will reduce uncertainty in modeling of oil spill fate and effects?
What are the impacts of new or improved oil spill countermeasure approaches on fresh
and saline water environments?
What are the factors and improvements that can be applied to natural or commercial
processes to reduce the impact of mining sites on surface and ground waters?
The Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) and its Regional Offices
require innovative methods and techniques to solve the difficult site characterization,
contaminant containment, and risk management problems found at numerous contaminated sites
throughout the United States. The research under the Multimedia and Technical Support theme
includes development of analytical methods, field sampling guidance, statistical software, oils
spills dispersal modeling and remediation, monitoring and remediation technologies for mining
sites (specifically bioreactors), and the technical support infrastructure needed to move the
products of these R&D activities from the lab and into the hands of site managers and other
decision makers.
Site Characterization, Analytical Methods, and Statistical Analysis
This topic is an integral step in site characterization. Before predictions of contaminant
F&T can be made, risk assessments performed, or remediation options evaluated, an
understanding of the types of contaminants present and the extent of their dispersal in the
environment must be acquired. Analytical methods research supports this understanding by
improving cost, accuracy, portability, and speed of analysis for the most common or most
difficult to analyze inorganic and organic contaminants. Immunochemical and other
bioanalytical methods can allow rapid on-site characterization and monitoring of remediation
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and cleanup activities at Superfund sites. Immunoassay detection, immunoaffinity
chromatography sample preparations, electrochemical immunosensors, and coupled
immunoassay detection/chromatography/mass spectrometry methods will be developed that
allow for rapid, accurate, and precise quantification of various contaminants in the field. The use
of these field methods will allow real time decisions to be made on additional sampling needs,
delineating contaminant distributions, and determining the effectiveness of remedial actions.
Future bioanalytical work will include development of dioxin assays for soil and sediments and a
shift in focus to real-time and more cost-effective ground water analytical methods in response to
Regional Research Advisory Groups client requests for additional analytical methods
development for the ground water medium.
Additional analytical method development will include methyl mercury analyses in liver
and muscle tissues for fish taken from Superfund mercury-impacted areas and the use of semi-
permeable membranes and isotope dilution mass spectrometry for PCB analyses.
The assessment and cleanup of sites contaminated with multiple contaminants in multiple
media is a complex process in which many factors can influence the validity and confidence in
the final data used to decide on future actions at the site. Research in statistical sampling and
data analysis is aimed at improving or developing statistical methods to reduce data uncertainty
in the experiment or measurement process for environmental decision making. Peer-reviewed
journal publications, book chapters, and guidance documents on robust data analysis, including
multivariate outlier testing, causal outlier variable methods, principal component analysis,
discriminant analysis, censored data analysis, multivariate geostatistical methods, and methods in
parallel space, will be some of the outputs of this work. For site managers, the SCOUT
statistical software package will be upgraded with new robust statistical procedures and a
geostatistical model that allow for more advanced statistical techniques to be used in the
assessment of the validity of analytical data. A field-sampling guidance document to identify
methods and techniques to eliminate bias that occurs during field sampling will also be
developed. This research will help site managers understand the driving factors and tradeoffs
affecting environmental sampling design and to assess the validity (with increased confidence) of
the data used during decision making on site characterization and remediation efforts.
Oil Spills Research
The ORD oil spills research program supports the preparedness and response functions of
the Oil Spills Program within OSRTI, funded by a separate trust fund. Research is focused in
three areas: developing a better understanding of fate and effects of spilled oil; development of
testing protocols for spill control; and development of response options.
Developing modeling methodologies to assess the fate and effects of oil spills in fresh
and saline waters will provide important tools, methods, models, data, guidance, and technical
support to site managers and other decision makers and stakeholders to use in assessing and
cleaning up spills of petroleum and non-petroleum oils. This work will provide essential
information on dispersion and effects of dispersant treatments on spilled petroleum, non-
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petroleum oils, and their constituents. Some of the major outputs of this work will be a report on
linkage of the EPA research object-oriented-oil spill model (ERO3S) oil spill model to surface
water transport and quality models, assessments of optimal parameters for nutrient application
for oil spill bioremediation on beaches, and assessments of optimal conditions for the
bioremediation of wetlands. A major goal of this research effort is to develop a multicomponent
mass-balance-based model for simulating transport of spilled oils with and without dispersant
treatments.
Selection of appropriate risk management options in oil spill scenarios is supported
through the development of protocols to evaluate spill response products and through
development of new risk management strategies for petroleum and non-petroleum oil spills in
fresh and saline environments. By FY07, the first phase of laboratory and field studies will be
completed on the risk management and fate and effects of oil in fresh and saline environments.
This will include work on petroleum and fuel emulsions, chemical and biological treatment,
climatic effects on oil spills, dispersant modeling, and ecosystem exposure as a function of
various response scenarios. By FY08, risk management strategies will be developed for non-
petroleum oil spills. ORD, in collaboration with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, has funded the
construction of a wave tank in Halifax, Nova Scotia, which generates breaking waves
reproducibly. The wave tank will allow quantification of dispersant efficacy as a function of sea
turbulence and the development of correlations between laboratory and wave tank data. In
collaboration with Canada, work is also underway to develop a surface-washing agent to remove
oil from coated surfaces, followed by round-robin validation testing.
Mining
One of the highest priorities and needs of many of the EPA Regions has been mine water
remediation. It is estimated that there are over 400,000 abandoned mine sites in the western
United States, and almost all of these sites contain contaminated waste and water. In the past 5
years, technical assistance for active and passive treatment of mine water has accounted for
upwards of 25 % of the engineering assistance requests. While active treatment has been utilized
at the larger mining mega-sites, there is a need for treatment systems that can be located in
remote areas and at higher elevations. In these areas, there is no power source, access is
restrictive, and the treatment season is very short because of winter weather. ORD has been
actively supporting the research and acceptance of passive systems that require little power, have
an acceptable operational life, and rely on chemical precipitation and adsorption as well as
biological processes (sulfate-reducing bacteria and other microorganisms) to treat the water. The
science is still in its infancy and has to be proven effective to meet effluent criteria and
sustainable over longer periods of time.
Providing Technical Support to the Regions and States
Providing technical support to the Regions and states is an important part of the ORD
LRP. Through the technical support program, the products of ORD's R&D activities move from
the laboratories and field studies into the hands of site managers and other decision makers. In
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addition to this technology transfer function, the technical support program provides site-specific
assistance in response to regional site manager requests. Other aspects of the technical support
program include technology transfer via hotlines, websites, workshops, and client-oriented
publications. OSWER and the regions have consistently cited technical support, and particularly
site-specific assistance, as their top priority for ORD. In addition to ORD resources of FTE and
extramural funds, OSWER and the regions provide Superfund extramural funds directly to
several of the centers. Except where restricted by trust fund limitations, the centers provide
support for Superfund, including Sediments, Ground Water/Surface Water, Multimedia, Mine
Waste and Water, Modeling, RCRA, and Brownfields, to project managers. In most years, more
than 500 assistance activities are completed for more than 100 sites. In Appendix H, the eight
ORD Technical Support Centers are described. Because technical support activities are request
driven, outputs and products are not listed in Table 4. Instead, the Centers provide annual
reports to the Program Office, and issues are discussed at the annual progress review.
5.4.4 Performance Measures: Wiring Diagram of Research Theme APGs Leading to
LTG
Figure 5 presents the path of contaminated sediments, ground water, and multimedia
research, presenting the completed APGs as performance measures of progress toward the LTG.
Contaminated sediment APGs address key issues in sediment remediation; improved F&T
modeling; measures of risk reduction after remediation; estimates of residual contamination after
dredging; methods to mitigate polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and metals; and performance
data on capping, MNR, and alternate remediation methods.
Ground water APGs include the following: completion of a geophysics-toolbox to
monitor natural attenuation, and analytical method development and detection levels,
applications for PRBs for inorganic contamination, risk management methods and performance
measures for MNA and a synthesis document for DNAPL, and guidance on characterization and
remediation approaches for fractured rock settings. APGs for emerging issues include
assessment of ground water-surface water interactions and sampling methods for vapor intrusion
into homes, and reducing uncertainty for vapor intrusion models. LUST accomplishments
include enhanced screening models, F&T of fuel components, and evaluations in situ and ex situ
containment and treatment approaches for fuel oxygenates.
Multimedia APGs will include improved methods for modeling the fate and effects of oil
spills. Site characterization methods will be improved through additional sampling and
analytical method development. Statistical methods will reduce uncertainty in measurement of
contaminant distribution. Risk management APGs will include strategies to manage petroleum
and non-petroleum oil spills as well as countermeasure methods. An APG will address
monitoring and treatment methods for mining sites.
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Research
Theme
Co ntamuiate d
sediments
Ground Water
Advance fate and
transport modeling
constructs for sites-with
extensive contamination
and high remedial costs
Provide tools to assess
the effectiveness of
sediment lemedial
alternatives to seduce
risks to fisli and benthos.
Develop tools and
app ID aches to evaluate
transport of
sediments.
Improve capabiliyto
predict tesi'iial? after
dredging and
management of
dredging residuals.
Provide performance
data on capping and
MNR
Evaluate at least 2
alternative approaches
for sediment
remediation
Produce a synthesis
report on innovative in
situ lemedies for
DHAPL sites
Complete fuel
composition studies
and enhance
capabilities of £he
Hydrocarbon Spill
Screening Model
Evaluations of five in
situ sad ex situ
containment
and treatment
approaches for fuel
oxygenates
Complete evaluations
of monitored natuial
attenuation at sites
with inorganic grormd
water contaminaticcn,
using one ofthemto
evaluate the proposed
framework
Develop site
characterization and
ana^tical tools for
contaminated ground
water sites.
Develop sampLnng,
ana^tical, modeling
and management
appioaches to support
vapor intrusion
assessments.
Develop
strategies to
assess ground-
water and
surface-water
interactions and
to evaluate
impacts on
hydro logic
regimes.
Clients
request
and apply
ORD
research
products
and
services
needed
for
migration,
managem
ent and
long-term
stewardsh
ip of
contamin
ated sites.
29
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Multimedia
Develop modeling
approaches for
assessing fate and
effects of oil spills
infreshand saline
waters
EJevelop modeling
approaches for
assessing fate and
effects of oil spills
in fresh and saline
waters
By 2010, 2 land
management
options will be
evaluated to
pmvide decision
makers with tools
to sefect the best
land management
option(s) to piotect
human health and
the environment
and foster
reutilization
Clients
request and
apply ORD
research
products and
services
needed for
migration,
management
and long-term
stewardship
of
contaminated
sites.
Figure 5. Performance Measures (APGs) Supporting the Long-Term Goal
5.4.5. Summary of Performance Measures Linking Research Activities, Outputs, and
Short- Term Outcomes
Table 2 presents LTG 1 research activities and outputs by research theme. These are
related to short-term outcomes or the utilization of research products by OSWER, the Regions,
or their contractors. The topics in Table 2 are part of a logic model process leading to long-term
outcomes.
Table 2. Research Activities, Outputs, and Short Term Outcomes to Support Long-Term
Goall
ACTIVITIES
OUTPUTS
SHORT-TERM OUTCOMES
Sediments
1. Methods and models on
extent of contamination
2. Application of hybrid
models to assess PBTs;
effects of remediation on
biota; bioavailability
3. Technology
development and
evaluation of risk
Sediments
1. Advanced F&T models and
tools for PBTs
2. Linkage of residues and
effects to biota; effects of
resuspension and long-term
remediation options
3. Performance data on in situ
methods, dredging residuals,
and method development.
Sediments
1. Use in guidance and site-
specific application to reduce
uncertainty
2. Use in guidance and in site
assessments to reduce uncertainty
3. Use in guidance, adoption, and
use in site-specific decisions and
records of decision (RODs).
30
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management options.
Ground Water
4. Characterization and
analytical tools; VI
methods; underground
storage tank (UST) fuel
transport
5. DNAPL and inorganics:
methods on innovative
treatments; performance
evaluations, GW-SW
interactions; treatment of
fuel oxygenates.
Multimedia
6. Analytical and statistical
methods development
7. Technical Support
Centers (TSCs) use ORD
staff and tools to address
site-specific issues
8. Develop improved
methods to mitigate oil
spills.
Ground Water
4. Analytical methods; VI
enhanced models & methods;
synthesis of fuel F&T models
5. Synthesis report on in situ
methods; PRB uses, treatment
methods for fuel oxygenates.
Multimedia
6. Standard sampling and
analysis methods
7. Answer site-specific
questions from regional staff
8. Improved management
strategies for oil spills.
Ground Water
4. Use at site characterization; VI
model reduces uncertainty; UST
F&T of fuels used in guidance
5. Remediation guidance,
adoption, and use at sites and in
RODs.
Multimedia
6. Use in guidance, standard
methods, and site-specific
application
7. Regions use improved tools to
characterize, assess, and remediate
specific sites to reduce uncertainty,
time, or expense
8. Use in guidance, regulation, and
site- specific application.
5.5. Long-Term Goal 2: Research Questions, Description of Research Program, and
Performance Measures
LTG 2: Clients request and apply ORD research products and services needed to manage
material streams, address emerging material streams, and conserve resources.
The Office of Solid Waste, state agencies, and local governments make decisions about
materials use, management, and ultimate disposition. Over the past several years, conservation
of resources and reuse of materials formerly considered waste has received considerable
attention. The research program has been evolving to consider not only appropriate waste
disposal but also beneficial use, avoidance of more toxic materials, and operation of waste
management to conserve capacity and produce energy. To address emerging material
management issues, a strategic shift in the research program was made to conduct nanomaterial
F&T research and establish the program as the leader across the federal government in this
research area.
To achieve this goal, ORD must identify accurately the scientific uncertainties which,
when addressed, make the clients' mandated responsibilities and actions most cost-effective and
scientifically defensible. From the clients' perspective, activities related to the nature of material
streams, mitigation and management of materials, conservation of resources and long-term
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stewardship are important. Because the program office, regions, and states are still evaluating
the highest priority material streams, we anticipate that the specific materials covered in the
research program described below may change over the implementation period. The annual
program review and budget refinement cycle provide the forum for ORD and clients to concur
on changes in emphasis.
5.5.1 Theme: Resource Conservation
Key research questions addressed:
What are the risk reductions from waste minimization programs?
What models and tools can be developed and applied to support community decisions on
Brownfields?
What information on sustainable waste management practices can be integrated to
support the Resource Conservation Challenge?
What are the metrics for sustainability in Land Revitalization/Brownfields efforts, and
how can they be applied in urban planning?
ORD has conducted extensive development of a modeling framework, originally
intended to evaluate relative risks on a national basis, of various waste disposal options for use in
regulatory decision making. Because OSW has now completed the majority of its mandated
regulations, the need for modeling alternative risks has evolved to addressing questions related to
regional or site-specific assessments, newer waste streams (e.g., electronic waste, nanomaterials),
and the new emphasis on resource conservation and reuse through largely voluntary programs.
In addition to modeling, material evaluation by speciation and leach testing is needed to
understand what hazardous constituents might be released in various disposal and use scenarios.
OSW has targeted specific materials for volume reduction to minimize generation of
hazardous waste and other materials for beneficial use to demonstrate one facet of resource
conservation. Research is planned to support these efforts with case studies. A modeling study
has already begun to evaluate the risk reduction achieved by reducing waste minimization
priority chemicals (WMPCs). The 3MRA model is being used to develop comparative
assessments of ecological and human populations risk reduction resulting from achievement of
current and future waste reduction goals for up to 9 of 31 WMPCs (e.g., Pb, Hg, trichlorinated
dibenzodioxins [TCDD]). An outcome of this work will be an ability to quantify, on a national
scale, the reduction in risk to human and ecological receptors resulting from the reduction of
selected WMPCs found within waste streams reaching industrial solid waste management
facilities. Another case study will evaluate alternatives for lead in industrial usage. Emphasis
will be placed on comparing the risks from lead use and release with risks from potential
substitute materials.
Multimedia risk assessment methodologies for the Resource Conservation Challenge will
be built on prior collaborative work between ORD and OSW that developed the Multimedia,
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Multipathway, and Multi-receptor Risk Assessment (3MRA) modeling system in support of the
Hazardous Waste Identification Rule (HWIR). The 3MRA modeling system is composed of 17
science sub-models that simulate source contaminant releases to the environment, F&T of
contaminants through soil, air, and water media; and evaluation of exposure and risk for both
human and ecological (terrestrial and aquatic) receptor populations. A critical feature of the
3MRA is the software system design. The Framework for Risk Analysis in Multimedia
Environmental Systems (FRAMES) is a software infrastructure designed to facilitate the
development, testing, application, and maintenance of science-based modeling systems such as
the 17 modules of 3MRA. The 3MRA modeling system received a very positive review by the
SAB in 2005. Given the application of multimedia media modeling techniques to varying
problems, a collaborative relationship was formalized in a Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU), initiated in June 2001, and involves nine federal agencies. The purpose of the MOU is
to establish a framework for facilitating cooperation and coordination among the signatory
agencies in their R&D of multimedia environmental models.
Due to the shift in modeling focus to nanomaterials, the development of 3MRA will be
slowed. However, the transfer of the sophisticated model to address other program office and
regional needs will be conducted. There are increasing quality assurance requirements being
placed on regulators to address uncertainty analysis, sensitivity analysis, and parameter
estimation (UA/SA/PE) in model-supported, risk-based decision making. In addition,
understanding and quantifying the uncertainty associated with exposure assessments is requisite
for developing risk estimates with scientifically defensible confidence limits. Specific
components of this research effort include development of UA/SA/PE tools that can serve
multiple Program Office needs in meeting new quality assurance standards (e.g., EPA's Council
on Regulatory Environmental Modeling, Data Quality Guidelines) and model simulation
demands for national, regional, and site-specific studies.
Brownfields and Land Revitalization
Use of greenspace contributes to urban sprawl, reduction of natural resources, and
destruction of natural systems. Revitalization of previously used land (e.g., brownfields) does
not always occur because of obstacles related to real and/or perceived contamination (e.g., fear
of uncertainty and potential liability, lack of financial resources to remove contamination, lack of
vision, lack of communication, fear of time commitment, etc.). It is important to encourage the
revitalization of previously used lands such that existing social and environmental systems are
maintained and even enhanced in an economically advantageous manner.
Through the development of tools, approaches, methods, and technologies, we can
facilitate revitalization of potentially contaminated sites while encouraging stakeholders to
incorporate a balance of social, economic, and environmental interests and objectives into
growth and development that will not negatively impact current or future generations. For
example, a decision support tool called SMARTe will inform revitalization stakeholders about
the entire revitalization process, help them overcome obstacles to revitalization, and assist them
in the complex selection of reuse options. A standardized method for soil gas measurements will
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reduce the error associated with soil-gas sampling and the movement of vapors (i.e., vapor
intrusion) into buildings/homes. ORD will continue to develop GIS and Remote Sensing Tools
to inventory Brownfield sites. Sustainability Planning Criteria will be developed, implemented,
and evaluated for land use planning so communities and towns can develop to meet citizen needs
and expectations while leaving the essential attributes of economic, social, and ecological
systems intact and able to sustain future generations. Training and technical support to OSWER,
regions, states, and local governments will continue to support the remediation of Brownfield
sites.
The Brownfields efforts have been carried out through an ORD FTE and an intra-agency
funding transfer from OSWER to ORD; these products are reflected in this plan.
5.5.2 Theme: Materials ManagementEmerging Research
Nanomaterial Fate and Transport (F&T)
Key research questions addressed:
Which engineered nanomaterials have a high potential for release and exposure from a
life-cycle perspective?
