EPA/flOWR-M/1.85 I September 2014 I www.epa.gov.'ard
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Engineering Technical Support Center
Annual Report Fiscal Year 2013
Technical Support and Innovative
Research for Contaminated Sites
-
Engineering Technical Si^jport Center
Land Remeffialion and Pollut-on Control Division
National Risk Management Research Laboratory
Office of Research and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Cincinnati. OH 45268
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Abstract
The Engineering Technical Support Center (ETSC) was created in 1987 as one of a number of technical
support centers in the Technical Support Project (TSP) to provide engineering expertise to U.S. EPA
program offices and remediation teams working at contaminated sites across the United States. The ETSC
is operated within ORD's National Risk Management Research Laboratory (NRMRL) in Cincinnati, OH.
ETSC's mission is to provide site-specific scientific and engineering technical support to remedial project
managers (RPMs), on-scene coordinators and other remediation personnel at contaminated sites. ETSC's
mission allows the responsible local, regional or national authorities to work more quickly, efficiently and
cost-effectively, while also increasing the technical experience of the remediation team. Since its
inception, ETSC has supported countless projects across all EPA Regions in almost all 50 states and
Territories.
This report highlights significant projects that the ETSC has supported throughout fiscal year 2013.
Projects have addressed an array of environmental scenarios, including but not limited to remote mining
contamination, expansive landfill waste, sediment remediation by capping, and persistent threats from
abandoned industrial sites. A major component of affecting meaningful remediation lies in constructing
and testing new, innovative treatment technologies through pilot and field research. For example, ETSC
teams have gone into the field to spearhead projects that are at the cutting edge of remediation research in
the areas of bioremediation and groundwater treatment, active sediment capping, in-situ stabilization, and
sustainable site cleanup. ETSC organizes and reports significant developments in environmental
engineering in the form of Engineering Issue Papers and peer-reviewed journal publications. ETSC has
also taken on a selection of newer initiatives that focus on integrating sustainability into communities and
land use plans. While ETSC's principal mission of bolstering technical expertise for site-specific
remediation at contaminated sites remains a central focus, ETSC teams are reaching out to support other
efforts in prevention thereby reducing EPA's burden from legacy sites in the future. NRMRL/LRPCD and
the ETSC have evolved continually to meet the demands, as well as scientific and engineering needs of the
EPA program offices and regional clients.
Disclaimer: Mention of company trade names or products does not constitute endorsement by the Agency
and are provided as general information only.
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Acknowledgements
The ETSC would like to acknowledge the contributions from ORD scientists for their efforts in support of
ETSC's mission. The ETSC extends a thank you to our numerous clients in the Office of Science Policy,
Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology
Innovation, and the EPA Regions, particularly the Superfund Technology Liaisons (STLs), the On Scene
Coordinators (OSCs) and their management for their patronage and financial support. The ETSC would
also like to recognize the exemplary support provided by our contractors this year, Battelle Memorial
Institute and RTI International. Finally the ETSC extends special thanks to everyone that provides
document reviews, responds to technical request phone calls, and provides all other manner of assistance.
iii|ETSC Annual Report Fiscal Year 2013
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Table of Contents
Introduction 4
Engineering Issue Papers 6
Soil Vapor Extraction 6
Technology Alternatives for the Remediation of Poly chlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) Contaminated
Soils and Sediments 6
Bioremediation Potential for Arsenic and Dioxin 7
International Efforts (Vietnam) 7
Commonly Used ETSC Technologies 8
Vapor Intrusion Mitigation 8
Solidification and Stabilization 8
Capping 9
Evapotranspiration (ET) Cover 9
Biochemical Reactors 10
Slurry Wall 10
Thermal Desorption 11
Soil Flushing 11
Selected FY 2013 Technical Support Projects 12
ETSC Impacts at Mining Sites 12
Rico - Argentine Mine (Region 8) 12
Formosa Mine (Region 10) 12
Black Butte (Region 10) 13
ETSC Impact at Landfill Remediation Sites 13
Fort Devens (Region 1) 13
Goose Farm (Region 2) 14
ETSC Assisted Materials Management Sites 15
Ace Services (Region 7) 15
American Cyanamid (Region 2) 15
Salford Quarry (Region 3) 16
Raritan Bay Slag Site (Region 2) 16
Franklin Slag (Region 3) 17
LCP Chemical (Region 4) 18
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Stauffer Chemical (Region 4) 19
Matthiessen and Hegeler Zinc Company (Region 5) 19
Sustainability in the Community 20
Omaha Lead (Region 7) 20
San Jacinto River Waste Pits (Region 6) 21
Grants Chlorinated Solvents (Region 6) 22
Treasure Island (Region 9) 23
Interagency Collaborations; Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO) 23
National and Global Impacts of the ETSC 25
Summary 27
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List of Acronyms
ARRA American Reinvestment and Recovery Act
ASARCO American Smelting and Refining Company Inc.
BCR biochemical reactor
BLM Bureau of Land Management
CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act
COC contaminant of concern
EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
ET evapotranspiration
ETSC Engineering Technical Support Center
GLNPO Great Lakes National Program Office
GWTSC Ground Water Technical Support Center
LRPCD Land Remediation and Pollution Control Division
MIW mining-influenced water
NPL National Priorities List
NRMRL National Risk Management Research Laboratory
ORD Office of Research and Development
OSC On Scene Coordinator
OSRTI Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation
OSWER Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response
OU operable unit
PAH polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
PCB polychlorinated biphenyl
PCE perchloroethylene or tetrachloroethene
RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
RI, RI/FS remedial investigation, remedial investigation/feasibility study
RPM remedial project manager
STARS Site Technical Assistance Reporting System
STL Superfund Technology Liaison
SVE soil vapor extraction
SVOC semi-volatile organic compounds
TCE trichloroethylene
TSC Technical Support Center
VI Vapor intrusion
VOC volatile organic compounds
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Introduction
The ETSC is operated and staffed by ORD's National Risk Management Research Laboratory (NRMRL),
Land Remediation and Pollution Control Division in Cincinnati, OH. Created in 1987, ETSC is part of
the Technical Support Project (TSP), a partnership between ORD and the Office of Solid Waste and
Emergency Response (OSWER). The TSP consists of a network of Regional Forums, the Environmental
Response Team, and specialized Technical Support Centers. The Centers and Forums have evolved
through time as Agency needs have changed. Currently, there are 5 active TSCs in the TSP.
