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THIRD QUARTER REPORT
OF THE
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND SUPPORT LABORATORY
LAS VEGAS
JULY THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1977
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND SUPPORT LABORATORY
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 89114
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CONTENTS
EAG£
EVENTS OF GENERAL INTEREST 1
BIOLOGICAL MONITORING 2
MONITORING SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT 6
EQUIPMENT AND TECHNIQUES DEVELOPMENT 8
MONITORING 11
QUALITY ASSURANCE 13
TECHNICAL SUPPORT 15
SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL R'.PORTS 20
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GENERAL INTEREST
A Biological Testing Workshop, co-sponsored by the Las Vegas
Laboratory and the Office of Toxic Substances, EPA, was held in
Las Vegas, September 12 through 16. The objectives of the work-
shop were two-fold. The first was to identify and recommend
those screening tests that are immediately applicable and sub-
stantially predictive of the impact of chemical pollutants on
biological systems. The second, based on the opinions of the
convened experts, was to detail the shortcomings and omissions of
the available testing methods and recommend the actions most
likely to alleviate the current testing deficiencies. The 45
participants represented 6 Federal agencies, 5 universities, and
2 private scientific firms, all engaged in some aspect of bio-
logical testing. The results of the workshop will be published
by the Las Vegas Laboratory.
At the request of Region IV, Mr. Earl Wh it taker of the Qual-
ity Assurance Branch of the Laboratory's Monitoring Systems Re-
search and Development Division conducted a training course on
August 8 through 12 at the South Carolina Department of Health
and Environmental Control Laboratory. The course , entitled
"Radium-226 and Radium - 2 2 8 Laboratory Analytical Procedures,"
was sponsored by the Region IV Training Committee arid the South
Carolina Department of Health. Representatives of States in
Region IV and other regions attended.
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BIOLOGICAL MONITORING
SOIL AND PLANTS
In a study on the kinetics of me thy I me rcury formation, ionic
mercury was applied to sterile and non-sterile soil systems.
Mercury compounds in the atmosphere above the soil systems were
collected and analysed by Zeeman atomic absorption spectrophoto-
metry. A direct relationship was found between the proportion of
soluble mercury species in the non-sterile soils and the rate of
volatility of mercury compounds. Very little mercury in any form
was volatilized from the sterile soils. There seems to be a
complex relationship between mercury volatility and microbial
activity, the exact kinetics of which are yet to be determined.
In further work on me thyImercurv formation in terrestrial
systems, various techniques for separating the organic acid
fractions in the soils were developed and employed. Gas chromato-
graphy analyses were preformed to identify the different species
of mercury extracted. The goal was to develop pure forms of
organic acid extracts of soil so that rates of methylmercury
production could be determined. Results of the studies indicate
that ionic mercury could be transformed into methylmercury in the
soil systems but, contrary to earlier thinking, the cause of the
transformation was an abiological process. Further experiments
with the extracting procedures indicate that the methylation
factor is located somewhere within the fulvic acid fraction of
the soil system.
In a study to determine chemical forms and pathways of mer-
cury in plants after foliar and root uptake of the metal in
various forms, pea plants were exposed to various inorganic forms
of mercury through soil, hydroponic solutions, and air. The
plants were studied in controlled, sealed chambers under both
light and dark conditions. The biochemical pathways responsible
for forming various a Iky 1 forms of mercury after different ex-
posure routes were also studied. It was found that the plants
give off mercury in both the elemental and dimethyl forms. The
dimethyl form is given off under both light and dark conditions,
with greater release occurring in the light. The elemental form
is given off sporadically in either light or dark conditions.
Mercury compounds that have been tested are mercuric sulfide,
mercuric chloride, mercuric nitrate, and mercuric acetate. The
biochemical studies indicated that the methionine pathway is
important in the formation of both methyl- and dimethylmercury
compounds.
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In another study, leaves and stems of pea plants were
exposed to various chemical forms of mercury to evaluate the
significance of mercury as a foliar pollutant. Chemical trans-
formation of mercury in the plants was determined as were the
chemical forms of mercury released from the plants. Plants were
exposed to ionic, organic, and elemental forms of mercury.
