draft final remedial investigation / feasibility …draft final . table of contents volume 1 - text...
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DRAFT FINAL PKEAK;REMEDIAL
VOLUME 1 OF 4 - TEXT
REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION/FEASIBILITY STUDY
NEW HAMPSHIRE PLATING COMPANYMERRIMACK, NEW HAMPSHIRE
ForU.S. Environmental Protection Agency
ByHalliburton NUS Corporation
andRaytheon Engineers & Constructors, Inc.
EPA Work Assignment No. 33-1LG1EPA Contract No. 68-W8-0117
HNUS Project No. 0772
May 1996
Halliburton NTJSC O R P O R A T I O N
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DRAFT FINAL REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION REPORT
VOLUME 1 OF 4 - TEXT
REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION/FEASIBILITY STUDY
NEW HAMPSHIRE PLATING COMPANY MERRIMACK, NEW HAMPSHIRE
For U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
By Halliburton NUS Corporation
and Raytheon Engineers & Constructors, Inc.
EPA Work Assignment No. 33-1LG1 EPA Contract No. 68-W8-0117
HNUS Project No. 0772
May 1996
Marilyn M. Wade, P.E. George D(7Gardner, P.E. Project Manager Program Manager
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TABLE OF CONTENTS VOLUME 1 - TEXT
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MERRIMACK, NEW HAMPSHIRE
SECTION PAGE
E.O EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ES-1
1.0 INTRODUCTION 1-1 1.1 Site and Study Area Background 1-2 1.2 NHPC Site History 1-3 1.3 Report Organization 1-4
2.0 STUDY AREA INVESTIGATION 2-1 2.1 Previous Investigations 2-1
2.1.1 Peck Environmental Laboratory, Inc 2-1 2.1.2 Wehran Engineering 2-2 2.1.3 New Hampshire Department of Environmental
Services (NHDES) 2-3 2.1.4 Removal Action - U.S. EPA Emergency Response
Team (ERT) 2-4 2.1.5 Wetland Investigation 2-5 2.1.6 Technical Assistance Groundwater Sampling 2-6 2.1.7 Non-Time-Critical Removal Action 2-7 2.1.8 Previous Investigations on Properties
Abutting the NHPC Site 2-9 2.1.8.1 Magnum Leasing and Mortgage Company . . . 2-9 2.1.8.2 New England Pole and Wood Treating
Company 2-9 2.1.8.3 Techwood Building Systems, Inc 2-9 2.1.8.4 Jones Chemical, Inc 2-10
2.2 Study Areas Summary of Existing Information 2-11 2.2.1 NHPC Operations Area 2-11
2.2.1.1 NHPC Building Area 2-12 2.2.1.2 Former Lagoon Areas 2-13 2.2.1.3 Wetlands and Overflow Area 2-16 2.2.1.4 Other On-site Areas 2-17
2.2.2 Adjacent Properties 2-18 2.2.2.1 Magnum Leasing and Mortgage
Company Property 2-19 2.2.2.2 YMCA Property 2-19 2.2.2.3 Horseshoe Pond Island 2-20 2.2.2.4 New England Pole and Wood Treating
Corporation (NEPWTC) 2-20
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2.2.2.5 Lot Number 22 Property 2-21 2.2.2.6 Techwood Building Systems Property 2-21 2.2.2.7 Jones Chemical, Inc. Property 2-22
2.2.3 Other Locations of Investigation 2-23 2.2.3.1 Horseshoe Pond 2-24 2.2.3.2 Merrimack River 2-24
2.3 Conceptual Site Model 2-24 2.3.1 Source Areas 2-24 2.3.2 Migration Pathways 2-25