Engineering Technical Support Center (ETSC) in Cincinnati, Ohio
Ground Water Technical Support Center (GWTSC) in Ada, Oklahoma
Site Characterization and Monitoring Technical Support Center (SCMTSC) in Atlanta, Georgia
Superfund Health Risk Assessment Technical Support Center (SHRATSC) in Cincinnati, Ohio
Ecological Risk Assessment Support Center (ERASC) in Cincinnati, Ohio
Each center has a specific focus of expertise and is staffed with engineers and scientists that are eager to
assist on the most difficult matters that are encountered at contaminated sites. ETSC's mission is to
provide scientific and engineering knowledge and expertise in soil, surface waters, sediment, and mine
remediation and technology to program offices and Regional clients for risk management decisions. The
ETSC provides site-specific assistance, technical support, and conducts targeted research for EPA
Regions and program offices. The center networks with EPA programs and other federal agencies to
deliver the latest methods, approaches, and technologies needed to characterize, remediate, and manage
risk at contaminated sites. Impacts across regions include but are not limited to: developing, evaluating
and demonstrating bioremediation and groundwater treatment technologies; evaluating capping and
beneficial waste reuse technologies; providing engineering review and design assistance; recommending
proven, viable technologies; conducting focused research on the sustainability of selected site remedies;
and providing on-call technical assistance.
In the past several years, ETSC staff have assisted in five-year Superfund site reviews and technology
optimization studies, and completed applied research projects that support site-specific and more broadly
applicable research for program office and regional technical assistance requests.
ETSC is primarily staffed with scientists and engineers from the LRPCD. Additional assistance was
provided by other Divisions or ORD Laboratory personnel, as well as external contractors and
consultants. In FY13, ETSC responded to approximately 200 technical support requests from over 150
contaminated sites in all 10 EPA Regions, Territories (Puerto Rico) and internationally (Vietnam and
Canada). Sixty-six percent of the contaminated site requests were Superfund National Priority List (NPL)
sites.
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Receiving Technical Support for Contaminated Sites:
The flow chart below provides a basic understanding of how ETSC addresses technical support requests.
Typically, the process begins with a problem encountered at a contaminated site. An RPM, OSC or other
decision-maker associated with the site contacts ETSC through their Regional ORD liaison or can directly
contact the ETSC Director. The request is logged in the ETSC Site Technical Assistance Reporting
System (STARS) database, and an EPA subject-matter expert is consulted simultaneously. Once an EPA
expert is identified, the request is then serviced by that individual through three general channels of
action: research, new technology or knowledge gap identification. Once the appropriate contaminated
site need is determined, the subject-matter expert undertakes the appropriate actions from the flow chart
below to address the contaminated site need and deliverables related to the request are sent to the client
and the ETSC Director.
RPM, OSC, STL
Identifies a
Contaminated Site
Issue
ETSC Director
Remediation Expert
Contaminated Site
Need Determined
New Technology
Contract Vehicle
EPA Internal
EPA Internal
Contract Vehicle
Lack of Technology or Gap in
Knowledge
Engineering Issue
Paper
Technology
Assessment On-Site or
in Laboratory
Technology
Assessment On-Site or
in Laboratory
Figure 1: Engineering Technical Support Request Flow Chart
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Engineering Issue Papers
Engineering issue papers are prepared when gaps in existing knowledge on a technical subject are found.
To support RPM decisions on what technologies to utilize at a contaminated site, ETSC can review the
current understanding of the theory, design and implementation of remedial or treatment technologies.
This is the product of an extensive literature review, consulting with leading edge engineers and
scientists, and finally drafting a summary for the Office or Regional client's use.
Listed and described below are engineering issue papers (EIPs) that were initiated or completed in fiscal
year 2013.
Soil Vapor Extraction
Figure 2: Example of Well Heads for Soil Vapor
Extraction System
Soil Vapor Extraction (SVE) systems are a common
remediation method where volatile (VOC) and semi-
volatile (SVOC) organic compounds are removed from
soil matrices. Generally, negative pressure (vacuum) is
applied to extraction wells, and the VOC and SVOC
contaminants are drawn up from the wells, and collected
through various means. These systems are installed in
areas where there is easy access to electricity.
Implementation can be challenging in rural settings or
areas with limited access to power. Ideal conditions
for SVE treatment are well-drained, highly permeable soils
(e.g. sand and gravel) with low organic carbon content. A
completion date of 2014 is targeted for this EIP.
Technology Alternatives for the Remediation of Polychlorinated
Biphenyl (PCB) Contaminated Soils and Sediments
Treatment techniques for PCBs are numerous, and there are limited
resources that provide a concise, unbiased assessment of the
efficacies of the varied techniques. This EIP primarily condenses
information that can be found in more comprehensive reports, trade
journals and other scientific documents. The EIP summarizes the
available information on selected treatment and site remediation
technologies for PCBs so that RPMs and other clients can easily
understand and implement the appropriate technique at their
contaminated site. This EIP product is published on the EPA website,
\
Figure 3: Structure of
Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB)
Molecule
accessible at: http://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si public record report.cfm?dirEntryId=258244.
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Bioremediation Potential for Arsenic and Dioxin
The Center is preparing two ETSC EIPs regarding
bioremediation potential for dioxin and arsenic that
summarizes the available information for this treatment
technique. These documents primarily condense information
that can be found in more comprehensive reports, trade
journals and other scientific documents. The products were
developed by external and internal experts on bioremediation.
Drafts of each of the products have been received and are
currently with expert panels consisting of external and
internal reviewers.
ci
Figure 4: Structure of Dioxin Molecule
International Efforts (Vietnam)
Issues of pesticide and dioxin contamination have been
encountered at historic U.S. military installations in
Vietnam. The ETSC is collaborating with the Joint
Advisory Committee for Vietnam, U.S. State Department,
U.S. DHHS/CDC, and internal EPA entities ORD/NERL,
and OITA to help guide in the selection of the best
remedial solutions military sites. The ETSC provided
Vietnamese officials with presentations that outlined
dioxin chemistry and bioremediation techniques, and is
preparing an EIP that summarize the available scientific
and technical information on bioremediation techniques
for dioxin. Pilot demonstrations of alternative dioxin
treatment technologies are also being considered for remediation of dioxin contaminated sites in Vietnam.
For example, Figure 5 illustrates a state of the art, in-pile thermal desorption project that is being carried
out at the Danang airport in Vietnam. The treatment cell in the figure is the largest ever constructed for
this purpose, with a soil capacity of 34,000 cubic meters. It is undecided at this point if this technology
will be implemented at other contaminated sites.
Figure 5: In-pile Thermal Desorption Cell,
Danang, Vietnam
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Commonly Used ETSC Technologies
Figure 6: Typical Vapor Intrusion Scenario
The following highlighted technologies represent a paradigm shift to longer-term, sustainable
technologies for site remediation and control. We use these technologies for a number of reasons,
including their sustainability, low-energy usage and overall 'greenness' when compared to standard
technologies.