What technologies exist, can be modified, or need to be developed to detect and monitor
releases of and exposures to engineered materials?
What physical and chemical properties and processes determine the environmental
release, fate, and transport of engineered nanomaterials?
What are the exposure routes for human and ecological receptors to engineered
nanomaterials? What are the forms of the engineered nanomaterials to which these
receptors will be exposed?
What properties of engineered materials are associated with potential hazard?
What techniques and tools exist, can be modified, or need to be developed for detecting
and predicting hazards of engineered nanomaterials?
What are the prioritized information gaps that need to be addressed to support
comprehensive assessments of ecological and human health risks of nanomaterials?
How will EPA's risk assessment approaches need to be modified to accommodate the
special properties of nanomaterials?
For nanotechnology F&T research, the primary objectives will be to determine the
physicochemical properties and processes controlling nanomaterial movement through soil and
aquatic ecosystems. The research will also focus on the engineering factors to understand the
transformation, transport, and longevity of the engineered nanomaterials. Specific research will
also investigate the life-cycle assessment of nanomaterials, particularly to understand their fate
for emissions and releases. Research questions include the identification of system parameters
that alter the surface characteristics of nanomaterials through aggregation (e.g., pH effects),
complexation (e.g., surface complexation by dissolved organic carbon), or changes in oxidation
state (e.g., chemically or biologically mediated electron transfer). This work will provide the
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basis for prioritizing potential ecological exposure pathways that warrant further exploration.
This work will complement funded STAR grants. The Agency's efforts are coordinated with
other federal agencies through the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI), which the
Administration has identified as a FY 2008 R&D budget priority. EPA's nanotechnology
research is also guided by a draft research needs document being prepared by the
4
Nanotechnology Environmental and Health Implications Working Group. EPA will develop
into the federal lead for environmental F&T research outlined in the NNI draft research needs
document.
5.5.3 Theme: Materials ManagementDisposal, Reuse, and Containment
Key research questions addressed:
What is the mobility of metals in reuse of coal combustion products?
What are the appropriate leaching methods to determine chemical mobility in material
reuse scenarios?
How can landfills be managed to conserve resources?
How can the service life of a landfill be extended?
How can landfill bioreactors be optimized for performance?
What emerging waste materials issues require scoping?
Leach Testing for Material Reuse
The modeling approach to risk assessment will be supplemented with a modest program
to evaluate wastes for their capacity to release hazardous constituents into the environment,
either in a disposal setting or in reuse. Leach testing is a normal component of evaluating waste
materials for compatibility with the local environment. As the range of potential environments
expands (e.g., road bed, use in drywall and concrete, mine filling, land application, etc.), it
becomes more critical to be able to simulate the release of hazardous constituents. Over the last
several years, ORD has been investigating a range of leaching tests that consider pH, redox state,
liquid:solid ratio and other parameters recognized as factors in determining the release of
hazardous constituents. These studies will continue, with the aim of validating the predictive
capability of a set of tests. This program is complemented and supplemented by an evaluation,
under Goal 1-Air, of the application of a particular testing protocol to coal combustion residues
(CCRs) and comparison of the results to leachate data from CCR monofills. ORD also plans to
evaluate risks from beneficial use of CCRs or other materials that are normally disposed of in
landfills.
4
For more information, see http://www.nano.gov/html/society/NEHI.htm.
35
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Landfill Research
Before varied risk management options can be evaluated and informed selection of the
appropriate option made, research is needed to evaluate the existing risk management options
and to develop new options when existing management options are insufficient to meet site
management goals. Recent accomplishments include completing a multi-site study of alternative
covers for landfills, which has resulted in selection of the new technology at both Superfund and
RCRA sites and development of an in situ stabilization method for lead that renders it less
mobile and less bioavailable.
Research in the next 5 years will focus on exploiting the chemical properties of
contaminants and their host environment and inherent biological activity to develop new
approaches for risk management. Our experience with MNA and recovery, alternative covers,
and lead stabilization indicates that more complete understanding of the biogeochemistry of a
system can lead to simpler technology and lower cost approaches for mitigation of risk. X-ray
analysis tools will be applied to contaminants of concern to elucidate their speciation and
interaction with surrounding environmental media and interaction with micro- and macro-
organisms to develop approaches to alter the speciation in ways that promote degradation,
removal, immobilization, or conversion to biologically less active forms.
With respect to traditional landfills, the remaining research needs relate to construction
testing and long-term performance of materials used in composite covers and liners. Recent data
suggest some performance problems associated with clay and geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs)
when used as cover components. Additional work will address fugitive emissions, seismic
stability, and development on closed landfills. The National Academy of Sciences will be
providing ORD with a report on long-term protectiveness issues in FY08 that will further refine
future research needs.
Ongoing research on the operation of landfills as bioreactors will continue. Bioreactors
can contribute to resource conservation in two ways: (1) Accelerated waste decomposition
results in volume recovery, reducing the need to site new landfills, and (2) Accelerated methane
production may make energy recovery more economical. ORD has supported OSW in
developing the Research Development and Demonstration (RD&D) rule for landfills, which
provides flexibility to the states to allow innovative approaches to management of municipal
landfills. As a result of this rule, ORD and OSW are working with the states to assist them in
evaluating the effectiveness of landfill bioreactors. The research is addressing operation and
monitoring parameters as well as evaluating risks such as increased fugitive emissions. Results
to date have been incorporated in training and technology transfer materials used by state
permitting officials.
Combustion has been an ongoing research area and will be eliminated in FY08. In-house
work focused on monitoring devices to detect chlorinated dioxins and furans or surrogates and
mercury. ORD provided technical support as OSW completed development of maximum
achievable control technologies (MACT) regulations for combustion facilities under the Clean
36
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Air Act. Emissions monitoring is important to ensure that waste combustors are operated in
compliance. The loss of the modest resources in LRP is mitigated by more significant resources
in other goals that address air toxics and mercury.
5.5.4. Performance Measures: Wiring Diagram of Research Theme APGs Leading to
LTG2
The diagram below (Figure 6) is the research path for resource conservation research
supporting LTG 2. The APGs supporting the determination of risks associated with materials
include assessing outcomes for reductions in priority chemical streams and leaching methods.
Leach testing methods will contribute to assessments of material reuse. Brownfields products
will expand the tools and methods to support community decisions on land reuse and urban
revitalization. Emerging material management issues addressing nanomaterial F&T APGs will
produce products to lay the foundation for understanding key nanomaterial characteristics in the
mobility and fate of these materials. Multimedia modeling will address science improvements
and support nanomaterial modeling issues. In material management, landfill and bioreactor
goals will include research to improve liner performance and service life. The increased
utilization of bioreactors at landfills will be promoted through completion of guidance
documents on the design, operation, and maintenance of the systems. Management methods for
emerging wastes materials will also be addressed.
37
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Long-Term Goal 2
Resource
Co userva.lion
Revitalixation
Broivufield
Material
Management
Nano F&T
Assessing
enviKHiinantal
waste
priority rltrniar-ib
TV 'A '
.Provide iinder^Tng
existing
applications and
models, and
databases for
emerging:
contaminant
Evaluate and app^
in detemuxung risks
associated with
disposal -and use
Extend multimedia.
modeling capabilities
range of exposure
and list
FVovide materials
Resource
C o rivers at ID n
Challenge
Advance the
concepts,
understanding and
acceptance oft he
Support Tool
Evaluate biological
performance
What is the fate
and impact of
placing novel
conventional
landfills
1
Evaluate long-term
liners/covers to
improve peuonuance
and extend service
life of landfills
Develop methods for
measuring selected
ccarrtamiiiards in
environment
matrices
-*
What aie the
Metrics for
Sustainabiliy in
land use planning
Advance the
Hie impact of
and other factors at
Brownfield Sites
Assessment ofthe
eiwrtorinierital
consequences of
the use of
lloHuimafcsHal*
t
Evaluation of the
properties of
afi&ct fate,
transport
fs-a.lj.rjlyr cuid
i
,
"
'
-
request
and apply
research
.
to manage
materials
streams,
conserve
resources
and
address
emerging
materials
Figure 6. Performance Measures (APGs) Supporting Long-Term Goal 2
5.5.5. Summary of Research Activities, Outputs, and Short-Term Outcomes
Table 3 presents LTG 2 research activities and outputs by research theme. These are
related to short-term outcomes or the utilization of research products by OSWER, the regions, or
their contractors. The topics in Table 3 are part of a logic model process leading to long-term
outcomes.
Table 3. Research Activities, Outputs, and Short-Term Outcomes for Long-Term Goal 2
ACTIVITIES
OUTPUTS
SHORT-TERM
OUTCOMES
Resource Conservation
1. Develop methods to
sample and assess risks
from waste-derived
products
Resource Conservation
1. Methods and assessments
of risk of material reuse
2. National assessment of waste
minimization
Resource Conservation
1. Supports regulatory and
risk management decisions on
material reuse
2. Report will focus waste
-------
2. Assess benefits from
waste minimization
3. Enhanced multimedia
modeling applications
4. Brownfields: research
to enhance methods and
models for decision
support tools.
Materials Management
5. Evaluation of
performance alternative
caps for landfills
6. Research onbioreactor
design, operation, and
monitoring
7. Research on leaching
from material streams and
reuse of materials
8. Research on
nanomaterial F&T.
3. Synthesis report on 3MRA
and site-specific demonstrations
of its use
4. Publish SMARTE reports and
update Web site to tech transfer
information to regions, states,
and communities.
Materials Management
5. Tech transfer of long-term
performance evaluations to
regions and states
6. Design manual and synthesis
report on landfill bioreactor
performance
7. Synthesis report on leachates
and reports on material reuse
8. Reports F&T of nanomaterials
in media, and key nanomaterial
characteristics that affect fate
and mobility.
minimization efforts on major
waste streams
3. Use in guidance and site-
specific application to reduce
uncertainty
4. Provides a decision support
tool so communities can make
decisions on development of
Brownfields sites.
Materials Management
5. Significant cost savings at
multiple sites per year
6. Supports guidance and
regulations on use of landfill
bioreactors
7. Supports guidance and
regulations on leachates and
material reuse
8. Provides scientific
leadership in this research
area for federal government.
6.0 Annual Performance Goals and Measures
The following tables present APGs and APMs for the Land Research Program. The
information is organized in the following manor: Long-Term Goal, Research Theme, Supporting
APGs, Supporting APMs. The APGs and APMs are for FY06-FY12 and, unless indicated, are
not official GPRA commitments.
Table 4. Annual Performance Goals and Measures for Long-Term Goals 1 and 2
Long-Term Goal 1: Clients request and apply ORD research products and services
needed for mitigation, management, and long-term stewardship of contaminated sites.
1.1 Sediments
By 2009, provide critical assessment techniques and
advanced fate and transport modeling constructs for
bioaccumulative chemicals for sites with extensive
contamination, high remedial costs, or other complex
issues.
FY09
NERL
39
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Report on the evaluation of long-term (i.e.,
1-10 years) accuracy of the upgraded
contaminated sediment F&T models by
modeling the transport and fate of
sediments in a demonstration site (05-256)
Development of new modules for selected
F&T model(s) for certain types of water
bodies to address the identified
sediment-related needs of OERR and the
regions
Provide state-of-the-art contaminated
sediment transport modeling system for
modeling remedial alternatives at
contaminated sediment Superfund sites.
By 2010, develop tools and approaches to evaluate
transport of contaminants from sediments.
Report on innovative techniques for
measuring advective flux (06-208)
Flux meter field data sets for advective
transport
Report on overall flux meter results
Case study of semi-permeable membrane
devices (SPMDs) on the Anacostia River
Application of SPMDs to monitor
contaminant migration in dynamic stream
environment (milestone)
Case study of using SPMDs to evaluate
impact of dredging (milestone)
Case study of SPMDs to evaluate
performance of carbon sequestration
Summary report on SPMD applicability for
assessing risks and risk management
Report on volatilization of contaminants
and pathogens from sediments
By 2008, provide hybrid modeling approaches using
empirical field data and bioaccumulation models to
extrapolate BAFs and BSAFs for PBTs across
ecosystems, species, and time. (08-222)
FY06
FY08
FY09
FY10
FY06
FY08
FY10
FY07
FY08
FY09
FY10
FY10
FY07
FY08
NERL
NERL
NERL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NHEERL
40
-------
Provide report on the evaluation of the PCB
residue-effects database (06-487)
FY06
comp
leted
NHEERL
-MED
Provide the methods and data necessary to
parameterize and apply the hybrid
modeling/ empirical approach to support
ecological risk assessment of
bioaccumulative sediment contaminants
(BAFs, BSAFs) (06-214)
FY06
comp
leted
Provide a fully field-validated hybrid
modeling/ empirical approach for
extrapolating BAFs & BSAFs and
predicting the ecological effects of mixtures
of PBTs with different rates of metabolism
on a site-specific basis (08-111)
FY08
NHEERL
-MED
NHEERL
-MED
By 2008, provide monitoring, measurement, and
benthic screening methods and tools to characterize,
assess, and communicate current conditions and the
long-term performance of remedial options
associated with cleanup of contaminated sediments.
(10-161)
FY08
NHEERL
Report to OSRTI on direct comparison of
sediment profile imagery (SPI)/sieving
methods at a sediment Superfund site (06-
485)
FY06
comp
leted
Report to OSRTI on relationship between
SPI and other environmental variables,
specifically, dissolved oxygen (07-486)
FY07
NHEERL
-AED
NHEERL
-AED
By 2009, provide measurements, models, and
monitoring data to assess the effectiveness of
sediment remedial alternatives to reduce risks to fish
and benthos.
FY09
NERL
Evaluation of F&T models for predicting
dissolved concentrations of organic and
inorganic contaminants in Superfund site
sediments following resuspension events
(06-483)
FY06
comp
leted
NHEERL
-AED
41
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Provide report assessing significance of
changes in bioavailability of organic
contaminants in Superfund site sediments
following resuspension into the water
column and resettlement to sediment bed
(07-317)
Determination of the influence of newly
deposited sediments on contaminant
concentrations in collected samples (report)
(06-212)
Development of sensitive, reliable, and
cost-effective elemental speciation methods
to measure the toxic and mobile forms of
inorganic contaminants (e.g., As, Se, Sn,
Hg) in sediments (06-210)
Report on detection of newly deposited
sediments via frequency response
measurements
Report on application of geophysical
methods to measure and verify cap integrity
at contaminated sites
By 2008, evaluate biological treatments for PAHs and
metals.
Interim report on biodegradation of
polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in
sediments (07-216)
Two journal articles on biodegradation of
PAHs in sediments (08-1 15)
By 2009, provide performance data on capping and
MNR from at least three sites.
Report on trials of in situ treatment cap (06-
215)
Report on medium-term performance of
emplaced caps relative to predictions (07-
137)
White paper on carbon sequestration caps
Report on cap integrity after field
placement (SERDP)
Report on AquaBlok cap after 3 years
FY07
FY06
FY06
FY09
FY09
FY08
FY07
FY08
FY10
FY06
FY07
FY07
FY08
FY08
NHEERL
-AED
NERL
NERL
NERL
NERL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
42
-------
Report on field study of carbon
sequestration cap
Report on MNR performance at Lake
Hartwell, SC, at the modeled compliance
time (06-213)
Long-term data report on MNR at Lake
Hartwell, SC
Summary of overall MNR performance
over time
By 2011, improve the capability to predict and
manage residuals after dredging operations.
Evaluation of case studies and models for
predicting dredging residuals
Report on land disposal options for
management of dredged sediments
Evaluation of resuspended sediments and
dredging residuals at Superfund sites
Report of field study of dredging residuals
By 2011, evaluate innovative approaches for
sediment remediation.
Speciation of arsenic and lead in sediment
Manuscript on design of innovative
electrochemical destruction (ECD) pilot
unit
Report of pilot evaluations of
electrochemical treatment in a
metal/organic environment. (07-136)
ECD field test results
Summary report on ECD approach
Impact of metals speciation on ecological
receptors (07-355)
Case study of metal speciation
Evaluation of perturbation on metal
speciation and ecological receptors (08-
112)
Evaluation of pathogen management
alternatives
FY09
FY06
FY09
FY10
FY11
FY08
FY08
FY09
FY10
FY11
FY06
FY06
FY07
FY09
FY10
FY07
FY08
FY08
FY09
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
43
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1.2 Ground Water
By FY11, develop site characterization and analytical
tools for contaminated ground water sites.
Monitoring of a controlled DNAPL spill
using a prototype dielectric tool (report)
(06-590)
Geoelectrical detection of surfactant-
enhanced aquifer remediation of PCE
(report)
A geophysical tool box for site managers:
using geophysical methods effectively to
monitor natural attenuation
Rapid screening techniques for toxicity
testing and the analysis of high-priority
ground water contaminants
Bioanalysis of high-priority contaminants
in ground water
By FY11, develop sampling, analytical, modeling,
and management approaches to support vapor
intrusion assessments.
Report on macro- and micro-purge soil-
gas sampling methods for the collection
of contaminant vapors
Assess bias associated with soil-gas
sampling to support assessment of vapor
intrusion (06-439)
Report on the vertical distribution of
VOCs from ground water to soil or
subslab interface
Report on effects of seasonal/moisture
fluxes on subslab vapor F&T.
By FY07, complete a synthesis document of use of
TAGS for modeling fate and transport of fuel
components. (07-141)
Version 2 of Tools for Analysis of
Contaminated Sites (TAGS), revised with
Version 1 user input (07-315)
By FY11, complete fuel composition studies and
enhance capabilities of the Hydrocarbon Spill
Screening Model.
FY11
FY06
FY08
FY10
FY08
FY10
FY11
FY08
FY06
FY09
FY10
FY07
FY07
FY11
NERL
NERL
NERL
NERL
NERL
NERL
NERL
NERL
NRMRL
NERL
NERL
NERL
NERL
NERL
44
-------
Report on 30-year retrospective of U.S.
gasoline composition.
Report on research summarizing fuel
composition studies.
By FY10, produce a synthesis report on innovative in
situ remedies for DNAPL sites. (10-35)
Report on pilot scale evaluation of
adsorption/ oxidation technology for
ground water remediation (06-437)
Effects of thermal treatment on the
chemical reactivity of trichloroethylene
(07-141)
Journal article on mass flux response to
DNAPL source zone treatment
Identification and characterization methods
for reactive minerals responsible for natural
attenuation of DNAPL compounds in
ground water
Research brief on biological methods to
characterize effectiveness of ground water
remediation technologies at metals and
DNAPL sites (08- 11 6)
Synthesis document on DNAPL
remediation technologies (10-21)
Complete evaluations of monitored natural
attenuation at sites with inorganic ground water
contamination, using one of them to evaluate the
proposed framework.
Special issue of Chemical Geology on
arsenic
Issue of paper on metal attenuation
processes at mining mega-sites (07-145)
Evaluation of trends in site characterization
to support use of MNA for remediation of
inorganic contaminants in ground water
(08-351)
Report on the use of decision support
framework for MNA+ for inorganic
contaminants
FY08
FY11
FY10
FY06
FY07
FY09
FY09
FY09
FY10
FY11
FY06
FY07
FY08
FY11
NERL
NERL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
45
-------
Complete performance evaluations of permeable
reactive barriers for treatment of inorganic
contaminants. (08-350)
Metal attenuation in acid mine water by
sulfate reduction (06-222)
Issue paper on mineralogical preservation
of solid samples collected from anoxic
subsurface environments (06-438)
Field application of PRBs for arsenic (08-
346)
Performance evaluation of organic-based
PRB systems for treatment of arsenic and
metals (08-352)
Develop strategies to assess ground water and
surface water interactions and to evaluate impacts on
contaminant fate and transport between these
hydrologic regimes.
