United States
Environmental Protection
Site Characterization and Monitoring
Technical Support Center
FY10 Report
October 2009 - September 2010
Office of Research and Development
Office of Science Policy www.epa.gov/ord/osp
Superfund and Technology Liaisons
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Site Characterization and Monitoring
Technical Support Center
FY10 Report
October 2009 - September 2010
Prepared by:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Research and Development
Office of Science Policy
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue (8104R)
Washington, DC 20460
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CONTENTS
BACKGROUND 2
FY10 TECHNICAL SUPPORT 3
GENERAL SUPPORT 3
ProUCL4.00.05 Upgrades and Technical Assistance 3
Short-Term Implementation Requests 3
REGION/PROGRAM-SPECIFIC SUPPORT 4
SITE-SPECIFIC SUPPORT BY REGION 4
Region 3
Yorktown Naval Weapons Station Site 4
Former Nansemond Ordnance Depot Site 5
First Piedmont Rock Quarry/Route 719 Site 6
South Mountain Boulevard TCE Site 7
Saltville Waste Disposal Ponds Site 7
Region 4
CTS Site/Mills Gap Site 8
B.F. Goodrich Site 9
Olin OP Unit 2 Site 9
Region 5
Lower Fox River Site 10
Region 6
Exide Technologies Site 11
Homestake Mining Company Site 11
Region 7
Madison County Mines Site 12
Region 8
Captain Jack Mine Site 12
Hill Air Force Base Site 13
Ten Mile Creek Site 13
Region 9
Santa Susana Field Laboratory Site 14
Iron Mountain Site 15
Valley Wood Preserving Site 16
Navajo Nation Mines Site 16
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BACKGROUND
On October 1, 2007, the Site Characterization and Monitoring Technical Support Center (SCMTSC)
changed operation from the National Environmental Research Laboratory (NERL) in Las Vegas, Nevada,
to the Superfund and Technology Liaison (STL) Program of ORD's Office of Science Policy. Information
on the program and a list of the STLs is located at http://www.epa.gov/OSP/hstl.htm.
Felicia Barnett, the STL in Region 4 is the SCMTSC Director with support from Bill Hagel, the STL
in Region 3, and Kathleen Graham, the STL in Region 8. The SCMTSC Director receives requests for
technical support from individual STLs on behalf of their regional waste program staff. Each STL works
with regional staff to determine if and how ORD can best handle their technical support needs.
ORD operates four Technical Support Centers that each provides support on a different focus area. The
SCMTSC provides support on sampling and monitoring-related issues at hazardous waste sites.
Technical Focus of the SCMTSC
« Providing geostatistical design, analysis, and expertise.
Conducting field sampling and/or monitoring and contaminant measurement activities, including:
Soil-gas measurements.
Site characterization technologies (e.g., field portable X-ray fluorescence).
Fingerprinting of wastes.
Geophysics.
« Evaluating reports, models, and work plans related to field sampling and measurement approaches.
* Developing issue papers and providing state-of-the-science information.
Providing reliable and accurate information on innovative site characterization and remediation
technologies.
Performing special analytical services.
Providing GIS services and data interpretation.
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FY10 TECHNICAL SUPPORT
OCTOBER 1,2009-
SEPTEMBER 30, 2010
The following is a list of all projects and requests the
SCMTSC handled during FY10.
GENERAL SUPPORT
PROUCL 4.00.05 UPGRADES AND
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
EPA developed the ProUCL software package to support
risk assessment and clean-up decisions at contaminated
sites based upon full data sets with or without non-detect
(ND) observations. The SCMTSC reviewed ProUCL
4.00.05 and updated User and Technical Guides were
posted to the EPA Web site in June 2010. Crashes, bugs.
and programming errors (e.g., in Quantile test, Gehan
test, Sign test, and Gamma distribution statistics) identified
by the ProUCL development team and the community of
users were fixed. The latest version of ProUCL software,
Version 4.00.06, was delivered on September 9, 2010,
with all fixes, corrections, and additions. The latest
version will soon be uploaded to the EPA Web site.
ProUCL 4.00.06 also will be available in EPA
software SCOUT 1.1. ProUCL can be downloaded at
http://www.epa.gov/nerlesdl/tsc/TSC_form.htm.
ProUCL technical assistance requests continued in FY10.
The SCMTSC Lockheed contractor provided ProUCL
assistance to more than 130 users. These requests
included support for installation, software limitations,
file generation, general usage of ProUCL software, and
interpretation and understanding of statistical results
generated by ProUCL.
Examples of software installation and usage assistance:
Downloading and installing the software.
Installing of .NET Framework 1.1 software.
Interpreting error messages and error resolution.
Importing data, configuration of data spreadsheets, and
constructing data matrices.
Using the summary statistics function.
Clarifying capabilities and limitations of ProUCL.
Assisting with the definition of upper tolerance limits
(UTLs).
Examples of ProUCL technical and statistical assistance:
Using statistical options within the software (Wilcoxon
Mann-Whitney test, and "robustified" 95% UTLs).
Conducting two user data sets and providing advice
regarding the type of upper confidence limits (UCLs) the
software recommends.
Using nonparametric methods (such as Kaplan Meier)
when dealing with data sets with ND values.
Providing instructions to populate worksheets that require
a column to evaluate sample data with NDs and how to
define variables properly in ProUCL worksheets.
Providing statistical assistance regarding appropriate use
of bootstrap methods and interpreting results obtained
using these bootstrap methods.
Advising that ProUCL can be used to estimate exposure
point concentration terms in several applications,
including vapor intrusion applications.
Providing guidance on how to perform statistical
analyses on small data sets and on data sets with a
large number of NDs.
SHORT-TERM IMPLEMENTATION
REQUESTS
The SCMTSC addressed numerous short-term requests
weekly. Examples of SCMTSC short-term responses:
Provided comments to Region 10 to develop 95%
UCLs for site and reference areas of the Sinclair Inlet
to determine seafood consumption hazard quotients for
mercury.
