Year 6 Post-Remediation Biomonitoring and Phase II Source Investigation at the United Heckathorn Superfund Site, Richmond, California

Abstract

ph: (865) 576-8401 fax: (865) 576-5728 email: reports@adonis.osti.gov Available to the public from the National Technical Information Service, U.S. Department of Commerce, 5285 Port Royal Rd., Springfield, VA 22161 ph: (800) 553-6847 fax: (703) 605-6900 email: orders@ntis.fedworld.gov online ordering: http://www.ntis.gov/ordering.htm Abstract The Heckathorn Superfund Site in Richmond, California, encompasses the property of the former United Heckathorn pesticide packaging plant and the adjacent waterway, Lauritzen Channel. The site was used from 1945 to 1966 by several operators to produce various agricultural chemicals. The site was placed on the National Priorities List of Superfund sites in 1990, which resulted in the removal of pesticide-contaminated soil from the upland portion of the site and dredging the marine portion of the site. Post-remediation marine monitoring and associated studies conducted through 2002 indicate that the contamination in the channel continues to pose a significant risk to biota and human health. This report documents continued marine monitoring and source investigation studies conducted in 2003. v

Activated Carbon Amendment as a Treatment for Residual DDT in Sediment From a Superfund Site in San Francisco Bay, Richmond, California, Usa

“…The vibracores also were used to assess whether the nominal 12-inch (30.5 cm) sand layer [23] applied after dredging was intact six years later. A distinct sand layer was noted in only one of the three cores reported here, and in a total of only three of 16 vibracores collected throughout the channel by PNNL in 2003 [5]. Table 2 describes the consistency and measured DDT concentrations in the strata of the three sampled vibracores.…”

“…1). Six years of postdredging marine monitoring of water and fauna by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) found residual DDT contamination levels exceeding the remediation goals of 0.59 ng/L and 0.59 mg/kg in water and sediment, respectively [4,5]. Chemical releases from processing and equipment washing caused DDT and dieldrin contamination in the embankment soil, sediment, and water of Lauritzen Channel [1].…”

“…Several chemical processors conducted operations in this area from 1947 to 1966, including the pesticide formulator United Heckathorn. Total water DDT concentrations at the north end of the channel have remained consistently near 100 ng/L from 1991 to 2003 [5,6]. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) added the United Heckathorn site to its National Priority List of Federal Superfund sites in March 1990, and a site history and description of embankment soil remedial actions can be found in Weston et al [2].…”

“…Chemical releases from processing and equipment washing caused DDT and dieldrin contamination in the embankment soil, sediment, and water of Lauritzen Channel [1]. Several biological studies found remaining sediment toxicity to amphipods and DDT bioaccumulation in mussels [5,7]. The selected sediment remediation remedy was dredging and dewatering of all soft bay mud material with offsite disposal and placement of a clean material (sand) cap to enhance habitat value [3].…”

“…Remedial dredging was completed in 1997. Six years of postdredging marine monitoring of water and fauna by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) found residual DDT contamination levels exceeding the remediation goals of 0.59 ng/L and 0.59 mg/kg in water and sediment, respectively [4,5]. The highest sediment concentrations, greater than 1,000 mg/kg, were found under the eastern dock.…”