See previous POLREPS for Site Description information.
An additional buried railroad tankcar containing unknown materials was discovered on 11/20/08 during continuing removal site evaluation of the Site. The taank is referred to as Buried Tank #4 in certain Site documentation. The tank appears to contain coal tar. The tank is not intact and contains an opening into which water is able to migrate and out of which contaminated water is able to migrate.
The OSC reviewed the analytical data from the removal site evaluation activities conducted in November 2008. The OSC forwarded the analytical results to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and to EPA's groundwater technical experts for further evaluation.
A brief analysis of the analytical data and available information follows:
Based upon a review of aerial photographs and on-Site observation, the Site historically included up to 5 rail sidings. One siding entered a small shed building where painting operations occurred. The remaining 4 sidings entered 2 large shed buildings where repair or rehabilitation operations occurred. One of these sidings also passed through a sandblasting shed. A small impoundment was located between the sidings. A larger impoundment was located southeast of the sidings. Surface water from the Site was likely directed into this larger impoundment based upon observation of underground pipes at the Site. At least 4 railcars used for the containment of hazardous materials were buried alongside the westernmost siding. Additional tanks included storage for ammonia, diesel fuel, gasoline, and fuel for an on-Site boiler.
I. SURFACE SOIL
The surface material at the Site is comprised predominantly of the residues (i.e., sand and minor bits of paint and metal) from former sand blasting operations. The Site includes piles of sand blasting residues along its eastern boundary and along the railroad tracks. Most of the eastern half of the Site is also covered by the sand blasting residue. Limited information about the depth of the sand blasting residues is available, however, the residues were found to be approximately 4 feet thick in many of the boreholes advanced during the removal site evaluation. According to the historical photographs and on-Site observations from geoprobe borings, it appears that the former impoundments were filled with sandblasting residues.
The sandblasting residues could be considered to be residual wastes pursuant to Pennsylvania Code. The EPA removal site evaluation included analysis of surface material samples for metal and semi-volatile organic compounds. Analytical results of the surface materials at the Site (comprised mainly of sandblasting residues) identified metal and semi-volatile organic contaminants. Significant contaminants are lead, benzo(a)pyrene, and hexachlorobenzene. These contaminants were found as follows, where detected:
Sand Pile along Tracks. Three samples were collected (SS-1, 2 and 3). The surface material is entirely sand, is exposed and this area is unvegetated. Lead was detected between 1590 and 1980 mg/kg. Benzo(a)pyrene was detected between 0.16 and 2.1 mg/kg.
Sand Piles along eastern perimeter. Four samples were collected (SS-8,9,10, and 11). The surface material is exposed and the area is characterized by sparse vegetation and trees. This area abuts residential property without barrier. Lead was detected between 925 and 1930 mg/kg. Benzo(a)pyrene was detected between 0.39 and 1.1 mg/kg.
Drainage from Site. This sample (SS-4)is from near the end of pipe exiting the paint shed and samples SS-01 through SS-03. The pipe directs water into a ditch that runs along the railroad tracks. The ditch is full of sand from the sandblasting operation. Lead was detected at 681 mg/kg and benzo(a)pyrene was detected at 4.1 mg/kg.
Surface Soil near former buried tank car area. Two samples (SS-5 and SS-6) were collected. The surface soil in this area is unvegetated and traversed routinely by current businesses operating at the Site. Lead was detected between 487 and 914 mg/kg. Benzo(a)pyrene was detected at 5.1 mg/kg. Hexachlorobenzene was detected at 2 and 2.2 mg/kg.
A sample intended to represent background was collected in a treed area in the southeast area of Site along Walnut Ave. Lead was detected at 366 mg/kg and benzo(a)pyrene was detected at 0.9 mg/kg
II. SUBSURFACE SOIL
The subsurface soil at the Site was observed through the advancement of soil borings using a geoprobe. The borings were advanced in areas thought to be the former location of impoundments, buried rail cars removed by TCCA, and areas thought to be unaffected by impoundments or buried tanks. The EPA removal site evaluation included analysis of subsurface soil samples for volatile, semi-volatile organic compounds, pesticide compounds, PCB compounds, and the herbicide 2,4-D. The samples were collected from intervals exhibiting elevated organic vapor readings or from soil intervals beneath the sand blasting residues at the surface. The analytical results of the subsurface soil identified numerous organic contaminants. Notable contaminants are benzene, trichloroethene, phenol, naphthalene, dibenzofuran, benzo(a)anthracene, benzo(a)anthracene, and 2,4-D. These contaminants were found as follows, where detected:
Two subsurface soil samples (SB-01 and SB-02) were collected from the location of a former small impoundment located between the railroad sidings at the Site. The borings were advanced through approximately 3 feet of sandblasting residues into a clayey soil. The samples were collected from intervals between 3 and 5 feet below ground surface. One of the borings was then advanced through approximately 8 feet of this soil before the hole was stopped. Chemical odors were detected from all depth intervals. The sandblasting residues in these borings were saturated. The following contaminants were detected, among many others: Benzene (32 - 42 mg/kg), Trichloroethene (TCE) (0.0047 – 0.051 mg/kg), Phenol (16 – 19 mg/kg), Napthalene (1200 – 2800 mg/kg), Dibenzofuran (81 – 220 mg/kg), benzo(a)anthracene (64 – 220 mg/kg), benzo(a)pyrene (45 – 130 mg/kg), and 2,4-D (ND – 0.353 mg/kg).