Brian Schumacher of NERL-Las Vegas responded to
questions from Region 7 on the use of modified Method
TO-17 for vapor intrusion sampling and analysis.
Provided statistical assistance to compute confidence
limits properly in groundwater monitoring applications
for a voluntary remediation site in Tennessee with
substantial manganese contamination.
John Nocerino of NERL-Las Vegas provided Region
5 with information on the potential uses of the SCOUT
software for different statistical evaluations.
Participated in two conference calls with the Region 7
Remedial Project Managers (RPMs) to discuss statistical
questions on the Omaha Lead Superfund Site.
Provided ProUCL usage to estimate exposure point
concentration terms using data from the Lower
Duwamish River in Region 10 that have ND values.
Aldo Mazzella and Dale Werkema of NERL-Las
Vegas and Felicia Barnett of the SCMTSC provided site
information and technology documents, and responded to
questions from a Region 4 Brownfields Coordinator about
the use of ground-penetrating radar (GPR).
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REGION/PROGRAM-SPECIFIC
SUPPORT
In FY10, the SCMTSC provided support for 19 sites in
seven regions3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 (see Chart 1) and
performed 33 separate tasks, including site-specific work
and presentations/meetings/conference calls (see Chart 2).
CHART 1
FY10 Technical Support by
Number of Sites per Region
Region 9
4 Sites
Region 8
3 Sites
Region 3
5 Sites
1 Sites
Region 6
2 Sites
Region 4
3 Sites
Region 5
1 Sites
19 Total Sites
CHART 2
FY10 Technical Support by
Number of Tasks per Region
Region 9
9 Tasks
Region 8
3 Tasks
Region 7
3 Tasks
Region 3
8 Tasks
Region 6
2 Tasks
Region 5
1 Task
Region 4
7 Tasks
33 Total Tasks
SITE-SPECIFIC SUPPORT BY
REGION
YORKTOWN NAVAL WEAPONS
STATION SITE - Region 3
The Yorktown Naval Weapons Station (WPNSTA) is a
10,624-acre facility located on the Virginia Peninsula
in York and James City Counties and in the City of
Newport News. The WPNSTA was established in
1918 with a primary mission to provide ordnance.
technical support, and related ordnance services to
sustain the war fighting capabilities of the armed
services in support of national military strategies.
In 1992, the WPNSTA was placed on the Superfund
National Priorities List (NPL) because 19 sites
were identified as past disposal or storage areas for
materials containing hazardous substances. These
contaminants included acids, asbestos, explosives,
cadmium, lead, mercury, nickel, paint thinners,
solvents, varnishes, waste oil, and polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs). Additionally, a portion of the U.S.
Navy's nuclear arsenal was stored and maintained
at the WPNSTA. The WPNSTA is also a Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) permitted
facility.
The site's proximity to two major tidal tributaries
of the Chesapeake Bay posed a potential impact on
the aquatic environment. Contaminant migration
to the York and James Rivers, which are both used
for recreation, fishing, and wildlife habitat, is a
community concern. The on-base population includes
3,200 military personnel and civilians and 47 housing
units. The WPNSTA shares its eastern boundary with
the Yorktown Colonial National Historic Park.
Task 1 - The SCMTSC Lockheed contractor
conducted an evaluation of the Background Report for
the WPNSTA to determine if appropriate statistical
methods were applied to characterize background
conditions at the facility. An independent background
evaluation was conducted for surface and subsurface
samples for selected contaminants of concern
(COCs). The SCMTSC summarized the findings and
recommendations and provided a detailed report to the
RPM on April 22, 2010.
Task 2 - The SCMTSC reviewed comments received
from the U.S. Navy pertaining to EPA's comments on
the Background Report and responded to the RPM
within 48 hours.
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YORKTOWN NAVAL WEAPONS STATION SITE
FORMER NANSEMOND ORDNANCE DEPOT
SITE- Region 3
The Former Nansemond Ordnance Depot (FNOD) site is
located in Suffolk, Virginia, near the northwestern end of
State Route 135. The U.S. Department of Army obtained
the property between 1917 and 1929 and it was known
as the Pig Point Ordnance Depot. During World War I,
the facility was used for munitions storage, shipment,
classification, and destruction, handling up to 1,300 tons
of ammunition daily. In 1929, the facility's name changed
to the Nansemond Ordnance Depot. During World War
II, the facility supported operations at the Hampton Roads
Port of Embarkation, including storage and shipment of all
types of ammunition overseas. It also received captured
enemy munitions for processing and further shipment to
other U.S. military facilities. Toward the end of the war, it
was used as a distribution depot, performing ammunition
reconditioning and loading. In April 1945, the Depot was in
demobilization, including the destruction of unserviceable
explosives, ammunition, and chemicals. General Electric
(GE) acquired part of the property in 1965, including an
existing military building that the company modified in
1966, doubling its size. GE used this modified building as
a television assembly plant. In the early 1970s, GE added a
finished goods warehouse onto the building. GE eventually
acquired a total of about 134 acres of the FNOD. GE
operated a television assembly plant at this location until
approximately 1988.
In spring 1987, it was discovered that bulk explosives,
munitions, shells, and other ordnance items, both spent
and unexploded, had been disposed of by the Department
of Defense in a 2- to 3-acre area adjacent to College Drive
on Tidewater Community College (TCC) property. The
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USAGE) conducted a
confirmation study of this area (the TCC Removal Area)
in June and July 1987 under the Defense Environmental
Restoration Program. The study showed the presence of
ordnance and ordnance-related materials, including 19 live
munitions, numerous grenades, and a slab of crystalline
2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) estimated to weigh several
tons. From November 1988-February 1989, the following
materials were removed from the Removal Area: 4,400
pounds of boosters, 260 pounds of bulk explosives, 1,360
pounds of munitions/miscellaneous ordnance, and 30,275
pounds of contaminated soil. USAGE conducted additional
fieldwork in the Removal Area from November 1989-
February 1991 as part of a Remedial Investigation and
Feasibility Study (RI/FS). Chemicals of concern identified
in the RI/FS included heavy metals and 2-amino-4,6-
dinitrotoluene (2-A-4,6-DNT) in surface soils, and heavy
metals, TNT, 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT), trinitrobenzene
(TNB), dinitrobenzene (DNB), 2-A-4,6-DNT, N-methyl-
N,2,4,6-tetranitro-aniline (tetryl), and hexahydro-1,3,5-
trinitro-l,3,5-triazine (RDX) in groundwater. From April-
June 1992, 316 tons of contaminated soil and miscellaneous
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MUNITIONS FOUND ATNANSEMOND ORDNANCE DEPOT SITE
ordnance items, including two 3-inch British shells,
were removed from the Removal Area. Confirmatory
soil samples indicated the presence of residual soil
contamination.