Vapor Intrusion Mitigation
Vapor intrusion occurs when soil or groundwater below a
building is contaminated with volatile or semivolatile
chemicals or gasses. Migration of these chemicals or gasses
from soil or groundwater into buildings can cause an indoor
buildup of airborne pollutants (e.g., radon or
trichloroethylene [TCE]). This is a common problem on
sites where industrial solvents were used and entered into
the vadose zone and groundwater. TCE is one of the more
common persistent contaminants encountered. The most
common method utilized to remediate vapor intrusion
issues is to create a vacuum under the slab of the structure,
and redirect the gas into a treatment or emission system.
More recently, another method referred to as building pressurization is becoming accepted as another
means of control. With this technology, the building is over-pressurized, thereby making a slightly
increased pressure inside compared to outside (and underneath) the building. In some cases, this has been
found to retard or prevent vapor infiltration. Figure 6 provides a simplified diagram of the vapor intrusion
issue. Three percent of the technical support requests involve this technology.
Solidification and Stabilization
Solidification and stabilization (utilized at 8% of ETSC
assisted sites in FY2013) is a process by which radioactive,
organic or mixed wastes are contained within a matrix to
reduce contaminant leaching to safe levels. This method
does not destroy contaminants, but immobilizes and
encapsulates them, keeping them from contaminating local
soils, groundwater or surface waters. Certain refuse
material from industrial processes, such as fly ash, can be
implemented when concrete is used in the solidification
Figure 7: Typical In-situ Solidification Application
* '" "'' Illustrating Diameter of Influence (area where augers
spin and mix soil with binding agent)
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Capping
Capping (explored on 8% of ETSC assisted sites in FY2013) is a remedial technique where an
impermeable cover, of either natural or man-made material, is placed on top of a landfill or other waste to
keep rainwater or overland water flow from infiltrating the waste. Cap applications are also intended to
reduce or prevent wind erosion of contaminated sediment. Figure 8 provides two examples of capping
applications that the EPA has implemented. The cap design on the left illustrates the use of a man-made
geomembrane layer in the cap design.
Figure 8: Examples of Capping Applications
Evapotranspiration (ET) Cover
Figure 9: Examples of
Evapotranspiration Covers
An evapotranspiration (ET) cover uses
plants and soil to capture rainfall to later
return it to the atmosphere by evaporation
and transpiration, which limits the amount
of moisture reaching the contaminated
area. Although ET covers are used more
extensively for landfill applications,
another potential use is to attenuate or
remediate volatile contaminants present in
low concentrations at Brownfields or other
legacy contaminated sites. Therefore, if
designed properly, this method can
provide both a remediation and restoration
solution in one effort. An ET cover starts
by placing an impermeable sediment cap over a landfill or other
contaminated site, then placing a layer of topsoil selectively seeded
with native grasses, shrubs and trees that will grow on the surface. Figure
9 provides examples of successfully installed evapotranspiration covers.
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Biochemical Reactors
A biochemical reactor (BCR), a technology piloted
and marketed by ETSC and now being adopted
widely, relies on the constant interchange between
chemical and biological processes (implemented on
8% of ETSC assisted sites in FY2013). Sulfate-
reducing bacteria create basic sulfide species, which
mix with free metals to precipitate metal sulfides.
The gas from this process may be captured, while
the metal sulfide precipitates settle into a less
mobile sludge. Advances in this technology show
promise for the recovery of metals, like iron, from
BCR sludges. Conceptually, this system discharges
clean water, turns a liability into an asset, and is
self-sustaining (passive treatment). BCRs appear
to be a good match for sites that have restricted
access and no available power sources, since they require low maintenance and no electricity
Figure 10: Example of Full-scale Bioreactor at a Remote
Mining Site
ETSC staff evaluated solid substrate-free bioreactor treatment of aluminum, copper, iron, nickel, selenium
and zinc in acid rock drainage from the Aspen Seep of the Leviathan Mine Superfund site. An EPA
report, Compost-Free Bioreactor Treatment of Acid Rock Drainage. Leviathan Mine. California (93 pp,
4.2M, EPA/540/R-06/009, Abstract) summarizes the results and application of this research conducted
from 2003-2005
Slurry Wall
A slurry is a watery mixture of insoluble material,
like mud. A slurry wall is a trench filled with a
non-permeable or low-permeability material, such
as bentonite, that can obstruct or filter surface
water or groundwater. Slurry walls can behave as
a hydraulic barrier, or a sieve depending on
design and material content. The slurry can also
provide opportunities for water treatment by
formulating a mixture with the appropriate
constituents to either bind or react with the
contaminants present. Binding the contaminants
reduces their bioavailability and mobility, and
reacting with the contaminants such as oxidation
or pH neutralization to reduce potential hazard
and risk in the environment.
Figure 11: Trenching Activities at a Superfund Site for
the Installation of a Slurry Wall, and Example
Installation of a Slurry Wall
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Thermal Desorption
Figure 12: Field-scale Ex-situ Thermal
Desorption Facility
Soil Flushing
Thermal desorption (TD) (used at 5% of ETSC assisted sites in
FY2013) uses heat to transform chemicals into gasses. These
gasses are then sent through a collection or treatment process to
remove targeted substances according to the physical and chemical
principles of adsorption and desorption. TD is most useful to clean
soils polluted by coal tar, pesticides, solvents and wood-preserving
chemicals. Depending on contaminant load, TD can be a fast and
effective method of cleaning polluted soils. For more information
about TD, the reader is referred to the EPA document titled, A
Citizen's Guide to Thermal Desorption (PDF) (2 pp, 65K,
EPA/542/F-01/003).
Soil flushing (In-Situ Flushing) uses a prepared solution to bring a controlled flow of contaminated fluid
to the surface where engineers treat or properly dispose of the waste. As an example, an application of
this technology can remove metals through the use of an acidic solution injected into the soil. This
solution is then extracted either by the solution returning to the surface (due to favorable geological
conditions) or through an extraction well. Businesses in the energy sector regularly use flushing for
enhanced petroleum recovery from underground deposits.
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Selected FY 2013 Technical Support Projects
In FY 2013 alone, the ETSC received approximately 200 technical support requests from over 150
contaminated sites all across the U.S. and its Territories - a couple of international requests were received
as well. Due to the large volume of technical support requests received annually by the ETSC, a selected
number of technical support projects will be discussed in the following sections. They are organized by
the type of work involved (mining, landfills, materials management and sustainability) and each site
includes the appropriate EPA Region the request originated from.