Characterizing and modeling water flow
and solute transport in ground and surface
water mixing zones
Evaluation of methods to characterize
ground water-surface water interactions at
hazardous waste sites
Evaluate the State of the Science for long-term
stewardship of hazardous waste sites.
Summary report on the use and assessment
of PRBs at hazardous waste sites
Summary report on the use and assessment
of MNA at hazardous waste sites
Summary report on the remediation of
DNAPL source zones
Evaluations of five in situ and ex situ containment
and treatment approaches for fuel oxygenates.
Report on treatability of alkylates as fuel
oxygenates (06-225)
Report on treatment of TEA, TAME, DIPE,
andETBE(07-146)
Report on evaluation of treatment options
for alternative oxygenates (08-147)
FY08
FY06
FY06
FY08
FY08
FY12
FY11
FY12
FY12
FY10
FY11
FY12
FY10
FY06
FY07
FY08
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
46
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Capstone report on ex situ biological
treatment of fuel oxygenates (07-148)
Report on monitored natural attenuation of
TAME, DIPE, and EDBE Report on
monitored natural attenuation of EDB (08-
119)
1.3 Multimedia
By 2011, develop new sampling, analytical, and
statistical procedures to advance multimedia site
measurements and data quality.
Report on the use of immunoaffinity
chromatography to streamline sample
preparations for analysis of common
environmental contaminants (07-391)
SCOUT statistical software package
upgrade to contain new statistical
procedures.
Unambiguous identification of PCB
congeners in a complex matrix using
GCxGC time-of-flight mass spectrometer
sequentially in 1-D and 2-D modes
Guidance document on robust statistical
methods with an emphasis on
environmental applications
Analytical Protocol (GC/ECNIMS) for
OSWER's Response to OIG Report
(2005-P-00022) on Toxaphene Analysis.
FY07
FY08
FY11
FY07
FY08
FY09
FY10
FY09
NRMRL
NRMRL
Wilson
NERL
NERL
NERL
NERL
NERL
NERL
47
-------
Develop modeling approaches for assessing fate and effects of
oil spills in fresh and saline waters.
Report on linkage of the ERO3S model with
existing EPA water quality and hydrodynamic
models
By 2010, two land management options will be evaluated to
provide decision makers with tools to select the best land
management option(s) to protect human health and the
environment and foster reutilization. (10-45)
Journal article summarizing results of research on air
pathways at Brownfield and Superfund sites, using
tiered approach (06-506)
Journal article on Metals Risk Assessment
Framework
Develop Oil Spill Countermeasure approaches applicable to
multiple fresh water and saline environments.
Report on clay-oil flocculation and nutrient effects
on treating petroleum and vegetable oil slicks on lake
surfaces (06-568)
Journal article on sedimentation and nutrient effects
of vegetable oil from the surface to lake sediments:
lake mesocosm study
Journal article on the effectiveness of dispersant
formulation in treating oil spills in freshwater
environments
Journal article on dispersant effectiveness as a
function of wave energy in batch and continuous-
flow conditions
Report on dispersant effectiveness for oil spills in icy
environments
Journal article on innovative ways to biodegrade
non-petroleum oils in freshwater environments
Journal article on the effect of mixing regime on
oxygen depletion and toxicity in a receiving water
body impacted by a vegetable oil spill
Journal article on optimization of nutrient application
for oil bioremediation on beaches and wetlands
FY10
FY09
FY10
FY06
FY08
FY010
FY07
FY08
FY07
FY08
FY10
FY06
FY10
FY07
NERL
NERL
NRMRL
NRMRL
ORD
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
48
-------
Journal article on the use of sorbents to wick
subsurface oil from wetland ecosystems to stimulate
aerobic biodegradation
Report on the effectiveness of surface washing
agents to remove oil to surfaces at freshwater lakes
(ELA study in Canada)
Develop protocols for testing the effectiveness of oil spill
countermeasure products.
Journal article on surface washing agent
effectiveness protocol
Journal article on a protocol for testing the
effectiveness of solidifiers for treating on-water oil
spills
Develop and test approaches for the treatment of surface
water and ground water from mining sources.
Develop a passive treatment process to replace active
treatment from a mine waste repository
Demonstrate the long-term performance of passive
treatment of mine waste contaminants of surface
water
Investigate alternative substrates for use in
biochemical bioreactors at mining sites
Study the effectiveness of former operations and
potential natural and commercially developed
remedial approaches for the treatment of ground
water and surface water from mining sources.
FY09
FY10
FY09
FY08
FY09
FY12
FY09
FY11
FY11
FY12
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
Long-Term Goal 2: Clients request and apply ORD research products and services
needed to manage materials streams, conserve resources, and address emerging material
streams.
2.1 Material Management, including Managing of Emerging Material Streams
2.1.1 Materials Assessment for Disposal, Reuse,
and Containment
Evaluate and apply leaching tests for use in
determining risks associated with disposal and use.
Report on application of leach testing
protocol to coal combustion residues
Application of life cycle assessment
techniques to evaluate the fate of Pb
FY10
FY07
FY09
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
49
-------
extraction from steel
Synthesis report on evaluation of leaching
procedures and limitations
Evaluate long-term performance and impact
factors in order to measure the performance of
landfills.
Journal article summarizing results of
research on air pathways at Brownfields and
Superfund sites, using tiered approach (06-
506)
Report of nondestructive landfill liner and
cover seam integrity testing technique (06-
242)
Report of performance of landfill covers,
utilizing geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs)
Report of long-term performance of existing
waste containment systems (NAS study)
Evaluation of the performance of
evapotranspiration covers
Report on environmental issues after post-
closure monitoring and landfill
redevelopment
Evaluate biological enhancements to increase
landfill performance.
Interim report on a landfill bioreactor design
manual, characterizing the optimum
operating and monitoring approaches (06-
241)
Synthesis report on landfill bioreactor design,
operation, and performance
Determine the fate and impact of placing novel
materials in conventional landfills
Workshop report on wastes from natural and
anthropogenic disasters
New materials in construction and demolition
wastes
2.1.2 Material Management of Nanomaterial
Defining the Fate and Transport Factors
Provide underlying science support for existing
applications and new methods, models, and
databases for emerging contaminant applications.
Synthesis product: Develop extended
FY10
FY11
FY06
FY06
FY07
FY08
FY10
FY11
FY11
FY06
FY11
FY11
FY09
FY11
FY12
FY08
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NERL
NERL
50
-------
abstract on existing capabilities, ongoing
science needs, and future application areas
identified with multimedia modeling
Report on nanomaterial-induced oxidative
stress-related biomarkers of exposure.
Report on relation of surface chemistry
factors to transport and fate of nanomaterials
in soils and sediments.
Develop methods for measuring selected emerging
contaminants in environmental matrixes.
Nanomaterials: Report on the state-of-the-
science for sampling and measurement in
environmental media.
Methods for measuring selected emerging
contaminants in environmental matrixes, for
validating F&T models
Nanomaterials: methods for measurement
in environmental media (report)
Nanomaterials-based analytical test methods
for environmental matrixes.
Extend multimedia modeling capabilities to
facilitate a broader range of exposure and risk
assessment problems and new applications.
Develop expanded capability within the
multimedia modeling system to evaluate
contaminant F&T
Expand multimedia modeling capability to
evaluate and characterize ecological
exposure to emerging contaminants
Assessment of the environmental consequences of
the use of nanomaterials.
Fact sheet on the use of emulsified zero-
valent iron nanoparticles to treat a chlorinated
solvent source zone at a field site
EPA report on reductive dechlorination of
source zone chlorinated solvents, using
emulsified zero-valent iron nanoparticles
Journal article on the fate and mobility of
silver nanoparticles in anaerobic
environments
Research brief on the transformation,
transport, and longevity of nano-scale, zero-
valent iron in subsurface environment
2010
2010
FY11
FY09
FY10
FY11
FY11
FY10
FY10
FY10
FY12
FY09
FY10
FY10
FY11
NERL
NERL
NERL
NERL
NERL
NERL
NERL
NERL
NERL
NERL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
51
-------
Report on the evaluation of physical,
chemical, and surface changes of added
engineered nanomaterials in a ground water
system
Journal article on the fate of engineered
nanomaterials in sediments
Research brief to compare the life-cycle
environmental tradeoffs of different disposal
options for engineered nanomaterials (update
municipal waste decision support tool)
Report to evaluate the impacts of engineered
nanomaterials on emissions/releases,
including incineration to support life cycle
analyses
Evaluation of the properties of nanomaterials that
affect fate, transport, reactivity, and
bioavailability.
Journal article on the aging effects of
nanoparticle stability and speciation in
controlled sediment systems
Journal article on the atomic-level
characterization of nanomaterials to identify
properties that drive behavior
Journal article on the role of nanomaterial
structure on the sorption/chemisorption of
environmental contaminants
2.2 Resource Conservation, including Land
Revitalization and Brownfields
2.2.1 Resource Conservation
Develop and apply an approach to assessing
environmental improvement from reductions in
use of waste minimization priority chemicals
(WMPCs) by providing at least one report. (07-
150)
Conduct a national risk assessment of current
waste loading rates and projected reduction in
use of selected WMPCs (07-156)
Provide technical information on materials
management options that support the Resource
Conservation Challenge.
Energy production from engineered MSW
landfills
Report on site reuse options, including light
FY12
FY12
FY11
FY12
FY12
FY09
FY10
FY11
FY07
FY07
FY11
FY08
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NERL
NERL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
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commercial development on closed landfills
Beneficial reuse of coal combustion products
(CCP)
Industrial alternatives for Pb (FY06 pilot
project)
Integration of more sustainable waste
management practices for environmental
protection
FY08
FY07
FY11
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
2.2.2 Land and Ecosystem Revitalization, including Brownfields
Advance the concepts, understanding, and
acceptance of the SMARTe Decision Support Tool.
SMARTe 2007 edition published
SMARTe book chapter: "Decision Support
Systems for Risk-Based Management of
Contaminated Sites"
SMARTe 2009 edition published
SMARTe 201 1 edition published
Determine the metrics for sustainability in land
use planning?
Book chapter on the field trial of tools and
techniques from Stella, Missouri
Report on the development and evaluation of
sustainability criteria at Sand Dunes, Nevada
Final report on baseline evaluation of Stella,
Missouri, using sustainability indicators
U.S./German bilateral report on regional
approaches to sustainable revitalization
Journal article on concepts and proposed
sustainability metrics for land revitalization
Advance the understanding of the impact of vapor
intrusion and other factors at Brownfield sites.
Internal report on vapor intrusion method
development for exterior monitoring
Journal article on vapor intrusion and
engineering factors to determine approaches
for remediation of gas stations and dry
cleaners
Report on vapor intrusion F&T process
evaluation
FY11
FY07
FY08
FY09
FY11
FY12
FY08
FY09
FY10
FY11
FY12
FY12
FY10
FY10
FY12
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
NRMRL
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7.0 References
National Research Council (NRC), Committee on Research Opportunities and Priorities for
EPA. Building a Foundation for Sound Environmental Decisions. Washington, DC, National
Academy Press, 1997. http://www.nap.edu/books/0309057/html/
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APPENDICES
Appendix A: Client Needs and Current and Planned Research (generated in September 2005, update in progress) for Long-Term
Goals (LTGs) 1 and 2
LTG 1: Clients request and apply ORD research products and services needed for mitigation, management, and long-term
stewardship of contaminated sites in order to reduce risk to human health and the environment
Client Needs
Current and Planned ORD Work
Ground
Water
Economical detection methods for emerging
contaminants such as perchlorate and 1,4-dioxane
Office of Water (OW), with assistance from ORD, has
published four methods for analyzing perchlorate in drinking
water (Methods 314.0, 314.1, 331.0, and 332.0). Alpha
Analytical has adapted one method for soils; others are making
additional adaptations.
Final analytical method for determination of
perchlorate
Additional real-time and more cost-effective field
characterization and monitoring methods for ground
water contaminants
Report on the effectiveness of using geophysical methods to
monitor natural attenuation: a geophysical toolbox approach
for project managers. (NERL09)
Report on geoelectrical detection of surfactant-enhanced aquifer
remediation of PCE (NERL08)
Report on geophysical methods applied to cap integrity at
contaminated sediment sites (NERL09)
Develop methods for screening for polar contaminants in
ground water using HPLC/DAD, and identifying them using
GC/MS with derivatization (NERL08)
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FRAMES internet-based tool for benchmarking
ground water models
Ground Water-Surface Water: Transition zone
sampling methods and screening approaches/criteria
for evaluation of whether GW discharge is causing
unacceptable SW or sediment impacts (OSW,
Region 10)
Report on innovative techniques for measuring advective flux.
Project includes developing a flux chamber for direct field
measurement (NRMRL 06-208). Work continues through
FY10.
Report on field study of contaminant metal species
transformations at the GW/SW interface (NRMRL 05-272)
Report on MNR performance at Lake Hartwell at the modeled
compliance time (NRMRL 06-213). Project includes
measuring GW discharge via piezometers. Sediment capping
projects are also evaluating advection with piezometers and flux
chambers.
Vapor intrusion:
Compile and analyze existing vapor intrusion
data and evaluation methods (regional science
priority)
Validate the indoor air vapor intrusion model
(OSW)
Guidance on available engineering controls
and remediation technologies for residential
and commercial buildings (Region 9)
Better characterization tools for risk
evaluation of VI pathway (Region 9)
Sampling protocol for subsurface vapor and
screening criteria applicable to defining soil
vapor contaminant concentrations that are
protective for the indoor air exposure pathway
* Innovative characterization technologies that
VI model with uncertainty analysis with LNAPL and flowing
ground water source functions (NERL06)
Internet training materials for VI modeling (NERL07-RCRA)
Extended field data for temporal trend analysis (NERL FY10)
Sampling at VI sites to determine vertical distribution of VOCs
from GW to buildings (NERL09)
Relationship of subslab and angular drilling sampling on VOC
concentrations (NERL FY10)
The influence of diurnal variation on the VOC concentrations in
the home and soil (NERLFYIO)
Implement new VI model and user testing (NERL09-RCRA)
Incorporate evolved VI model into multimedia modeling
framework (NERL10-RCRA).
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allow for quicker and more accurate
assessment of vapor intrusion pathway (OSW)
Methodology for States to assess vapor
intrusion (OUST pilot priority)
Seasonal variation of soil VOCs concentration and role in
indoor air VOC concentrations (NERL1 1)
NRMRL is working on sub-slab sampling and other aspects of
assessing vapor intrusion for Superfund and RCRA
contaminants (NRMRL 06-439) and for petroleum compounds
for USTs. Participating in EPA workgroup for assessing
guidance and ITRC for training States.
NRMRL has capability for VI mitigation research but no
funding.
Ground
Water
Client Needs
MCLs or other national standards for 1,4-dioxane,
perchlorate, and NDMA and national guidance for
calculating risk (Region 10)
Current and Planned ORD Work
ORD does not develop national standards such as MCLs or
AWQC or AQC. These are developed by Program Offices
using RfDs or RfC as a health goal. MCLs and other criteria
often take into account such things as relative source
contribution or best available technology and are therefore
contaminant specific.
ORD has developed and continues to update Agency-wide
guidance on developing risk estimates for cancer and non-
cancer endpoints as well as mixtures and exposure assessment.
In addition, ORD has developed and is revising specific
software for calculating risks (i.e., dose-response assessment)
Client Needs
Current and Planned ORD Work
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Technical assistance to sites through the Ground Water Technical
Support Center (multi-region priority)
GW TSC Dave Burden (580-436-8606) and Center for Subsurface
Modeling
http://www.epa.gOv/ada/csmos.htmlhttp://www.epa.gov/ada/csmos.ht
ml (NRMRL)
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Innovative treatment technologies for NAPL, chlorinated solvents,
chlorinated pesticides, dioxins, and metals (regional science
priority)
Treatment training to address PCE in ground water and soils at dry
cleaners (Region 7)
NAPL/chlorinated solvents/PCE in GW:
Report on pilot scale evaluation of adsorption/oxidation
technology for ground water remediation (06-437)
Report on impacts of DNAPL source treatment (08-xxx). Pilot
project on use of mass flux to assess treatment performance
Effects of thermal treatment on the chemical reactivity of
trichloroethylene (07-141)
Identification of, and characterization methods for, reactive
minerals responsible for natural attenuation of DNAPL
compounds in ground water
Research brief on biological methods to characterize
effectiveness of ground water remediation technologies at
metals and DNAPL sites (08-116)
Synthesis document on DNAPL remediation technologies (10-
21)
Summary report for characterization and remediation of
recalcitrant organic compounds in fractured rock (09-18)
Metals in GW:
Issue paper on metal attenuation processes at mining mega-
sites (07-145)
Evaluation of trends in site characterization to support use of
MNA for remediation of inorganic contaminants in ground
water (08-351)
Report evaluation: use of decision support framework for
MNA of inorganics: Evaluation of the use of EPA/ORD
Technical Resource Document for MNA of inorganic
contaminants in ground water (09-xxx)
Report on long term performance of inorganics MNA
(synthesis report) (09-17)
Metal attenuation in acid mine water by sulfate reduction (06-
222)
Field application of PRBs for arsenic (08-xxx)
Performance evaluation of a mixed compost/zero-valent iron
PRB for treatment of arsenic and heavy metals associated
with acid rock drainage (08-xxx)
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Combined source remediation technologies to achieve greater
overall effectiveness and accelerate site closure (OSRTI/Regions 2
& 9 pilot priority)
Optimization of PRB designs for remediation of common organic
and inorganic contaminants (Region 5)
Report on field application of PRB s to remediate arsenic
contamination in ground water (NRMRL 06)
Report on microbial processes in acid mine drainage
(NRMRL 06-222)
State-of-the-art monitoring methods for long-term
performance of PRBs (NRMRL 07-143)
Report on field evaluation of PRBs for acid mine drainage
(NRMRL 07-144)
Economical treatment methods for emerging contaminants such as
perchlorate and 1,4-dioxane (OSRTI/Region 7); treatment method
for perchl orate reduction which makes use of a catalyst (Region 3)
Perchlorate treatment research is conducted under Goal 2:
Evaluate small-system, innovative treatment options for
controlling perchlorate in drinking water (NRMRL DW
05-476)
Conduct pilot scale evaluations (cost and performance) of
the most promising treatment processes to control
perchlorate (NRMRL DW 06-358)
Review of butane biostimulation pilot study at GM Sioux City
(Region 7; refer to Technical Support Center)
MNA:
Decision support documents for MNA processes for
inorganics and radionuclides
To better understand the processes associated with MNA of
selected contaminants and appropriate circumstances for its
use as a remedy
MNA framework for inorganics and radionuclides (NRMRL)
Ongoing MNA research (NRMRL)
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Ground
Water
Client Needs
Permeable reactive barriers:
Optimized design of PRBs for remediation of
common organic and inorganic contaminants of
concern in ground water (Region 5)
Recommendations on ways to increase lifetimes
of PRBs (Region 10)
Electronic toolboxes for the design and analysis of
ground water capture zones to assist in evaluating
and defining technically defensible capture zones
and remedy optimization (Region 9)
Current and Planned OKD Work
NRMRL's PRB research, described in CQ1.3, is addressing
organic and inorganic contaminants and includes various
treatment agents and designs to optimize performance and
longevity. Collaboration via the RTDF PRB team is ensuring
that lessons are learned from both ORD research and other
organizations researching or implementing PRBs.