Two subsurface soil samples (SB-06 and SB-07) were collected from the location of a former large impoundment southeast of the railroad sidings. The borings were advanced through approximately 4 feet of sandblasting residues into clayey soil. The samples were collected from depths between 5 and 6 feet below ground surface. The sandblasting residues in these borings were saturated. The following contaminants were detected, among many others: Benzene (0.0047 - 33 mg/kg), Trichloroethene (TCE) (ND - 0.0021 mg/kg), Phenol (ND – 2.6 mg/kg), Napthalene (0.1 – 37 mg/kg), Dibenzofuran (0.088 – 8.9 mg/kg), benzo(a)anthracene (0.14 – 9 mg/kg), benzo(a)pyrene (0.088 – 6.4 mg/kg).
Four subsurface soil samples were collected from 2 locations (SB-04 and 05) from the area where railcars were buried at the Site. Two samples were collected from each boring at different depths. One of the borings was advanced to a depth intended to be below the depth of the railcars. The shallow soil was mixed and various indicative of material disturbed during the reported removal of the buried railcars. The results do not suggest the placement of clean fill throughout the excavation area. Additionally, the data suggest that the tanks may have leaked. The following contaminants were detected, among many others, at depths up to 7 feet below ground surface: Benzene (0.0074 – 0.042 mg/kg), Trichloroethene (TCE) (0.0014 - 0.011 mg/kg), Phenol (ND – 0.180 mg/kg), Napthalene (32 – 710 mg/kg), Dibenzofuran (6.9 – 130 mg/kg), benzo(a)anthracene (8.4 – 200 mg/kg), benzo(a)pyrene (5.6 – 130 mg/kg). One of the borings was advanced to a depths greater than 15 feet below ground surface. At 15 feet beneath the ground, the soil contained a chemical odor and contained phenol (0.230 mg/kg), naphthalene ( 0.043 mg/kg) and benzo(a)anthracene (2.6 mg/kg).
Six subsurface soil samples (SB-03, 08, 09, 10, 11, and 12) were collected from borings advanced into areas not suspected to have buried railcars or impoundments, but otherwise located within operational areas of the Site. SB-03 was advanced near the boiler house. Sample SB-08 was advanced near the paint shed. SB-09 was advanced near the paint shed in an area suspected to be downgradient to the small impoundment and near surface water migration pathways (the surface materials were found to be saturated). SB-11 was advanced near the location of a tank containing an ammonia mixture in an operational area of the Site. SB-10 was advanced in the suspected berm of the larger impoundment. SB-12 was advanced in an area at the suspected rear of the larger lagoon well into the area subsoils and was intended to represent background. The chemical contaminant discussed in this document were detected below 1 mg/kg in SB-03, SB-08, SB-10, and SB-12. The following contaminants were detected, among many others, in SB-09 downgradient of the impoundments: Benzene (0.0022 mg/kg), Napthalene (8.4 mg/kg), Dibenzofuran (2.1 mg/kg), benzo(a)anthracene (0.12 mg/kg), benzo(a)pyrene (0.086 mg/kg) and the herbicide 2,4-D (1.09 mg/kg). The following were also detected in SB-011: Naphthalene (1.6 mg/kg), dibenzofuran (4.8 mg/kg), benzo(a)anthracene (12 mg/kg), benzo(a)pyrene (6.9 mg/kg) and the herbicide 2,4-D (0.032 mg/kg).
III. SHALLOW/PERCHED GROUNDWATER
The subsurface was found to be saturated in the areas of the former impoundments and immediately downgradient thereof. The clayey soils appeared to resulting in a perched water table less than 2 feet beneath ground surface. A deeper regional shallow aquifer is suggested by the deeper water levels in the monitoring wells located at the Site. The manner in which the shallow perched water migrates is not known. Temporary monitoring wells were installed within the soil borings of both former impoundments and the area immediately downgradient thereof. The water was purged slowly from the wells until certain parameters equilibrated and then samples were collected. The wells recharged quickly indicating that the perched water was able to move efficiently through the sandblasting residues.
Two temporary wells were installed in the area of the former small impoundment. The following contaminants were detected, among many others: Benzene (0.37 – 1.6 mg/L), Trichloroethene (TCE) (0.015 – 0.068 mg/L), Phenol (0.34 – 2.5 mg/L), Napthalene (2.1 – 2.2 mg/L), Dibenzofuran (0.085 – 0.095 mg/L), benzo(a)anthracene (0.011 – 0.012 mg/L), benzo(a)pyrene (0.0067 – 0.0068 mg/L).
A temporary well (TW-06) was installed in the larger impoundment. The following contaminants were detected, among many others: Benzene (0.39 mg/L), Phenol (0.0058 mg/L), Napthalene (0.035 mg/L), Dibenzofuran (0.0086 mg/L).
A temporary well was installed downgradient to the area of the former impoundments. The following contaminants were detected, among many others: Benzene (0.15 mg/L), Napthalene (1.3 mg/L), Dibenzofuran (0.120 mg/L), benzo(a)anthracene (0.020 mg/L), benzo(a)pyrene (0.014 mg/L).
IV. GROUNDWATER
Three monitoring wells located at the Site were purged and sampled. These wells appear to be constructed into the shallow regional aquifer approximately 40 feet below the ground surface. Only trichloroethene (TCE) was detected in only one of these wells (MW-3) located in the northwest portion of the Site at a level of 0.0082 mg/L.
TANK WASTE:
The tank was failed TCLP for benzene and contains high concentrations of benzene, toluene, xylene, phenol, napthalene, and numerous PAH compounds. The material appears to be similar to coal tar.
EPA is now preparing to remove the wastes from the remaining buried tank at the Site. EPA is also preparing to remove the tank and waste materials that have released into the soils around the tank. Finally, EPA is preparing to dispose numerous drums of various materials that were left behind by TCCA.
Finalize contracts for removal activities.
|