ETSC Impacts at Mining Sites
Rico - Argentine Mine (Region 8)
The Rico - Argentine Mine Superfund site in
Rico, Colorado was serviced by ETSC in
collaboration with the OSC, state, and Atlantic
Richfield Company (Tesoro Corporation). The
mine drainage from the Rico-Argentine site
impacts both Silver Creek and the Delores River
watersheds. Ponds were constructed near this site
in the Delores River flood plain to assist in
settling suspended contaminants from the mine
drainage, and assist in reducing the pH. ETSC
scientists reviewed engineering design and
cleanup plans for the site and advised the OSC
and Region on cost-effective and sustainable
remediation and removal options. Contaminants
at this site include concentrated metals and low pH water flowing from the adit.
Figure 13: Ponds in the Delores River Flood plain, Rico,
CO
Formosa Mine (Region 10)
Formosa Mine Superfund site in Southwestern
Oregon is a legacy mine that has been found to be
draining acidic effluent and metals into local
streams, which in turn have impaired biological
function for miles downstream. ETSC has been
involved with this project for a number of years.
ETSC is conducting innovative research
developing a bench and pilot BCR system to assist
in site remediation. The bioremediation treatment
technique being studied holds the promise of efficient metal remediation and pH neutralization with little
to no power input, and limited servicing requirements. If successful at this site, this technique could be
Figure 14: Mining Influenced Waters Flowing from
Formosa Adit, Douglas Co., OR
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applied at numerous abandoned mines throughout the U.S. to sequester and immobilize metals where
there is limited site access and no available power sources.
Black Butte (Region 10)
Black Butte Mine in the Upper Coait Fork Willamette River Watershed
Dorcnv
tat*
Black Butte Superfund mine site is located in Lane County
in rural western Oregon (pictured). The site is situated on
the south slope of Black Butte Mountain, which is part of
the Calapooya Divide. The Cottage Grove reservoir is
uniquely connected with Black Butte, in that the mine is the
principle source of mercury (Hg) contaminating the
reservoir sediments. The environmental threats on the site
are massive tailings piles that are exposed to the elements.
These tailings piles are leaching mercury and arsenic into
the surrounding soil and surface waters. There is concern
about Hg and methyl mercury (MeHg) contamination of
drinking water and fish in the Cottage Grove reservoir.
ETSC has provided scientific and financial support to begin
an assessment of where and how much MeHg is present in
the stream leading from the mine to the reservoir, and also
to better understand the dynamic processes that cause
methylation. Through this investigation, the ETSC has
outlined the dynamic process of MeHg that happens in the
benthos of the lake in the Cottage Grove reservoir when
water levels are seasonally modulated by the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers. This research will lead to a better understanding of the methylation process, thereby
allowing researchers and contaminated site managers to reduce methylation in this, and other similarly
contaminated watersheds. This knowledge can potentially be applied to a number of other contaminated
sites in the west including Carson River and Sulfur Bank Superfund sites - where methyl mercury
continues to contaminate community drinking water sources.
ETSC Impact at Landfill Remediation Sites
Fort Devens (Region 1)
Fort Devens Superfund site, once a military base with extensive contamination, is now part of a large-
scale redevelopment effort in central Massachusetts. Soil and groundwater contamination occurred from
military activities at the site since 1917. The primary contaminant of concern associated with the site is
arsenic in the landfill, which has been detected in surface water at the site called 'Red Cove'. The red
color of the cove is associated with iron and arsenic in the sediments. Iron and arsenic are deposited there
through chemical processes as the contaminated groundwater flowing from the landfill emerges from the
base of the pond. ETSC personnel have been involved at the site for a number of years, and have
produced publications relevant to the cleanup of the site, and technical support for the remediation of the
landfill on site (Final Report; Arsenic Fate. Transport and Stability Study; Groundwater. Surface Water.
Figure 15: Location of Black Butte Mine, Near
Cottage Grove, OR
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Soil And Sediment Investigation. Fort Devens Superfund Site. Devens.
Massachusetts). ORD recommendations were implemented at this site,
including the installation of a slurry wall upgradient of Red Cove to divert
the contaminated groundwater plume, targeted removal of contaminated
sediments in Red Cove portion of pond, and the design and installation of a
performance monitoring system to verify groundwater contaminant flux
reduction from the landfill. The closure and cleanup of the site
attracted numerous public and private sector organizations that
recognized the redevelopment potential for part of the site. The State
redevelopment authority 'MassDevelopment' has brought
warehouses and distribution centers, manufacturing and industrial
space, and research and development facilities to the remediated and
restored part of the site. Several federal agencies, including the
Department of Justice, the Department of Labor and the Department
of Defense collaborated on the site's redevelopment, and put almost
600 acres back into productive use. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (USFWS) used another 836 acres of the site to expand the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge. This
successful partnership between EPA, the Department of Defense, the U.S. Army, the State of
Massachusetts and "MassDevelopment' in support of redevelopment has contributed to increased
employment opportunities as well as increased revenue for the local community.
Figure 16: Location of Ft. Devens,
Ayer, MA, and a Frog Pictured in
'Red Cove'
Goose Farm (Region 2)
Goose Farm Superfund
site is a 6.6 acre area
located in Ocean County,
New Jersey. Between
1940 and 1970, the site
owner manufactured
rubber and rocket
fuel/propellant. The site
owner also landfilled
Figure 17: Location of
Goose Farm, Plumstead, NJ laboratory waste
chemicals, bulk liquids
and drums at the site. Soil and groundwater are
contaminated with VOC and SVOC, which are
potentially harmful and can easily evaporate. Soil
was also found to be contaminated with PCB.
Contaminants from the on-site burial pit entered the groundwater, and contaminated a tributary of the
Delaware River. Source removal and site remediation were undertaken by the Region, and approximately
5,000 containers of waste, as well as approximately 9,000 gallons of bulk liquids were removed from the
site. This action included removing drums filled with PCB waste, contaminated soil and liquids. In 1985,
EPA installed a groundwater extraction and treatment system (GETS), and conducted soil flushing to
Figure 18: Example of an In-situ Chemical Oxidation
Process at a Superfund Site
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remove contaminants from the soil. The site owner constructed a wall around the contaminated
groundwater area to prevent migration off-site. In 2013, the ETSC provided an engineering review of
plans for a pilot plant to perform in-situ chemical oxidation of contaminated shallow groundwater at the
site using an ozone air sparging technique to remediate VOCs.
ETSC Assisted Materials Management Sites
Ace Services (Region 7)
The 2.5-acre Ace Services Superfund site in Colby, Kansas once hosted a chrome
plating plant. The soil, shallow groundwater and surface water at the site are
contaminated with chromium, and of particular concern - Chromium VI. Over
the 13 year EPA and state involvement at the site, the overarching goal has been replacing contaminated
drinking water wells with a centralized, city-based water
treatment system to substantially reduce human health risk.