CZAEM (Capture Zone Analytic Element Model), a single-
layer model for simulating steady flow in homogeneous
aquifers, using the analytic element method, is available via
http://www.epa.gov/ada/csmos.html (NRMRL)
Ground
Water
Client Needs
Improved methods for evaluating long-term remedy
performance (capture zone analysis for P&T
systems, MNA, PRBs, and subsurface containment
barriers) (OSRTI)
Current and Planned ORD Work
Version 2 of TACS, revised with Version 1 user input
(NERL07)
See previous entries for MNA, PRBs, and capture zone analysis
Sediments
Client Needs
Surface sediment sampler that can sample the
nephloid layer and determine the ecological
significance of COCs in this layer
Current and Planned ORD Work
Site demonstration of sampler for collection of undisturbed
surface sediments in 2007
Determination of the influence of newly deposited sediments on
contaminant concentrations in collected samples (NERL06)
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Validation of surface water/sediment F&T and food
chain models (OSRTI )
Report on the evaluation of long-term (i.e., 1-10 years)
accuracy of the upgraded contaminated state-of-the-art
sediment F&T models by modeling the F&T of sediments and
PCBs at a demonstration site (NERL06)
Development of new modules for selected F&T model(s) for
certain types of water bodies to address the identified sediment-
related needs of OERR and the Regions (NERL06)
Provide consensus framework for modeling remedial
alternatives in large water bodies and estuaries (NERL07)
Sediments
Client Needs
Improved understanding of marine and freshwater
contaminated sediments ecological risk issues
(regional science priority)
Current and Planned ORD Work
NCEA's Ecological Risk Assessment Support Center can
develop peer-reviewed white papers on ecological risk issues of
concern to the regions as represented by ERAF.
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Understanding the relationship between PBT
concentrations in sediment and residues in impacted
species (OSRTI )
Critical tissue residue levels in warm water and cold
water fish, which can be used as screening levels for
PBTs (OSRTI)
NHEERL Project: Linking chemical concentrations in water
and sediment with residues in aquatic and aquatic-dependent
wildlife
FY06APM: Provide the methods and data necessary to
parameterize and apply the hybrid modeling/empirical
approach to support ecological risk assessment of
bioaccumulative sediment contaminants.
FY08APM: Provide a fully fie Id-validated hybrid
modeling/empirical approach for extrapolating BAFs, BSAFs,
and predicting the ecological effects of mixtures of PBTs with
different rates of metabolism on a site-specific basis.
Use of the fathead minnow vitellogenin gene expression assay
for PCBs in Lake Hartwell water and sediments (NERL06)
Food web study for Lake Hartwell (NERL07)
NHEERL Project: Linking residues to effects in aquatic and
aquatic-dependent wildlife
FY06APM: Provide report on the evaluation of the PCB
residue-effects database
Sediments
Client Needs
Technical assistance to sites through the Superfund
Sediment Resource Center
Current and Planned ORD Work
ETSC and GWTSC are affiliated with the SSRC (NRMRL).
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Dredging releases and residuals:
Process for predicting residual contamination in
sediment after dredging (OSRTI/Region 2 pilot
priority)
Method to determine the impact of resuspension
of sediment contaminants during dredging
Method for predicting and/or evaluating increase
in ecological or human health risk from COC
releases and sediment residuals from dredging.
NRMRL has research efforts underway to evaluate post-
dredging residuals:
Evaluation of post-dredging residuals model through case
study and field evaluation. Ashtabula field study in
progress
Conduct field studies to evaluate post-dredging residuals
and implement innovative monitoring tools such as core
profiling techniques, semi-permeable membrane devices,
volatilization chambers, and innovative techniques for
evaluating capping technologies yet to be applied for
monitoring dredging operations
Investigation of dredging performance at Lavaca Bay
(Mercury)
NHEERL Project: Research to evaluate the release and
bioavailability of contaminants associated with resuspended
sediments and post-dredging residuals at Superfund sites.
FY06 APM: Report evaluating F& T models for predicting
dissolved concentrations of organic and inorganic
contaminants in Superfund site sediments following
resuspension events
FY07APM: Report assessing significance of changes in
bioavailability of organic and inorganic contaminants in
Superfund site sediments following resuspension into the water
column and resettlement to sediment bed
FY08APM: Evaluate concordance between field
measurements and fate and transport model predictions of
dissolved concentrations of organic and inorganic
contaminants in Superfund site sediments following
resuspension events (in collaboration with NERL andAcoE).
FY09 APM: Report summarizing evaluation of approaches for
measuring the transport of dissolved contaminants from the near
to far field at selected Superfund sites.
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New in situ treatment and innovative containment
technologies for contaminated sediment
NRMRL is investigating several alternative sediment remedies
with the potential to be more cost-effective than conventional
dredging or capping remedies. An emphasis is on
bioremediation of organics, electrochemical degradation, and
conventional and reactive caps. Some upcoming products
include the following:
Report on trials of in situ treatment cap (NRMRL 06-215)
Three reports on tests of electrochemical degradation as a
reactive barrier including bench and pilot scale results
(NRMRL 05-251)
Report of field evaluations of electrochemical treatment
in a metal/organic environment (NRMRL 07-136)
Report on experience with innovative biological treatment
processes related to the destruction of PCBs and PAHs
(08-113)
Capstone report on treatment of PCBs in sediments (08-
114)
Interim report on biodegradation of PAHs in sediments
(NRMRL 06-216)
Final report on biodegradation of PAHs in sediments
(NRMRL 08-115)
Capstone report on treatment of PAHs in sediments
(NRMRL 09-16)
Reported to Region 5 in September 2006 on application
of raking, aeration, and thermal enhancement for removal
of oils/PCBs/PAHS from contaminated sediments
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Determine how best to evaluate benthic recovery
after dredging
Method for treating oil-contaminated sediment
(OEM pilot priority)
Development of permeable reactive mats for use in
remediation of subaqueous contaminated sediments
(Region 1)
NHEERL Project: Integrative assessment of benthic effects
from remedial activities at Superfund sites.
FY06APM: Report to OSRTI on direct comparison of Sediment
Profile Imagery (SPI) and sieving methods at a sediment
Superfund site.
FY06 & FY07APM: Report to OSRTI on relationship between
SPI and other environmental variables, specifically dissolved
oxygen.
FY08 APM: Peer-reviewed paper on use of SPI to document
benthic community effects and recovery from remedial
dredging.
NRMRL has an ongoing project at Indiana Harbor; two pilot
projects on oil cleanup on beaches and in wetlands.
NRMRL is conducting research on reactive caps for
contaminated sediments (listed under "New in situ treatment
and innovative containment technologies for contaminated
sediment").
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Client Needs
Current and Planned ORD Work
Sediments
Understanding of best management practices for
dredging and in situ capping (in coordination with
USAGE & NHSRC)
NRMRL has a number of research projects aimed at evaluating
the field performance of the conventional remedies of dredging
and capping:
Evaluation of post-dredging residuals model through case
study and field evaluation, including the Ashtabula River
project
Conduct field studies to evaluate post-dredging residuals
and implement innovative monitoring tools such as core
profiling techniques, semi-permeable membrane devices,
volatilization chambers, and innovative techniques for
evaluating capping technologies yet to be applied for
monitoring dredging operations
Investigation of dredging performance at Lavaca Bay
(Mercury)
Report on trials of in situ treatment cap (06-215)
Report on medium-term performance of emplaced caps
relative to predictions (07-137)
In association with NHSRC, an investigation of
permeable reactive mats for use in remediation of
subaqueous contaminated sediments is underway at the
Region 3 Anacostia site
In association with SERDP, develop improved
engineering tools for more cost-effective and efficient cap
designs by investigating contaminant transport processes
through caps.
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Sediments
Client Needs
Current and Planned ORD Work
NRMRL has a number of projects evaluating the risk reduction
and cost-effectiveness of various risk management remedies,
including:
Investigation of dredging performance at Lavaca Bay
(Mercury)
Report on medium-term performance of emplaced caps
relative to predictions (07-137)
Report on MNR performance at Lake Hartwell at the
modeled compliance time (06-213)
NRMRL has developed tools for monitoring long-term remedy
performance:
Use of semi-permeable membranes as tools to assess the
effect of remediation strategies for contaminated
sediments (05-248)
Assessment of ground water/surface water interaction
PCB volatilization from lake surfaces
Measurement of contaminant flux from sediment to water
column
Soil/Land
Client Needs
Best practices document for conducting three-
dimensional site characterizations (OUST pilot
priority)
Final analytical method for determination of metals
by TCP/mass spectrometry in soil matrices
Current and Planned ORD Work
FY06 pilot project awarded to address prevention and
remediation strategies
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Client Needs
Current and Planned OKD Work
Soil/Land Metal speciation analytical methods and
bioavailability of metal (National Regional Science
Council priority)
FY06 pilot project awarded to evaluate the bioavailability and
bioaccessibility of arsenic in soil
Soil/Land Treatment approaches for arsenic and reactive
wastes
Soil/Land research has been closed out by resource reductions
Mining:
Innovative and cost-effective remediation
technologies for mining wastes, including
uranium
Site characterization tools for acid mine
drainage
Methods for very long-term management (10s
to 100s of years) of drainage from abandoned
mines as well as water and air emissions from
large mining waste disposal sites
Continuation of the AnchorHill C-redox
Treatability Study and further development as
a remediation system, using bacterial
remediation (Region 8)
Enhancement of the Automated Web-based
Monitoring System at Ruby Gulch (Region 8)
NRMRL is conducting research on remediation of mining sites
via the Engineering Technical Support Center, the Mine Waste
Technology Program and, more recently, through the Goal 3
Ground Water LTG. Remedies have included passive and
semi-passive water treatment systems, innovative components
for conventional water treatment, and PRBs. Additional
research is addressing waste treatment and management to
reduce the formation of acid rock drainage over the long term.
A FY06 pilot project was funded for automated and remote data
collection from mining sites F&T and remediation issues.
ETSC is providing technical support for evaluating passive
treatment at Gilt Edge mine.
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Effective alternative cleanup methods for lead in
soils, e.g., phosphate treatment or other technologies
(Region 7)
NRMRL has been conducting research on phosphate treatment
for metals in soils, including assessing bioavailability before
and after treatment.
Soil/Land Landfill caps (OSRTI):
Methods and devices to monitor performance
of landfill caps
Understanding of how contaminants affect
long-term integrity of barrier materials
Understanding of seismic considerations for
landfill caps and vertical barriers
Support for guidance development
NRMRL ongoing landfill/containment research has three
components: cover/liner material performance, landfill
bioreactors, and alternative covers. Current projects include a
National Academy of Sciences study of long-term performance
of materials. The alternative covers project has developed field
lysimeters for side-by-side evaluation of cap performance
applicable to multi-layer caps, geosynthetics, clay, and
evapotranspiration covers. No further resources are available
under LTG 1, and LTG 2 resources will be reduced.
No funds have been available in recent years to revisit guidance
for seismic considerations; construction quality assurance and
non-destructive testing work has been deferred because of
resource reductions (NRMRL).
Landfill gas (OSRTI):
Methods to monitor and measure gas escaping
from landfills
Technical assistance in developing guidance
on when gas venting is acceptable in lieu of
collection for beneficial use or treatment
Improved collection and treatment
technologies
Understanding of gas movement under clay vs.
phyto caps
Journal article of EPA report summarizing results of research
on air pathways at Brownfields and Superfund landfills, using
tiered approach (NRMRL 06-506)
Update of landfill gas emission factors for MSW landfills
(NRMRL AT 06-505)
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Alternative designs and materials for landfill caps
and barrier walls, including information on
performance, durability, and standards (OSRTI)
Landfill liners
ACAP final report to present conclusions from the field study
and to recommend monitoring and construction guidelines for
alternative covers (synthesis report) (NRMRL 05-279)
Protocol document for design and evaluation of alternative
covers APMs (NRMRL 07-151); training (Internet and
classroom) has been provided for decision officials and
practitioners via ITRC.
Synthesis report on covers and containment technologies
(NRMRL 10-22) was deleted from MYP, owing to reduced
resources.
See rows above
Multimedia
Client Needs
Technical assistance to sites through the Monitoring
and Site Characterization Technical Support Center
Technical assistance to sites through the
Environmental Photographic Interpretation Center
Protocols for evaluation of chemical/biological
warfare agents (Refer to Homeland Security)
Comprehensive catalog of petroleum constituents
needs to be developed that reflects geographical and
seasonal variability (OUST pilot priority)
Current and Planned OKD Work
FY06 pilot project awarded in bioremediation of wetland spills.
Report on 30-year retrospective of US gasoline composition
(NERL08).
Report on research summarizing fuel composition studies
(NERL11).
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Rapid field screening techniques and real-time field
detection equipment, e.g., mobile or portable lab
capabilities provided by EPA
Use of bioassays and chemical sensor arrays for the rapid, in
situ determination of toxic soil VOCs (NERL07)
Report on the use of immunoaffmity chromatography to
streamline sample preparation for analysis of common waste
constituents (NERL06)
Comparison of bioanalytical methods for dioxins in soil and
sediments to reduce the time and high cost of conventional
analysis (NERL08)
Semi-permeable membrane devices (SPMDs) for forensic
environmental investigation of congener-specific
polychlorinated biphenyls, using an isotope dilution / mass
spectrometry method (NERL08)
Standard analytic procedure for determining the
soil/water partitioning coefficient (Kd) for PCBs,
using soil and PCB samples from a site and an
appropriate "column leaching" method
User-friendly guidance for non-statisticians, to assist
regional review of statistically based sampling
methods submitted to EPA by responsible parties
Field-sampling guidance document to identify methods and
techniques to eliminate bias that occurs during field sampling
can be produced by NERL if funding becomes available to
support the research
Guidance document on robust statistics with environmental
applications, to provide OERR/Regions with a compendium of
statistical methods that are available to assess the validity of
analytical data (NERL 10)
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Multimedia
-General
Technical assistance to RCRA sites in review of site-
specific human health and ecological risk
assessments submitted by owners/operators (OSW)
Technical assistance to ecological risk assessors
through the Ecological Risk Assessment Support
Center (OSRTI) and increased access for RCRA
(OSW)
Metals:
Standard analytical methods to determine
speciation of arsenic, chromium, and mercury
in soils, sediments, water, and biota (regional
science priority)
Finalize analytical method for determination
of metals by TCP/mass spectrometry in soil
matrices
Understanding of bioavailability and
bioaccessibility of arsenic in soil and
development of arsenic speciation methods
(OSRTI/Regions 1, 4, 5, 8 pilot priority)
Anodic stripping voltametry (ASV) method
for arsenic analysis of solid matrices (Region 4
)
Standardized, laboratory (in vitro) EPA
analytical test method for the determination of
lead bioavailability (Region 7)
NCEA provides assistance on request but not through the
HSTSC. These requests are generally sent directly to NCEA or
filtered through OSP.
ERASC (NCEA) has in place mechanisms for addressing both
Superfund and non-Superfund requests. NCEA Director of the
ERASC will contact RCRA folks and discuss access and ways
of increasing awareness of process and funding.
FY06 Pilot: Develop enhanced in vitro techniques for assessing
arsenic bioavailability (NERL/NHEERL08)
FY06 Pilot: Develop improved arsenic speciation method(s)
(NERL/NHEERL08)
Impact of metals speciation on ecological receptors (NRMRL
07-355). Evaluation of perturbation on metal speciation and
ecological receptors (NRMRL 08-112); high-tech speciation
would not become standard method
Report on evaluation and optimization of sampling techniques
for collection and preservation of solids from saturated or
suboxic zones (NRMRL 06-438)
NRMRL has conducted extensive study of speciation and
bioavailability as part of developing a chemical stabilization
remedy for metals in soil.
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TEQ:
Viable field analysis method for determining
total toxicity equivalence (TEQ) strictly from
dioxins/furans/dioxin-like PCBs
(OSRTI/Regions 1, 4, 6 pilot priority)
Understanding of the applicability and
limitations of bioassay or other direct assay
methods for measuring TEQ for decision-
making purposes (Region 5)
Validation of analysis method for toxaphene
congeners and their degradation products (Region 4)
Field study to determine whether environmental
weathering increases dioxin-like PCBs in surface or
subsurface (OSRTI)
Standard analytic procedure for determining the
soil/water partitioning coefficient (Kd) for PCBs,
using soil and PCB samples from a site and an
appropriate "column leaching" method (OSRTI)
Protocols for evaluation of chemical/biological
warfare agents (refer to Homeland Security)
Metabolism factors for phthalates, PAHs, and other
organic contaminants
FY06 pilot proposals to meet this need were not selected.
NRMRL sediment research at Lake Hartwell includes
congener-specific analysis. The report on 2000-2001 data has
an extensive analysis of weathering patterns. These results
could be compared to Aroclor compositional data.
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Multimedia
Optimized nutrient application for oil bioremediation
(OEM pilot priority)
Remedial applications for nanotechnologies that can
be applied to soil, ground water, and sediment
contamination (Region 5)
Develop energy-efficient waste and contaminated
site remediation/treatment technologies (OSW)
Technical support, continued and expanded where
necessary, provided to Regions through the
Corrective Action Technical Support Center (OSW)
Report on the linkage of the oil spill model with multimedia
modeling frameworks and their uncertainty analysis (NERL07)
Report on linkage of oil spill model with existing EPA water
quality and hydrodynamic models (NERL 09)
Extended abstract on existing capabilities, ongoing science
needs, and future application areas identified with multimedia
modeling. (NERL08)
FY06 pilot projects were funded for oiled beaches and
wetlands.
NRMRL ground water research on PRBs includes a nanoZVI
PRB field study. Sediment research on reactive caps may also
evaluate nanoZVI. Remediation applications of
nanotechnologies is currently barred from ORD's
nanotechnology initiative. The Land Program's LTG 2 is being
revised to address engineered nanotechnology materials.
NRMRL's ground water and sediments research include
treatment/management options that are energy efficient
compared to conventional alternatives. For example, capping
and in situ treatment (including MNR) of contaminated
sediments are low-energy alternatives to dredging and transport
to a disposal facility. Similarly, some in situ treatments for
ground water are more energy-efficient than pump & treat.
ETSC and GWTSC provide site-specific assistance for RCRA
Corrective Action sites (NRMRL). Revision of LTG 2 may
reduce resources available for CA sites.
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Effective long-term containment remedies for sites
that are technically impracticable to clean up
See CQ1.3 Soil/Land and CQ1.5 Soil/Land for relevant
NRMRL research on mine wastes and containment,
respectively.
Multimedia
Technical assistance to sites through the Engineering
Technical Support Center (multi-region priority)
Assistance is available by contacting David Reisman at
Reisman.David@epa.gov
Client Needs
Current and Planned ORD Research
Risk
Assessment
inHHRA
More rapid and additional development of
provisional peer-reviewed toxicity data and other
technical support from the Superfund Technical
Support Center (OSRTI/Regions 1-6, 9 pilot
priority)
Ongoing effort; NCEA has developed improved SOPs for
developing and distributing PPRTVs; 25 new assessments will
be provided as well as review of at least 25 existing assessments
each year under the Risk Assessment Program Project MYP
Asbestos (OSRTI/Regions 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9 pilot
priority):
Understand carcinogenicity of asbestos fibers
Understand releasability of the asbestos fiber
from soils and solid matrices
Interim toxicity values for asbestos based on
amphibole type
Assessment of sub-chronic inhalation exposure
to Libby amphibole asbestos
Sampling protocol/methods for asbestos,
especially soil matrices
Review of method development and further
analytical development for use of scanning
electron microscopy for counting asbestos
fiber concentrations (Region 8)
NCEA is planning to conduct a cancer risk assessment for
asbestos fibers, to be completed in FY07.
