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NRMRL MONTHLY REPORT FOR APRIL 2005
Stephen G. Schmelling, Division Director
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Solvents Recovery Service of New England Superfund Site,
Region 1: On March 15, Scott Huling (GWERD) and Bruce
Pivetz (Dynamac) provided RPM Karen Lumino with comments
regarding proposed performance standards for the overburden
NAPL area of the Solvents Recovery Service of New England
Superfund Site in Southington, CT. Issues discussed were the
approach to estimating the percentage of contaminant mass
removal, conclusions that can be drawn from a breakthrough of
chemical oxidants at downgradient monitoring points, likelihood of
the need for multiple oxidant injections, definition of remediation
goals, and pre- and post-treatment sampling to estimate the VOC
mass removed.
(S. Huling(GWERD)580-436-8610)
Spectron Superfund Site, Region 3: On March 23, John Wilson
(GWERD) provided RPM Robert Sanchez with comments on an
enhanced in-situ reductive dechlorination treatability study work
plan for Operable Unit 1 at the Spectron Superfund Site in Elkton,
MD. A number of issues were discussed including the rapid
degradation of methylene chloride in ground water, affect of
sampling from monitoring wells on the concentration of
contaminants, aerobic co-metabolism of chlorinated VOCs,
construction and operation of microcosms, as well as the addition
of VOCs to these systems.
(J. Wilson(GWERD)580-436-8534)
On April 6, Scott Huling (GWERD) and Bruce Pivetz (Dynamac)
provided RPM Robert Sanchez with technical review comments on
an enhanced in-situ reductive dechlorination (IRD) treatability
study work plan for the Spectron Superfund Site in Elkton, MD. In
general, it was pointed out that bench-scale microcosm tests for
examining anaerobic reductive dechlorination of chlorinated VOCs
can be difficult and lengthy and results, such as biodegradation
rates, are not likely to be directly applicable to field conditions.
Specific comments were made relative to saturated soil collection,
electron donor amendment microcosms, bioaugmented
microcosms, microcosm incubation and performance monitoring,
and data evaluation and reporting.
(S. Huling(GWERD)580-436-8610)
Smalley-Piper Superfund Site, Region 4: During March 16-17,
Ralph Ludwig (GWERD) participated in a meeting at the
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC)
in Memphis, TN, to discuss strategies for addressing Cr(VI)
contamination in ground water at the Smalley-Piper Superfund Site
in Collierville, TN. A presentation was given on technologies that
could potentially be used for addressing the Cr(VI) plume. Also
attending the meeting were representatives from the City of
Collierville, TDEC, EPA Region 4, Smalley-Piper, and Carrier
Company. It was emphasized that proper characterization of the
site and Cr(VI) plume was essential in selecting and implementing
the appropriate remedial technology.
(R. Ludwig(GWERD)580-436-8603)
Columbia Nitrogen Site, Region 4: During March 28-31, Steve
Acree and Kyle Jones (GWERD), characterized the hydraulic
conductivity of materials in the vicinity of a recently installed
permeable reactive barrier (PRB) at the Columbia Nitrogen Site in
North Charleston, SC. The work was carried out in support of an
ongoing evaluation of permeable reactive barrier (PRB)
technologies. The tests were performed using both pneumatic slug
methods in zones exhibiting high hydraulic conductivity, and
conventional physical slugs in areas with moderate to low
hydraulic conductivity. These data will be used to assess the flow
field near the PRB and estimate the number of pore volumes of
ground water that have passed through the wall.
(S. Acree(GWERD)580-436-8609)
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Site, Region 9: On
April 8, Richard Wilkin (GWERD) provided RPM Kathy Setian
with a review of uranium geochemical issues at the Lawrence
Livermore National Laboratory Site 300 in Alameda County, CA.