ETSC involvement at the site includes providing
groundwater modeling efforts to understand contaminant
concentrations, appropriate pumping rates for the water
treatment facility, time to meet cleanup standards, and
potential rebound if the pumping system is shut down.
Along with cleanup efforts, EPA has been actively involved
in addressing the concerns of the community of Colby, KS.
EPA keeps up-to-date fact sheets, an 800 number, and
regular media briefings to keep the community informed on
progress at the site. In working with residents, EPA found
that the community's primary concerns centered on
conserving and cleaning up the groundwater and the potential for economic development at the Ace site.
Community leaders see potential for property reuse; however, the overarching concern remains the town's
water quality and EPA is committed to addressing that key issue.
Figure 19: Location of Ace Services in Colby, KS
and an operations team at the site.
American Cyanamid
(Region 2)
The 5 75-acre American
Cyanamid Superfund site in
Bridgewater, New Jersey is
located adjacent to the Raritan
River and lies above the
Brunswick Aquifer, New
Jersey's second largest source
for drinking water. The site
has many operational units
with both groundwater and
Figure 20: Location of the American Cyanamid Site in Bridgewater, NJ; along with
an aerial photo and a lagoon located at the site post Hurricane Sandy.
15 ETSC Annual Report Fiscal Year 2013
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soil that are contaminated with VOC, SVOC, metals, and other harmful chemicals. In September 2012.
EPA selected a remedy for site-wide soils, groundwater, and impoundment contents. This remedy called
for in-situ solidification and/or the installation of engineered capping systems to address contaminated
soils and the three contaminated impoundments on-site. The remedy also called for installation and
operation of a collection and treatment system for contaminated groundwater. An ecological risk
assessment was also prescribed to determine whether the impoundments on-site would require excavation
and relocation. A settlement agreement was executed in March, 2013 for the remedial design. The site-
wide remedy should be completed in 2015.
ETSC involvement included comments on plans for a thermal desorption and in-situ stabilization project
in Operational Unit 8 (OU-8). Properties adjacent to this one were included in the Superfund National
Priority List (NPL), but were successfully remediated and removed from the NPL in 1998. These were
considered admirable success stories. These de-listed NPL sites have since been redeveloped for
commercial use including retail stores, a baseball stadium, and a commuter/baseball parking lot.
Salford Quarry (Region 3)
Salford Quarry Superfund site is a historic backfilled shale
quarry located in eastern Pennsylvania that was added to the
NPL in 2009. The backfilled quarry is in the vicinity of both
public and private water wells that serve -54,000 people.
After quarrying, the site was used for a number of purposes
including dumping of industrial, commercial and residential
waste. Fly ash and buried tanks containing boron and
Figure 21: Location of the Salford Quarry Site in
fuel oil were also deposited at the site .ETSC Salford Township) PA
involvement at the site includes a water sampling effort
to quantify boron contamination, and a feasibility study to identify the best methods for remediating
boron contaminated soil and water. Technologies under consideration are an ion exchange resin, pH-
driven precipitation in large treatment ponds, or a reactive barrier-forward osmosis treatment system to
sequester boron and selenium from the pumped groundwater. Our goal at this site is to assist the region
and local stakeholders in selecting and implementing a GETS that meets the region's Superfund
remediation requirements, and complies with state and federal groundwater standards.
Raritan Bay Slag Site (Region 2)
The Raritan Bay Slag Superfund site is located in the Laurence Harbor section of Old Bridge and in
Sayreville, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The site was added to the NPL in 2009. The Laurence
Harbor seawall, which makes up part of the site, was reported to contain metal slag from blast furnace
bottoms deposited along the beachfront in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Remedial Investigation field
activities were conducted from September 2010 through June 2011. Results showed significantly elevated
levels of lead in the slag, soil, sediment, and surface water. The seawall also contains shredded
automotive batteries.
16 ETSC Annual Report Fiscal Year 2013
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Figure 22: Raritan Bay Slag Superfund Site
(top); EPA-led Sediment Sampling Being
Carried Out (bottom)
In September 2012 EPA released a Proposed Plan for the site
which identified EPA's preferred cleanup plan. Public
comment on the preferred cleanup plan concluded in 2012.
The preferred cleanup plan included, among other things,
excavation/dredging and off-site disposal. Slag, battery
casings and associated wastes and contaminated and highly
impacted soils and sediment above the cleanup level would
be excavated and/or dredged and disposed of at appropriate
off-site facilities. Surface water monitoring would be
performed to confirm that there are no increased risks due to
removal activities. Currently, EPA estimates that once
started, remediation activities would last 5-7 years until the
site is fully remediated. The ETSC is involved at the site to
develop a remediation technique to remove the lead from the
contaminated beach area. The ETSC carried out a review of
the technologies available for the lead separation from the
slag/beach area and the technique of magnetic separation was
found to be most feasible. A bench scale study on lead
removal from slag was submitted to the RPM for
consideration. Post deletion from the NPL, plans for reuse
include a recreational space and park on-site.
Franklin Slag (Region 3)
The Franklin Slag Pile Superfund site is located on a
three-acre property in the Port Richmond industrial
area of Philadelphia; bordered to the west by Interstate
95 and to the east by the Delaware River. The site
consists of a covered slag pile containing an estimated
68,000 cubic yards of slag material (comprised of
many metals, including aluminum, beryllium,
chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, and lead)
- a byproduct from the copper smelter at the
neighboring Franklin Smelting and Refining Corp.
MDC, the operator of the site from the 1950's to 1999,
sold the slag as sand-blasting grit. The Franklin Slag
site was added to the NPL in 2002 after a series of
emergency cleanup efforts at the site resulting in
shipping 12,000 tons of slag and soil, 246 tons of
hazardous debris, and 20 tons of bagged slag off-site
Figure 23: Location of the Franklin Slag Pile for disposal; cleaning and dismantling equipment,
Superfund Site and the Adjacent Franklin Smelter Site buildings and structures; transporting fuels and oils off-
Where the Slag Was Generated. for ^ pogt emerg£ncy cleanupS5 EPA covered
17|ETSC Annual Report Fiscal Year 2013
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the remaining site with thick plastic and fenced the entire property. The agency completed a Remedial
Investigation and Feasibility Study for the site in June 2007, and proposed installing a permanent cap over
the site. Post RI/FS, other remediation solutions are being explored and ETSC has been consulted to
solicit proposals from private entities for potential slag cleanup methods. Dantig Inc. submitted a proposal
to build a furnace on site that would remediate the slag efficiently while collecting all potential
environmental contaminants for beneficial reuse. Reuse plans at the site will be contingent upon the
remediation technique chosen. On a positive note, properties associated with the smelting operation are
now being re-used for commercial purposes.