FY06 pilot proposal awarded on asbestos releasability
(NRMRL) to continue work initiated under Goal 4.
NHEERL is initiating toxicity studies in 2007 to support Libby,
MT, issues.
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Additional children's cancer and non-cancer risk
methods
ORD has published (March 2005) Agency-wide supplement
guidance on children's cancer risk assessment. A workgroup
has been developed to provide guidance on implementing the
guidelines, and training is being provided by Risk Assessment
Forum and IRIS staff (NCEA).
Integrated methodology for assessing dermal
exposure to water, soil, and/or sediment (OSRTI)
Research and exposure and risk assessment activities are
ongoing to develop comprehensive guidance for assessing
dermal exposures in water, soil, and sediment. Work includes
evaluation of absorption factors and parameters, dose-response
modeling, and development of methods to predict risks using
chemical structure and physical characteristics (NCEA).
Test methods and standards for wipe-and-chip
samples, to assess dermal and ingestion exposures to
indoor surfaces (Region 7)
Further understanding of exposure pathways:
Exposure to multiple contaminants and
potential for synergistic or antagonistic
interactions
Refinements in consideration of timing of
exposure
Further incorporation of natural attenuation in
risk assessment
Risk assessment research is ongoing for developing tools, case
studies, and guidance to address aggregate and cumulative risks.
These efforts look at multiple routes of exposure, durations, and
contaminants.
Specific guidelines are planned for mixtures exposure
assessments as well as development of a report on approaches
for assessing interactions of multi-chemical, multi-effects, and
multi-pathway exposures (NCEA).
Additional and expedited IRIS updates, especially to
develop toxicity information for polybrominated
diphenyl ethers and to finish MTBE (OSW)
Ongoing; IRIS process has undergone a number of revisions to
expedite assessment development. A tracking database has
been established to provide regular updates of all assessments
currently under development (NCEA).
http://www.epa.gov/iris/index.html
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Nationally consistent set of acute toxicity
benchmarks, beginning with a nationally consistent
methodology for selecting acute toxicity benchmarks
from currently available databases (OSW)
Ongoing risk assessment research and activities include
development of tools, models, and case studies for performing
acute risk assessments, development of guidance/methods for
less than lifetime exposures, and development of acute
information database; current effort focuses primarily on air
exposures and HAPs (NCEA).
Upgrades to all-ages metal model (IEUBK) (OSRTI)
Ongoing research includes updating lead model for all ages;
SAB review schedule for late summer FY05; finalization of
parameters and input for lead early in FY06; development of
parameters for Cd FY06-07 (NCEA).
Continued development of exposure factors
handbook (OSRTI)
Ongoing research, revised/updated handbook in FY07; ongoing
research also includes development of guidance on soil
ingestion, for use in assessing exposures (NCEA).
Toxicity information for toxaphene congeners and
their degradation products, and associated
information for human health and ecological risk
assessment (Region 4)
Report on mutagenicity of toxaphene congeners is ongoing
(NCEA).
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Long-Term Goal 2 (LTG 2) Client Needs and Current and Planned Research Program
LTG 2: Customers of ORD waste and materials research request and apply ORD products and services in order to conserve
resources and control risk to human health and the environment through materials and waste management
(Reduce waste generation and increase recycling, and make better decisions on beneficial reuse of waste)
Client Needs
Current and Planned ORD Research
MFA/LCA
Develop prototype material flow accounting system (from pilot)
SAB subcommittee recommended research on
MFA during review of FY06 science &
technology budget request.
MSW
Better characterize the toxic constituents of RFIDs and
biodegradable polymers in beverage containers (from pilot)
E-waste
Characterize the toxic constituents of electronics (from
pilot)
Electronic wastes: Needs include developing technologies
for reducing barriers to recycling, and evaluating worker
exposures associated with shredding of electronic wastes
Methods and sampling strategies to characterize electronic
wastes
NERL/NHEERL were awarded a FY06 pilot
proposal to evaluate toxic constituents in
electronic waste.
Sampling/
Analytical
Method development to identify "free" cyanide and to
support OSW policy efforts concerning cyanide reactivity
guidance
Provide analytical method for determining cyanide and
sulfide waste reactivity
Development/validation of test methods for evaluating
waste for pyrophoric properties and ignitability of solids
Sampling strategies to characterize demolition debris
Methods and sampling strategies to characterize electronic
wastes
Preliminary assessment of research needs for
electronics wastes sampling (NERL05)
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Leaching
Perchlorate methods for soil, sediment, sludge and waste
water
Develop laboratory X-ray fluorescent spectrometry (XRF)
technique to analyze for four heavy metals in electronic
products.
Method development/validation on speciation of mercury,
arsenic, and selenium
For wastes and waste-derived products (e.g., concrete
blocks made with coal ash), research to more fully
understand issues related to waste matrices, constituents of
concern, and management unit environment, such as pH,
L/S ratio, redox, ionic strength, chelators, flow rate, and
aging/degradation
Understanding the chemistry of waste leaching more fully.
Improving our ability to accurately predict waste
constituent leaching, for a variety of waste types in a
variety of waste management unit environments, is a
critical RCRA and CERCLA program need.
Tailored leach-testing field validation of Kosson protocol
(from pilot)
OSW has this underway.
Report of field data comparisons with laboratory
leach tests (NRMRL 07-165); synthesis report on
evaluation of leaching procedures and limitations
(NRMRL 08-132). The ongoing work isn't
specific to waste-derived products but would be
applicable for contaminant aqueous mobility.
NRMRL awarded a FY06 pilot proposal for
leach testing and modeling to assess beneficial
use (leaching pathway only).
NRMRL 's ongoing research on applying the
Kosson protocol to coal combustion residues is
being funded from the Hg MYP:
Capstone report on fate of Hg and other
metals from management of coal
combustion residues (HG 06-91)
Report on the potential formation of
organo-mercury from anaerobic
decomposition of CCRs (HG 07-62)
Report on fate of toxic metals from land
disposal and commercial use of CCRs from
plants equipped with multipollutant control
technologies (HG 08-42).
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Sustainability
Research to better understand "green chemistry"
approaches to identify environmentally friendly substitutes,
especially for the 30 highest priority chemicals (from a
listing of persistent, toxic, and bio-accumulative chemicals)
Research into design of environmentally friendly products
Development of source reduction opportunities for other
hazardous wastes (e.g., combusted wastes, metals
finishing)
Industrial alternatives to/for priority chemicals (from pilot)
NRMRL conducts green chemistry research
under Goal 5. The MYP is currently being
revised.
NRMRL was awarded a pilot project for lead to
identify which priority chemicals should be
targeted for reduction.
Beneficial
Use
Evaluating the stability, expected releases, and
bioavailability of constituents in waste-derived products.
Such products contribute to consumer exposures as well as
to non-point source pollution of air and watersheds. OSW
repeatedly receives queries on waste-derived products, and
research and tests on these uses would help with the
evaluation of any risks associated with them. Predictive
analysis of expected releases could be verified through
field monitoring (in a manner analogous to NERL's current
research on the environmental fate of personal care
products and pesticides). Major examples of waste derived
products, a.k.a. "beneficial reuses" include road bed
materials (asphalt), cement additives, frit, and CCA-treated
wood. Aspects of leaching research are related to this,
particularly the leaching research on materials that are
applied to land (e.g., roadbed, fill).
Research into health impacts of use of hazardous wastes as
products in manufacturing
Modify multimedia models to conduct national-level
assessment of beneficial reuse of coal ash in road
construction (from pilot)
Multimedia
Modeling
Continue evaluation of techniques and approaches to verify
and validate the multimedia and indirect exposure portions
of F&T models, with a greater emphasis on identifying
Address SAB review comments and key
recommendations (NERL05)
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specific sites with multimedia data sources
Develop air deposition models, especially the components
dealing with vapor transport to surfaces, vapor/particle
partitioning of semi-volatile compounds, wet vs. dry
deposition properties, and deposition of semi-volatiles.
Finalize TOE test and dry gas models. Better
understanding of mercury speciation at stack and F&T
transformation.
Continue efforts to understand the transfer of constituent
mass within the multimedia concept and to improve, where
necessary, how the modeling system addresses mass
balance in the context of intermedia F&T
Continue evaluation of the sensitivity and uncertainty in the
modeling system, to better inform users and decision
makers of the areas of greatest uncertainty
Provide tools to facilitate user interactions with the system
that will allow the modeling system to be used for other
risk assessments at the national, regional, and site scales;
provide the capability to add science modules or pathways
(for example, vapor intrusion); and provide capabilities for
advanced uncertainty/sensitivity analyses
Incorporate into the modeling system the capability for
addressing more comprehensive ecological population- and
system-level analyses as well as cumulative risk for
humans
Continue development of subsurface F&T model and data
by incorporating fracture flow and heterogeneous porous
media
Continue efforts to enhance process information on
hazardous chemical contaminant transformation, including
half-lives and physicochemical characteristics of
transformation products
Incorporate enhancements of the MINTEQA2
thermodynamic database into the modeling system
Continue evaluation of techniques and approaches to verify
Incorporate capabilities for regression/
correlation-based sensitivity analyses within
multimedia modeling system (NERL06)
Conduct an application workshop for 3MRA
Version 2.0 stakeholders and develop
proceedings (NERL06)
Provide enhanced soil column model function for
3MRA (NERL07)
Conduct an extended analysis of select WMPC
chemicals, using an integrated sensitivity analysis
methodology to identify key data gaps and
greatest sources of uncertainty for land-based
disposal of WMPC waste streams (NERL07)
Develop capability to evaluate contaminant mass
balance, downstream of sources (NERL08)
Assess bias associated with soil-gas sampling to
support assessment of vapor intrusion (NRMRL
06-439)
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and validate the multimedia and indirect exposure portions
of F&T models, with a greater emphasis on identifying
specific sites with multimedia data sources
Give 3MRA GIS ability (from pilot)
Evaluate alternative air dispersion models to ISC3 that take
into account physicochemical and fate properties for
volatile and semi-volatile compounds
Develop data appropriate for addressing the uncertainty in
the toxicological dose-response relationship
Incorporate the dermal and vapor intrusion pathways
Develop algorithms to replace the Travis & Arms equations
for estimating biotransfer of pollutants (from pilot).
Biotransfer factors from soils to plants,; from plants to
pork, from plants to chicken, and from soil to chicken
(from pilot)
Incorporate ingestion of chicken and pork products
Establish and incorporate correlation measures among
exposure factors
Evaluate feed-forward calculation for multimedia modeling
with respect to conservation of mass and secondary sources
of contamination
Develop capability to assess simultaneous exposure from
multiple chemicals and multiple sources
Parameterize the model
Improve the visualization and analytical tools for the
modeled intermediate outputs and final results
Sampling/
Analytical
o
o
Develop analytical methods to achieve detection
limits low enough to use in environmental
decisions, for example, PBT detection limits
below water quality criteria
Develop tandem procedure for discrimination of
coeluting peaks
Permitted
Thermal
Units
Dioxin/furan emissions from boilers and from halogen acid
furnaces. Continue work to identify significant D/F
formation factors in boilers, ranging from operating
Publish paper on use of CEMs to measure
organic surrogates for dioxin, and the application
of those CEMs to assure compliance and
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parameters to design features, and identify key control
mechanisms that are appropriate and cost-effective
Document that PM CEMS can meet SP-11 under HWC
operating environments
Promulgate performance specs for multimetals CEMS and
documentation that the CEMS can meet the specs under
HWC operating environments.
Develop and demonstrate CEMS for D/F or surrogates
Promulgate performance specs for such CEMS and
document that the CEMS can meet the specs under HWC
operating environments
Determine if current MACT compliance monitoring
requirements reasonably ensure compliance with the
emission standards
Determine if new hazardous waste emission control
techniques would provide a cost-effective reduction in
emissions, and what health benefits would be realized
Develop improved surrogates and CEMs for organic HAP/
dioxin/furan/mercury emissions and post-combustion
formulation. The surrogate approach is important for
organic HAPs because current control mechanisms are
limited in direct effectiveness (DRE, CO/HC limits) and
because they do not supply the public with a sufficiently
definite organic HAP profile.
Technical support to permit writers and OSW, on stack
sampling analysis, CEM and risk assessment, metals
emissions, dioxin and other PICs, particulate emissions,
and operations parameters. Ongoing needs for support
(site- specific risk assessments) and for access to in-house
expertise on implementing ORD emissions control
methodologies
Develop improved speciation methods for distinguishing
among and measuring the products of incomplete
combustion (PICs), including coplanar PCBs. Full-scale
PIC testing to better understand formation dynamics,
optimize system operation (NRMRL 06-579)
Develop draft report on the use of Jet-REMPI for
measurement of trace organics from incinerators
(NRMRL 07-167)
NRMRL research in the Hg MYP, Air Toxics
MYP and ETV is relevant to combustion sources:
Journal article on speciation and adsorption
of Hg in coal-fired boilers to improve the
ability of OAR to develop and implement
effective Hg control strategies. (HG 06-88)
State-of-the-art report on CEMs for coal-
fired boilers, to provide understanding of
mercury emission monitoring options (HG
06-89)
ETV has completed verifications of Hg and
multimetal CEMs; reports are posted at
http://www.epa.gov/etv/verifications/verifi
cati on-index. html
Evaluate metal speciation of arsenic, nickel, and
chromium in selected combustion systems to
improve data used by OAR to develop emission
factors assessments (AT 07-384)
NRMRL published Evaluation of Total Organic
Emissions Analysis Methods, EPA/600/R-
04/144, September 2004; no further work is
planned
Develop data on the size distribution and detailed
chemical composition of fresh and aged
combustion-generated particles produced from
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particularly post- combustion PICs, including work on
coplanar PCBs
Develop air deposition models, especially the components
dealing with vapor transport to surfaces, vapor/particle
partitioning of semi-volatile compounds, wet versus dry
deposition properties, and deposition of semi-volatiles.
Finalize dry gas models.
Better understand mercury speciation at stack and F&T
transformation
Assess how emissions from Subpart X high-temperature
treatment units can be better characterized and controlled
Assess how reliable are laboratory procedures and data
results from stack gas emissions characterization in relation
to EPA methods currently being used. Specifically,
(1) How are laboratories across the country actually
implementing EPA stack gas methods, e.g., with or without
method modifications? and
(2) If labs are modifying EPA methods on a routine basis,
or even only in certain case-driven instances, what are the
impacts of these method modifications on data usability,
specifically for risk assessment, permitting, and compliance
evaluations?
Finalize TOE guidance
Develop surrogate particle-size distribution data sets or a
methodology to generate them for different types of units
that emit particles
full- and pilot-scale systems for use in real-time
inhalation toxicology studies (PM NRMRL 08-
215)
Transfer to OAR technical information to guide
the development of SO2 and NOX control
technology requirements for coal-fired boilers to
prevent formation of visible acid aerosol plumes
(PM NRMRL 05-201)
Technology AssessmentEnergy Sector:
Examine changes/improvements in fossil fuel
energy generation, alternative energy
technologies, and market penetration of these
technologies (GLB NRMRL 06-126)
WtE
Waste gasification (from pilot)
Analytical methodologies to better characterize the fate of
hazardous constituents during gasification
Further development of energy-recovery technologies from
wastes, and technologies for production of bio-fuels from
biomass waste (renewable energy)
Research on the content and environmental durability of
gasification frit
Decision support tool for holistic approach to
solid waste management (PP NRMRL 06-511)
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Beneficial
Use
Evaluate beneficial use of industrial waste-derived products
(coal combustion wastes, foundry sands, C&D debris, and
slag) including safety
See pilot project under CQ 2.1, proposing a
combination of leach testing and modeling to
evaluate environmental compatibility of
beneficial use
Sustainability
Development of source reduction and recycling opportunities
for processes that generate hazardous wastes containing
persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals (PBTs)
Landfills
Research into long-term stability of landfills
Durability/failure of hazardous waste liners to better
understand their life span and long-term effectiveness in
protecting the environment
Identify likely failure mechanisms, for use both in near-
term installation requirements and in modeling long-term
probabilities of failure
Develop probabilistic modeling approaches to help identify
long-term probabilities of failure under various regional
environmental conditions
Bioreactors: Work with OSW and SWANA to identify
recent developments in research on "landfills as
bioreactors," which is being conducted in a number of
municipalities and states
Conduct research to identify optimal operating condition
and parameters, for use in national regulatory revisions and
guidance, and ultimately in state programs
Develop an enhanced liquid delivery/gas extraction system
Characterize an optimal liquids feed composition for
microbial degradation
Cover strategy/materials for improved methane collection
and greenhouse gas minimization
Evaluation of the performance of liners/covers
including phyto-technologies (NRMRL 10-22)
Interim report on landfill bioreactor design
manual, characterizing the optimum operating
and monitoring approaches (NRMRL 06-241);
synthesis report on landfill bioreactor
performance (NRMRL 09-xxx)
Develop and transfer to OAR and the States the
ability to identify and quantify fugitive source
particle emissions, using open path FTIR
spectroscopy (PM NRMRL 08-233)
MSW
Technological assessment of single-stream collection of
recyclables and related processing systems; new uses for
such difficult-to-market recyclables as certain plastic
resins; feasibility of widespread commercial use of reusable
containers. Research data would be used in conjunction
with economic assessments to determine feasibility of
Decision support tool for holistic approach to
solid waste management (PP NRMRL 06-511)
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MFA/LCA
Future Waste
Hard-to-
Treat Wastes
Sampling/
Analytical
Beneficial
Use
Sustainability
single-stream collection systems.
Technologies for municipal waste management programs:
Possibilities for technical evaluation include evaluation of
ash aggregates for use in cement and non-cement
applications; evaluation of compost products as a filtering
medium; evaluation of specified recycled products for the
Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines; durability of
synthetic liner systems; and evaluation of innovative
recycling, treatment, and disposal approaches being
considered by local governments
Conduct pilot study to evaluate or supplement theoretical
modeled analyses of human health and environmental
impacts associated with the consequences of a change in a
system
Life cycle assessment
Development and peer review of national -level life cycle
inventory databases for selected industrial sectors
Management of wastes associated with future technologies
(e.g., nanotechnologies, fuel-cell technologies, technologies for
harnessing various renewable and non-renewable energy
sources, new battery technologies)
Management approaches for hard-to-treat wastes
Technical assistance to review site-specific risk assessments
submitted by owners/operators
Real-time field detection equipment (mobile/portable labs)
supplied by EPA to States
Guidance materials on "beneficial reuse," performance of
waste containment systems, liner design, waste-to-energy
opportunities, calculating natural resource damages, and
innovative technologies
Technical support to develop objective criteria for
"environmentally preferable products"
ORD is initiating a research theme on
nanomaterial fate and transport
A report evaluating the effectiveness of current
waste stabilization processes for mercury,
arsenic, and lead (NRMRL 06-243)
(Hg work is a component of ORD Hg MYP.)
See individual topics for products that can be
incorporated into guidance materials.