Chambers were designed so that air flow of 100 milliliters per
minute passed through the chamber continuously. Samples were
withdrawn with a gas-tight microsyringe and analyzed by gas
chrorcat ography•microwave emission spectrometry. It was deter-
mined that ethyl-, methyl- and dime thylmercury were formed in pea
plants after they had been exposed to elemental mercury by the
aerial route, but only dimethylmercury was released. It was
found that as little as 7 to 10 parts per billion of elemental
mercury could induce the formation of the three forms of mercury.
Plants exposed via roots to either inorganic or organic mercury
produce me thylmercury, which is retained in the plants, and
elemental mercury and dimethylmercury which are released,
lithy 1 mercury is induced only when leaves are exposed to elemental
mercury, and it is not released from the plant.
Reports are being prepared on the movement of mercury-2QS in
plants; the development of a versatile, highly sensitive mercury
field monitor; and biological metabolites involved in the enzynuc
formation of methylinercury in plants.
Research on the influence of microbial activity on the solu-
bility and availability of plutonium is proceeding in two general
areas;
1. To determine if plants can take up plutonium particles,
from soil, portable greenhouses were used at ground aero. Area
13, of the Nevada Test Site, This area was contaminated with
plutonium in an early safety test of a nuclear device. To date,
over 260 samples have been prepared for plutonium analysis. The
samples include soils and four different types of crops,
2. To determine the effects of soil microorganisms on
solubility of plutonium in Nevada Test. Site soils, plutonium in
sterile and non-sterile soils from the Site was studied. Every 6
months, plutonium is extracted from the soils using five dif-
ferent extractants. The extractions have been performed three
times so far, and over 120 samples have been counted by scin-
tillation techniques.
Transformation of arsenic and lead in soil and plant systems
was studied and more sensitive methods were developed to detect
arsenic and lead. Dust samples were collected at four public
schools in the Los Angeles area to be analyzed for lead content.
Portions will be fed to rats to compare intestinal absorption and
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metabolism of environmental forms of lead with those of the solu-
ble lead compounds usually used in toxicity studies. Results to
date show that very little lead was volatilized from soil systems
Plant roots dosed with arsenic trichloride released arsenic tri-
oxide or arsenic pentoxide through aerial portions of the plant,
thus indicating that plant systems may be capable of transporting
and transforming arsenic compounds from soil to the air.
DAIRY COWS
All laboratory work and calculations on the study of the
solubility of americium-241 nitrate in an artificial rumen and
simulated bovine gastrointestinal fluids have been completed.
Findings show that americium-241 in nitrate solution remains
relatively soluble in ruminant digestive fluids, A comparison of
the solubility of plutonium-2 38 nitrate with americium-241 ni-
trate indicates that, in the rumen, abomasum, and duodenum,
plutoniura-238 is more soluble than americium-241. During the
intestinal stages, the solubility of the two isotopes was similar.
The data indicate that bile solubilizes the americium present in
the gut. These results agree with those of previous solubility
studies using plutonium-238 and neptunium-234 which show that the
solubility of plutoniura is greater in the earlier intestinal
stages and, in the later stages, similar to that of neptunium.
SMALL MAMMALS
Sma11 animal studies were conducted to provide information
on the intestinal absorption, routes of excretion, and tissue
deposition of lead and cadmium administered intravenously.
Studies were undertaken to determine the relationship between the
lead-dosing rate of pregnant rats, placental transfer to the
fetus, and milk transfer to neonates. Experiments were conducted
to determine the usefulness of commercial instruments for esti-
mating induced toxicity by direct measurement of trace element
content or indirectly by measuring biochemical changes.
Initial range - finding experiments indicated that an average
of about 90 percent of an oral dose of lead - 210 was excreted in
the feces and 0.4 percent in the urine of the rats. After an
oral dose of cadmium-109, about 80 percent was recovered in the
feces and 0.03 percent in the urine. More detailed metabolic
experiments with lead-210 and cadmium-1n9 have been completed and
the data are being processed prior to evaluation.
The blood-zinc protoporphyrin (ZNP) Model 4000 Hematofluoro-
meter does not appear to be a practical field instrument for
determining lead toxicity because studies with rats have shown
that it takes from 7 to 18 days for the occurrence of elevated
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INP levels to indicate lead ingestion. A correlation between
dose levels and routes of administration to ZNP values is sug-
gested, but correlation between blood-zinc levels and ZNP values
has not as yet been determined.