Task 1 - The SCMTSC Lockheed contractor evaluated
site-wide background data to determine if there were
contaminant releases on site. The SCMTSC delivered the
FNOD site "Draft Background Evaluation and Background
versus Site Comparison Report" on July 6, 2010, to the
FNOD RPM. Lockheed also participated in a conference
call on July 14, 2010 to discuss the results of the report
and determine how to proceed. The U.S. Navy provided
additional site-wide background data sets in August 2010.
Task 2 - The SCMTSC delivered the revised "Background
Evaluation and Background versus Site Comparison
Report" for the FNOD site on September 7, 2010, based on
the updated site-wide data set.
FIRST PIEDMONT ROCK QUARRY/ROUTE 719
SITE - Region 3
The First Piedmont Rock Quarry Site, located in
Pittsylvania County, Virginia (5th Congressional District),
is a 4-acre former quarry used as an industrial landfill.
From 1970-1972, the First Piedmont Corporation leased
the former quarry to dispose of 65,000 cubic yards of
waste material, including 15,000 gallons of liquid waste
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company generated. The
Virginia State Health Department ordered the site closed
after waste materials buried in the quarry caught fire.
In December 1987, the Potentially Responsible Parties
(PRPs)First Piedmont Corporation, Corning Glass
Works, and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Companysigned a
Consent Order to conduct an investigation into the extent
of contamination and to identify technologies available
for clean up. Soil samples on site showed elevated levels
of heavy metals, including arsenic, chromium, lead, and
zinc. Elevated levels of lead and zinc also were detected
in the surface water. Although the site is located adjacent
to a residential development, no site contaminants were
detected during sampling of wells serving these homes.
Approximately 380 people live within 1 mile of the site and
an estimated 1,800 people live within 2 miles of it.
The PRPs have implemented a long-term monitoring
program that includes analyses of ground and surface
water. During the recent 5-Year Review, additional
contamination was detected and the PRPs were required to
develop an FS to determine possible actions.
The SCMTSC Lockheed contractor reviewed the PRPs'
Focused Feasibility Study (FFS) Report to determine if
appropriate statistical methods were applied to characterize
zinc impacts at the site. The SCMTSC delivered a report,
"Review of Statistical Methods Used in the Focused
Feasibility Study," to the RPM on July 20, 2010, which
summarized review comments and provided the findings of
an independent statistical analysis the contractor Lockheed
conducted. The report stated that the UCL computations
in the PRPs' FFS report were incorrect and recommended
that the PRPs verify their UCL95.
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SOUTH MOUNTAIN BOULEVARD TCE SITE -
Region 3
The South Mountain Boulevard TCE site is located in
Mountain Top, Pennsylvania. Four residential wells at the
site were found to be contaminated with TCE over the
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL). An agreement with
Fairchild Semiconductor, which is located upgradient of
the homes, led to the installation of wells on and around
the Fairchild Semiconductor property. The well samples
revealed TCE contamination on the Fairchild property
and lower levels upgradient of it. Fairchild Semiconductor
and previous owners of the property are contending that
residential well contamination could be from upgradient
sources other than the Fairchild property.
The SCMTSC tasked the Lockheed contractor to review
the PRPs' statistical methods described in the report
"Continued Groundwater Investigation, March 2008."
Lockheed evaluated the validity of the PRPs' statistical
argument that upgradient TCE sources (other than from the
Fairchild Property) could be responsible for contamination
found in residential wells downgradient from the Fairchild
property. The SCMTSC delivered an evaluation report,
"Review Comments on the Statistical Methods Used and
Conclusions Derived by the PRP," to the site RPM on
August 9, 2010. Based on statistical analysis and other
observations summarized in the report, it is not likely
that sources upgradient of the property are responsible
for TCE contamination found in downgradient residential
properties.
SALTVILLE WASTE DISPOSAL PONDS SITE -
Region 3
The Saltville Waste Disposal Ponds site, located on the
border of Smyth and Washington Counties in Virginia,
is a 125-acre site that was part of the Olin Corporation's
Saltville facility. The site consists of a former chlorine
plant site, two large waste impoundments referred to
as Ponds 5 and 6, and areas where contamination has
migrated, including to the North Fork of the Holston River
(NFHR).
The Saltville facility operated from 1895-1972 and several
different waste streams were generated during this time
period. The primary contaminant of concern, mercury, was
in a waste product generated by the chlorine gas plant that
operated from the early 1950s-1972. Pond 5 is a 75-acre
disposal area containing mercury-tainted wastes buried 80-
feet thick. In addition, the waste material is pH 12 so that
direct contact with the skin causes chemical burns. Pond 6
is a 45-acre disposal area containing high pH wastes buried
30-feet thick. Mercury is not present at elevated levels in
Pond 6 wastes. Elevated mercury levels are present in soil
and groundwater in the area beneath the former chlorine
plant. Mercury contamination at the site threatens fish and
other aquatic organisms in the river and presents a risk to
those who may eat fish caught in the river. Elevated levels
of mercury have been detected as far away as 75 miles
downstream of the site.
Task 1 - The SCMTSC tasked its Lockheed contractor to
review relevant material the Olin Corporation provided
on the Saltville site. The SCMTSC and Lockheed
participated in two conference calls with EPA regional
representatives and discussed the statistical evaluation
of the mercury data collected. The main objective was to
evaluate the validity of the conclusions derived based upon
the statistical analyses the Olin Corporation performed
on the mercury fish tissues/filet and bed-load sediment
data collected from the various river mile (RM) sampling
locations along the NFHR. The SCMTSC delivered a
preliminary trend analysis to the regional representative of
mercury concentrations found in fish and sediment samples
collected from several RM locations.