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Appendix B: Legislative History
Legislation under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), and the
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) in 1986, authorized research programs
to support scientific needs. The Solid Waste Disposal Act of 1965 was the first law to require
safeguards and encourage environmentally sound disposal methods for household, municipal,
commercial, and industrial refuse. Congress amended this law in 1970, the Resource Recovery
Act, and again in 1976, with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Congress revised
RCRA in 1980 and 1984. The 1984 amendments, the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments
(HSWA), significantly expanded the scope of RCRA. The major subtitles are as follows:
1. Subtitle C establishes a program for managing hazardous waste from generation to ultimate
disposal, including the cleanup of sites contaminated by hazardous waste spills and other
releases to the environment.
2. Subtitle D establishes a program for managing solid (primarily nonhazardous) waste, such as
household waste.
Section 6902 of RCRA (42 USC 82 Subchapter I, Sec. 6902 (a)) describes the intent of
Congress to promote the protection of health and the environment and the role of research by:
3. "Promoting a national research and development program for improved solid waste
management and resource conservation techniques, more effective organizational
arrangements, and new and improved methods of collection, separation, and recovery, and
recycling of solid wastes and environmentally safe disposal of non-recoverable residues; and
4. "Promoting the demonstration, construction, and application of solid waste management,
resource recovery, and resource conservation systems which preserve and enhance the
quality of air, water, and land resources.
RCRA as amended by HSWA has led to significant regulatory programs for the safe
management of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes. The Agency is increasingly focusing on
improvements to the regulatory framework based on the most current science and greater
emphasis on resource recovery. In addition, legislation mandates that EPA require the
investigation and cleanup, or remediation, of these hazardous releases at RCRA facilities. This
program is known as RCRA Corrective Action (CA). EPA enforces RCRA CA primarily
through statutory authorities established by HSWA.
Legislative History Superfund, Oil Spills, VST
The assessment and cleanup of sites contaminated with hazardous substances, fuels, or
oils are often complex processes, with both the variety and number of sites making cleanup
costly and time-consuming. For Superfund, the National Priorities List (NPL) presently lists
1,232 sites and an estimated 40 new sites will be added annually through at least 2010. There are
more than 300,000 LUST CA sites, and States spend nearly $2 billion annually to clean up these
sites. Additionally, it is estimated there are potentially hundreds of thousands of old gas stations
that may require remediation. Annually, 18,000 to 24,000 oil spills are reported, and 10-25
million gallons of oil are spilled, impacting coastal and inland waterways.
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Contaminated sites under Superfund authority are addressed under provisions of the
National Contingency Plan (NCP) (http://www.epa.gov/superfund/contacts/ntlcplan.htm) and
related guidance documents (http://www.epa.gov/superfund/action/guidance/index.htm).
Remedial actions follow a stepwise process from site discovery, through site assessment, through
cleanup, to operation and maintenance and 5-year review. Removal actions are used when risks
warrant near-term action.
Through ORD, EPA has been conducting research to support the needs of the Superfund
Program since the inception of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), also referred to as Superfund. ORD's Superfund research
program was not formalized, however, until 1986 with the passage of the Superfund
Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA). SARA established an alternative or innovative
treatment technology research and demonstration program at EPA and authorized EPA to
conduct and support hazardous substance research with respect to the detection, assessment, and
evaluation of the effects on and risks to human health of hazardous substances and detection of
hazardous substances in the environment.
Oil spills are also addressed under provisions of the National Contingency Plan via a 3-
pronged approach of prevention, preparedness, and response
(http://www.epa.gov/oilspill/overview.htm). Research addresses the latter two aspects of the
program.
Corrective action for LUST sites is largely delegated to States and implemented by
regulations with related guidance. In general, the process for leak response is to stop the release,
report it, manage immediate risks, and then determine short- and long-term responses needed for
cleanup.
Brownfields redevelopment, part of EPA Strategic Goal 4, benefits from the
characterization and remediation research described in this MYP. Research is authorized under
the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act, but an appropriation for
research has not been requested. Instead, the Office of Brownfields Cleanup and Redevelopment
works directly with ORD staff to identify high-priority research for funding via intra-agency
funding transfer. This process is conducted by Goal 3 research staff to ensure coordination and
prevent duplication of effort.
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Appendix C. EPA Strategic Plan and Land MYP Linkages
EPA's Strategic Plan sets overall goals and specific targets for programs to achieve. The
Land Goal within the strategic plan identifies the targets for the research programs that this MYP
supports. The targets help us determine the appropriate sub-objectives where ORD can
contribute to supporting the goals.
Three objectives within Goal 3 address the OSWER programs. The goal states:
Objective 3.1: Preserve Land. By 2008, reduce adverse effects to land by reducing waste
generation, increasing recycling, and ensuring proper management of waste and petroleum
products at facilities in ways that prevent releases.
Sub-objective 3.1.1: Reduce Waste Generation and Increase Recycling. By
2008, reduce materials use through product and process redesign, and increase materials
and energy recovery from wastes otherwise requiring disposal.
Sub-objective 3.1.2: Manage Hazardous Wastes and Petroleum Products Properly.
By 2008, reduce releases to the environment by managing hazardous wastes and
petroleum products properly.
Objective 3.2: Restore Land. By 2008, control the risks to human health and the environment
by mitigating the impact of accidental or intentional releases and by cleaning up and restoring
contaminated sites or properties to appropriate levels
Sub-objective 3.2.1: Prepare for and Respond to Accidental and Intentional
Releases. By 2008, reduce and control the risks posed by accidental and intentional
releases of harmful substances by improving our Nation's capability to prepare for
and respond more effectively to these emergencies.
Sub-objective 3.2.2: Clean Up and Reuse Contaminated Land. By 2008, control the
risks to human health and the environment at contaminated properties or sites through
cleanup, stabilization, or other action, and make land available for reuse.
Objective 3.3: Enhance Science and Research. [The purpose of this objective is to meet the
science and research needs of OSWER. Specifically, the objective is as follows:] Through 2008,
provide and apply sound science for protecting and restoring land by conducting leading-edge
research and developing a better understanding and characterization of environmental outcomes
under Goal 3. Two sub-objectives further differentiate between science and research:
Sub-objective 3.3.1: Provide Science to Preserve and Remediate Land. Through
2008, provide sound science and constantly integrate smarter technical solutions and
protection strategies that enhance our ability to preserve land quality and remediate
contaminated land for beneficial reuse.
Sub-objective 3.3.2: Conduct Research to Support Land Activities. Through 2008,
conduct sound, leading-edge scientific research to provide a foundation for preserving
land quality and remediating contaminated land. Research will result in documented
methods, models, assessments, and risk management options for program and regional
offices, facilitating their accurate evaluation of effects on human health and the
environment, understanding of exposure pathways, and implementation of effective
risk-management options. Conduct research affecting Indian country in partnership
with tribes.
5 2003-2008 EPA Strategic Plan, September 2003, EPA-190-R-03-003, http://www.epa.gov/ocfo/plan/2003sp.pdf
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Table C-l shows where ORD research activities conducted under Objective 3.3 support
sub-objectives under Objectives 3.1 Preserve Land and 3.2 Restore Land. It is not the intent
of the research program to support each Goal 3 sub-objective. However, the program is
leveraged with research conducted under other goals. Sub-objective 3.1.1 is primarily OSW
resource conservation and waste reduction activities. The research activities supporting 3.1.1 are
resource conservation and, under Goal 4, sustainability research, which addresses various areas
of reuse, green chemistry, and life cycle assessment. The activities of OSW and OUST on
management of hazardous waste, Sub-objective 3.1.2, is supported by research on waste
management, multimedia modeling, and leaking underground storage tanks (LUST) fate and
transport (F&T) studies and research on effectiveness of remedial alternatives. OSWER
emergency response activities for oil and chemical spills and homeland security, under sub-
objective 3.2.1, are supported by research on preparedness and response responsibilities with
respect to risk assessment, F&T, site remediation, and risk management strategies for petroleum
and non-petroleum oil spills. Homeland security research, conducted under Goal 4, also supports
response activities through research on rapid risk assessment, water security, and
decontamination of buildings. The Superfund program is addressed in Sub-objective 3.2.2.
ORD research to support Superfund is primarily focused on contaminated sediments, ground
water, site characterization, and site-specific technical support. Within EPA's Goal 4, ORD's
human health risk assessment research produces exposure factors, toxicity values (IRIS), site-
specific technical support, and conducts major risk assessments to support OSWER.
Table C-l. ORD Research Conducted in Objective 3.3 and Goal 4 That Support OSWER
Activities in Objectives 3.1 and 3.2
Goal 3 Land
Objective 3.1 Preserve Land
3.1.1 Reduce Waste Generation and Increase
Recycling
3.1.2 Manage Hazardous Waste and Petroleum
Products Properly
Objective 3.2 Restore Land
3.2.1 Prepare for and Respond to Accidental and
Intentional Releases
3.2.2 Clean up and Reuse Contaminated Land
3.2.3 Maximize Potentially Responsible Party
Participation at Superfund Sites
3.3 Science and Research
Goal 3 : Resource Conservation
Goal 4: Sustainability Research
Goal 3: Materials Management
Goal 3 : Underground Storage Tank
Research
Goal 3 : Oil Spill Research
Goal 4: Homeland Security
Goal 3 : Contaminated Sediments, Ground
Water, Multimedia and Analytical
Methods, and Technical Support
Goal 4: Risk Assessment
N/A
To better communicate the types of research conducted under this research plan and to
demonstrate how leveraging occurs among ORD MYPs, the matrix in Figure C-l presents Land
MYP and other ORD MYP research areas versus media (e.g., soil, surface water) to highlight the
focus of the Land MYP and present leveraging and collaboration with other MYPs.
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Land MYP Matrix
MEDIA
SEDIMENT
GROUND
WATER
SURFACE
WATER
SOIL
TECHNICAL
SUPPORT
CENTERS
EXPOSURE-SITE
CHAR
LAND MYP
LAND MYP
Water Quality and
Drinking Water
MYPs
LAND MYP
Site
Characterization,
Env. Photo.
Interp.,
Subsurface
Modeling,
Exposure Assess.
Modeling
ECOLOGICAL
EFFECTS
LAND MYP
Water Quality and
Ecosystems
Protection MYPs
Ecosystems
Protection MYP
Ecological Risk
Assessment
HUMAN HEALTH
EFFECTS
Human Health MYP
Drinking Water and
Human Health MYPs
Drinking Water and
Human Health MYPs
Human Health MYP
Superfund Health
Risk
HUMAN HEALTH
RISK ASSESS
Human Health Risk
Assess. MYP
Human Health Risk
Assess. MYP
Human Health Risk
Assess. MYP
Human Health Risk
Assess. MYP
Superfund
Health Risk
REMEDIATION
TECHNOLOGY
LAND MYP
LAND MYP
Water Quality and
Drinking Water
MYPs
LAND MYP
Engineering,
Groundwater
RISK MANAGEMENT
LAND MYP
LAND MYP
Water Quality and
Drinking Water MYPs
LAND MYP
Engineering,
Groundwater
Figure C-l. Matrix of Land MYP and Other MYP Research Areas Versus Media
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Appendix D. EPA Science Advisory Board Reviews
EPA Science Advisory Board Review of Contaminated Sites and RCRA Multi-Year Plans
Specific panel recommendations and the EPA response are presented below.
SAB Recommendation
EPA Response
The Panel supports ORD's plan to merge the
documents into a single plan that clearly relates
the research to the Agency's strategic goals and
targets. By clearly linking research priorities and
the Agency's strategic objectives with defined
long-term goals, themes, and work products, the
Agency will be able to demonstrate the
relevance, quality, and contribution of the
individual research activities to meeting the
Agency's mission within resource constraints.
The Multi-Year Plan (MYP) merges the two
former MYPs on contaminated sites and
RCRA. Linkages to client outcomes are
described in the logic diagram (Figure 3) and in
the development of client-oriented long-term
goals (LTGs).
The Panel recommends that the revised,
integrated plan address the difficult question of
how short-term research, long-term research,
core research, and problem-driven research will
be integrated to support the Strategic Plan's
Goal 3 strategic targets.
A matrix (Appendix C, Figure C-l) in the MYP
presents risk assessment/risk management
categories versus media (e.g., soil, surface
water) to highlight the focus of the Land MYP
and leveraging and collaboration with other
MYPs, which include core and problem-driven
research.
The Panel also recommends that the revised plan
show how the various research activities connect
to the Strategic Plan's Goal 3 targets.
The Panel believes that a specific and transparent
mapping of the elements of the Multi-Year Plan
to the substantive goals of the Strategic Plan will
improve the Multi-Year Plans and will optimize
the use of scarce research dollars.
Table C-l in the MYP shows the relationship of
Strategic Plan Objective 3.3 Science and
Research activities with activities in Objective
3.1 and 3.2 and their sub-objectives.
Leveraging and coordination with research in
other goals is important to address issues under
Goal 3 in the Strategic Plan.
These LTGs should be rewritten to be outcomes
oriented rather than output oriented. The
distribution of science and technical research
activities by media, which is useful to OSWER,
could be accomplished at the annual
performance goal level.
The six LTGs in the previous MYPs were
condensed into two client-oriented LTGs in the
revised MYP.
Research activities by media are presented as
research themes under each LTG.
The Panel also recommends that the Agency
implement a clearly defined institutional process
of continuous re-scoping to regularly identify
and prioritize emerging research topics, as
discussed in the response to Charge Questions le
and 2a.
The MYP instituted an enhanced process to
incorporate regional and program office
research needs.
Within the portfolio of projects identified in the
RCRA and Contaminated Sites MYPs, the Panel
believed there were clear opportunities for
Table 1 in Section 5.2 lists research areas that
are enhanced, decreased, or eliminated.
Collaboration activities continue to be very
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efficiencies by combining some programs,
reducing expectations in other programs, and
reducing or eliminating other programs where
clear leveraging opportunities with other
government or private agencies could be
identified.
important to the research program and are
presented in Appendix H of the MYP. Of note
are an MOU with NIEHS and contaminated
sediments collaboration activities with the
Navy, Army Corps of Engineers, and EPA.
The Panel recommends that the Agency continue
to improve the annual performance measures to
better reflect the intended/expected outcomes of
ORD's efforts in supporting the Agency's
strategic targets.
This is an ongoing process in which annual
performance goals (APGs) are being focused on
the intended use of the supporting research.
The Panel recommends that ORD establish a line
item in its annual research budget that
specifically supports research that looks far
ahead (10+ years) on emerging needs, ideally
through new resources but by re-programming if
necessary.
The Land MYP discusses leveraging its
research program with other MYPs to evaluate
emerging issues. In FY08, ORD re-directed
research to initiate enhanced research efforts in
nanotechnology. Mining will have an increased
emphasis.
The Panel recommends that the flow diagrams
more clearly and succinctly illustrate the
connections between the Strategic Plan, long-
term goals, annual performance goals, and
annual performance measures.
We are addressing an effective way to diagram
the connection of research products to support
goals stated in the Strategic Plan. Wiring
diagrams for each LTG show APGs supporting
each LTG.
Table D-2. Land Research Program: Summary of BOSC Recommendations from March 2006
Final Report and Proposed ORD Actions Timelines (March 2007)
(includes entries only for those recommendations that require ORD action)
Recommendation
ORD Action
Timeline for
Action
(la) How the MYP could communicate
information more clearly
Addressed in revised MYP;
Sections 1 and 2 were
streamlined, and the removed
text was added to the
Appendices.
Final MYP
(Ib) How future conditions can be better
anticipated
We will continue to use
Regional Advisory
Workgroups, Technical
Support Centers, and
communication with
OSWER management to
assist us in being aware of
future issues that require
research activity.
Report progress at
BOSC mid-point
review
(Ic) How collaborative efforts can be
pursued with greater effectiveness, and
how certain historical program needs are
In 2006, we formed a group
of federal agency program
directors from NIEHS, DOE,
Ongoing
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addressed as programs sunset or are
terminated
NSF, SERDP, and EPA to
further document
collaboration and limitation
of the duplication of
research.
(2a) Improve the readability of the report
by highlighting the essential features of
the LandMYP and minimizing jargon
and acronyms. Consider rephrasing the
two LTGs to reflect technical or scientific
themes inherent in ORD efforts to
enhance the success of OSWER programs
in Land Preservation and Restoration.
Disagree on rephrasing
LTGs. LTGs were rewritten
in the draft in response to
SAB and OMB
recommendations to have
them be outcome-oriented
LTGs. Research questions,
with scientific themes, will
be stated when research
themes (e.g., ground water)
are discussed.
Final MYP
(3a) Consider including periodic
forecasting of emerging problems that
could be examined in a preliminary way to
judge their import.
The RCT, regional groups,
Technical Support Centers,
and OSWER management
bring forward emerging
issues (e.g., vapor intrusion
into homes, ground water-
surface water contamination,
Brownfields, and animal
carcass disposal. ORD shifts
the research program to
address the issues. In
addition, the MYP will
attempt to highlight
emerging issues that are part
of the research program.
Final MYP
(4a) Consider opportunities for
collaboration and leveraging at the
national and international levels.
Enhance the use of Web-based support
systems for facilitating multifacility
research efforts. Look for opportunities to
collaborate with EPA research efforts in
Homeland Security and in risk
communication.
See answer to l(c). ORD is
developing Web pages for
each NPD, and we will have
further discussion with the
Superfund office on linking
into their Web and
communication systems.
Report progress at
BOSC mid-point
review
(So) The MYP should address the current
and future processes for replacing retiring
expertise and developing new scientists
with emphasis on emerging areas.
Increase support of university-based
research to involve these stakeholders and
train future generations of environmental
researchers.
This is not the purpose of a
MYP. The ORD grants and
fellowships programs in
NCER address this issue by
helping to develop the next
generation of environmental
scientists and engineers.
ORD workforce planning is
Done
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conducted principally by the
labs and centers.
(6a) If there are recognized gaps
associated with sunsetting or terminating
programs, these could be prioritized for
collaborative research efforts.
Text was added to the MYP
in Sections 5.0 and 5.2 to
address this comment.
Final MYP
(7a) The Subcommittee acknowledges the
interplay of forces regarding performance
metrics but endorses their continued use
and suggests that the need for balance be
borne in mind.
Agree. The PART for this
program was completed in
2006, and the negotiated
measures will be
incorporated into the
management of the program.
Done
(8a) Outcomes. Consider how the
linkages could be made more clear or
enhanced in the Land MYP.
Wording will be edited in the
logic diagram, and PART
measures will be added to
the MYP. Section 3 was
added on recent outcomes,
and performance measures
are stressed in the MYP.
Final MYP
(9a) Consider how to characterize and
communicate uncertainties inherent in
assessment methods and models. Explore
collaborations with ORD efforts that focus
on the analysis and communication of
uncertainty. Integrate this information
into Agency guidance and rules.
Characterization and
communication of
uncertainties in risk
assessment is a research area
that cuts across many ORD
research programs in
addition to the Land
program. For this reason,
research aimed at
characterizing and
representing uncertainty in
risk assessment is currently
included under the Human
Health Risk Assessment
Research Plan. This happens
to be a topic of substantial
interest to the Assistant
Administrator for ORD, Dr.
George Gray, who has
personally conducted
significant research in this
area in his previous career.
There are thus several efforts
currently underway within
the HHRA Research
program that will address
this topic in a manner
suitable for integration into
Agency guidance and rules.
Ongoing; primarily
in HHRA MYP
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(Al) State the goals and objectives of the
Program in terms of their short-term or
long-term nature.
Long-term and annual
measures from the PART
will be incorporated in the
MYP. APGs in the MYP
vary on the basis of the long-
term or short-term nature of
the science being addressed.
Final MYP
(A2) Articulate the benefits of the Land
Research Program within the Land MYP
by mapping the goals and activities within
the Land MYP to the customer's
performance measures.