ANIMAL INVESTIGATION
The monitoring of radionuclide uptake by animals residing on
the Nevada Test Site continued with the analysis of tissue
samples collected from the Nevada Test Site beef and the dairy
herds and from a variety of wildlife species. The kinds of wild-
life sampled included both transitory species, such as mule deer,
and resident species, such as rabbits. Tissue burdens from these
animals were generally within environmental limits. The cooper-
ative study with the Nevada Department of Fish and Game on the
migratory patterns of the Nevada Test Site mule deer herd con-
tinued with the capture of 10 additional mule deer and the place-
ment of transmitter collars on them. The movements of these deer
and those captured in the previous year were monitored by weekly
ground and/or aerial reconnaissance.
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MONITORING SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT
CARCINOGENS
Data from the National Cancer Institute Cancer Atlas and the
Organic Chemical Producers Data Base Program are being used to
develop a list of candidate organic carcinogens useful in labora-
tory studies of environmental pathways and fate of these pollu-
tants, The Laboratory's list is being combined with a list
developed by a contractor. The combined list includes both
benzene and carbon tetrachloride. In preliminary screening,
these two compounds were exposed to soil systems in closed
chambers. A loss of both compounds from the chamber atmosphere
was noted. Benzene was exposed to green plants via the aerial
route, again in sealed chambers, and within a few hundred hours
the benzene in the chamber atmosphere had disappeared. Similar
screening tests are being planned for many of the other compounds
on the combined list of candidates.
Another project was begun to determine if annual growth
rings of old trees would provide a retrospective record of
exposure to arsenic effluents. Trees approximately 100 to 120
years old were selected near the ASARCO smelter near Tacoraa,
Washington, Cores from the trees were taken and growth rings are
being analyzed for arsenic by neutron activation. Meteorological
records and plant production records are being obtained for
correlation with the tree data. Preliminary analyses show that
arsenic is not detectable in the growth rings representing years
prior to construction of the smelter (circa 1830), although it is
present in the rings representing succeeding years.
TOXIC MATERIALS
Extensive sampling for soil and vegetation has been conduc-
ted around the Four Corners Power Plant in northwest New Mexico
as part of the project to develop and apply biological monitoring
methods for assessing pollutant impact on the environment and to
integrate selected biological measurement systems into operation-
al networks- The soil samples have been analyzed for mercury,
lead, cadmium, zinc, copper, arsenic, and selenium. Over 1,300
soil analyses have been completed. The data from these show
there is a statistically significant, elevation in copper, lead,
and zi¦ ^ in soils collected out to a distance of 30 kilometers
west of the power plant.
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OXIDANTS
A methodology for designing ambient air-quality monitoring
networks has been developed and is being tested. Currently the
method is being applied to design a carbon-monoxide network in
the Phoenix, Arizona, area. The photochemical reaction alogrithm
in the air-quality simulation model used in the design method is
being tested using oxidant data collected in Las Vegas, Nevada,
and Tampa, Florida, A wind-field submodel for complex terrain
has also been developed and coded for computer solution. This
submodel will be tested against field data collected in Phoenix
and Las Vegas.
GEOTHERMAL
Field and laboratory studies are being conducted to develop
a strategy for monitoring changes in populations of indigenous
domestic plants and animals in areas associated with geothermal
resource development. Over 2,000 analyses have been completed
for soil samples collected at the San Diego Gas and Electric fa-
cility in the Imperial Valley, California, Periodic samples of
P1 ant s, soils, and small animals are also being collected in the
geothermal areas of the Imperial Valley and in Roosevelt Hot
Springs, Utah. In addition, plant community mapping, biomass
determinations, and a laboratory study of trace element retention
in small animals are in progress. These studies emphasize
biological and ecological monitors, potential pollutant transport
characteristics, and appropriate analytical instrumentation.
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EQUIPMENT AND TECHNIQUES DEVELOPMENT
The Las Vegas Laboratory is participating in a comprehensive
program to evaluate the real and potential air-quality impacts of
energy-related developments in the Western Energy Resource Devel-
opment Area. Of particular interest are proposed developments in
the eight-state region encompassing the Northern Great Plains,
the oil shale regions of Colorado and Utah, and the Four Corners
area. A report describing the Laboratory's involvement in this
program is being prepared for publication. During this quarter,
the Las Vegas Laboratory updated the emission source inventory
and initiated update of the monitoring network inventory. The
inventory includes the compilation of emissions data concerning
existing and proposed electric power generating facilities, oil
shale development sites and coal conversion facilities in the
eight-state region.