Task 2 - A conference call was held to discuss the
results. Lockheed subsequently prepared and submitted
an appendix summarizing the interpretation of regression
results to determine potential trends and perform a
sensitivity analysis. On September 23, 2010, the SCMTSC
delivered to the Saltville RPM an updated review report,
"Evaluation of the Statistical Analysis Performed on
Mercury Concentrations in Fish and Sediments," which
summarized all of the earlier statistical analyses and
provided additional Spearman correlations (as requested by
the regional EPA representative) between paired fish tissue
and sediment data collected from several RM locations.
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CTS SITE/MILLS GAP SITE - Region 4
The CTS site is located in a mixed commercial/residential
area south of Ashville, North Carolina. CTS manufactured
electronic components at the facility from 1959-1985.
In 1987, Mills Gap Road Associates (MGRA) purchased
53 acres of the 57-acre CTS facility property. MGRA
developed all but approximately 9 acres of the property
into a residential subdivision. These remaining acres,
where manufacturing previously occurred, were fenced and
left unused. A large, one-story brick building remains on
this area of the original facility property.
The site contains chlorinated solvents, petroleum products,
and heavy metals in deep soils and groundwater. Contami-
nation is migrating through fractured bedrock and being
expressed through springs on adjacent residential proper-
ties. Several private drinking water wells up to 1 mile away
from the site in the area of Mills Gap are contaminated
with TCE. EPA and Buncombe County are connecting
homes with contaminated water to the municipal water
supply system. EPA continues to monitor approximately
100 private wells in the Mills Gap area quarterly.
The site has been evaluated for inclusion on the NPL
several times from 1985-2006, but has never scored high
enough on the available data because it remains unclear if
residential contamination up to 1 mile away in the Oaks
Subdivision is coming from the CTS site.
The Region 4 Site Assessment Manager, in conjunction
with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the EPA Envi-
ronmental Response Team (ERT), and the SCMTSC per-
formed a site investigation/attribution study consisting of
well logging, well packer tests, and an isotope ratio analy-
sis. The objective of the investigation was to determine if
CTS could be a source of the TCE contamination at Mills
Gap and the Oaks Subdivision.
The isotope ratios of carbon-13 f 3C), chlorine-37 (37CL),
and deuterium/hydrogen (D/H) in TCE have been shown to
be specific to each manufacturer's TCE and can be used to
determine degradation of the product.
Produced TCE is extremely heavy, while degraded TCE
gets lighter as it degrades. Manufactured TCEs have
completely different D/H signatures from TCEs produced
through perchloroethylene (PCE) dechlorination. Strong
implications for distinguishing dechlorination products
(PCE to TCE) from manufactured TCE can be made by us-
ing a combination of 13C, 37C1, and D/H ratio changes.
Known Groundwater
Contamination - 2010
I
CTS SITE/MILLS GAP SITE
The SCMTSC was responsible for the isotope ratio analy-
sis and subcontracted through the STREAMS contract for
a laboratory to perform the analysis and worked with the
EPA Kerr Laboratory in Ada, Oklahoma, to evaluate the
quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) of the in-
novative isotope work. The USGS was responsible for the
well logging and ERT performed the sampling and well
packer tests.
Task 1 - John Wilson of the Kerr Lab and Felicia Bar-
nett of the SCMTSC provided comments on the the ERT
contractor's QA/QC report for the sampling and evaluation
of the isotope ratio analysis. Dr. Wilson used some of the
work during the review to assist in his upcoming presenta-
tion on isotope sampling QA/QC in June 2010.
Task 2 - The STREAMS subcontract lab analyzed the well
samples for 13C, 37C1, and D/H ratios for possible finger-
printing of the TCE. Wells were sampled in spring 2010
and the analytical results from the isotope analysis showed
that the contamination in Mills Gap and the Oaks Subdi-
vision was heavily degraded. The isotope analysis is still
on-going and additional sampling from the facility will be
used for comparison with other possible mingled sources
that are identified.
In September 2010, the Region announced its intention to
propose the site be placed on the NPL.
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B.F. GOODRICH SITE - Region 4
The B.F. Goodrich (BFG) site is a 2-acre industrial landfill,
located approximately 2 miles northeast of Calvert City,
Kentucky, on the southern bank of the Tennessee River.
BFG disposed of wastes on the site from 1969-1972 and
engineered a former creek channel for land filling.
An active RCRA component, a former landfill, and a burn
pit area are being addressed under Superfund. The PRPs
are proposing soil flushing as their remedy of choice. Since
dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) assessment and
remediation is complex, Region 4 requested SCMTSC
assistance and additional expert advice. Northwind, Inc., is
providing the support via a STREAMS subcontract.
Task 1 - Northwind reviewed the Sampling and Analysis
Plan for the site investigation. The main focus of the
technical support was to characterize the nature and extent
of the non-aqueous phase liquid.
Task 2 - Northwind also reviewed the RI/FS work plan
and attended two site meetings to discuss and identify
issues and corrections necessary to finalize the reports.
Task 3 - Northwind prepared a technical document that
developed criteria for cleaning up the soil contamination.
The RPM noted that the technical support and deliverables
provided EPA with high-quality expertise that was
instrumental in supporting the Agency's goals for the site.
OLIN OP UNIT 2 SITE - Region 4
The Olin Corporation Mclntosh Plant site is located
approximately 1 mile east-southeast of the Town of
Mclntosh in Washington County, Alabama. The Olin main
plant and associated properties cover approximately 1,500
acres. From 1952-1982, Olin produced chlorinated organic
pesticides, chlorine, caustic soda, and sodium hypochlorite
at the site. Presently, Olin produces chlorine, caustic soda,
and sodium hypochlorite and blends and stores hydrazide
compounds at the site.
