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NRMRL MONTHLY REPORT FOR MAY 2004
Stephen G. Schmelling, Division Director
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Headquarters: On April 16, 2004, David Jewett (GWERD) and
Bruce Pivetz (Dynamac) provided Marlene Berg (OSWER, OERR)
with a review of the literature on the facilitated transport of PCBs
in ground water along with review comments on a draft PCB
guidance document on the subject. The information provided also
included a worst case scenario that would generate a generic, but
conservative, soil screening level for PCB migration to ground
water, the identification of appropriate laboratory tests, and a
verification of PCB physical and chemical properties data
presented in the guidance document.
(D. Jewett(GWERD)580-436-8560)
W. R. Grace Superfund Site, Region I: On May 21, 2004, David
Jewett (GWERD), Noman Ahsanuzzaman, Mingyu Wang, and
Robert Earle (Shaw Environmental) provided RPM Derrick
Golden with review comments concerning ground-water flow and
contaminant transport model results at the W.R. Grace Superfund
Site in Acton, MA. The review focused on vertical hydraulic
gradients produced by the flow model and preliminary results of
the transport model. It was suggested that statistical results be
presented with respect to simulated and observed vertical hydraulic
gradients. Sensitivity simulations, specific times and locations for
calibrating the transport model, and the justification of model
parameters were discussed in detail.
(D. Jewett(GWERD)580-436-8560)
Region IV: On April 5, 2004, Richard Wilkin (GWERD) provided
Carol Stein (Gannett Fleming, Inc.) with comments on a document
titled "Geochemical Protocol for Site-to-Background Comparisons
of Trace Metals in Soils: Examples from the Avon Park Air Force
Range, Florida." The report was found to be a clearly written
discussion and presentation of a new methodology for establishing
background element concentrations in soil. Several suggestions
were provided to improve the clarity of the presentation and to
point out the limitations of this method for identifying metal
sequestration mechanisms.
(R. Wilkin(GWERD)580-436-8874)
CDM Site, Region IV: On April 30, 2004, Scott Huling
(GWERD) provided RPM Brian Farrier with comments concerning
a treatability study for permanganate oxidation of PAHs, PCP,
benzene, and toluene in ground water at the CDM Site in
Brunswick, GA. In general, it was suggested that the proposal
serves as a good basis upon which to develop a scope of work.
The review comments and recommendation were provided to focus
the scope of bench-scale treatability tests. Issues discussed in
detail included the size of the bench-scale reactors, length of
oxidant demand tests, solids to solution ratio for testing, and
oxidant delivery concentrations.
(S. Huling(GWERD)580-436-8610)
Southern Solvents Superfund Site, Region IV: On May 11,
2004, Scott Huling (GWERD) and Bruce Pivetz (Dynamac)
provided RPM Galo Jackson with technical review comments on a
draft work plan for pilot-scale injection of KMnO4 at the Southern
Solvents Superfund Site in Tampa, FL. General discussions
centered on the proposed injection strategy, mass and cost of
required permanganate, and soil oxygen demand. Detailed
comments were offered with respect to bench-scale studies, pilot
plan overview, design basis, pre-injection sampling and analysis,
and performance monitoring.
(S. Huling(GWERD)580-436-8610)
Montrose and Del Amo Superfund Sites, Region IX: On May
10, 2004, Steven Acree (GWERD) and Mingyu Wang, Noman
Ahsanuzzaman, and Robert Earle (Shaw Environmental) provided
RPM Jeff Dhont with comments regarding Interim Modeling
Memorandum No. 7 for the Montrose and Del Amo Superfund
Sites in Torrance, CA. Concerns were expressed with respect to
the source term and vertical hydraulic conductivity used in the
model. Other concerns were the general head boundary, calibrated
hydraulic conductivity values, and a weight scheme applied to
different investigation areas during the model construction and
calibration.
(S. Acree(GWERD)580-436-8609)
Montrose and Del Amo Superfund Sites, Region IX: On May
10, 2004, Steven Acree (GWERD), Mingyu Wang, Noman
Ahsanuzzaman, and Robert Earle (Shaw Environmental) provided
RPM Jeff Dhont with comments regarding Interim Modeling
Memorandum No. 8 for the Montrose and Del Amo Superfund
Sites in Torrance, CA. Factors that could result in model
uncertainty were discussed along with calibration statistics, ways to
reduce uncertainty, and implications of uncertainty in modeling
results.
(S. Acree(GWERD)580-436-8609)
Yerington Mine Site, Region IX: On May 11, 2004, David
Jewett, Steven Acree, and Robert Ford (GWERD) provided RPM
James Sickles with a review of 4th Quarter 2004 Radionuclide Data
for ground-water samples collected in the vicinity of the Yerington
Mine Site in Yerington, NV. Other documents were also reviewed
to gain additional knowledge about the hydrogeologic and
geochemical settings at the site. Insufficient data with respect to
hydraulic gradients and conductivity in aquifer units where
uranium has been detected and limited data defining the
geochemical setting make it difficult to reliably perform even a
screening-level evaluation of the possible mobility of uranium and
the distance and direction the plume may have migrated. Detailed
review comments on subsurface characterization and uranium fate
and transport issues were provided.