LCP Chemical (Region 4)
jfT /- The 550 acre LCP Chemical Superfund site in Brunswick, GA consists mostly of tidal
marsh. The site was added to the NPL in 1996. The remaining portion of the site
includes former petroleum process buildings, former mercury cell buildings and an
administration office. The site is located near a paper company, a county facility and an
estuary. The site is bordered by the Turtle River marshes to the west and south, and
urban populations of Brunswick to the north and east. Several residences are located south of the site. The
site also includes a 10.5-acre highly alkaline caustic brine pool.
From the 1920s to 1994, facilities at the site included an oil refinery, a paint manufacturing company, a
power plant and a chlor-alkali plant. The companies operating these facilities included Atlantic Refining
Company, Georgia Power Company, Dixie Paints and Varnish Company (now the O'Brien Company),
Allied Chemical Inc. (now Honeywell International, Inc.), and Hanlin Group subsidiary LCP Chemicals-
Georgia, Inc. Site investigations identified contamination in groundwater, soil and sediments from the
sites manufacturing legacy that could potentially
harm people in the area. Contaminants of
concern identified include polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy
metals, including mercury,
lead, chromium, beryllium, arsenic and vanadium.
ETSC involvement at the site includes servicing an
RPM request for design assistance and commentary
on a Thin Layer Capping project within the estuary
area on the site to encapsulate and reduce exposure
for benthic micro- and macro-organisms. EPA has
worked with the community and its state partner to
develop a long-term cleanup plan for the site,
reflecting the Agency's commitment to safe, healthy
communities and environmental protection. EPA has
conducted a range of community involvement
activities to solicit community input and to make sure
the public remains informed about site activities
throughout the cleanup process. Outreach efforts have
Figure 24: Location and Aerial photo of the LCP
Chemical Superfund Site in Brunswick, GA
18 ETSC Annual Report Fiscal Year 2013
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included public meetings and public notices regarding major cleanup activities. The Glvnn Environmental
Coalition is an active community group engaged at the site. EPA's site project manager provides quarterly
site updates to the group and speaks at their monthly meetings.
Stauffer Chemical (Region 4)
The Stauffer Chemical Co. (Cold Creek Plant) Superfund site in Bucks, AL includes the area where
Stauffer Chemical Company (Stauffer), an agricultural chemical manufacturing
facility, operated beginning in 1966. EPA
placed the site on the NPL in 1984 due to
contaminated groundwater, sediment and
soil resulting from manufacturing
operations. Contaminants encountered at
the site include carbon tetrachloride, carbon
disulfide and mercury. This contamination,
chiefly mercury, has been detected in the
fish in the adjacent wetland. The site's
potentially responsible party (PRP), EPA
and the Alabama Department of
Environmental Management (ADEM) have
investigated site conditions and concluded
Figure 25: Location and aerial photo of the Stauffer Chemical
Superfund Site including both the Cold Creek and Lemoyne
Plants. The Tensaw River, a highly biodiverse river system, is
pictured on the right.
that site contamination does not currently
threaten people living and working near the
area. ETSC involvement at the site includes
research and design of a thin layer cap that will
be placed in a brackish wetland on the site. The ultimate goal of the cap is to separate the contaminated
sediment from benthic feeding organisms to cut off the bioaccumulation pathway. In addition, EPA has
worked with the community and its state partner to develop a long-term cleanup plan for the site,
reflecting the Agency's commitment to safe, healthy communities and environmental protection. In
addition to cleanup activities, EPA is connected to the community near this site. Activities connecting the
community and EPA include; regular public meetings to inform the concerned citizens of ongoing work
on the site, community input on all site activities, and including public comment on proposed
amendments to the original 1993 Record of Decision (ROD).
Matthiessen and Hegeler Zinc Company (Region 5)
The 160-acre Matthiessen and Hegeler Zinc Company Superfund site is located in La
Salle, IL along the Little Vermillion River. From 1858 until 1978, the site primarily
housed a zinc smelting and rolling facility. Other site operations included ammonium
sulfate fertilizer production, sulfuric acid production and coal mining. La Salle Rolling
Mills continued operations on the site until the firm's bankruptcy in 2001. These
industrial activities led to the site being listed on the NPL in 2005. Samples collected from the two large
slag piles located along the Little Vermillion River revealed elevated concentrations of several metals
19 ETSC Annual Report Fiscal Year 2013
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including cadmium, copper, chromium, lead, nickel and
zinc. Sediment samples collected within the river were
also found to contain high levels of the same metals
found in the slag piles, indicating that the river has
likely been impacted by the site. Other samples
collected on-site show low levels of a variety of
contaminants that include pesticides, polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs), and solvents and chemicals related to
oil and coal. In September 1999, the Agency for Toxic
Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the
Illinois Department of Public Health issued a public
health statement to the nearly 1,700 nearby residents
stating that the site was a public health hazard due to the
presence of cadmium and lead found in soil. At the
request of the region, ETSC provided a review of the
remediation investigation/feasibility study (RI/FS) for
this site and provided comments to the Region.
Zinc slag pile
Figure 26: Location and a representative zinc slag
pile at the Matthiessen and Hegeler Zinc Company
in La Salle, IL.
Sustainability in the Community
Omaha Lead (Region 7)
Omaha Lead Site in Omaha, NE is one of the largest urban Superfund sites in the United
States. The site was added to the NPL in 2003. ASARCO operated a lead refinery from the
1870's until 1997 on the site. For 125 years, smokestacks from the refinery released lead
containing particulates that eventually contaminated 27 square miles of downtown Omaha.
The site was also near a lead battery recycling plant, another potential contributor to the soil
contamination across the area. After the refinery was shutdown, soil from residential and business
properties across east Omaha were sampled for lead, and routinely found to exceed 2,500 mg/kg. Clean
up and removal actions on the site began in 1999 with child care facilities, and has continued with 2600+
properties being remediated to date. In recent years, EPA has committed approximately $25 million in
Recovery Act funds to significantly increase the pace of ongoing long-term soil cleanup and lead-based
paint stabilization activities. Small businesses with incentives to hire and purchase materials locally will
conduct the work. While EPA continues to work at this site, the funding will help expedite
implementation of the final cleanup approach for the site. This site is projected to be completed in five to
ten years. In FY2013, ETSC was involved in two projects at the site. The first was creating a report from
the Phase 1 assessment completed in late 2012 that was submitted to the region in 2013. The second
project is a complex, socioeconomic investigation of the links between lead exposure and quality of
human life. The results of this study are currently being analyzed, and EPA number documents and peer-
reviewed journal articles will eventually be prepared. Public/community involvement in Superfund action
is of central importance to the EPA, in the case of the Omaha Lead Superfund site, questions of
environmental effects of lead exposure on humans were encountered often. In response to these
20 ETSC Annual Report Fiscal Year 2013
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Figure 27: Omaha Lead Superfund Site,
one of the largest Superfund sites in the
United States.
community concerns, A Community Advisory Group (CAG) has
been active at this site since its formation in January 2004. The
CAG has worked with EPA to ensure the public and community
have easy access to site information. Two examples of this
access are: 1) site oversight personnel are present in the
community, and 2) a local office and phone number were
established for community engagement. Community awareness
and EPA action has led to a steady decline in the number of
children in the affected area identified with elevated blood-lead
levels.