The site was divided into two operable units: Operable
Unit (OU)-l is the facility and production area within
the Olin property boundary. OP Unit 2 (OU-2) comprises
the Olin Basin in the floodplain of the Tombigbee River,
surrounding wetlands on the Olin property, and the
wastewater ditch that discharged through the Olin Basin
from 1952-1974.
Work at OU-2 is ongoing and RI/FS work and a full-scale
treatability study at OU-2 are continuing. EPA reviewed
the most recent data from this study and drew several
preliminary conclusions; namely, floodwaters entering the
site contain low amounts of sediment; those sediments are
difficult to capture in the site; and the sediments will not
form an effective cover. Olin collected additional data in
summer 2009 and is participating in a capping study that
EPA is conducting.
B.F. GOODRICH SITE
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Ecological studies in OU-2 demonstrated potential
ecological risk associated with OU-2 sediments. The
constituent of concern in sediments and biota is mercury.
Inorganic mercury could undergo methylation in
OU-2 sediments to form the more biologically active
methylmercury. As part of the feasibility study for OU-2.
and to reduce potential ecological risks, Olin constructed
a berm with a gate around OU-2 to trap floodwaters with
suspended solids from the Tombigbee River during flood
events to enhance sedimentation in OU-2.
Region 4 requested help from both the SCMTSC and the
Engineering Technical Support Center (ETSC) to address
site characterization and remediation issues related to
mercury-contaminated soils and sediments at the site. The
support required demonstrated experience of mercury-
contaminated sites with specific consideration given
to sediment sites. This knowledge will be essential in
reviewing the PRPs' documents. Knowledge and expertise
in modeling an estimated release of mercury flux through
different capping materials was also needed.
Task 1 - The SCMTSC STREAMS contractor Tetra Tech
has been evaluating the existing analytical data, especially
for mercury. A significant amount of data exists since
samples were collected on several occasions to analyze the
contaminants present at the Olin Basin, Round Pond, and
Cypress Swamp. The SCMTSC made recommendations on
the state of science for mercury analytical data collection
and is overseeing the PRPs' field work.
Task 2 - The SCMTSC is participating in contaminant flux
modeling to evaluate uncapped Olin sediment and different
capping materials. The mass flux simulation model will use
different capping scenarios under different conditions. The
different model runs will provide information to determine
the effectiveness (i.e., life) of different caps and how to
monitor the selected cap.
Through the ETSC, Tetra Tech has been performing a
technical evaluation of available remedial technologies
needed to address the COCs present at the site. Results
of the data evaluation were used to recommend three
technologies to the PRPs for additional cost evaluation
and a preliminary assessment of the site indicated that
implementation of a reactive cap is a potential option.
At Region 4's request, the ETSC provided reviews of an
ORD-funded treatability study for cap materials using
Olin site-specific data and an enhanced sedimentation
treatability study. The review concluded that the enhanced
sedimentation did not remove the mercury from the
sediments. It did not sequester mercury in the foreseeable
future or interrupt the bioaccumulation of organomercury
compounds in the food chain, which is the primary
pathway for site ecological risk, and could be discarded as
a potential remedy.
LOWER FOX RIVER SITE - Region 5
The Lower Fox River and Green Bay Site includes a
39-mile stretch of the Lower Fox River and Green Bay
in Wisconsin. The site is contaminated with PCBs. An
estimated 14 million cubic yards of contaminated river
sediments contain more than 65,000 pounds of PCBs, and
at least several hundred million cubic yards of sediments
in Green Bay are contaminated with as much as 150,000
pounds of PCBs. Fish consumption advisories for the
site were first issued in 1976 and 1977 by the Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources and the State of
Michigan, respectively. The advisories are still in effect.
Adverse impacts to wildlife have also been documented.
Wayne Sovocool of NERL-Las Vegas and the SCMTSC
Battelle contractor performed a technical review on the
allocation of PCB sources and risks in the Fox River.
The allocation and risk presented in a PRP's white paper
were developed based on Aroclor analyses of sediment
and fish samples. The SCMTSC evaluated whether the
methods in the white paper were appropriate for identifying
and allocating PCB sources and risks. Specifically,
the SCMTSC evaluated if the methods are valid as
implemented and interpreted, and if the conclusions in the
white paper were scientifically supported.
Dr. Sovocool and Battelle evaluated several documents in
addition to the white paper and submitted separate letter
reports with comments and recommendations on the PCB
allocation questions.
In December 2009, a Wisconsin court ruled in EPA's favor
on a suit challenging the de minimus settlements at the site.
Responses to the PRP's white paper were critical to EPA's
arguments. The Region 5 RPM was very pleased with the
work product and sent an e-mail thanking the SCMTSC for
their support.
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EXIDE TECHNOLOGIES SITE
EXIDE TECHNOLOGIES SITE - Region 6
The Exide Technologies site is located south of
downtown Frisco, Texas. This facility is a secondary
lead smelter that reclaims lead-acid batteries and other
lead-bearing materials to produce lead oxide or lead
alloys. EPA collected surface soil samples in surrounding
neighborhoods to determine if smelter operations have
affected the soil.
The original objective of this technical support was
to analyze the surface soil samples to determine if the
source of lead contamination in those samples could be
distinguished. The Battelle contractor was tasked with
providing a recommendation on the type of sample analysis
and data interpretation needed to differentiate the sources
of lead contamination in the soil samples EPA Region 6
collected. They were also tasked with developing a cost
estimate for conducting the recommended soil analyses at
Battelle's laboratories.
To provide data useful for identifying possible sources
of lead contamination, Battelle recommended that soil
samples be analyzed by inductively couple plasma mass-
spectrometry (ICP-MS) for a wide range of metals,
including lead. ICP-MS analysis offers lower detection
limits than X-ray fluorescence or atomic absorption
analysis for many elements and can also provide
information on the isotopic ratios of lead in the sample.
