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NRMRL MONTHLY REPORT FOR DECEMBER 2005
Stephen G. Schmelling, Division Director
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Site 78, Operable Unit 1, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune,
Region 4: On November 28, Mary Gonsoulin (GWERD) and
Daniel Pope (Dynamac) provided RPM Gena Townsend with
comments on a "Review of Draft Pilot Study Report Site 78,
Operable Unit 1, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, North
Carolina." The site had been divided into two areas. One test used
an oxygen release compound to treat vinyl chloride and the other
used a hydrogen release compound to treat TCE. Although an
interpretation of the results showed a decrease in decontamination
for both areas, the goals for reduction were not met. Detailed
recommendations were offered in a number of areas including the
parameters used in the study, injection and distribution of reagents,
the possibility of injecting microorganisms, and the potential
presence of NAPLs.
(M. Gonsoulin(GWERD)580-436-8616)
Savannah River Site, Region 4: On September 6, Chunming Su
(GWERD) provided RPM Jim Barksdale with comments on the
"D-Area Sulfate Reduction Study Comprehensive Final Report
(U)" for the Savannah River Site in Aiken, SC. The review
comments focused on the effectiveness of organic carbon sources
(sodium lactate, soybean oil, and a hydrogen release compound) as
well as a limestone trench. Two specific questions in the request
for assistance related to the impact of the treatment on microbes
necessary for MNA, and the dependence of MNA on dispersion
and dilution rather than microbial activity. It was stated, however,
that without further studies to collect more data, it would not be
possible to definitely answer either question based on the studies
presented in the report.
(C. Su(GWERD)580-436-8638)
Columbia Nitrogen Site, Region 4: During November 1-4,
Steven Acree and Randall Ross (GWERD) traveled to the
Columbia Nitrogen Site in North Charleston, SC, to complete a
hydrogeologic characterization in support of an on-going
evaluation of a permeable reactive barrier (PRB). Additional site
characterization studies include pneumatic slug tests in the aquifer
surrounding the pilot-scale PRB and an investigation of tidal
influences on ground-water flow. The studies were designed to
provide data for a more detailed evaluation of ground-water flow
rates through the PRB. The results of the evaluation will be used
to support interpretations of PRB performance conducted under an
ongoing RARE project with USEPA Region 4.
(S. Acree(GWERD)580-436-8609)
Northern New Mexico Citizen's Advisory Board, Region 6: At
the request of RPM Rich Mayer, on December 1, Steven Acree,
Robert Ford, and Randall Ross (GWERD) made a presentation to
the Northern New Mexico Citizen's Advisory Board in Santa Fe,
NM. The discussion focused on the findings of an ongoing review
of the possible impacts of previous well drilling practices on data
obtained from wells at the Los Alamos National Laboratory
(LANL). Among other findings, the review noted that many of the
hydrogeologic characterization wells at the LANL currently do not
provide representative data for a variety of contaminants due to the
impacts of residual bentonite and organic polymer additives used
during drilling.
(S. Acree(GWERD)580-436-8609)
Carson Ground Water Contamination Site, Region 9: During
November 16-18, Steven Acree (GWERD) traveled to Los
Angeles, CA, to participate in meetings to discuss a site
characterization and monitoring network design at the Carson
Ground Water Contamination Site in Carson, CA. Personnel were
from the State of California, Los Angeles Regional Water Quality
Control Board, Water Replenishment District, and USEPA Region
9. Among the items discussed were available site data and
recommendations for the installation of monitoring wells in an area
contaminated with fuel oxygenate compounds.
(S. Acree(GWERD)580-436-8609)
MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES
Robert Ford (GWERD) was a contributing author to the research and poster presentation made by Thelma S. Berquo at the Nanomagnetism (Session GP02) at the Fall National Meeting of the American Geophysical Union held December 5-9 in San Francisco. The presentation was entitled "Temperature Effects on the Synthesis of Si-Ferrihydrite Nanoparticles of Variable Sizes Identified by Magnetic Measurements." Authors included Thelma S. Berquo and Subir K. Banerjee of the Department of Geology & Geophysics, Institute for Rock Magnetism, University of Minnesota-Minneapolis, and R. Lee Penn of the School of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
John T. Wilson (GWERD) presented an abstract at the Underground Storage Tank Program Working Group, 23rd Regular Meeting to the Los Angeles Regional Board on December 2. The abstract was entitled "Monitored Natural Attenuation and Risk Management of MTBE in Ground Water."
John T. Wilson (GWERD) made a poster presentation for the EPA Review, for the Board of Scientific Councilors at a meeting held in Cincinnati December 13-15. The presentation was entitled "What are the Best Means to Assess Contaminant Transport and Biodegradation and Move Toward Closure, Using Appropriate Site-Specific Risk Evaluations?" Authors included Jim Weaver, USEPA, Athens, GA, and Dominic DiGiulio and John T. Wilson (GWERD).
GWERD staff Stephen Schmelling, Robert Puls, David Jewett, Michael Brooks, David Burden, Dominic DiGiulio, Robert Ford, Rick Wilkin, John Wilson, and Lynn Wood attended the Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC) review of ORD's Land Preservation and Restoration Research Program in Cincinnati December 13-15. The purpose of the review was to evaluate the relevance, quality, performance, and scientific leadership of the research program. Research and support activities of numerous scientists and engineers in GWERD and NRMRL and across ORD were highlighted and evaluated during the BOSC review. GWERD participation in the review included an overview of ORD's site characterization, soils, and ground water research and technical support activities by Robert Puls and poster presentations of GWERD research and technical support. Poster presentations included: "Monitored Natural Attenuation for Remediation of Contaminants in Ground Water" by Robert Ford; "DNAPL Source Zone Remediation" by Michael Brooks; "ORD DNAPL Remediation Research Strategy" by Lynn Wood; "Permeable Reactive Barrier Research: Developing Cost-Effective Technologies" by Rick Wilkin; "Assessment of Vapor Intrusion" by Dominic DiGiulio; "Underground Storage Tank Site Closure Using Active Intervention for Site Cleanup" by John Wilson; and "Ground Water Technical Support Center" by David Burden. During panel discussion that followed the poster presentations, the reviewers indicated they were impressed with ORD Land Preservation and Restoration research and technical support and with the knowledge and enthusiasm of the researchers. A final report will be provided by the panel in the coming months. Thanks to all who contributed to the success of the review.
TRAINING
During December, three sessions of the 8-hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) refresher course were conducted to help maintain the OSHA certification requirements for those employees who perform work at Superfund and hazardous waste sites. Approximately 40 GWERD staff members attended the training, provided through the Business & Industry Services division of the Pontotoc Technology Center and taught by Ronnie Roberts of RENSCO.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Robert Ford (GWERD) was interviewed by Dr. Rebecca Renner, Contributing Editor, for the Online News section of Environmental Science & Technology (ES&T), which features the latest news on the environment. The subject of the article was 'Arsenic and old landfills', which discussed the influence of biodegradation of organic-rich leachates on the mobilization of naturally occurring arsenic from aquifer sediments. The article was published on the ES&T website on November 23, 2005. (http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/journals/esthag-w/2005/nov/science/rr_superfund.html)