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NRMRL MONTHLY REPORT FOR JULY 2004
Stephen G. Schmelling, Division Director
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Savage Well Superfund Site, Region I: In a continuing technical
assistance effort at the Savage Well Superfund Site in Milford,
NH, Scott Huling (GWERD) and Bruce Pivetz (Dynamac)
provided RPM Dick Goehlert with comments and
recommendations regarding a second injection of permanganate
(MnO4-) at the site. The July 7, 2004, comments suggested that the
pilot study was useful in acquiring information regarding the fate
and transport of the oxidant in the aquifer and its impact on the
VOCs. In addition to detailed responses to specific questions by
the RPM, general comments were provided concerning the fate and
transport of the oxidant, VOCs, and chloride.
(S. Huling(GWERD)580-436-8610)
Estech General Chemical Site, Region IV: On June 23, 2004,
Ralph Ludwig (GWERD) provided RPM Craig Zeller with a
review of an engineering evaluation/cost analysis report for the
Estech General Chemical Site in Navassa, NC. The comments
included the cost of zero valent iron (ZVI) for the wall, the amount
of ZVI in the barrier, and the location and construction of the PRB.
The possible need to pay a patent licensing fee was also discussed.
(R. Ludwig(GWERD)580-436-8603)
Sydney Mine NPL Site, Region IV: In a continuing technical
assistance effort at the Sydney Mine NPL Site in Brandon, FL,
Steven Acree (GWERD) and Dr. Daniel Pope (Dynamac) provided
RPM Galo Jackson with review comments on a November 2003
Analytical Data Report. The July 6, 2004, response indicated that,
in general, contaminate concentrations may be declining.
Although a statistical analysis for long-term temporal trends was
conducted, the data available for review were insufficient to draw
firm conclusions in this respect. It was recommended that the data
from all sampling events be evaluated to better define trends that
may exist.
(S. Acree(GWERD)580-436-8609)
Forest Waste Superfund Site, Region V: On June 18, 2004, Dr.
Scott Huling (GWERD) and Dr. Bruce Pivetz (Dynamac) provided
RPM Richard Boice with comments on bench-scale and pilot-scale
treatability studies for the Forest Waste Superfund Site in Otisville,
MI. The discussions adequately described the bench-scale
treatability study while the pilot-scale work plan provided good
information upon which a more detailed plan can be prepared.
Permanganate and persulfate tests were discussed along with the
variability of natural oxidate demands. Recommendations were
made with respect to QA/QC evaluations in the bench-scale
studies. The pilot-scale work plan was discussed in terms of the
KMnO4 dose rate, injection-well spacing, the possibility of
installing additional monitoring wells, and health and safety
training.
(S. Huling(GWERD)580-436-8610)
Altus AFB, Region VI: On July 14, 2004, Steven Acree and
Randall Ross (GWERD) provided RPM Sue Westbrook with
review comments on a borehole geophysics report for Altus AFB,
in Altus, OK. In general, the investigation indicates that the
formation becomes more competent with decreasing depth and
ground-water flow may become dominated by discrete,
transmissive zones. It was recommended that additional
investigations be initiated to determine whether measures, in
addition to a proposed biowall, may be required to address
contaminants below the wall. It was also suggested that
monitoring wells be installed and screened at contaminated
intervals below the wall to evaluate performance at those levels.
Specific locations downgradient of the proposed wall were
recommended for assessing the maximum depth of contaminants.
(S. Acree(GWERD)580-436-8609/R. Ross(GWERD)580-436-8611)
Montrose and Del Amo Superfund Sites, Region IX: On July 6,
2004, Steven Acree (GWERD), and Mingyu Wang, Rob Earle, and
Noman Ahsanuzzaman (Shaw Env.) provided RPM Jeff Dhont
with comments concerning an interim modeling memorandum for
the Montrose and Del Amo Superfund Sites in Torrance, CA. The
memorandum presents two calibration solutions developed to
assess the predictive uncertainty of the baseline model with regard
to meeting ROD objectives for mass and volume reduction.
Suggestions were offered with respect to data gaps, weighting
scheme effect on calibration results, and biodegradation.
