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NRMRL MONTHLY REPORT FOR DECEMBER 2004
Stephen G. Schmelling, Division Director
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
New England Superfund Site, Region 1: During November 15-
17, Eva Davis (GWERD) participated in a meeting in Boston to
discuss a draft feasibility study (FS) at the Solvents Recovery
Services of New England Superfund Site in Southington, CT. A
pre-meeting with Region 1 representatives and their consultants
was followed by a technical meeting with Potentially Responsible
Parties' (PRPs) consultants. Technical comments on the draft FS
which had previously been submitted to the Region by GWERD
were discussed. Issues included the potential for downward
mobilization of DNAPL in soil during thermal remediation,
potential costs, and the effectiveness of the remedial technology.
EPA and PRPs attorneys also participated in a meeting where
remedial technologies were discussed. The PRPs are willing to
select thermal remediation as a remedy based on information
provided by EPA.
(E. Davis(GWERD)580-436-8548)
Wells G&H Superfund Site, Region 1: On November 22, Robert
Ford (GWERD) provided RPM Joe Lemay with comments
concerning the effects of arsenic and heavy metal contaminated
sediments on the future potable water development of ground
water at the Wells G&H Superfund Site in Woburn, MA. The
comments are based on a review of a technical memorandum
prepared by site consultants. In general, conclusions regarding the
distribution of elevated concentrations of arsenic within the aquifer
appear reasonable. Detailed suggestions were offered with respect
to several sections of the memorandum as well as the executive
summary, figures, and recommendations.
(R. Ford(GWERD)580-436-8872)
Velsicol Chemical/Pine River Superfund Site, Region 5: On
December 2, Randall Ross (GWERD) provided RPM Stephanie
Linebaugh with information on p-Chlorobenzene Sulfonic Acid
(pCBSA) in response to a request for assistance at the Velsicol
Chemical/Pine River Superfund Site in St. Louis. In addition to
providing a number of references on the subject, a detailed
presentation was provided with respect to regulatory standards,
toxicity studies, as well as carcinogenicity studies and
classifications.
(R. Ross(GWERD)580-436-8611)
Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site, Region 8: On
November 23, Ralph Ludwig and David Burden (GWERD)
provided RPM Ron Bertram with review comments on a focused
feasibility study of the Metro Storm Drain, Butte Priority Soils
Operable Unit of the Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site
in Butte, MT. The comments followed a site visit on October 13.
Specifically, findings in the feasibility study were used to comment
on the soundness of the ground-water technical analysis to evaluate
alternatives and determine if the aquifer can be recovered to its
beneficial use in a reasonable period of time. Based on a detailed
analysis of the information, it was suggested that far too many
uncertainties remain with respect to subsurface conditions and
contaminant distribution to conclude whether the aquifer system
can be remediated. It was also pointed out that resolution of many
of the uncertainties is likely to be expensive, technically
challenging, and may not be achievable.
(R. Ludwig(GWERD)580-436-8603/D. Burden(GWERD)580-436-8606)
RELEASE OF KEY PRODUCTS
John T. Wilson (GWERD) contributed to a study that uses state-of-
the science analytical chemistry (compound specific stable isotope
ratio mass spectrometry) to directly estimate the extent of natural
biodegradation of MTBE in ground water at gasoline spill sites.
GWERD teamed with the University of Oklahoma, Atlantic
Richfield Company, and the Local Oversight Program of the
Orange County, California Health Department to conduct the
study. It resulted in the development and validation of an approach
that allows an exact measurement of the extent of natural
biodegradation of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in samples of
ground water. The study, entitled "Enrichment of Stable Carbon
and Hydrogen Isotopes During Anaerobic Biodegradation of
MTBE: Microcosm and Field Evidence", is currently on the
website of Environmental Science & Technology and will be soon
published in their journal. NRMRL-ADA-04159
(J. Wilson(GWERD)580-436-8534)
ONGOING RESEARCH
Great Basin Ecosystem Management (GBEM) project. David Jewett (GWERD) participated in a research planning meeting for the Great Basin Ecosystem Management (GBEM) project in Reno, NV, December 15-16. Other GBEM project stakeholders attending the meeting included the USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station, USDA FS Humboldt-Toyiabe National Forest, Nevada Biodiversity Initiative, Western Carolina University, Lafayette College, University of Buffalo, and University of Nevada-Reno. The meeting focused on activities related to the USEPA/USDA Forest Service ecosystem restoration research IAG.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
GWERD received an Eagle Award from the Central Oklahoma Combined Federal Campaign, in recognition of its outstanding overall campaign performance in the 2004 campaign.
SPECIAL EMPHASIS PROGRAM NEWS
On December 9 in recognition of National American Indian Heritage Month, Mr. Jeremy Finch, Director of Cultural Resources for the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, gave a presentation to GWERD staff on the Nation's history. The Potawatomis, whose name means "from when descended first man", began the move to Oklahoma in 1867. Article 3 of the 1867 treaty gave them dual citizenship: U.S. and Potawatomi citizenship. With 900 employees, they're the largest employer in Potawatomi County. The nation hopes to mend some of the torn fabric of the natural world. Water, air, land and fire are the four sacred elements to the Potawatomi Nation.