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NRMRL MONTHLY REPORT FOR MARCH 2005
Stephen G. Schmelling, Division Director
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Re-Solve Inc. Superfund Site, Region 1: In a continuing
technical assistance effort at the Re-Solve Inc. Superfund Site in
Dartmouth, MA, Scott Huling (GWERD) and Bruce Pivetz
(Dynamac) provided RPM Joseph Lemay with technical review
comments on a program summary of the first two years of a three-
year bio-filter/phytobed pilot study. The March 15 response
pointed out that the most significant issue raised is doubt that the
system can meet site-specific permit limits for PCBs. Other
comments related to piezometer results and the facilitated transport
of PCBs through the trench systems.
(S. Huling(GWERD)580-436-8610)
Memphis Defense Depot Site, Region 4: On February 24, Ralph
Ludwig (GWERD) gave a presentation on zero-valent iron
technology at a public meeting for the Memphis Defense Depot
site in Memphis. Zero-valent iron is being proposed for use at the
site to treat a deep chlorinated hydrocarbon ground-water plume
and chlorinated hydrocarbon source area. Hydraulic fracturing will
be used to install a permeable reactive barrier to treat the ground-
water plume while high-pressure, high-velocity zero valent iron
powder injection will be used for source treatment. The
presentation was given to familiarize the public with zero-valent
iron technology and to explain the science behind the technology.
Following the presentation, questions were fielded from the
audience regarding long-term effectiveness of the zero-valent iron,
the potential presence of contaminants at the site not treatable with
zero-valent iron, and the ultimate fate and environmental impact of
the zero-valent iron in the subsurface.
(R. Ludwig(GWERD)580-436-8603)
Savannah River Site-Old Radioactive Waste Burial Ground
Site, Region 4: On March 1, Eva Davis (GWERD) provided RPM
Jim Barksdale with technical review comments on an "Interim
Remedial Action Implementation Plan" for the Trichloroethylene
Vadose Zone Source Unit at the Savannah River Site-Old
Radioactive Waste Burial Ground Site in Aiken, SC. The
proposed system is a combination of Electrical Resistance Heating
(ERH) with Soil Vacuum Extraction (SVE). A number of general
suggestions were offered on issues including the location of the
highest TCE soil concentrations, use of the remediation system
below the water table, assuring that the system is designed by
experienced engineers, and effluent vapor treatment. Specific
issues included the installation of electrodes, shutdown criteria,
and construction materials.
(E. Davis(GWERD)580-436-8548)
Field Brooks Superfund Site, Region 5: On March 2, David
Burden (GWERD) and Daniel Pope (Dynamac) provided RPM
Terese Van Donsel with comments on a DNAPL recovery pilot-
study work plan, and revisions to the operation and maintenance
manual for the Field Brooks Superfund Site in Ashtabula, OH.
DNAPL recovery operations have been hampered by poor
performance of the system including pumping difficulties
associated with silt and crystalline materials in the DNAPLs.
Issues discussed include pump selection, recovery wells,
monitoring network, and sampling regime. It was suggested that a
discussion of the goals of the monitoring program be provided and
how collected data will be used to make site-related decisions.
(D. Burden(GWERD)580-436-8606)
Pemaco Maywood Site, Region 9: On February 9, Eva Davis
(GWERD) attended a meeting in the Regional Office in San
Francisco to discuss the development of a Request for Proposals
for electrical resistance heating (ERH) remediation for the source
zone at the Pemaco Maywood Site in Los Angeles. Also attending
the meeting were the RPM and others from Region 9 and
Headquarters, and the Corps of Engineers and their consultants.
Along with ERH remediation, which is proposed for one area of
the site, the integration of this technology with plans for the rest of
the site were discussed as well as pursuing SITE involvement in
performance evaluation. Eva Davis will serve as the Technical
Lead/Project Manager for the SITE evaluation as well as providing
additional technical support to the project.
(E. Davis(GWERD)580-436-8548)
Yerington Mine-Anaconda Copper Co. Site, Region 9: On
March 1, Steven Acree, Robert Ford, and David Jewett (GWERD)
provided RPM James Sickles with a review of an "Initial
Groundwater Conditions Work Plan" for the Yerington Mine-
Anaconda Copper Co. Site in Yerington, NV. In general, the
studies described in the proposed plan appeared to be acceptable
for the initial phase of investigations to characterize the
hydrostratigraphy and ground-water chemistry in an area north of
the pump back system. However, it appears that additional phases
will be required to fully meet each of the characterization
objectives. It was recommended that the results of the "first step"
activities be presented and accompanied by a work plan update for
the "second step" activities.
(S. Acree 580-436-8609/R. Ford 580-436-8872/D. Jewett 580-436-8560(GWERD))
Boomsnub/Airco Superfund Site, Region 10: On March 8,
Randall Ross (GWERD) and Milovan Beljin (Dynamac) provided
RPM Lee Marshall with a critique of the "Groundwater Modeling
Technical Memorandum No. 3" which was prepared for the
Boomsnub/Airco Superfund Site in Hazel Dell, WA. The
comments generally reflect GWERD review comments expressed
during a teleconference on February 15. In general, the results of
the current modeling effort agree favorably with those from
previous efforts. It was noted that a majority of the particles
released during the simulations eventually migrate downward into
an underlying aquifer. It was recommended that, if modifications
to the model still result in the transport of a majority of particles to
the underlying aquifer, it may be necessary to install additional
monitoring wells in that zone to evaluate the threat posed by
contaminated ground water from the upper aquifer.
(R. Ross(GWERD)580-436-8611)
MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES
John Wilson (GWERD) made two oral presentations at the 17th UST/LUST National Conference in Seattle, March 13-17. The presentations were entitled "Field Observations to Recognize the Natural Biodegradation of MTBE" and "What Does It Take to Demonstrate a Clear and Meaningful Trend for MNA?"
GWERD staff Roger Cosby and Frank Price attended the 2005 EPA Buildings and Facilities Workshop in Philadelphia on March 14-17. At the conference, the Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Center was recognized by the Department of Energy as an energy-efficient facility. A plaque was given in recognition of this accomplishment.
Richard Wilkin (GWERD) delivered an invited seminar presentation entitled "Iron Sulfides in the Environment: Formation, Fate, and Significance to Contaminant Behavior" at the University of South Florida, Department of Geology on March 28.
SPECIAL EMPHASIS PROGRAM NEWS
In recognition of Women's History Month, Patty J. Bailey, investment representative for Raymond James Financial Services, spoke to staff on "The ABCs of a Lifetime Plan (Achieving your goals one step at a time)." She stated that because women earn seventy-five cents compared to one dollar earned by men for the same job, it's important that women begin as early as possible to secure their financial future. Everyone should have three goals: establish an emergency fund, pay off credit cards, and pay fewer taxes. When working with a financial consultant, choose someone you trust, but never have blind trust in them.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) awarded GWERD the Federal Energy Saver Showcase Award for decreasing energy use by more than fifty percent, and water use by more than eighty percent. To promote wise energy and water use throughout the Federal government, agencies are showcasing cost- effective energy efficiency, water-conserving, and renewable energy technologies in their facilities. Since 1995, FEMP has recognized many sites as Federal Energy Saver Showcases. To highlight these successful energy efficiency projects, Executive Order 13132 requires that agencies designate "exemplary new and existing facilities with significant public access and exposure as showcase facilities to highlight energy or water efficiency and renewable energy improvements.