Recent benefits of the
program are listed in Section
3. The MYP will link
research activities to
program office research
needs, EPA Strategic Plan
Goal 3 strategic targets, and
Land Research Program
PART measures.
Final MYP
(A3) Clarify within the Land MYP who is
meant by stakeholders and clients.
This comment is addressed
in the final MYP.
Final MYP
(A4) Identify gaps not being covered by
existing projects and the intersections
among the projects. Such a gap analysis
will position the Program to respond
rapidly to circumstances where additional
resources or leveraging opportunities
present themselves.
To better communicate the
types of research conducted
under this research plan and
to demonstrate how
leveraging occurs among
ORD MYPs, a matrix was
placed in the MYP
(Appendix Figure C-l) to
present Land MYP and other
ORD MYP research areas
(e.g., human health effects,
remediation technology)
versus media (e.g., soil,
ground water) to highlight
the focus of the Land MYP
and collaboration with other
MYPs. Also, a gap analysis
is embedded in Appendices
A and B of the MYP.
Done
(AS) Emphasize to a greater degree within
the Land MYP how and by what means
the outputs and products generated from
the Land Research Program will be
transferred to the field. This includes
placing greater emphasis on transferring
technologies to the private sector so that
they can come into more common use and
have greater impact.
This may be beyond the
purpose of a MYP.
Additional efforts to enhance
communication of research
products involving linkage of
line management to wider
communication mechanisms
are underway.
Report progress at
BOSC mid-point
review
(Bl) Provide greater description of how
A high degree of detail was
Final MYP
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criteria were used to prioritize needs and
projects for both LTGs, but specifically for
LTG2.
provided on regional criteria
and the process of utilizing
regional workgroups for
LTG1. ForLTG2, OSW,
the customer, utilized a
category 1, 2, and 3 process
that was described in the
MYP. We'll look at this
comment in the revised
MYP, but it is likely that
readability and flow issues
will prohibit us from adding
more detail.
(B2) Incorporate input from outside
groups (other government agencies,
academia, industry, and other
stakeholders), especially for future Land
MYPs, and ensure that all valid scientific
advice is heard and considered apart from
policy issues.
The EPA conducts more peer
review of their research
programs than any other
federal agency. When the
MYP is final, it will be
publicly available on the
Web. The subcommittee
was provided with the
various levels of peer review
that are already incorporated
into the program.
Done
(B3) Articulate the mechanisms for
ensuring periodic quality reviews during
the conduct of projects. Such periodic
(e.g., quarterly or annual) review and
feedback are important for both ensuring
that research is on track technically and
for feedback from the customer. Where
relevant, it may be appropriate to include
the customer (e.g., regional staff, state
agencies) in the process of obtaining
periodic feedback.
A formal annual review with
clients has been in place
since the inception of the
research coordination team.
Since the BOSC review, we
have committed to
semiannual topical progress
reviews with clients, using
the regional research
advisory workgroups.
Report progress at
BOSC mid-point
review
(Cl) State the Program goals more clearly
in terms of their scientific research focus.
The goals could be recast in terms of the
two major environmental challenges with
problems, and the scientific advancements
needed to aid their resolution then
described as subgoals. Projects and
outputs could be organized by major
problems (e.g., assessment and cleanup of
DNAPLs in ground water, design and
operation of landfill bioreactors) along
with the planned workflow.
In working to prepare for the
PART, most of the MYPs
shifted to customer-focused
LTGs instead of a scientific
research focus. For each
research theme (e.g., ground
water contamination), we
will state the scientific
research focus for that theme
in the MYP.
Final MYP
(C2) Review potential needs related to
Cross-cutting issues are
Done
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current issues that cross-cut multiple
programs (e.g., biosolids and animal
waste application to land, mining and
megasites, oil and gas operations,
infectious disease agents, beneficial reuse
of waste materials, uncertainty in risk
assessments, and communication of risk
results.
typically assigned to a
particular MYP with an
understanding of which other
MYPs include related work.
For example, land
application of waste is
conducted under the Water
Quality MYP but is of
interest to OSWER.
Beneficial use of wastes is in
the Land MYP, but the
sustainability program
contributes results as well.
In the 2003 editions of the
MYPs, we attempted to
cross-reference outputs that
addressed multiple programs.
It proved impractical to
maintain the cross-references
as the programs evolved
because of changing
priorities and resources.
Within the labs and centers,
Assistant Directors routinely
consult each other and
relevant staff and
management on synergies
between various research
programs and bring that
information back to the
various research coordination
teams.
(C3) Clarify in the Land MYP the
sequence of research questions along a
timeline and the activities that are to be
conducted.
The text in Section 5 of the
document has been edited to
clarify the progression of
research. Wiring diagrams
are updated. The
reorganization of the Land
APMs and APGs will also
assist in presenting the
timeline of research (see the
response to Cl).
Final MYP
(C4) Identify, to the extent they exist, the
opportunities for staff scientists or
engineers to initiate ideas, for example,
through a seed funding program.
Most of the laboratories have
an independent research
program in which P.Is
compete for seed funding.
Done
(Dl) Consider leveraging and
collaborating with others so as to ensure
The transition of half of the
LTG 2 program to
Final MYP
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timely progress for LTG 2.
(D2) Improve the process for updating
Integrated Risk Information System
(IRIS) values for chemicals currently in
the database and for developing values for
potentially important chemicals not in the
IRIS database. The Subcommittee
recognizes that this falls only partially
within the domain of the Land Research
Program.
(D3) Articulate how planned and future
research programs support decision
nanomaterials will be
leveraged with other federal
programs. The MYP will
present a smaller focused
materials management
program.
The IRIS is guided under
LTG 1 of the Human Health
Risk Assessment (HHRA)
Research Program and is not
a part of the Land Research
Program. It is recognized
that IRIS is a cross-cutting
Agency database of interest
and relevance to many ORE)
research programs. The IRIS
program is currently
undergoing a period of
significant revision, with the
aim of increasing the
transparency and
inclusiveness of the IRIS
chemical evaluation process,
including formal,
quantitative uncertainty
analysis in IRIS assessments,
and developing guidance for
incorporating uncertainty
analysis into decision
making. There is a tradeoff
to be made in that more
transparency and
consideration of uncertainty
inevitably results in more
time needed to complete
assessments and, hence,
delays the development of
values for potentially
important chemicals not
within the IRIS database.
However, ORD is committed
to increasing the availability
of current, scientifically
rigorous chemical toxicity
information within the IRIS
database.
Brownfields research
activities will address
Addressed in
HHRA MYP
Final MYP
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making on sustainability issues and on
life cycle assessment determinations
related to solid and hazardous waste
management.
sustainability issues;
however, the shift to
nanotechnology will reduce
the research program
activities in hazardous waste
management.
(D4) Update key technology documents
related to landfill design. ORD could
collaborate with the geosynthetic industry
to help fund such work.
Final MYP
(D5) Identify within the Land MYP the
mechanisms for tracking progress for
specific projects with respect to the LTGs.
The ORD management has
quarterly reporting for
progress toward completing
APMs and APGs which lead
to addressing LTGs. These
reports are forwarded to
NPDs and the DAA for
Management. Management
is held accountable for
completing scheduled
milestones.
Ongoing
(El) Identify a process for acquiring or
developing key leaders for those programs
where clear leadership may be lacking.
Such leadership should be reflected in
personnel as well as programs. Particular
emphasis should be given to leadership in
emerging fields.
ORD has a hiring process in
place to add senior scientists
to lead emerging or high
priority research areas.
Done
(E2): Describe or develop mechanisms
for identifying mature research fields,
emerging issues, and/or ensuring that the
ORD-planned research is not duplicating
efforts being conducted by other
government or state agencies or by private
industry. This could be guided by
external peer review by experts drawn
from universities, nongovernmental
organizations, state agencies, and private
industries.
This is an ongoing issue that
we will continue to address.
Addressing customer
research needs, collaboration
of research efforts, and
limiting duplication of
research are always of
concern in this research area
(see responses to Ic and 3a).
ORD, in its response to the
BOSC subcommittee,
provided examples from
regional site managers on the
specific benefits of applied
research.
Final MYP
(E3) Enhance ORD'sposition as a global
leader by encouraging continued
participation in international panels and
meetings.
Agree.
Done
(E4) Ensure that funding is directed
Agree. The shift to
Final MYP
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toward areas in which large gains in
understanding can be made through
research. This involves favoring research
areas that are new or emerging over
mature areas of research. The
Subcommittee recognizes the balance that
must be struck between new research and
technical assistance.
nanomaterials, in part,
addresses this comment.
This is a problem-driven
research program in which
importance is placed on
addressing customer research
needs. Every year, new
issues are brought forward
(e.g., vapor intrusion into
homes, ground water-surface
water contamination,
Brownfields, animal carcass
disposal), for which we shift
the research program and
partner with OSWER to
address the issue.
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Appendix E: Research Conducted Under the Human Health Risk Assessment MYP and
Related Research
Risk assessment is a process in which information is analyzed to determine if an
environmental hazard might cause harm to exposed persons or ecosystems (NAS, 1983). It is the
essential intermediary means by which primary data and published literature are compiled,
analyzed, and summarized for application to decision making in real-world situations. This
science-based framework for decision making is central to EPA's implementation of its statutory
responsibilities and to its mission to protect human health and the environment.
The National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) conducts a variety of risk
assessments and risk assessment research in support of OSWER. Much of this research is
described in the Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA) Multi-Year Plan (MYP). This plan
serves as a primary EPA mechanism to implement this process, linking laboratory and field
science with the use of this information by EPA programs, regions and the broader community.
To achieve this goal, the HHRA MYP directs efforts toward the following:
Providing qualitative and quantitative health hazard assessments of priority
environmental contaminants for incorporation in applied risk assessments, exemplified by
the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Toxicological Reviews and Summaries,
reference doses (RfDs), reference concentrations (RfCs), oral cancer slope factors and
inhalation cancer unit risks;
Preparing Air Quality Criteria Documents (AQCDs) for criteria air pollutants as a
mandated pre-requisite to EPA's review of National Ambient Air Quality Standards
(NAAQS);
Conducting environmental risk assessments of national importance, such as potential
health impacts in the aftermath of the attack on the World Trade Center and the
reassessment of the health risks posed by dioxin;
Developing models, methods and guidance to incorporate the latest scientific advances
into EPA risk assessment practice, thereby maintaining the scientific quality and
objectivity of EPA assessments consistent with the state-of-the-science;
Identifying, evaluating, and conveying to the scientific community any key uncertainties
and research needed to improve health risk assessments through laboratory, field, and
methods research; and
Supporting the Risk Assessment Forum (Forum), through which risk assessors across the
Agency can communicate and harmonize risk assessment practices to facilitate a
consistent and predictable framework for EPA activities.
The core of the HHRA activities is the IRIS, which began two decades ago as an internal
EPA activity to facilitate communication among ORD programs and regions to harmonize the
otherwise disparate reference values prepared for hazardous substances in different parts of the
Agency. IRIS has since grown to be the premier national and international source for
quantitative risk values and environmental pollutant health hazard information. A typical IRIS
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Toxicological Review and Summary provides a qualitative discussion and documentation of
environmental health hazards posed by a substance to humans, accompanied by a reference dose
(RfD), reference concentration (RfC), oral cancer slope factor (CSF), and/or cancer inhalation
unit risk (IUR). OSWER risk assessors and policy makers apply these quantitative risk values to
measured or estimated human dose levels to inform their decision making on environmental
issues.
Although nonregulatory, quantitative IRIS values influence many environmental
decisions and may serve as a basis for additional regulatory consideration. The increased
visibility accorded IRIS values has been accompanied by additional government and stakeholder
scrutiny, leading to increased time required for document review and finalization. To facilitate
more rapid responses to urgent programmatic needs on less controversial substances, the HHRA
MYP also guides the production of Provisional Peer-Reviewed Toxicity Values (PPRTVs) for
internal used by OSWER and the regions when IRIS values are not available.
Methods development work under the HHRA MYP is directed toward incorporating
scientific advances into risk assessment practice, similar to equipment upgrades to maintain
standards of practice. In order to achieve peer-review quality, these methods developments must
respond to the increasing breadth and depth of available information across the diverse scientific
disciplines contributing to risk assessment. To address this, the HHRA MYP has engaged in a
process to determine the scientific foci most advantageous to advancing risk assessment science,
based on projections of future Agency needs, scientific developments, and the availability of
resources. These HHRA foci include mode of action, PBPK modeling, quantitative methods,
inhalation methods, exposure measures, chemical mixtures assessment, and microbial risks.
Many of these methods are applicable to risk assessment problems of interest to OSWER (e.g.,
assessment of risks associated with exposure to asbestos, and methods for quantifying dermal
exposure).
Technical support to customer programs and regions is a key component of all these
HHRA activities, whether assessment production, methods development, guidance, or other
outputs. This support is provided through both formal and informal channels. Formal technical
support is provided through such means as the IRIS Help Desk, the Superfund Health Risk
Technical Support Center, and the Ecological Risk Assessment Support Center. Where
necessary, these support centers can access additional expertise from HHRA and other EPA
scientists. Direct technical assistance is also provided by HHRA scientists to programs and
regions that request regulatory or site-specific support. These efforts are tracked internally
through the Programmatic and Regulatory Support Tracking System. More informal channels
are also widely used to expedite assistance on less complex issues, testifying to the widespread
use of HHRA products across the Agency and beyond.
Within the purview of the HHRA Program Project, technical expertise is often transferred
between projects in order to achieve program objectives. For example, Forum projects prepared
under this MYP represent major Agency consensus documents requiring considerable technical
and managerial input. A recent example of this is the "EPA Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk
Assessment" document, developed through a cross-Agency effort including significant OSWER
participation.
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Related Research
Homeland Security Research Topics
The ORD Homeland Security research program conducts research in the following areas:
Safe Buildings:
Sampling and analysis methods, containment, decontamination technology, residue
disposal, exposure modeling, agriculture biomass, and structures and outdoor
decontamination
Water Infrastructure Protection:
Sampling and analysis methods, decontamination technology, surveillance systems,
exposure modeling, and water/wastewater treatment
Threat and Consequence Assessment:
Risk assessment methods and data, rapid risk assessment tools, threat analysis,
and technical support.
NCER-Related Research
Several programmatically relevant research programs have been supported through the
NCER's Science to Achieve Results (STAR) competitive grants program and the Small Business
Innovation Research (SBIR) program.
A new generation of cleaner industrial manufacturing and processing technologies is
needed as it becomes increasingly clear that "end-of-pipe" pollution controls for industrial
operations are not always a sufficient means of reaching avoidance/prevention goals. In
collaboration with the National Science Foundation, NCER has provided funds for fundamental
and applied research in the physical sciences and engineering to stimulate the discovery,
development, and evaluation of advanced and novel environmentally benign methods for
industrial processing and manufacturing.
Nanotechnology has the potential to (a) develop new processing technologies that
minimize or eliminate the use of toxic materials and the generation of undesirable byproducts
and effluents and (b) develop materials to replace current hazardous constituents, resulting in
reductions in energy, materials, and waste generation. NCER has funded a nanotechnology and
nanomaterials research program encouraging proposals in areas in which theoretical foundations
are sufficiently well established to allow practical applications to be addressed. Because
nanomaterials can have a potentially harmful effect on human health and the environment,
NCER has also funded research to address these concerns, including the toxicology of
manufactured nanomaterials, their environmental fate and transport, bioavailability, and
exposure pathways for humans.
Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Successful Products
EPA is one of 11 federal agencies that participate in the SBIR program. The two-phase
structured program seeks to document the feasibility of the proposed technological concept in
Phase 1 and to commercialize the technology in Phase 2. NCER has issued a number of SBIR
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solicitations, including research for Pollution Prevention, Nanomaterials, Waste Management
and Site Remediation, Hazardous Waste Monitoring, and Solid Waste Recycling. A summary of
SBIR program success stories is presented below:
2.
3.
4.
Company
Advanced Technology, Inc.
industry
Enertech Environmental, Inc.
eSpin Technology, Inc.
Faraday Technology, Inc.
5. ionEdge Corporation
6. LSR Technology, Inc.
7. Nanomaterials Research Corporation
8. National Recovery Technologies, Inc.
9. Niton LLC
10. Physical Sciences, Inc.
11. Precision Combustion, Inc
12. Sea Sweep, Inc.
Product
Solid scrubber for semiconductor
Clean energy from solid waste
A novel approach to filtration
Functional trivalent chromium plating process
to replace hexavalent chromium plating
Zero-waste dry platting
Control device for particulate emissions
Hazardous solvent-free manufacturing of
electroceramic powders
Sorting of post-consumers plastic resins
Dual-detector lead paint Analyzer
Spark-induced breakdown spectroscopy (SIBS)
for metals in soil
Microlith fast lightoff catalytic converters
Environmentally benign oil absorbent
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Appendix F: Performance Assessment Rating Tool (PART) Measures
Long-
term
Output
Percentage of Land research publications rated as highly cited
publications.
Year
2005
2008
2010
2012
Target
Baseline
26.8
27.8
28.8
Actual
25.3
Long-
term
Output
Percentage of Land publications in "high-impact" journals.
Year
2005
2008
2010
2012
Target
Baseline
25.7
26.7
27.7
Actual
24.2
Annual
Output
Percentage of planned outputs delivered in support of the Mitigation,
Management, and Long-Term Stewardship of Contaminated Sites LTG.
Year
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Target
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
Actual
87
55
70
96
Annual
Output
Percentage of planned outputs delivered in support of the Manage
Material Streams, Conserve Resources, and Appropriately Manage Waste
LTG.
Year
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Target
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
Actual
67
80
100
100
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Annual
Efficiency
Average time (in days) for Technical Support Centers to process and
respond to requests for technical document review, statistical analysis,
and evaluation of characterization and treatability study plans.
Year
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Target
Baseline
32.5
30.5
29.0
28.0
Actual
35.3
30.9
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Appendix G: Coordination and Collaboration (Intra- and Inter-Agency)
EPA expends substantial effort coordinating with other agencies, including work with the
DOD in its Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) and the
Environmental Security Technology Certification Program, the Department of Energy (DOE),
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), Agency for Toxic Substances and
Disease Registry (ATSDR), Department of the Interior (DOI), and State groups to communicate
results, leverage expertise, and collaborate on complex issues. Summary information on EPA
collaboration with federal agencies and state groups is presented in Appendix C by topic area.
The research topics and associated collaborative activities and products show the degree of
collaboration and leveraging of technical expertise across the federal government on restoration
and preservation issues.
Collaborative research efforts of note involve coordination of the unique controlled-spill
field research facility, which was designed in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
Geophysical research experiments and development of software for subsurface characterization
and detection of contaminants are being conducted with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and
DOE's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. USGS also has a number of programs, such as
the Toxic Substances Hydrology Program, that support studies related to contamination of
surface water and ground water by hazardous materials. EPA also conducts collaborative
laboratory research with DOD, DOE, DOI, and the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA) to improve characterization and risk management options for dealing
with subsurface contamination.
The DOD SERDP supports research on various remediation topics
(http://www.serdp.org). The EPA and DOE work with DOD on the SERDP Council, Executive
Working Group, and various technical panels. The technical panels work together to identify
research needs and evaluate proposals.
The Agency is also working with the NIEHS, which manages a large basic research
program focusing on Superfund issues, to advance fundamental Superfund research. The
ATSDR also provides critical health-based information to assist EPA in making effective
cleanup decisions. EPA ORD has formal memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with each of
these agencies on collaborative projects, information exchange, and identification of research
issues.