Air-quality parameters which best characterize these emis-
sions are particulate sulfates and fine particulates. According-
ly, two recently initiated projects axe the development of an ex-
panded sulfate monitoring network and the development of a fine-
particulate monitoring capability. Sulfate analyses are being
performed currently on samples from 43 stations in Montana, Colo-
rado and North and South Dakota by those States and from the Four
Corners area by the Ute Research Laboratories, under contract to
the Las Vegas Laboratory, Data accrued in the emission inventory
and sulfate monitoring network will be used in regional scale
modeling. Region VII is presently involved in regional scale
modeling in the Northern Great Plains area and the Environmental
Monitoring and Support Laboratory-Research Triangle Park and En-
vironmental Research and Technology, Inc. , under contract to the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, are developing
an emissions model of the Four Corners region.
REMOTE SENSING
The airborne laser fluorosensor for monitoring chlorophyll
a in surface water is being modified to correct for changes in
water absorption. Several test flights were made using the sys-
tem to detect algae. Results demonstrate that an operational
monitor can be constructed only if some knowledge of beam pene-
tration is obtained, presumably by monitoring a simultaneous Ra-
man return.
The light-aircraft sensor pod (Enviro-Pod) was successfully
demonstrated in Regions 1, II, III and IV as an effective and
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economical monitoring tool. Operational tests were conducted
during the Johnstown, Pa., flood; on a target in West Virginia,
selected by the Office of Toxic Substances; on a dredging opera-
tion in Tennessee; and on a PCB problem in the Delaware River.
A report describing the Enviro-Pod and the results of the opera-
tional tests will be published during the next quarter. Plans
for continuing the Enviro-Pod development program are being pre-
pared and include other sensor configurations; e.g., television,
infrared scanners and mapping cameras.
Results of measurements to compare total organic carbon with
fluorescence due to ultraviolet excitation have been statistical-
ly analyzed. Laboratory measurements demonstrate that a qualita-
tive remote monitoring system for measuring total organic carbon
compounds in water is feasible.
User guidelines were developed for the System for Processing
Infrared Data Acquired Remotely (SPIDAR). This system uses the
Daedalus I)S- 12 60 muIt. i spect ra 1 scanner and a 11 ows data processing
with the following improvements: a) drift and-gain-corrected
thermal data, b) a temperature-calibrated study area, c) a rec-
tified and scaled Image, and d) an annotated overlay. The guide-
lines integrated with ground truth measurements establish
absolute calibration. When ground truth is not provided the
thermal image indicates relative temperatures.
In the use of aerial mul t i spectral techniques to quantita-
tively determine turbidity, a data acquisition and analysis
program has been undertaken to demonstrate the feasibility of
remote multi-spectral techniques for monitoring suspended sedi-
ment concentrations in natural water bodies. Two hundred surface
albedo measurements (400 to 1000 nmj were taken at Lake Mead with
coincident water sampling for laboratory analysis. Water volume
spectral reflectance was calculated from the recorded surface
albedo and volume reflectance - suspended sediment relationships
were investigated. Statistical analysis has shown that quant i-
tive estimates of nonfilterable residue and nephelometric tur-
bidity can be made from volume spectral reflectance data with
sufficient accuracy to make the multispectral technique feasible
for sediment monitoring.
The earth-re fleeted differential absorption system was suc-
cessfully tested against a non-cooperative target and estimated
design parameters were met. This was be1ieved to be the first
measurement ever of this type. After evaluating the performance
of the system in a flight configuration, it was decided that a
redesign of the system using more suitable lasers was indicated.
The redesign is nearing compl tion. A procurement contract for
one of the lasers was let during this quarter.
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Significant software development included a simulation rou-
tine which can model lidar system response from theoretical plume
dispersion parameters. Software was also written to rapidly scan
lidar data tapes using a microcomputer and color cathode-rav
tube,
A project is being conducted through an interagency agree-
ment with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA) to fabricate and test a prototype waterborne automated in
situ multiparameter sensor system and to design and test air-
droppable sensor or sensor/sampler packages for deployment by
small aircraft. An umbilical sensor/sampler package has been
designed and tested on the Chesapeake Bay. Contracts have been
let for design and construction of two modules containing sensor,
memory, power, and communications elements. Fabrication of an-
choring and sampling modules is being conducted at NASA-Lang ley.
The system will be capable of deployment from a hovering heli-
copter into depths of 100 feet (30 meters).