(D. Jewett(GWERD)580-436-8560)
NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation: On May 25, 2004,
Scott Huling (GWERD) and Bruce Pivetz (Dynamac) provided
Eric Hausamann (NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation) with
comments and recommendations on a draft of "Strategies for
Monitoring the Performance of DNAPL Source Zone Remedies"
prepared by the Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council
(ITRC) DNAPLs Team. In addition to a plethora of detailed
comments directed at various sections of the document, general
remarks were directed at addressing significant differences in the
proposed chemical oxidants, and defining the terms and phrases
used in the document. Editorial comments were provided in the
margins of the text.
(S. Huling(GWERD)580-436-8610)
SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS
Jorgensen, Eric E. (GWERD) and Stephen L. Yarbrough
(Dynamac). November 2003. "Ecosystem Restoration to Restore
Water Quality; An Unrealized Opportunity for Practitioners and
Researchers."
EPA Report. EPA/600/R-03/144 NRMRL-ADA-04210
(E. Jorgensen(GWERD)580-436-8545)
http://epa.gov/ada/pubs/reports.html
Azadpour-Keeley, Ann (GWERD). "NRMRL Evaluates Microbial
Responses to Ground-Water Remediation Technologies."
Technology News and Trends. Issue 11, March 2004, pp. 5-6.
NRMRL-ADA-04115
(A. Azadpour-Keeley(GWERD)580-436-8890)
http://www.clu-in.org/products/newsltrs/tnandt/
RELEASE OF KEY PRODUCTS
The GWERD released the report, The DNAPL Remediation
Challenge: Is There a Case for Source Depletion? (EPA/600/R-
03/143). This report contains the findings and recommendations of
a panel of fourteen national and international scientists and
engineers selected by EPA. All panel members are recognized
authorities on the topic of DNAPL ground water remediation. The
panel was asked to conduct a critical, independent review of the
current state of the science regarding difficulties and benefits
associated with remediation of DNAPL source zones and research
needs to address this important environmental challenge. The
report will be used by the Agency in planning research and
technology demonstration projects that will provide scientific
support for Agency policy and regulatory decisions. View or
download the report at
http://www.epa.gov/ada/download/reports/600R03143/600R03143.pdf
NRMRL-ADA-03129
(D. Burden(GWERD)580-436-8606)
Chunming Su and Robert W. Puls. 2003. "Nitrate reduction and
transformation in organic compost media: Laboratory batch
studies." Proceedings of the Seventh International In Situ and On-site Bioremediation-2003.
Paper M-07. CD-ROM. Battelle Press,
Columbus, OH.
NRMRL-ADA-03130
(R. Puls(GWERD)580-436-8543)
ONGOING RESEARCH
Pre-Restoration Groundwater Sampling at the Minebank
Stream Restoration Study. GWERD researchers Paul Mayer
and Russell Neill completed pre-restoration groundwater sampling
for the Minebank Stream Restoration study in Baltimore, MD,
during the week of May 10, 2004.
(P. Mayer(GWERD)580-436-8647)
MEETINGS AND PRESENTATIONS
Mary Sue McNeil (GWERD) attended the National Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting on May 7, 2004, in Washington, D.C. This meeting was held to brief the NRC Project Officers and Laboratory Representatives of any changes and discuss any issues that might arise throughout the year. Ms. McNeil is the NRMRL Project Officer for this grant and the Laboratory Program Representative (LPR) for the Ground Water and Ecosystem Restoration Division and the National Homeland Security Research Center.
Robert Ford (GWERD) gave an invited presentation titled "Impact of Redox Disequilibria on Contaminant Transport and Remediation in Subsurface Systems" as part of a workshop on "Future Directions in Synchrotron Environmental Science", held during the 2004 Users Meeting for the Advanced Photon Source (APS). The workshop was held May 4, 2004, at the Argonne National Laboratory in Argonne, IL. The presentation provided an overview of collaborative research conducted by GWERD researchers Robert Ford and Richard Wilkinexploring applications of monitored natural attenuation and permeable reactive barriers for treatment of inorganic contaminants in subsurface systems. This research relies heavily on data collected from characterization of solid materials using an array of techniques, including spectroscopies supported at the APS synchrotron light source. The input from presentations given during the workshop will be incorporated into a summary document for review by the APS committee on "Future Scientific Directions for the Advanced Photon Source."
Cynthia Paul and Dominic DiGiulio GWERD) were invited to assist the Environmental Professionals of Connecticut by providing training on vapor intrusions issues May 13, 2004, in Hartford, CT. Ms. Paul's training session was titled "Ground Water Sampling for Vapor Intrusion." Dr. DiGiulio's training sessions were titled "Q4-Q6 Logic and Flow" and "Sub-Slab Sampling."