San Jacinto River Waste Pits (Region 6)
The San Jacinto River Waste Pits Superfund site is located in Harris County in
Eastern Texas. The site consists of 2 impoundments located north and south of
U.S. Interstate 10. These impoundments were constructed in the mid-1960's to
house paper mill waste from the Champion Paper Mill, in Pasadena, TX. The
mill used chlorine as a bleaching agent for paper production, and the process
wastes were deposited in the impoundments seen in Fig. 29. This waste was
contaminated with polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated furans
(dioxins and furans), and some metals. Physical changes at the site in the 1970s
and 1980s resulted in partial submergence of the impoundments north of 1-10 and
exposure of the contents to surface waters, creating health risks at the site. Furthermore, residential,
commercial, industrial and other land use activities are occurring within the area surrounding the site.
Figure 28: Location of
the San Jacinto River
waste pits in
Channelview, TX.
To prevent surface water infiltration and
human/benthic contact on the site, EPA installed
temporary caps to stabilize the waste pits in 2010 until
the remedial investigation and feasibility studies were
carried out. In 2012, pore water sampling within the
surface of the caps found the caps successfully
contained the contaminated material. In July 2012
some erosion of the armor rock was seen on the west
side of one of the caps. The underlying geotextile was
intact, and there was no visible exposure of the waste
material in the waste pits. Maintenance of the cap
consisted of placing new armor rock material that is
denser than the material originally specified for this
area. The repair work was performed in August, 2012
(Fig. 30). ETSC provided support to the region in the
form of comments/input on the Superfund cleanup plan
for this site involving sustainable ex-situ treatment technologies to permanently stabilize the contents of
Figure 29: Aerial photo of the San Jacinto River
waste pits. Operational Units 1 and 2 are separated
by Interstate 10. The southern portion of the site is
tidally influenced.
21 ETSC Annual Report Fiscal Year 2013
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the waste pits. If ex-situ treatment technologies are successful at the site, EPA assistance can be reduced
and the site could be removed from the National Priority List.
Figure 30: Repair activities to the armor cap at the San Jacinto Waste Pit Superfund Site in 2012.
Grants Chlorinated Solvents (Region 6)
Figure 31: Location of
the Grants
Chlorinated Sovents
Superfund site in
Grants, NM.
Vapors and liquid to extraction
and treatment system
Vapor Cap
Grants Chlorinated Solvents Superfund site is located in northwestern New
Mexico along the 1-40 corridor in the heart of Navajo Country. The site was once
occupied by a dry cleaner and the shallow groundwater is contaminated with
PCE. It was added to the NPL in 2004. The contamination is believed to be
present in a shallow aquifer underlying residential and commercial facilities
within the city of Grants causing vapor intrusion in buildings above the plume.
The wells for the city are located 2 miles north of the site and have not been
impacted by the plume. The city water wells provide drinking water to
approximately 14,000 residents in Grants, San Rafael and Milan. The primary
contaminant of concern, tetrachloroethene (PCE) has been found at levels up to
51,000 parts per billion (ppb) in the groundwater.
Figure 32: Schematic of the electrical resistance
heating (ERH) thermal technology installed at the
Grants Chlorinated Solvents Superfund Site. This
system is responsible for remediation of 33,000 cubic
yards of soil.
To remediate PCE, an electrical resistance heating (ERH)
system integrated with multiphase extraction (MPE) was
installed at the site in late 2011. This system has
capacity to remove 94 and 100% of contaminant mass
from soil and groundwater, respectively. This system has
successfully remediated 33,000 cubic yards of soil. Other
selected remedy includes mitigation for vapor intrusion
and chemical dechlorination technologies to address
shallow and deep groundwater contamination. The
ETSC has partnered with OSWERto evaluate the
performance and compare three models for characterizing
behavior and movement of groundwater contamination.
22 ETSC Annual Report Fiscal Year 2013
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This green footprint related analysis is scheduled to be published as an EPA numbered document in 2014.
Treasure Island (Region 9)
Treasure Island Superfund site (Hunter's Point) was established as a
private dock in 1869 and encompasses 936 acres (522 acres dry land
and 414 acres submerged in San Francisco Bay) in the southeast corner
of San Francisco, CA. Over time, the site was owned by both public and
private entities, including the United States Navy, and generated
massive amounts of wastes including paints, solvents, fuels, acids,
bases, metals, PCBs and asbestos. Before regulation, these
Figure 33- Location of the Treasure contaminants were sometimes dumped directly into the San Francisco
Island (Hunter's Point) Naval Yard Bay causing contamination of the surrounding marine benthos.
Superfund Site in San Francisco, CA Jn 1989, EPA placed the Shipyard on the NPL. The cleanup program
is conducted by the Navy pursuant to the Installation Restoration Program, a federally funded program
established by the Department of Defense (DOD) to identify, investigate, and control the migration of
hazardous substances at military and other DOD facilities. The major remediation efforts to date include
the removal of 20,000 truckloads of chemically contaminated soils, 4,000 truckloads of radiologically
contaminated soils, and 23 miles of sewer and storm drain
pipelines removed. The site also contains VOC contaminated
soil that is being remediated through a soil vapor extraction
system. Currently, ETSC has partnered with the Navy in
conducting thermal remediation and solidification pilot
studies. The ETSC is involved to ensure that the method
selected will be effective for the contaminants present, so the
land can be safely used by the public after remediation is
complete.
Community involvement at the site is encouraged by both the
EPA and Navy. Regular public meetings as well as a small
grant program, implemented in 1995, are available to citizens
with concerns or innovative ideas to help clean up the site.
Figure 34: Aerial photo of the Treasure Island
(Hunter's Point) Naval Yard Superfund Site in
2010.