A second interagency agreement with NASA-Langley was initi-
ated for development of an automated in situ co1i form sensor.
NASA-Lang ley is designing the sensor for a saltwater environment
and is investigating the synergistic actions of marine parameters
such as temperature and salinity effects on both the coliforms
and the instrument system.
In the studies to evaluate technology for monitoring small
basin non-point sources, benthological data analyses were com-
pleted and the "traveling kick" method of sampling was verified.
The "traveling kick" method, developed by the Laboratory, pro-
vides a precise means of collecting large numbers of macroinvcr-
tebrates in a stream environment. The method has been demonstra-
ted in field applications to be more efficient than conventional
techniques for sampling macro invertebrate fauna. The software
has also been completed for editing, conversion, reduction, and
statistical analysis of the benthological data. A paper describi
the "traveling kick" method and its application was prepared for
presentation at the Fourth Joint Conference on Sensing of Environ
mental Pollutants, in New Orleans, Louisiana, in November.
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MONITORING
Radiological safety support was provided for all nuclear
tests conducted at the Nevada Test Site during this quarter. For
each test, mobile ground and aerial radiological monitoring per-
sonnel were deployed in the off-site area and other Laboratory
personnel served as advisors to the Department of Energy (former-
ly the U.S. Energy Research and Development Administration). No
releases of radioactivity to the off-site area occurred as a re-
sult of the tests and all interim reports were submitted on sched-
ule.
All routine monitoring continued as usual. The Air Survci 1 -
lancc Network (ASN) of 48 continuously operating stations and 75
standby stations was operated, with the standby stations activa-
ted for their quarterly activation checkout during July, Routine
quarterly milk samples were collected from 20 stations of the
Milk Surveillance Network (MSN) in July. Ambient radiation lev-
els at 73 fixed stations and the personal exposures of 25 off-
site residents were monitored by the Dosimetry Network.
In addition to routine monitoring, the standby ASN stations
were activated on September .19 for an indefinite period to moni-
tor airborne radioactivity anticipated from the atmospheric nu-
clear test conducted by the People's Republic of China. Samples
were collected from four stations of the MSN in September follow-
ing the Chinese test. Sixty-eight samples from 33 stations of
the Standby Milk Surveillance Network, which also were collected
during an activation of the EPA's Pasteurized Milk Network for
the Chinese event, were analyzed.
Monthly water samples were collected from 10 locations of
the Long-Term Hydro logical Monitoring Program. A large-scale
effort was put forth to collect 770 soil and groundwater samples
from around the Project Dribble Site in September. Approximately
136 augered holes were drilled in a grid out to 400-feet (122 me-
ters) from ground zero. Soil samples were collected at every
foot of depth to the water table which was at about 7 to 8 feet
(2.1 to 2.4 meters) below the surface.
The Milk Cow and Population Survey for Nevada and adjacent
portions of Utah and California was completed. The Milk Direc-
tory was distributed in October.
An OV-10A aircraft, on bailment from the U.S. Navy to the
Department of Energy,Nevada Operations Office, was delivered to
the Laboratory and is undergoing equipment installation to sup-
port the nuclear testing program. The aircraft will provide
real-time meteorological data prior to each nuclear test, serve
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as an airborne data telemetry repeater in case of a release of
radioactivity from a nuclear test, and carry radiological detec
tion and sampling equipment as a secondary monitoring aircraft
the primary Turbo-Beech.
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QUALITY ASSURANCE
REFERENCE MATERIALS AND METHODS
The Las Vegas Laboratory quality assurance effort includes
support of the programs implementing mandates of the Safe Drink-
ing Water Act; programs for the analyses of samples obtained
through monitoring activities around nuclear facilities, fossil
fuel extraction and utilization activities, and geothermal sites;
and programs dealing with non • regulated pollutants of concern to
the EPA. Accordingly, the Laboratory maintains an inventory of
standard reference materials in stock or on order and available
for distribution on request. This inventory currently includes
animal and plant tissues, food samples, ore, and animal samples
which are certified for about 15 toxic or potentially toxic ele-
ments .
Uranium ores, uranium mill tailings, and Mancos shale have
been obtained for inclusion in the inventory and are currently
being distributed to laboratories monitoring various aspects of
the uranium fuel cycle. Also, a grant has been awarded to the
University of Maryland for the incorporation of toxic elements
into animal tissue. Selected processed tissues will be used as
reference materials. A grant has been awarded to Jackson State
University for the in vivo incorporation of toxic elements into
plant tissue which is to be used as reference materials. These
materials, required for instrument calibration and chemical yield
determination, will be distributed from inventory on a continuing
basis.