David Burden (GWERD) attended the combined EPA National Association of Remedial Project Managers (NARPM) and Technical Support Project Meeting in Miami Beach, FL, May 24-28, 2004. The conference was attended by more than 400 RPMs, Regional Forum members, and representatives from state agencies. On Wednesday May 26, Dr. Burden gave a presentation during the morning plenary session on the capabilities and services provided by the Ground Water Technical Support Center. Throughout the entire week Dr. Burden and Dr. Kelly Hurt (Dynamac) promoted the Ground Water Technical Support Center in the Resource Area using GWERD's new display and several informative handouts. Dominic DiGiulio (GWERD) attended the EPA National Association of Remedial Project Managers and made an oral presentation titled "Development of a Sub-Slab Air Sampling Protocol to Support Assessment of Vapor Intrusion."
The following GWERD researchers attended the 4th Battelle Conference on "Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds", in Monterey, CA, May 23-28, 2004:
Chunming Su (GWERD) gave an oral presentation titled "Arsenic Interaction with Iron (II,III) Hydroxycarbonate Green Rust: Implications for Arsenic Remediation", of which he and Richard Wilkin (GWERD) are authors.
David Jewett (GWERD) gave a poster presentation titled "Mercury Fate and Transport in Groundwater at an Abandoned Mine", of which he, Ellen Manges (USEPA, Headquarters), Mark Engle, Gregory Reller and Joel Bauman (Tetra Tech EM Inc.) are authors.
John T. Wilson (GWERD) was a co-chair of the platform session, "Role of Abiotic Mechanisms in Natural Attenuation." Dr. Wilson also taught a short course: "Use of Stable Isotopes in Environmental and Forensic Geochemistry Studies."
Robert Puls (GWERD) was a co-chair of the platform session, "Assessing the Performance of Permeable Reactive Barriers."
A. Lynn Wood (GWERD) gave a poster presentation titled "The Impact of Partial DNAPL Source Zone Remediation", of which he, Michael Brooks and Tony Lee (GWERD), and Mustafa Bob (NRC PostDoc) authored.
Ralph Ludwig (GWERD) made an oral presentation titled "In Situ Cr(VI) Treatment Using a Ferrous Iron Based Reductant", of which he, Chunming Su, Frank Beck, Steve Acree, Randall Ross, and Kyle Jones (GWERD), and Patrick Clark (NRMRL) authored.
Susan Mravik (GWERD) gave a poster presentation titled "Impact of Cosolvent Flushing on Subsurface Microbial Ecology at the Former Sage's Dry Cleaner Site", of which she, A. Lynn Wood (GWERD), Hai Shen (NRC Post Doc), Randall Sillan (Levine-Fricke), and Guy W. Sewell (East Central Univ.) authored.
Eva Davis (GWERD) made an oral presentation titled "Steam Injection Into Fracture Bedrock at Loring AFB", of which she, Gorm Heron and Steve Carroll (SteamTech Environmental) authored.
Phil Kaiser (GWERD) gave a poster presentation titled "Removal of MTBE from Water with Zeolites", of which he, Robert Ford and John T. Wilson (GWERD), and Siddhesh Shevade (Iowa University) authored.
Phil Kaiser (GWERD) gave a poster presentation titled "An Enrichment Culture That Degrades Under Anaerobic Conditions", of which he, John T. Wilson and Cherri Adair (GWERD), and Tomasz Kuder (Univ. of Oklahoma) authored.
A. Lynn Wood (GWERD) gave a poster presentation titled "Impact of DNAPL Source Treatment on Contaminant Mass Flux", of which he, Michael Annable (Univ. Of Florida), Carl Enfield (NRMRL), Ronald Falta (Clemson Univ.), Mark Goltz (USAF), James Jawitz (Univ. Of Florida), and P. Suresh Rao (Purdue Univ.) authored.
TRAINING
Roger Cosby (GWERD) attended Maximizing Human Capitaltraining May 24-28, 2004, at the Western Management Development Center in Denver, CO.
Robert Puls (GWERD) attended Strategic Leadership training May 17-21, 2004, at the Western Management Development Center in Denver, CO.
Scott Holub (GWERD) attended the workshop "Making the Linkages Through the Use of Environmental Indicators" in Kansas City, MO, May 17-20, 2004.
SPECIAL EMPHASIS PROGRAM NEWS
May is National Asian Pacific American Month. The Special Emphasis Program invited Dr. Chunming Su (GWERD) to give a presentation on May 19, 2004. His presentation was titled "The Story of an Asian American." The presentation detailed Chunming's life from adolescence through the present. Many slides were shown that described the day-to-day life of the people in China and the many differences that they encounter versus a U.S. citizen.