The Interstate Technology Regulatory Council (ITRC) has proved an effective forum for
coordinating federal and state activities and for defining continuing research needs through its
teams on topics, including contaminated sediments, permeable reactive barriers, radionuclides,
and Brownfields. EPA developed an MOU with several other agencies (DOE, DOD, Nuclear
Regulatory Commission [NRC], DOI-USGS, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[NOAA], and the Department of Agriculture [DOA]) for multimedia modeling research and
development. For more information, please go to the Interagency Steering Committee on
Multimedia Environmental Models MOU at http://www.iscmem.org/Memorandum.htm.
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Topic
Human Health
Human Health
Human Health
Human Health
Research on
various
remediation
topics
(http://www.serd
p.org
Contaminated
Sediments
Contaminated
Sediments
Contaminated
Sediments
Contaminated
Sediments
Contaminated
Sediments
Contaminated
Sediments
Partner
NIEHS
Superfund Basic
Research Program
ATSDR
USAF/ ATSDR/
DOE/ DOD/
NIOSH
Regions, States
DOD SERDP
USGS/NOAA
USGS / SCCWRP /
NOAA / USAGE /
Environment
Canada
USAGE / NOAA /
USFW / States
USN / USAGE /
NOAA / Academia
/ Industry
States / USN /
USAGE / Industry
Academia
Title
MOU
MOU
IAG with USAF
Risk Assessment
Guidance for
Superfund
SERDP Council,
Executive Working
Group, and various
technical panels
Technical Advisory
Committee for
National Sediment
Inventory
Technical Advisory
Committee for the
Louisiana Harbor
Contaminated
Sediment Task
Force
Contaminated
Aquatic Sediment
Remedial Guidance
Workgroup
RTDF
Contaminated
Sediments Action
Team
ITRC
Contaminated
Sediments Team
South and
Southwest Region
Hazardous
Substances
Research Center
Activity
Roles and
responsibilities;
enhanced
coordination and
collaboration
Collaborate on
the development
of toxicity values
for use on IRIS
and ATSDR
toxicity profiles
Conference and
training
workshops on
toxicity
Monthly calls
Scheduled
meetings
Assessment
Assessment
Remediation
Remediation
Remediation
Remediation
Formal /
Informal
Formal
Formal
Formal
Informal
Formal
Informal
Formal
Informal
Formal
Formal
Formal
Products
Coordination and
collaboration to
increase site -specific
support
Information and data
sharing for
development of
Agency-specific
toxicity values
Annual Risk
Assessment and
Toxicology Conference
and workshops
Information sharing
and guidance
The technical panels
work together to
identify research needs
and evaluate proposals.
Planning and review of
inventory
Peer review of
assessment
OSWER guidance
Technical workshops
State guidance
Research advisory
panel
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Contaminated
Sediments
Contaminated
Sediments
Contaminated
Sediments
Contaminated
Sediments
Contaminated
Sediments
Contaminated
Sediments
Contaminated
Sediments
Contaminated
Sediments
Contaminated
Sediments
Ground Water
Ground Water
Ground Water
Ground Water
Ground Water
Ground Water
Ground Water
Ground Water
USACE/NOAA/
State (MA)
USAGE/ State (RI)
USACE/NOAA/
State (SC) /
Private/ SCCWRP
USAGE
EPA Region 4,
USAGE, Clemson
University
Industry, USAGE,
NERL
GLNPO, USAGE
Region 3, S/SW
HSRC
Region 5, GLNPO,
USAGE
DOD SERDP
project
NIEHS
USAGE
DOE
DOD/
Academia
DOE / DOD /
Local/State
government / Seven
academic
institutions
ASARCO, Inc. /
EPA Region 8
OSWER/OAR/
Regions
New Bedford
Harbor Team
Centredale Manor
Superfund site team
State of California
Sediment Quality
Steering
Committee
Re suspension
workgroup
Ecological
assessment (Lake
Hartwell)
SERDP Project:
Evaluation of In-
Place Capping
Grand Calumet
Anacostia capping
demonstration
Indiana Harbor
Enhanced Source
Removal
2005 workshop on
DNAPL
dissolution; 2003
workshop on
ground water
research
DNAPL
Remediation
Performance
Assessment (Fort
Lewis)
Performance
Monitoring
Workshop
Impacts of DNAPL
source treatment
RTDF
Phytoremediation
of Organics Action
Team
CRADA
MNA Framework
Document for
Inorganic
Contaminants in
Ground Water
Remediation
Remediation
Advisory
(assessment)
Communication
Field support
Remediation
Remediation
Remediation
Remediation
Remediation
Workshop/meetin
g
DNAPL
Remediation
Workshop/
meeting
DNAPL
Remediation
Remediation
Remediation
Remediation
Informal
Informal
Formal
Formal
Formal
Formal
Informal
Informal
Informal
Formal
Informal
Formal
Informal
Formal
Formal
Formal
Formal
Monitoring plans, PCB
research
Sampling assistance
Advise State in the
development of
sediment guidelines
Discuss results of
resuspension research
Input to 5 -year review;
research reports
Publications
Publications
Publications
Publications
Research
Presentations and
collaboration
Technology
demonstration
Presentation
Technology
demonstration
Technology
collaboration
Technology Evaluation
Report
Framework Document
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Ground Water
Ground Water
Ground Water
Ground Water
Ground Water
Ground Water
Ground Water
Ground Water
Ground Water
Soil / Land and
Ground Water
Soil / Land
Soil / Land
Soil/Land
Soil / Land
Soil / Land
Federal
Remediation
Roundtable
(DOD/DOE)
States / Private
sector / Academia
States / OUST
States /Private
sector / Regions
Regions / States /
DOE
DOE /NASA/
USN / USAF
USN / state /
private
USAF / USAGE /
DOE / USGS /
State / University
DOD / DOE /
Industry, U.K.
Environment
Agency/ Academia
Academia / DOE /
DOD
German
Environmental
Ministry / States
EREF; Regions 1,
3, 5, 8; OAQPS
EPA/ORD,
Regions, Superfund
OSW, DOE, MSB,
States
Program, Regions,
States
Tri-Agency
Research Initiative
for Long-term
Performance of
PRBs
ITRC MTBE Team
Internet LUST
Training
Vapor Intrusion
Workgroup
Ground Water
Forum
Interagency
DNAPL
Consortium
RTDF NAPL
Cleanup Alliance
RTDF Permeable
Reactive Barriers
Action Team
RTDF
Bioremediation
Consortium
Western Regional
Hazardous
Substances
Research Center
German Bilateral
Agreement
CRADA with
Environmental
Research &
Education
Foundation on
landfill emissions
monitoring
Arsenic Technical
Workgroup
Hardrock mining
conferences
Engineering forum
Remediation
Remediation/
Assessment
Remediation/
Assessment
Assessment
General
DNAPLs
DNAPLs
Remediation
Remediation
Remediation
Redevelopment
Assessment and
remediation
Review
Assessment and
remediation
Remediation
Informal
Informal
Informal
Informal
Formal
Formal
Formal
Formal
MOU
being
developed
Formal
Formal
Formal
Formal
Informal
Report
Training courses on
MTBE site assessment
and remediation
Develop Internet
training for LUST site
managers
Develop guidance
document for vapor
intrusion problems
Technology transfer
Technology
collaboration
Technology
collaboration
Technology
collaboration
Reports and input to
training and guidance
materials
Science advisory
Workshop proceedings
Reports; input to
guidance documents
Reviews applications of
metals and asbestos risk
assessment
methodologies at
hazardous waste sites
Conference
proceedings
Information sharing;
issue papers for project
managers
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Soil / Land
Soil / Land
Soil / Land
Soil / Land
Soil / Land
Site
Characterization
Site
Characterization
Site
Characterization
Oil Spills
Oil Spills
Oil Spills
Center for
Hazardous
Substances in
Urban
Environments
osw
DOD SERDP /
U.S. Army
Program Manager,
Chemical
Demilitarization /
DOE-MWFA
States / Private
sector / DOE /
Academia
Kansas, Kansas
State University
DOE / Idaho
National
Laboratory
DOI/USGS/DOE/
LBNL
U.S. Navy
NOAA
USDFs Minerals
Management
Service (MMS)
State of Louisiana
Academic research
EPA National
Electronics Team
Development of
Air Toxic (Dioxin)
Monitor
ITRC Brownfields
Action Team
Technical
assistance to
Brownfields
Support to the
Technical Support
Center for
Monitoring and
Site
Characterization
Geophyscial
Research
Interagency
Agreements
MOU (near
completion)
Annual proposal
reviews for the
Coastal Response
Research Center
Dispersant
Effectiveness of
Heavy Fuel Oils
and Weathered
Crude Oils
Annual proposal
reviews for the Oil
Spill Research and
Science advisory
committee
Preparation of E-
waste disposal
white paper
Development and
application
testing of a
fieldable real-
time monitor for
dioxins and other
air toxics
Redevelopment
Redevelopment
Superfund Site-
specific technical
assistance on
monitoring and
site
characterization
issues
Site
Characterization
Site
characterization
Workshop/
meeting
Interagency
agreement
Meeting
Informal
Monthly
calls
Funding of
project at
EPA
Informal
Informal
Formal via
anIAG
Formal
Formal
Formal
Formal
Formal
Science advisory
Risk assessment paper
Journal papers on
monitor performance,
emission factors, and
field prototype
Communication and
technical review
Communication and
workshops
Provide site-specific
technical assistance to
the Regions via letter
report and issue papers
Evaluation of
geophysical methods
for subsurface DNAPL
detection and site
characterization
U.S. EPA
Characterization Test
Cell to be constructed
at the Naval Facilities
Engineering Service
Center, Port Hueneme,
California
Proposal reviews
Publication
Proposal reviews
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Oil Spills
Oil Spills
LUST
Environmental
Modeling
Multimedia
Environmental
Modeling
Multimedia
Environmental
Modeling
Model Evaluation
Integrated
Human Health
and Ecological
Risk Assessment
Multimedia
Environmental
Modeling
Integrated
Petroleum
Environmental
Consortium
Fisheries & Oceans
Canada
Rhode Island
DOE/NRC/DOD/
USGS/USDA
Battelle/DOE
ACOE, NRC, EPA-
ORIA
USGS
OSW
Multiple
workgroups;
representing
various research
arms within DOE,
NRC, USGS, DOI,
DOC, ACOE, EPA
Development
Program
Annual proposal
reviews for funding
under EPA
cooperative
agreement
Projects on
bioremediation,
chemical oxidation,
and dispersants
Demonstration of
ex situ bioreactor
for MtBE
degradation
MOU
FRAMES
FRAMES
JUPITER
Integrated
Multimedia
Modeling System
Development
MOU: Inter-
Agency Steering
Committee on
Multimedia
Environmental
Modeling
(ISCMEM)
Meeting
Collaborative
research projects
Demonstration
project
Advancing the
science and
technology of
multimedia
modeling
Development of
modeling
systems,
modeling
frameworks, and
model evaluation
software
Co-development
of modeling
systems,
modeling
frameworks, and
model evaluation
software
Software
technology for
local sensitivity
analysis and
calibration
techniques
Development of
Integrated 3MRA
multimedia
modeling system
Broad-scope
coordination
across Agencies
on research
programs related
to multimedia
modeling,
including
Formal
Formal
Formal
Formal
Formal
Informal
Informal;
coordinated
R&D
efforts
across
agencies
Formal
partnership
Monthly
calls,
workshops,
conference
Proposal reviews
Publications
Publication
Collaborative reports
on model
advancements
Software systems,
documentation
Software systems,
documentation
JUPITER software
system, applications
3MRA modeling
system, ongoing
science enhancement
Various proceedings,
Web site
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Model
Comparison
/Evaluation
Materials
Management
Materials
management
Materials
Management
Waste
Management
Waste
Management
Waste
management
EPA Office of Air
Quality and
Planning
Industry
Academia, Industry
Nuclear Regulatory
Commission, NIST
DOE
DOD SERDP /
U.S. Army
Program Manager,
Chemical
Demilitarization /
DOE-MWFA
OSW - OSRTI /
OAQPS / Chlorine
Chemistry Council
3MRA-
TRIM.Fate Model
Comparison
CRADA Landfill
Bioreactor
Landfill liner
performance
NRC Examination
of Containment
System
Interagency
agreement
Development of
Air Toxic (Dioxin)
Monitor
ETV demonstration
of Dioxin Emission
Monitoring
Systems
framework
technology and
model evaluation
science
Effort to
understand and
explain
differences
between the two
multimedia
models and the
resulting impacts
on model
predictions
Waste
management
Waste
management
Waste
management
Scavenging of Cs
and Sr by
Kaolinite during
Thermal
Processing of
Radioactive
Wastes
Development and
application
testing of a
fieldable real-
time monitor for
dioxins and other
air toxics
ETV tests at
RTP, NC, on a
hazardous waste
firing industrial
boiler
Formal
Formal
Formal
Formal
Formal
Funding of
project at
EPA
Formal
ETV test
through
cooperation
with
Battelle
Two reports produced;
several more reports
planned
Reports and input to
training materials
EPA technical report
NRC report
DOE report and peer-
reviewed journal paper
(ES&T)
Journal papers on
monitor performance,
emission factors, and
field prototype
ETV verification
reports
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Appendix H: ORD Superfund and RCRA CA Technical Support (Revised May 2007)
Laboratory/Center Contacts for General Information:
National Center for Environmental Assessment
(NCEA)
National Center for Environmental Research
(NCER) (Including Hazardous Substances
Research Centers)
National Health and Environmental Effects
Research Laboratory (NHEERL)
National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL)
National Risk Management Research
Laboratory (NRMRL)
Office of Science Policy (OSP)/Hazardous
Substance Technical Liaison Program
Andrew Gillespie
Mitch Lasat
Bill Russo
Michele Aston
Tom Holdsworth
Mimi Dannel
513-569-7989
202-343-9705
919-541-7869
919-541-2766
513-569-7675
202-564-9944
Contaminated SitesSite-Specific Technical Support
This technical support area consolidates activities that provide site-specific technical support for
characterization, modeling, monitoring, assessment, and remediation of contaminated sites under
Superfund and, in some cases, under RCRA Corrective Actions. Specific technical support areas
include the following:
Environmental Photographic Interpretation Center (EPIC)
Contact: Dan Heggem, 702-798-2278
http://lvordl.las.epa.gov:9876/epic/default.htm
This center provides site-specific information on the condition and activities occurring at
hazardous waste disposal sites at a point in time or over a historical period; documents these
conditions and changes; provides guides in the form of reports, maps, and photographs for
assisting in the safe cleanup of hazardous waste materials; and assists in emergency response and
enforcement efforts when requested by client offices. Remote-sensing technical support is
provided to all EPA Regional Superfund Offices and OERR, and includes hazardous waste
disposal site characterization and mapping, annotated aerial photo interpretation reports,
topographic mapping of waste disposal sites, acquisition of aerial photographs, and enforcement
support.
Monitoring and Site Characterization Technical Support Center
Contact: Brian Schumacher, 702-798-2101
http://www.epa.gov/nerlesdl/tsc/tsc.htm
This center provides scientific and technical assistance in the characterization of hazardous waste
sites and associated site contaminants. State-of-the-science methods and technologies are
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identified and applied to identify contaminants, determine their levels and concentrations, and
identify their geographic extent and distribution for site characterization and remediation.
Center for Exposure Assessment Modeling (CEAM)
Contact: Candida West, 706-355-8023
http://www.epa.gov/ceampubl/
CEAM's goals are to develop, maintain, and apply state-of-the-science technical tools including
multimedia exposure and ecosystem response simulation models, environmental databases, data
analysis packages, tool application strategies, and advanced educational materials in the
environmental sciences.
Center for Subsurface Modeling Support (CSMoS)
Contact: David Burden, 580-436-8606
http://www.epa.gov/ada/csmos.html
This center provides support for development, testing, application, and distribution of models on
fate and transport of contaminants in the subsurface environment.
Engineering Technical Support Center (ETSC) andSuperfund Technical Assistance
Response Team (START)
Contact: Dave Reisman, 513-569-7588
This center provides site-specific assistance on engineering and treatment issues during any
phase of a site cleanup. Focus areas include containment, thermal treatments, soil vapor
extraction, bioremediation, and solidification/stabilization. Support is provided for incorporating
technology-based data needs in the RI/FS phase and conducting/evaluating site-specific remedy
options in the RD/RA and post-construction phases. The center publishes Engineering Bulletins
on technologies and site types. The center supports Superfund, Brownfields, and RCRA
Corrective Action sites.
Ground Water Technical Support Center (GWTSC)
Contact: David Burden, 580-436-8606
http://www.epa.gov/ada/tsc.html
This center provides site-specific assistance on ground water and subsurface contamination
problems in site remediation. Focus areas include in situ water treatment, in situ thermal
treatment, monitored natural attenuation, soil vapor extraction, and permeable reactive barriers.
The center also publishes issue papers on subsurface remediation and ground water topics and
provides project manager training upon request by the regions. The center supports Superfund,
Brownfields, and RCRA Corrective Action sites.
Superfund Health Risk Technical Support Center
Contact: Jon Reid, 513-569-7375
The Superfund Health Risk Technical Support Center (STSC) supports regional and
headquarters Superfund risk assessors by reviewing and developing exposure and toxicity factors
that allow more accurate quantitative estimates of risk to be developed. Much of the activity is
focused on developing new and updated peer-reviewed provisional toxicity values that describe
dose-response toxicological relationships. External peer review of the provisional toxicity
values was initiated in FY 1999. The Center also provides user support through the STSC
Hotline as well as on-site expertise reviews. All assistance is provided on a rapid turnaround
basis.
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Ecological Risk Assessment Technical Support Center
Contact: Michael Kravitz, 513-569-7140
The Ecological Risk Assessment Support Center (ERASC) will provide technical and
management support and arrange for scientific review and consistency on topics relevant to
ecological risk assessment and ecological concerns. NCEA will manage the Center, but it is
understood that it will routinely be necessary to access the expertise that is located in various
ORD laboratories and centers. The Center Director will arrange for this access as appropriate.
During the FY01 pilot program, an Implementation Committee consisting of members from the
Office of Research and Development, the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, and
EPA regional offices will provide oversight and guidance for formation of the ERASC and its
guiding principles.
Science and Technology Liaisons
Coordinator: Ken Sala, 202-564-1567
This program provides ORD representatives to regions to support regional integration of
technology and coordination with ORD. STL's mission is to enhance interactions of the EPA
regional offices with ORD and with other organizations involved in environmental research and
technical support (including its funding, development, and application), with specific emphasis
on OSWER Program (Superfund/RCRA/FF/UST/Solid Waste) issues, thereby facilitating the use
of sound science and engineering in EPA decisions and actions.
Region 1 Stephen Mangion 617-918-1452
Region 2 Jon Josephs 212-637-4317
Region 3 Vacant 215-814-
Region 4 Felicia Barnett 404-562-8659
Region 5 Charles Maurice 312-886-6635
Region 6 Terry Burton 214-665-7139
Region 7 Robert Mournighan 913-551-7913
Region 8 Vacant 303-312-
Region 9 Michael Gill 415-972-3054
Region 10 John Barich 206-553-8562
RCRA Technical Support
RCRA Program Support Contact: Lab/Center as above
Technical support to the OSWER RCRA program includes technical advice on implementation
of combustion regulations, technology transfer documents, workshops, and pollution prevention
to support RCRA programs, scientific advice, input, and review in support of regulations and
guidance.
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