Collaborative testing of tentative reference methods was
conducted for gross alpha activity, gross beta activity, total
radium and radium - 2 26, s trontium-89 and -90, and tritium in water.
INTERCOMPARI SON STUDIES
The nat i onwide , i n t e r .1 abora tory comparison, quality assur-
ance program involving a variety of radionuclides in environmen-
tal media (milk, water, air, food, soil, and gases) was continued
during this quarter to help assure that environmental data pro-
duced by Federal, State, local, and private laboratories are com-
patible, accurate, and legally defensible. To date, the preci-
sion and accuracy of radioactive measurements has been assessed
and the analytical performance determined for approximately ISO
participating laboratories nationwide through the preparation and
distribution of standard samples and the statistical evaluation
of resultant data, Computerized reports are sent to participants
at monthly and/or quarterly intervals. During this per iod, sta-
tistical techniques and data handling procedures required to
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better evaluate and rank performance of individual laboratories
were developed. Also, development of procedures and methods for
the performance studies required by laboratory certification cri-
teria and procedures has been initiated. Two new intercoraparison
studies, s t ront i urn-89 and -90 in water and radium- 228 in water,
were initiated to provide quality assurance support for the pro-
grams implementing relevant mandates of the Safe Drinking Water
Act, A round-robin of measurements of plutonium-239 in water was
also conducted.
In the on-going program to provide guidance, consultation,
training assistance and support to Regional, State, and local
laboratories, data from the States in Regions I, IV, VII, IX,
and X participating in the Intercoieparison Studies Program were
retrieved and summarized and an evaluation was provided to the
respective States. On-site laboratory evaluations were conducted
for the States of Delaware, West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland,
and the Armed Forces Radiob i ology Research Institute in Maryland,
all in Region III, and for one State and one private laboratory
in Region IX. Also, the Quality Assurance staff conducted a
workshop, "Quality Assurance in Radionuclide Analysis", at the
University of Delaware for representatives of seven eastern
states.
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TECHNICAL SUPPORT
In the assessment of the extent of lake eutrophication (the
National Eutrophication Survey), Individual lake reports for the
List 10 of all the U.S. lakes surveyed have been prepared, in-
cluding the incorporation of State comment *. Reports on all but
two of the States Phytoplankton Summaries prepared for in-depth
analyses of lake conditions are complete. All of these remaining
reports will be completed soon.
The following technical support projects were conducted this
quarter for EPA Regional Offices. Listed by Region, these pro
jects include 15 completed remote sensing projects which entailed
the acquisition, processing and delivery of data collected from
aerial platforms. These data were presented in the form of color
and infrared photography, map sheets, annotated overlays or other
Imagery displays as requested. In addition, the Las Vegas Labo-
ratory Is collaborating with user organizations in defining tech-
nical support requirements for several prospective projects, the
three major ones of which are:
o historical and current land-use and po11ut i on s ou re c
j nventol- i es in the Chesapeake Bay Program, on request
of Region III;
o historical land-use studies on numerous one -i ndus t ry
towns to determine correlation between land-use pat-
terns and the health records of the population, on
request of the Office of Toxic Substances, EPA; and
o application of remotely sensed data to the conduct
and evaluation of environmental impact studies, on
request of the Office of Toxic Substances, EPA.
REGION 1
Aerial reconnaissance flights were made to inspect and in-
ventory selected oil and industrial facilities in support of the
Spill Prevention Control and Countemeasures Program (SPCC). Two
additional aerial reconnaissance projects were conducted In Ver-
mont, one to depict landfill practices and one to depict agri-
cultural practices and nutrient runoff.
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REGION ill
On request of the Oil and Special Materials Control Division
(OSMCD) of the EPA's Water Program Operations Office, remote sen-
sing flights were conducted to document hazardous material resul-
tant from the Johnstown, Pa., flood. The light-aircraft sensor
pod, Enviro-Pod, was used in this project to supplement commer-
cial contractor imagery.
Also on request of the OSMCD, Enviro-Pod imagery of suspec-
ted sources of PCB's along the Delaware River was collected.
Mosaics of A11 en town, Pa. , and Norfolk, Va. , were provided
for the Noise Assessment Program, Region III.