Battelle also recommended analysis of both a bulk and
a size-fractionated fine sample of each soil sample. The
SCMTSC delivered these recommendations and the
cost estimate in a letter report provided to the facility
project manager in Region 6 for review and to determine
if it wanted to pursue these recommendations. Region 6
decided that fingerprinting the source of the lead did not
add value to the risk-management decision being made
for the contamination at the facility and surrounding
neighborhood.
HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY SITE - Region 6
The Homestake Mining Company site is located 5.5 miles
north of Milan, New Mexico. In 1958, the site opened as
a mill to process uranium. Today, two waste tailings piles
remain on site and groundwater (including residential
wells that were replaced with alternative water) has been
found to be contaminated with uranium, selenium, and
molybdenum.
In 2003, Homestake prepared a statistical evaluation of
water quality at the site. The report provided an analysis
by Homestake to derive site clean-up standards based on
data collected from upgradient background monitoring
wells. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the New
Mexico Environmental Department, and EPA approved
the groundwater standards. Recently, questions have been
raised about the clean-up standards and the procedures
Homestake followed to arrive at the standard.
The SCMTSC Lockheed contractor provided an evaluation
report summarizing review comments on the PRP's report,
"Statistical Evaluation of Alluvial Groundwater Quality
Upgradient of the Homestake Site," which was delivered to
the RPM on April 20, 2010.
The report stated that enough data had been collected from
the upgradient background wells to perform background
evaluations and compute defensible decision statistics to
estimate background level concentrations for the three
identified COCs. However, the PRP's consultants did not
use appropriate, rigorous statistical methods. The SCMTSC
recommended that the statistical analysis be repeated using
modern rigorous statistical methods to compute defensible
decision statistics (e.g., UTLs, UPLs, and upper percentiles)
to address concerns of all parties, including the local
community.
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MADISON COUNTY MINES SITE - Region 7
The Madison County Mines Project is located in
southeastern Missouri near Fredericktown in the old "Lead
Belt," where heavy metal mining has taken place since the
early 1700s. Past mining operations left 13 major tailings
and chat deposits from mineral processing operations
within the county. Additionally, materials have been placed
in many other piles and locations. They also may have
been moved to other locales in the county through natural
and mechanical processes. The tailings and chat contain
elevated levels of lead and other heavy metals that pose a
threat to human health and the environment.
During remediation and backfilling efforts, a contractor
failed to collect necessary samples and documentation to
verify the backfill source. Consequently, the contractor
backfilled approximately 80 properties with soil not
confirmed to meet the quality expectation in the
Performance Work Statement. These properties average a
maximum of 250 cubic yards of backfill.
EPA requires one composite sample consisting of 5 aliquots
for a backfill source area to confirm a maximum of up
to 5,000 cubic yards as acceptable for use. EPA requires
analysis of a suite of metals, volatile organic compounds,
semi-volatile organic compounds, total petroleum
hydrocarbons, pesticides, etc., for this sample.
Task 1 - The SCMTSC Lockheed contractor reviewed
the backfill property sampling plan for remediation and
backfill properties, "11-13-09 Corrective Action Summary,"
in order to develop a statistically based approach for
sampling. The recommended sampling approach focused
on a minimum number of samples to specifically address
the follow-up sampling of the backfilled properties.
Task 2 - The SCMTSC delivered a draft sampling plan
on February 3, 2010. On February 10, Region 7 requested
a re-analysis of the sampling plan based on additional
information received about the site. "New source" backfill
materials previously were assumed to be used at the
properties under evaluation; however, it was determined
that the "new source" material was not being used.
Task 3 - The SCMTSC delivered the revised sampling
plan to the RPM on February 12, 2010. For the COCs, the
plan recommended random collection of at least 8 samples
from the properties for each of the 3 time periods, resulting
in a total of 24 or more samples. For all other analytes, the
SCMTSC recommended random sampling of 8 of the 77
total properties.
CAPTAIN JACK MINE SITE
CAPTAIN JACK MINE SITE - Region 8
The State of Colorado and EPA Region 8 issued a Record
of Decision (ROD) in September 2008 for the Captain
Jack Mine site. A major element of the site is the Big-Five
mine adit and underground mine-workings, which release
20-50 gpm of acid mine drainage through the portal onto
the mine-waste dump. The adit-tunnel extends westerly for
more than 7,000 feet and intersects a connecting tunnel (the
Niwot Crosscut) connecting the Big-Five complex with the
Columbia Mine District to the north near Ward.
Region 8 requested that the SCMTSC assist in developing
and reviewing several Design and QA Plans. The SCMTSC
tasked the Department of Energy (DOE) Idaho National
Laboratory (INL) through its cooperative agreement
to perform site geophysical work, monitor mine-pool
treatment, and assist in developing spec-bid documents
to help the Region develop start-up specifications for
performance, materials, installation, and QA.
To support this effort, the SCMTSC tasked INL with
developing a geophysical work plan to determine the
location of the Big-Five-Niwot tunnel intersection and
oversee implementation of geophysical work to accurately
pinpoint the Big-Five-Niwot tunnel intersection. INL
has been involved in continued discussion of potential
strategies for proceeding with geophysical investigations
and is preparing for the oversight work to begin.
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HILL AIR FORCE BASE SITE - Region 8
Hill Air Force Base has been active since the early 1940s.
The facility covers 6,670 acres over 2 counties and is
located about 30 miles north of Salt Lake City, Utah. EPA
Region 8 requested technical support for OU-5, OU-8,
and OU-12. OU-5 involves construction of an aeration
curtain, groundwater extraction system, and groundwater
extraction trench. OU-8 includes installation of eight
extraction wells to pump contaminated groundwater at the
southern base boundary into a sanitary sewer for treatment.
OU-12 involves construction of the Boundary Hydraulic
Containment Treatability Study System.
Region 8 requested technical support from the SCMTSC
to review and comment on the U.S. Air Force's
recommendation to use HydraSleeve technology, an
alternative to the standard purge sampling technique,
for long-term groundwater monitoring. Region 8 was
particularly interested in the low bias of the proposed
sampling technique.