(S. Acree( GWERD)580-436-8609)
Montrose Superfund Site, Region IX: In a continuing technical
assistance effort at the Montrose Superfund Site in Torrance, CA,
Steven Acree and Eva Davis (GWERD) provided RPM Susan
Keydel with comments concerning the results of a DNAPL
reconnaissance investigation. The July 13, 2004, technical
assistance response indicated that the use of multiple lines of
evidence to estimate the extent of the DNAPLs appears to be
appropriate; however, there remains uncertainty due to subsurface
heterogeneity and the imperfect nature of the available tools and
techniques. Comments were also offered with respect to data
interpretation.
(S. Acree(GWERD)580-436-8609/E. Davis(GWERD)580-436-8548)
ONGOING RESEARCH
Field work for the Great Basin Ecosystem Management (GBEM) program. GWERD researchers Frank Beck and David Jewett, and Pat Clark (NRMRL-TTSD), conducted field work for the Great Basin Ecosystem Management program June 7-25, 2004. The field activities are part of a multi-agency, interdisciplinary research project investigating the structure and function of riparian meadow systems in the central Great Basin in order to develop strategies for their management and restoration. Core sampling, well installation, and hydrologic data collection activities were carried out at five field sites located in the Humboldt-Toyiabe National Forest (HTNF). Dr. Jewett also participated in the GBEM Summer Field Tour on June 16, 2004, and gave presentations on the goals of an ongoing EPA/USDA IAG and on the results of the hydrologic component of the research program. The field tour is organized by the USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station (RMRS), Reno Laboratory to provide collaborators with an opportunity to discuss their findings with other project personnel, promote interaction between project scientists and local and regional resource managers, brief RMRS and HTNF management on the status of the research, and encourage participation in the research effort by other state and federal agencies.
Preparation for stream activities at Minebank Run. GWERD staff Paul Mayer, Ken Jewell and Russell Neill removed wells and piezometers from the stream channel in preparation for stream restoration activities at Minebank Run in Baltimore, MD, July 13- 23, 2004. Soil cores were collected throughout the study site and additional monitoring wells were installed in an upstream reach that had already been restored.
TRAINING
Steve Vandegrift, GWERD QA Manager, presented a training seminar at GWERD offices on July 27, 2004, entitled "Basic Documentation for QA." This was a repeat of the same training offered in June to allow those who missed the first time another opportunity. The training is primarily intended for students and new employees.
MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES
Mary Sue McNeil (GWERD) attended the National EPA Federal Women's Program Training Forum and the Federally Employed Women (FEW) Conference in Nashville, TN, July 19- 22, 2004. The training forum is the annual agency forum which is held in conjunction with the Federally Employed Women's (FEW) training conference. After the agency forum, Ms. McNeil attended two training classes for strengthening the Federal Women's Program.
Ann Keeley (GWERD) made a poster presentation entitled "Effect of Ground-Water Remediation Activities on Indigenous Microflora" at the 2004 Society for Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology Annual Meeting in Anaheim, CA, July 25-29, 2004. She also made a platform presentation entitled "Microbial Characterization of a Manure Based Permeable Reactive Barrier."
MISCELLANEOUS
Cynthia Johnson and Sandy Croley, NRMRL/ROS, and Andre Rhinehart, NHRC, performed a management review of GWERD's extramural activities July 26-28, 2004, and discussed current issues and career ladder promotions.
In response to an invitation, GWERD staff prepared a briefing for EPA Deputy Director Steve Johnson, on ORD research on Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) and the potential for ground water impact from antibiotics. A pre- briefing was presented to ORD Assistant Administrator Paul Gilman on July 27, 2004, by Stephen Hutchins, with assistance and input from Larry Reiter, Subhas Sikdar, and Stephen Schmelling (NRMRL). Other staff who provided input for preparation of the pre-briefing included Laurel Staley, John Haines, and John Cicmanec (NRMRL). The pre-briefing went well, and Dr. Gilman asked that it be presented as a briefing July 29, 2004, to Steve Johnson. However, due to unanticipated conflicts in Mr. Johnson's schedule, this has been postponed indefinitely. Nevertheless, the briefing presentation has been delivered to the Deputy Administrator's office.
Contractors with GlassLock visited GWERD July 27-28, 2004, to further assess the need of protecting the facility windows due to blast hazards. Windows were measured and assessed for protective film that will provide protection in case of outside blast hazards. Film tinting was also addressed so as to achieve an energy saving from this protection.