REGION IV
Remote sensing data were collected on sulfur dioxide stress
in Johnsonvi1le, Tenri.
Aerometric data have been collected in the Tampa/St, Peters-
burg, Florida, urban area for the 1977 season in the Photochemi-
cal Oxidant Study being conducted in a cooperative effort with
the Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission, the
Manatee County Health Department, the Pinellas County Department
of Environmental Management, the St. Petersburg Environmental •
Affairs Department and the Sarasota County Department of Environ-
mental Affairs. These data are currently being reduced and eval-
uated at the Las Vegas Laboratory, Plans are being developed to
supplement these data with information to be assembled next sea-
son by the local air pollution agencies, A wind-field submodel
to account for Seabreeze effects has been developed and coded for
computer solution. Field data collected during this past oxidant
season will be used to test the model.
Preliminary analyses for hydrocarbons were conducted of am-
bient air samples collected in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area dur-
ing the 1976 season. The scope of work and work plan for the con-
tract on anthropogenic hydrocarbon emissions inventory were review-
ed.
The field study on the impact of aircraft operations on vege-
tation and soils in the vicinity of Hartsfield International Air-
port at Atlanta, Georgia, was completed during this quarter. The
study included identification of jet fuel residues in soils and
plants, the use of vegetation plots under and adjacent to flight
paths, microorganism population studies, soil structure determina-
tions, and measurement of pollutants in the air. Techniques de-
veloped include the analysis of jet fuel in soil and plants ..nd
the use of charcoal filters on high-volume air samplers for de-
tecting jet fuel residues in air. No damage was detected on the
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vegetation plots under the flight lines in 1976. No jet fuel
residues were detected in soil arid there were no unusual changes
in microorganism populations or inability of the soil to germin-
ate seedlings. Jet fuel residues were detected in air with the
highest levels and the most frequent occurrence of jet fuel re-
sidues occurring where the highest vegetation damage was detec-
ted in the fall of 1975. Laboratory exposure studies indicated
damage to plants which was virtually identical to vegetation
damage found in the vicinity of the airport in the fall of 1975.
A report on the study is being prepared for publication. Region
V has found the results of this study useful in responding to
Congressional inquiries concerning 0'Hare International Airport
in Chicago.
Remote sensing flights were conducted to survey the wetlands
in Region IV. Also, Enviro-Pod imagery of non-permitted dredging
operations on the Forked Deer and Onion Rivers in Tennessee was
collected.
REGION V
Aerial reconnaissance flights were conducted to depict land-
use ln Oh io .
REGION VI
Several published reports regarding the Atchafalaya Basin,
Louisiana, Water and Land Management Study, as well as hydro-
graphic records and data analyses, were used to demonstrate areas
of neglect and undesirable effects in the Basin. A reevaluation
of U.S. Army Corp of Engineers dredge spoil disposal plans was
also prompted by Las Vegas Laboratory efforts in the Basin.
REGION VII
Aerial reconnaissance flights were conducted to locate and
inspect, oil and chemical facilities in Kansas City and St. Louis,
Missouri/Kansas.
REGION V 11
Aerial reconnaissance flights were conducted to document
uranium nuns near Moab, Utah.
On request of the National Enforcement Investigation Center
(NEIC), Denver, Colo., an airborne lidar system was used to de-
fine plume dimensions in the vicinity of a steel mill near Provo,
Utah, A report was prepared and delivered to the NEIC defining
the horizontal and vertical plume boundaries as we 11 as points of
ground impact.
17
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A comprehensive data base has been created in the Anaconda,
Montana, Copper Smelter Study. This base can be used to demon-
strate plume diffusion behavior under a variety of stability con-
ditions in complex terrain. In addition to its immediate appli-
cation of plume modeling to establish sulfur dioxide emissions
regulations for the smelter, the data set represents the most
comprehensive documentation of plume diffusion in complex terrain
avallable,
All processing of data in the Colorado Lake Study in the
trophic assessment of surface water using Landsat data has been
completed. Models have been developed for trophic state index
and indicator magnitudes using the satellite data and aircraft-
acquired multispectra 1 scanner data for the Colorado lakes. In
conjunction with the study to develop Landsat data application
for determining the trophic state of freshwater lakes, contact-
sensed data were acquired in the Lake Mead Study and analyzed.
The results were furnished to the National Aeronautics and Space
Administrations' activity at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory where
trophic indicator, trophic state and multispectral scanner data
relationships are being examined. Regression model development
has been initiated as the generation of a thematic photomap.