Three key questions were addressed including evidence to support
or refute a hypothesis that site activities have impacted ground-
water geochemistry in such a way as to enhance solubilization and
mobilization of naturally occurring uranium, and are there data and
methods available to determine background concentrations of
uranium in the alluvial and bedrock stratigraphic units. The third
issue concerned the possibility that ground-water diversion might
impact the redox potential and, therefore, uranium transport and
fate. Other comments addressed data gaps, solid-phase association
of uranium in the aquifer strata, and the role of dissolved organic
matter in transporting uranium.
(R. Wilkin(GWERD)580-436-8874)
Boomsnub/Airco Superfund Site, Region 10: On April 19,
Randall Ross and Richard Wilkin (GWERD), and Dr. Milovan
Beljin (Dynamac) provided RPM Lee Marshall with comments on
a document titled "Draft Additional Hydrogeologic Investigation
Report, Boomsnub/Airco Superfund Site, Hazel Dell,
Washington." In discussing data gaps, it was pointed out that the
most important information from the additional hydrologic study is
the range of Kd values, particularly in simulating transport of
contaminants through the fine sediments. It was suggested that a
numerical model offers an opportunity to integrate the existing
data, re-evaluate previous assumptions, and to identify data gaps.
It was also suggested that the importance of chromium hydroxide
precipitation is overstated throughout the report. With respect to
MINTQA2 modeling results, the specific assumptions required for
the modeling effort and the SEP results must be understood,
acknowledged, and spelled out in much greater detail.
(R. Ross(GWERD)580-436-8611)
SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS
Azadpour-Keeley, Ann, A. Lynn Wood, Tony R. Lee, and Susan C.
Mravik (GWERD). Autumn 2004. "Microbial Responses to In
Situ Chemical Oxidation, Six-Phase Heating, and Steam Injection
Remediation Technologies in Ground Water." Remediation.
Vol.14, Num. 4. NRMRL-Ada-04168
(A. Keeley(GWERD)580-436-8890)
EPA/600/J-04/298
Huling, Scott G. (GWERD), Patrick K. Jones (GWERD), Wendell
P. Ela, M.ASCE (Univ. of AZ), Robert G. Arnold, M.ASCE (Univ.
of AZ). "Repeated Reductive and Oxidative Treatments of
Granular Activated Carbon." February 2005. Journal of
Evironmental Engineering ASCE.
NRMRL-Ada-03331
(S. Huling(GWERD)580-436-8610)
www.pubs.asce.org/authors/guide.html
Gonsoulin, Mary E., (GWERD), Barbara H. Wilson (Dynamac),
and John T. Wilson (GWERD). 2004. "Biodegradation of PCE
and TCE in landfill leachate predicted from concentrations of
molecular hydrogen: a case study." Bioremediation 15:475-485.
NRMRL-Ada-03301
(M. Gonsoulin(GWERD)580-436-8616)
www.taylorandfrancis.com
Azadpour-Keeley, Ann (GWERD). "Microbiological Field
Sampling and Instrumentation in Assessment of Soil and
Groundwater Pollution." Chapter in Wiley Interscience entitled
"Environmental Instrumentation and Analysis Handbook." 2005.
NRMRL-Ada-04171
(A. Keeley(GWERD)580-436-8890)
Ford, Robert (GWERD). 2005. "The Impact of Ground-
Water/Surface-Water Interactions on Contaminant Transport with
Application to an Arsenic Contaminated Site." Environmental
Research Brief.
(R. Ford(GWERD)580-436-8872)
NRMRL-Ada-04155
EPA/600/S-05/002
www.epa.gov/ada/publications.html
ONGOING RESEARCH
U.S. Coast Guard Support Center: During March 22-24, Cynthia
Paul and Chunming Su (GWERD) conducted a field trip to the
U.S. Coast Guard Support Center in Elizabeth City, NC, to collect
ground water samples from compliance wells as part of the
continuing long-term performance monitoring of the permeable
reactive barriers project.
