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NRMRL MONTHLY REPORT FOR OCTOBER 2004
Stephen G. Schmelling, Division Director
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Industri-Plex Superfund Site, Region 1: During September 20-
24, field sampling was carried out at the Industri-Plex Superfund
Site in Woburn, MA, as part of an ongoing cooperative research
effort between GWERD and Region 1 (Joseph LeMay, RPM) to
assess the role of natural attenuation processes in mitigating
arsenic transport through an urban and industrialized watershed.
Sampling efforts included a characterization of ground-water
geochemistry and the collection of ground water, surface water,
and sediments for laboratory analysis. The sampling effort was
conducted to assess the behavior of arsenic in the subsurface
relative to findings reported by Robert Ford (GWERD) in an
Internal Report to Region 1 following an initial investigation from
October 1999 through September 2001. Individuals participating
in the field trip were Robert Ford and Rick Wilkin (GWERD),
Kirk Scheckel (LRPCD-Cincinnati), and Tim Bridges and Marcel
Belaval (Region 1). This field trip also marked the initiation of
collaborative research between GWERD and LRPCD to address
issues of inorganic contaminant fate and transport in subsurface
systems.
(R. Ford (GWERD)580-436-8872)
Solvents Recovery Service of New England (SRSNE) Site,
Region 1: On October 7, Eva Davis (GWERD) provided RPM
Karen Lumino with comments on a draft feasibility study for the
Solvents Recovery Service of New England (SRSNE) Site in
Southington, CT. In general, the proposed thermal remediation
system, which employs both thermal conductive heating and steam
injection to block inward ground-water flow, is a very robust
remediation system which should be capable of reducing the
concentrations of volatile contaminants found at the site to very
low levels. With respect to the possibility of downward movement
of DNAPLs into the fractured rock, data was provided on pre- and
post-treatment soil concentrations from a variety of sites where
thermal remediation was used to recover DNAPLs. In addition, a
number of specific recommendations were offered to make the
remediation more cost effective without reducing the effectiveness
of the proposed system.
(E. Davis(GWERD)580-436-8548)
Chem-Dyne Superfund Site, Region 5: On October 4, David
Jewett (GWERD) and Mingyu Wang (Shaw Env.) Provided RPM
Lolita Hill with comments on an addendum to a work plan for the
modification of a ground-water extraction system at the Chem-
Dyne Superfund Site in Hamilton, OH. The addendum followed a
conference call on the subject which included the Chem-Dyne
consultant, Ohio EPA, and U.S. EPA. Although it was agreed that
the modifications are necessary, it was suggested that other
GWERD concerns be addressed including the monitoring program,
water-level data collection, water-quality data comparisons, and
capture-zone analysis. Questions were also posed with respect to
the current site-specific contaminant transport model.
(D. Jewett(GWERD)580-436-8560)
Boomsnub/AIRCO Superfund Site, Region 10: On October 1,
Randall Ross and Rick Wilkin (GWERD) provided RPM Lee
Marshall and Hydrogeologist Bernie Zavala with review comments
on a quality assurance sampling plan and an additional
hydrogeologic investigation for the Boomsnub/AIRCO Superfund
Site in Vancouver, WA. The comments generally reflect those
discussed during a September 27, 2004, conference call. One of
the items is the proposed sequential extraction procedure to
evaluate solid-phase partitioning of chromium in the impacted
aquifer and provide additional insight about the natural processes
responsible for controlling chromium removal from ground water.
Other issues are the working chromium model and the use of a
reductant acid in step 5 of the sequential extraction procedure.
(R. Ross(GWERD)580-436-8611/R. Wilkin(GWERD)580-436-8874)
MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES
Elise Striz (GWERD) was one of four speakers invited to attend the Region 5 ORD Product Expo on October 6, to make an in- house and web cast presentation of the ORD software, "Optimal Well Locator (OWL): A Screening Tool for Evaluating Locations of Monitoring Wells" which was developed at GWERD. Her talk was simulcast over the web to all of the EPA regional offices through the www.clu-in.org web site and is archived on the site for future viewing."
John T. Wilson (GWERD) presented a platform presentation "Techniques and Approaches to Evaluate the Natural Attenuation of MTBE", at the 11th Annual International Petroleum Environmental Conference, October 12-15 in Albuquerque.
MISCELLANEOUS
In a signing ceremony at GWERD facilities on October 21, EPA's Office of Acquisition Management (OAM) named a new contract between CNV Service Company, LLC, a minority-owned enterprise, and Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Center EPA's Contract of the Year. The OAM recognized the division for its actions to help the Agency increase opportunities for small and minority businesses to obtain contracts. The three- year, $2.9 million contract with CNV Service Company, LLC of Edmond provides mechanical operations, maintenance and security services to the facility. CNV Service Company Company is certified by the Small Business Administration's (SBA) 8(a) program and is enjoying its first contract with the EPA. The previous contractor, DCT Services, was also an 8(a) small business. The ceremony was attended by CNV Service Company President Jorge Villalon, Linda Fugate from SBA's Oklahoma City office, Cris Thompson, director of the EPA's Cincinnati Procurement Operations Division, and Sandy Savage and Scott Tharp of her staff.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
GWERD employees Robert Ford, Frank Beck, Paul Mayer and Garmon Smith participated in the City of Ada's annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event. As part of the Ada Recycling Coalition (ARC), they helped to collect latex paint for the purpose of recycling it for use by other nonprofit organizations. The ARC sorted through the paint and mixed up 45 gallons of various shades of white paint, including 30 gallons for Habitat for Humanity and 15 gallons for the Byng High School drama department. The department also received about 90 gallons of selected colored paint and 3 gallons of the primer Kilz.
GWERD kicked off the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign with a staff art exhibit. Contributions consisted of watercolors and oil-based paintings, pen-and-ink, sculpture and other offerings. The staff has consistently been recognized for its generosity over the years, and received a Gold Award from the United Way in 2003 in recognition of the level of giving. The division completed the 2004 campaign with contributions of $8,242, with three Leadership Contributors.