REGION IX
At the Region's request, field sampling has been initiated
in the Lake Tahoe Basin. The intent is to evaluate the effective-
ness of meadow and marsh lands in reducing nutrient loadings into
the lake.
Six months of monitoring sulfur dioxide, particulates, and
wind speed and direction at three stations on Maui has been com-
pleted in the Hawaii Power Plant Study. Ten days of data were
also obtained with a ground-based mobile sulfur dioxide monitor
in combination with a correlation spectrometer. Data collected
to date are being processed. Three monitoring stations have been
established on Oahu for operation over a 4-month period.
A mobile quality assurance van containing a dynamic calibra-
tion system was fabricated and deployed in the Region IX Quality
Assurance Program. A single round of calibrations for carbon
monoxide, ozone, and sulfur dioxide at 20 stations in Nevada and
Arizona was completed.
REGION X
Aerial reconnaissance of selected oil and chemical facilities
was conducted in support of the SPCC.
18
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A portable sulfur dioxide monitor was deployed to an island
near the port of Valdez, Alaska, to monitor the impact of oil
tanker traffic on ambient sulfur dioxide levels.
Assistance in training in biological sampling methods for
use in small streams was provided to the Region. As part of this
assistance, the "traveling kick" method of sampling macroinverte-
brate fauna in western streams was demonstrated as a feasible,
reproducible sampling method.
19
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SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL REPORTS
EPA PUBLICATIONS
"Plan and Concepts for Multi-use Management of the Atchafa-
1 aya Basin, Louisiana," by J. L, van Beek, W. G. Smith, J. W,
Smith, P, Light, Coastal Environments, Inc., Baton Rouge, Loui-
siana, Contract No. 68-01-2299; V. V, Lambou, Project Officer,
(EPA-600/3-77-162)
"Mercury Distribution in Soil Around a Large Coal-Fired
Power Plant," A. B, Crockett and R. R. Kinnison, (F.PA 600/3- 77-
063)
1 2 9
" Iodine in Animal Thyroids from Nevada and other Western
States," D, D. Smith. (EPA-600/3-77-167)
"Tritium Retention by Cows and Steers and Transfer to Milk,"
A. L. Mullen, A. A. Moghissi, J. C. Wawerna, B. A. Mitchell, E.
W. Bretthauer and R. E. Stanley, (EPA-600/3-77-076)
"Distribution of Phytoplankton in Alabama Lakes," W. D. Tay-
lor, F» A, Kia11, S, C. Hern, J. W. Hilgert, ¥, W, Lambou, F, A.
Morris, R. W. Thomas, M. K. Morris and L. R. Williams. (EPA-60 0/
3-77-082}
"Resuspensi on of Plutonium from Contaminated Land Surfaces:
Meteorological Factors," P, N. Lem, J. ¥, Behar, and F. N, Buck.
(EPA-600/4-77-037)
"Fusion Method for the Measurement of Plutonium in Soil:
Single-Laboratory Evaluation and Interlaboratory Collaborative
Test," P. B, Hahn, E. W. Bretthauer, P. B, Altringer and N, F.
Mathews. (EPA-60 0/7-77-078)
"Potential Radioactive Pollutants Resulting from Expanded
Energy Programs," H. Lee, T. 0, Peyton, R. V, Steele and R. K.
White, Center for Resource and Environmental Systems Studies,
Stanford Research Institute, Menlo Park, California. Contract
No, 68-03-2375; A. N, Jarvis, Project Officer. (EPA-600/7-77-
082)
20
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PAPERS PRESENTED
The paper, "Field Testing of a Long-Path Laser T rarisini sso-
meter Designed for Atmospheric Visibility Measurements," by IV. T.
Krciss, J. M. l.nns i nger, W. G, Tank and M. I. Pi tchforci, was pre-
sented by W. T, Kreiss at the Twenty-First International Symposium
and Instrument Display of the Society of Photo-optical Instrument
Engineers, August 25 to 27.
The paper, "Future Analytical Requirements for the Determina-
tion of Trace and Ultratrace Levels of Metals in Bioenvironmental
Systems," by G. B. Morgan and E. W. Bretthauer, was presented by
E, W. Bret thauer at the American Chemical Society Symposium, Chi-
cago, Illinois, August 29.
21
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DIRECTOR
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OR. R.E. 8TANLEYACTB.
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