(C. Paul(GWERD)580-436-8556)
REVIEW/AUDIT
On March 30, Robert Ford (GWERD) provided Bruce Duncan
(Senior Ecologist, EPA Region 10) with review comments on the
draft EcoUpdate/Ground Water Issue Paper entitled "Evaluating
Ground-Water/Surface-Water Ecological Risk Assessments",
which had been developed by a joint workgroup of EPA staff
comprising members of the Ecological Risk Assessment Forum
and the Ground Water Forum. The document will serve as a
supplement to existing Ecological Risk Assessment guidance and
Hydrogeological Characterization guidance materials by providing
clarification and direction on how to evaluate the actual or
potential ecological effects from contaminated ground water that
discharges through sediment to a surface water body. In general,
review of the document indicated that it was well written and
organized in a logical fashion. However, it was recommended that
changes be made to more clearly define where the proposed
supplemental guidance may fail to address risk characteristics of
contaminated sediments derived as a result of ground-water
discharge. Additional specific comments concerned clarification
of terminology and stated requirements for characterization of
ecological risk and site hydrogeology as well as additional
references to other Agency and external peer-reviewed literature
pertaining to the characterization of the GW/SW transition zone at
contaminated sites.
R. Ford(GWERD)580-436-8872)
During the week of April 25, the Environmental Management System (EMS) of GWERD was audited by an external third party, as required by the EPA EMS 12-step protocol. This external audit was conducted by a contractor for the EPA/Safety, Health and Environmental Management Division in Washington. During the three-day audit period, the EMS Team was involved in several discussions on how the system was developed, how our significant environmental aspects were determined, and how personnel roles and responsibilities and monitoring and measurement parameters were established to organize an effective
EMS. The auditor also conducted numerous interviews with
GWERD personnel, reviewed EMS documentation and records,
and performed status checks on our EMS training. Upon
completion of the external audit, GWERD senior management was
briefed on the preliminary findings and what needed to be
addressed initially to bring the EMS into conformance with EPA
requirements. Upon addressing the primary audit findings,
GWERD will receive a plaque indicating the completion of the
EPA 12-step EMS Implementation Plan and the EMS Self-
Declaration Process. All audit findings must be addressed in a
corrective action plan and will be corrected within 90 days of the
receipt of the final audit report. Once fully implemented, the EMS
will undergo annual system audits to ensure that continual
improvement occurs at GWERD, and that the components of the
EMS are effective.
(G. Smith(GWERD)580-436-8565)
TRAINING
GWERD staff Dominic DiGiulio, Mary Gonsoulin, and David Jewett graduated from the inaugural class of NRMRL's Leadership Development Program. In addition to the graduation ceremony, where the participants received their diplomas from Acting Laboratory Director Sally Gutierrez, the class had the final meeting of their leadership program on April 26-28. The agenda included a roundtable discussion on leadership with NRMRL senior management, a seminar on recognizing and avoiding "burnout," a case study on "What Makes an Effective Executive," a meeting with the ORD Leadership Development and Facilitation Staff, a planning session with Joyce Walling, facilitator for the next LDP class, and a visit to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
On April 1, the following individuals served as judges at the 2005 Oklahoma State Science and Engineering Fair at East Central University: Special Award Judges - Ann Keeley, Dave Burden, Tim Canfield, and Scott Huling (GWERD); and Category Award Judges - Joe Williams, Paul Mayer, Mary Gonsoulin, and Bart Faulkner (GWERD), Dan Pope (Dynamac Corp.), and Dennis Fine (SHAW Environmental, Inc.).
The 2nd Annual Earth Day-Water Fest celebration was held at the East Central University (ECU) campus April 21. GWERD staff David Jewett, Susan Mravik, Cynthia Paul, Jeremy Seiger, David Walter, Steve Acree, Cherri Adair, Frank Beck, Michael Brooks, Ken Jewell, and Randall Ross, festival co-organizer, demonstrated field equipment and held a variety of demonstrations for the public and over 400 area school and ECU students.