The SCMTSC Battelle contractor reviewed the document,
"Alternative Sampling Study Letter Summary Report
for Hill Air Force Base, Utah," and provided comments
and recommendations outlining any potential concerns
associated with the proposed recommendations and the
study conducted to achieve the recommendations. The
review focused its comments on:
1. The applicability of the recommended sampling
technique.
2. Other alternative sampling technologies that should
have or could have been considered.
3. The integrity of the study conducted.
4. Whether the results support the conclusions and
recommendations.
Through this report, the SCMTSC recommended the
following with regard to the alternate sampling study at
Hill Air Force Base:
1. Determine whether the data generated with the
HydraSleeve meet the data quality objectives and
whether the HydraSleeve is an acceptable groundwater
sampling method at Hill Air Force Base.
2. Historical sampling data including low-flow sampling
data should not be used in trend analyses, as a skewed
downward trend is likely due to the statistically
significantly lower concentrations observed when using
the HydraSleeve.
3. Consider developing a set of acceptance criteria and
re-evaluate concurrent data sets to see if HydraSleeve
sampling meets the criteria and can be considered
acceptable.
4. Use duplicate samples to calculate sample-collection
variability and laboratory variability.
5. Consider using short strokes with the HydraSleeve or
using the Snap Sampler to create a vertical chemical
concentration profile within the screens of select wells
to determine whether TCE stratification exists.
TEN MILE CREEK SITE - Region 8
The Region 8 Superfund program asked the SCMTSC
and ETSC to support the Ten Mile Creek Superfund Site
by providing a system for the remote monitoring of a
treatment process for acid mine discharge at the Susie
Mine. The mine is located inside the town of Rimini,
Montana, near Helena. This abandoned mine produces
water contaminated year round with lead, zinc, cadmium,
and arsenic. EPA Region 8 is managing a project to operate
a pilot scale treatment system that will run continuously,
treating the discharge water to remove the metal COCs.
The treatment system uses a combination of lime addition,
iron addition, settling chambers, sand filters, and polishing
to treat the mine water prior to its release to the Ten Mile
Creek. The treatment system requires routine chemical
monitoring to ensure that process controls remain
functional.
The SCMTSC tasked INL through its cooperative
agreement to assist the ETSC and Region 8 in developing a
remote monitoring system for the site. INL was tasked with
upgrading and operating the existing remote monitoring
system to provide physical and chemical water quality
measurements throughout the treatment cycle. Additional
effort beyond one year depended on available funding. The
monitoring system would be designed to monitor dissolved
oxygen, temperature, conductivity, oxidation reduction
potential, and pH.
The sensor system will provide physical and chemical
analysis of the treatment processes in the Susie Mine as
well as remote accessibility to the data from a central data
repository.
The monitoring system was built at INL and tested
successfully. The laboratory was asked to delay
implementation by the customer for several months while
attempts were made to implement unrelated systems and
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MONITORING SYSTEM
controls at the mine. The Region finally determined that
the monitoring system would not be installed and activated
at the Susie Mine. Discussions have ensued since then
to determine if another mine site could benefit from the
unused monitoring system. The ETSC is looking at other
sites for installation.
SANTA SUSANA FIELD LABORATORY SITE -
Region 9
The Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL) is a 2,850-acre
site located in Ventura County, California, approximately,
2 miles south of the City of Simi Valley. The site is divided
into four areas under different ownership. Boeing owns
Areas I, III, and IV NASA owns Area II and 42 acres
of Area I. Since 1948, principal activities in Areas I, II,
and III have consisted of large rocket engine research,
assembly, and testing by Rocketdyne and NASA. From
1956-1988, Rocketdyne and DOE used the Energy
Technology and Engineering Center (ETEC) located in
Area IV for nuclear energy research and development.
These site operations resulted in soil and groundwater
contamination. Primary chemical contaminants include
TCE, PCE, metals, and petroleum hydrocarbons. DOE,
Boeing, and NASA are conducting clean-up actions of
chemical contamination under the direction and oversight
of the State of California Department of Toxic Substances
Control (DTSC). DTSC is using RCRA as its regulatory
authority. The extent of chemical contamination has not
been fully characterized, but it is estimated that more than
500,000 gallons of TCE lies beneath the site.
Radionuclides associated with ETEC nuclear operations
include tritium, plutonium-238, plutonium-239, iodine-131,
strontium-90, cesium-137, cobalt-60, thorium-228, and
uranium-235. Pursuant to the Atomic Energy Act, DOE
is conducting decommission and demolition of ETEC
buildings. DOE is currently preparing an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) under the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA).
Task 1 - The SCMTSC Lockheed contractor provided
advice on sampling requirements for the Santa Susana
Field Laboratory site to EPA Region 9 personnel. Future
activities will include evaluating data obtained from the
site's Sampling and Analysis Plan.
Task 2 - Lockheed and the SCMTSC Director participated
in two conference calls with the RPM and other EPA
personnel to discuss the background data sets and
statistical methods that should to be used to establish
background level concentrations for various radionuclides
of interest.
Task 3 - The SCMTSC submitted a report summarizing
the detailed evaluation of strontium-90 and polonium
210 data sets collected from the radiological background
reference area and distance test locations of the Santa
Susana Site in Burbank, California. On September 15,
2010, Lockheed participated in a meeting with local and
EPA Region 9 personnel in Las Vegas that focused on
background evaluations.
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IRON MOUNTAIN SITE
IRON MOUNTAIN SITE - Region 9
The Iron Mountain site is located near Redding in northern
California. Ore chutes servicing the haulage adits for
the underground mining of massive sulfide ore from the
Richmond Mine at Iron Mountain were plugged in 2000
as part of an EPA Superfund remedial program. The
ore chutes were plugged to assure the safety of workers
entering the mine to perform sampling and maintenance
activities associated with the collection of acid mine
drainage (AMD) from the Richmond Mine for conveyance
to EPA's treatment facilities. Maintenance is performed
by Iron Mountain Operations (a contractor to Chartis
Insurance, the Iron Mountain Mine [IMM] Site Operator
pursuant to a consent decree for the IMM site).