Interagency Collaborations; Great Lakes National Program Office
(GLNPO)
The Trenton Channel Sediments site is located on the Detroit River in Detroit, MI. This eight mile
'straight' flows past the suburban Detroit communities of Wyandotte, Riverview, Trenton, and Grosse lie,
MI. The area is part of the Detroit River Area of Concern, an area of about 700 square miles that is
comprised of lands owned by both the United States and Canada. Moreover, the Trenton Channel also
23 ETSC Annual Report Fiscal Year 2013
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11 fii[nn Channel StudvArea
Figure 35: Map of the location of the Trenton Channel
GLNPO site.
lies within the Detroit River International
Wildlife Refuge, the first international refuge
designated in North America.
Trenton Channel falls under the jurisdiction of
the EPA's Great Lakes National Program Office
(GLNPO) an organization that coordinates U.S.
efforts with Canada under the Great Lakes Water
Quality Agreement (GLWQA) to restore and
maintain the chemical, physical and biological
integrity of the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem,
which includes Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron,
Erie, and Ontario. GLNPO is part of the Great
Lakes Restoration Initiative, an effort by 11 federal
agencies to develop an action plan centered on
cleaning up toxic areas of concern, combating invasive species, reducing runoff to protect near shore
habitat, and restoring wetlands.
Historical contamination of the Trenton Channel comes from a variety of sources including industry,
municipal discharges, urban runoff, sewer overflows, and other non-point source pollutants. A remedial
investigation, funded by the Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2002, was undertaken in 2006 by GLNPO and the
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. The final report was issued in 2010. Findings include
PAH, PCB, and mercury concentrations in sediments were elevated above set benchmarks. Sediment
contamination is the main concern for the Trenton Channel area due to toxicity issues affecting benthic
micro/ macrofauna feeding within the sediment, along with documented bioaccumulation of contaminants
into larger organisms feeding on these benthic fauna.
Large remediation efforts at the site include a BASF
Wyandotte Corporation funded dredging effort near
the BASF Riverview site (located in the Trenton
Channel). This effort resulted in removal of 30,000
cubic yards of contaminated sediments. This project is
still in its early stages and many contaminants of
concern have been identified to date. In 2013, ETSC
conducted a literature review to assist GLNPO in the
establishment of a toxicity screening level for
chloronapthalenes in the Trenton Channel. The ETSC
completed this project, but continues to consult with
Figure 36: "Mudpuppy," the sediment sampling vessel used p j ivrpo t H
at the Trenton Channel GLNPO site. ' ^U
24 ETSC Annual Report Fiscal Year 2013
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National and Global Impacts of the ETSC
In FY 2013, the ETSC received 189 unique technical support requests (see Figure 37). One-hundred
fifteen of those requests fulfilled Superfund related issues (74% of total sites serviced), and 66% of those
Superfund sites were listed on the National Priority List. The ETSC also serviced 24 RCRA, two
Brownfields and three international sites, including two sites in Vietnam and one in Canada. In 2013, the
ETSC also provided support to sites located in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
Figure 37: Map of ETSC FY2013 Technical Support Requests including sites in Vietnam,
Canada, Alaska, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii.
Categorization of ETSC activities illustrates that U.S. EPA Regions 7, 9 and 10 account for more than
half of the technical support requests to the Center, with Region 10 alone accounting for 25% of the total.
Metals, PCBs and chlorinated solvents are the most common contaminants involved in technical support
requests. In the past year, the most common remedial solutions applied at sites were groundwater pump
and treat systems, landfilling, and fate and transport modeling. The most common types of media
involved in technical support requests were soil, groundwater and sediments.
The pie charts in Figure 38 illustrate the breakdown of where ETSC work took place, the contaminants of
concern, types of contaminated media, and remedial solutions applied at sites. Note that a single site
could have multiple remedial solutions, contaminants, and contaminated media types.
25 ETSC Annual Report Fiscal Year 2013
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International Region 1 Region 2
2% I 5% _?%
Region 3
8%
Thermal
Desorption
5%
Petroleum, 6
Leachate, 6
Creosote, 3
Removal
5%
In Situ
Oxidation
3%
Bioremediatio
n
8%
>
^MIW
Leachate, 6
Phytoremedia
tion
8%
Surface
Water, 9
Figure 38: A. Regional breakdown of technical support requests (%), B. contaminants
encountered (#), C. remedial solutions used at sites in % (multiple solutions could be
used at one site), and D., type of media that is being remediated (#).
26 ETSC Annual Report Fiscal Year 2013
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Summary
The projects and investigations presented here are a selected sample of those being undertaken by the
ETSC. A number of these investigations have provided substantial results, and others are working toward
that end. The selected investigations provide insight into the unique role that ETSC plays as a bridge
between environmental remediation (as applied research) and innovative engineering research in ORD.
Firm examples of the impact and contributions the ETSC provides to clients in EPA Offices and the
Regions include:
1) Development, field evaluation, and demonstration of bioremediation technologies:
Biochemical reactors for potential treatment option at metal-rich acid mine drainage sites
Design and implement evapotranspiration covers for landfills and Superfund sites to assist in
remediating VOCs and other compounds from soil.
2) Development, field evaluation, and demonstration of groundwater treatment technologies:
Design, develop and evaluate permeable reactive barrier technologies to slow or stop
groundwater contaminants from escaping sites.
Provide state of the art spatiotemporal fate and transport groundwater modeling to evaluate
existing systems or guide remedy selection.
Provide groundwater pump and treat system design and optimization.
3) Evaluate sediment capping efficacy, environmental impacts, and long-term sustainability.
4) Conduct analyses or studies to determine beneficial reuse of waste.
5) Provide engineering plan design reviews to ensure efficacy of selected site treatment or remedy, and
cost efficiency:
Implement proven technologies when it is a viable solution, such as applications of in-situ
solidification, thermal desorption and in-situ chemical oxidation.
6) Continue to provide timely and relevant technical support to contaminated sites:
Research, evaluate or demonstrate new and innovative treatment technologies.
Provide expert assistance in a broad range of topics including toxicity and health effects studies,
and life-cycle analyses (e.g., determining 'green footprint' and evaluating other sustainable
practices and remedies.)
Through its interdisciplinary background, the ETSC staff brings creative thinking to life by applying
innovative engineering research in real-world scenarios. In addition to the promise they inspire, these
innovations have the potential to produce long-lasting dividends and ultimately safer and healthier
communities.
ETSC Contact Information:
John McKernan; Director, ORD Engineering Technical Support Center
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
26 W. Martin Luther King Dr., Mail Stop 489A
Cincinnati, OH 45268
513.569.7415 (Office) 513.569.7676 (Fax)
McKernan. John@epa. gov
27 ETSC Annual Report Fiscal Year 2013
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