Seasonal influx of meteoric water and groundwater create
extremely acidic AMD, which is believed to pond up
within the stopes (collapsed mine workings) above the
haulage ways. Over time, the AMD probably has degraded
the integrity of the plugs.
The SCMTSC tasked INL through its cooperative
agreement to assist in evaluating the integrity of the plugs
and develop a plan for plug testing and maintenance.
Task 1 - INL oversaw the survey of three concrete plugs
using several geophysical methods:
Low frequency ultrasonic non-destructive testing
(NOT) of the plugs (high definition).
GPR of the plugs (high definition).
GPR of the chutes within the host geology (moderate
definition).
Electromagnetic (EM) induction of the plugs and host
geology.
Galvanic resistivity and special induced polarization
(SIP) of the plugs and host geology.
Task 2 - INL performed the low frequency ultrasonic
NOT of the plugs (high definition).
Task 3 - INL provided data processing and visualization,
data interpretation, and reporting.
All on-site activities have been completed at the Iron
Mountain Site. INL was removed from one part of the tasks
(galvanic resistivity and SIP), due to legal interpretation by
IMM legal counsel. INL will complete a written evaluation
of the geophysical characterization of the chute plugs in the
Richmond Adit at IMM by the end of 2010.
The ability to test the condition of the chute plugs on a
regular basis will be important in determining whether
maintenance/repair actions are necessary to assure the
health and safety of workers during required inspection
and maintenance activities at the site. There is a long-term
need for this type of information at IMM. If the approach is
successful, it would be a cost-effective way of monitoring
the condition of the protective measures put into place in
the Richmond Adit at IMM.
According to the RPM, SCMTSC involvement was
critical to the successful implementation and evaluation
of this geophysical characterization project because of the
need for a reliable geophysical characterization method
in this unique application. The innovative nature of the
geophysical methods implemented and evaluated, and
INL's significant expertise in this area, were important
factors in this support effort.
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ABANDONED URANIUM MINE
VALLEY WOOD PRESERVING SITE - Region 9
The Valley Wood Preserving, Inc. (VWP) Superfund site, a
former wood preserving facility, is located on the southeast
side of Turlock, California. In 1973, VWP began wood
preserving operations that involved pressure-treating wood
with a water-based solution containing chromium, copper,
and arsenic. Wood preserving operations at the site ceased
in 1979 because these activities resulted in on-site soil
and groundwater contamination and off-site groundwater
contamination. The COCs at the site include hexavalent
chromium and arsenic.
Task 1 - The SCMTSC Lockheed contractor reviewed the
groundwater monitoring plan reports provided by Region
9. Lockheed performed a statistical analysis to determine
if appropriate conclusions were reached based on the
statistical methods and if those methods were applied
correctly. The SCMTSC delivered the statistical evaluation
report on the VWP site to the RPM on June 7, 2010. The
report stated that, based on the data and trend analysis
graphs, it cannot be concluded that steady state (zero slope)
has been reached; therefore, sampling frequency can be
scaled back from quarterly to semi-annually.
Task 2 - Lockheed participated in two conference calls
with Region 9 to discuss the statistical evaluation report
for the site. On August 3, 2010, the SCMTSC submitted the
revised statistical analysis evaluation report. The SCMTSC
also provided recommendations to implement the Ground-
water Monitoring Plan for monitoring chromium and
arsenic contamination levels based on revised information
received from Region 9.
NAVAJO NATION MINES SITE - Region 9
The Navajo Nation Mines site is located on a geologic
formation rich in radioactive ores, including uranium.
Beginning in the 1940s, widespread mining and milling of
uranium ore for national defense and energy purposes on
the Navajo Nation led to a legacy of abandoned uranium
mines (AUMs). Some Navajo residents may have elevated
health risks because of the dispersal of radiation and heavy
metal contamination in soil and water.
In August 2007, EPA completed a large study under the
Superfund program that identified 520 AUMs. In October
2007, EPA testified at a Congressional Oversight and
Government Reform Committee hearing followed by a
meeting with select committee members to identify and
respond to current issues raised by the Navajo Nation. EPA
and several other Federal agencies currently are developing
5-Year Action Plans to address AUMs and related issues.
The SCMTSC Lockheed contractor developed statistical
charts and histograms to identify gamma readings and
the number of times those levels occur. The charts
portray the range of gamma readings for individual
sites of interest so that inflexion points can be identified.
The SCMTSC delivered several reports summarizing
statistical analyses of gamma readings collected from
multiple uranium processing sites to the RPM from
April 26, 2010-June 1, 2010.
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Special Acknowledgments
The Site Characterization and Monitoring Technical Support Center (SCMTSC)
is part of a team of technical support centers and regional forums established
and maintained under the Technical Support Project (TSP) that offers high-level
technical support to regional waste program project managers in the Superfund,
RCRA, and Brownfields programs.
We at the SCMTSC would like to thank David Reisman, the Director of the
Engineering Technical Support Center, Dave Burden, the Director of the
Groundwater Technical Support Center, and Jon Reid, Director of the Superfund
Health Risk Technical Support Center, for their cooperation and teamwork in
providing high-quality technical support to the regions. We would also like to
thank the members of the Groundwater, Engineering, and Federal Facilities
Forums for their support and cooperation with the technical support centers
through the years.
We would like to express our great appreciation for the funding provided
by the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, Office of Superfund
Remediation and Technology Innovation, and, in particular, Linda Fiedler and
Steven Chang for their dedicated support over the years. Without them, we
would not have the resources to achieve our goals and objectives.
Finally, we want to thank Randy Wentsel, the former National Program Director
for Land Research who retired in January 2011 after 13 years of dedicated
service to EPA. Randy truly understood the synergistic value of combining the
practical application of ORD's research with the technical support necessary to
provide viable solutions to hazardous site cleanup problems.
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SEPA
United States
Environmental
Protection Agency
Office of Research and Development
Office of Science Policy (8104R)
Washington, DC 20460
www.epa.gov/ord/osp
Recycled/Recyclable. Printed with vegetable oil-based inks on 100% postconsumer, process chlorine-free recycled paper.
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