2.4 Objectives of the Rl 2-26 2.5 Summary of Remedial Investigation Activities 2-27
2.5.1 Phase I Activities 2-27 2.5.1.1 Surface Soil Sampling Program 2-28 2.5.1.2 Phase I Lagoon Sampling Program 2-29
2.5.2 Phase II Activities 2-31 2.5.2.1 Building Area Soil Boring Program 2-31 2.5.2.2 Lagoon Soil Boring Program 2-33 2.5.2.3 Monitoring Well Installation Program 2-40 2.5.2.4 Piezometer Installation 2-50 2.5.2.5 Soil Vapor Survey 2-50 2.5.2.6 Elevation and Location Surveys 2-51 2.5.2.7 Water Level Monitoring 2-53 2.5.2.8 Groundwater Sampling Program 2-54 2.5.2.9 Surface Water and Sediment Sampling
Program 2-55 2.5.3 Summary of Remedial Investigation Sampling
and Analysis 2-57 2.5.3.1 Data Quality and Data Quality
Objectives 2-57 2.6 Studies Performed By Others 2-58
2.6.1 Geophysical Studies Performed by United States Geologic Survey (USGS) 2-58
2.6.2 Ecological Studies 2-59 2.6.2.1 EPA Corvallis Laboratory 2-59 2.6.2.2 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2-60
2.6.3 University of Cincinnati Stabilization/Solidification Studies 2-60
2.6.4 Former Building Soil Sampling 2-61
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3.0 PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE STUDY AREA 3-1 3.1 Surface and Topographic Features 3-1
3.1.1 NHPC Operations Area 3-1 3.1.2 Study Area 3-2
3.2 Demography and Land Use 3-3 3.2.1 Demography 3-3 3.2.2 Land Use 3-4 3.2.3 Groundwater Use 3-5 3.2.4 Surface Water Use 3-5
3.3 Climate 3-6 3.4 Surface Water Hydrology 3-7 3.5 Geology 3-8
3.5.1 Regional Geology 3-9 3.5.2 Study Area Geology 3-10
3.5.2.1 Unconsolidated Soil Deposits 3-10 3.5.2.2 Former Lagoon Areas 3-15 3.5.2.3 Bedrock 3-17
3.6 Hydrogeology 3-19 3.6.1 Shallow Overburden Aquifer 3-21
3.6.1.1 Hydraulic Conductivity 3-21 3.6.1.2 Groundwater Elevation Measurements 3-23 3.6.1.3 Horizontal Hydraulic Gradients 3-24 3.6.1.4 Horizontal Groundwater Flow 3-24 3.6.1.5 Groundwater Flow Rates 3-26
3.6.2 Deep Overburden 3-27 3.6.2.1 Hydraulic Conductivity 3-27 3.6.2.2 Piezometric Surface Elevation Measurements 3-28 3.6.2.3 Horizontal Hydraulic Gradients 3-28 3.6.2.4 Horizontal Groundwater Flow 3-29 3.6.2.5 Groundwater Flow Rates 3-29
3.6.3 Bedrock Aquifer 3-29 3.6.3.1 Hydraulic Conductivity 3-30 3.6.3.2 Piezometric Surface Elevation
Measurements 3-30 3.6.3.3 Horizontal Hydraulic Gradients 3-32 3.6.3.4 Horizontal Groundwater Flow 3-33
3.6.4 Former Lagoon Areas 3-33 3.6.4.1 Lagoon Area Hydrology 3-34 3.6.4.2 Observed Groundwater Fluctuations
and Depths 3-35
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3.6.5 Groundwater Recharge and Discharge 3-36 3.6.5.1 Upgradient Recharge Areas 3-36 3.6.5.2 Interconnection of Aquifer Systems 3-37 3.6.5.3 Groundwater/Surface Water Interaction . . . . 3-40
3.7 Ecology 3-42
4.0 SOURCE, NATURE AND EXTENT OF CONTAMINATION 4-1 4.1 Source Areas 4-1
4.1.1 NHPC Building Area 4-1 4.1.1.1 NHPC Building 4-2 4.1.1.2 Former Leachfields 4-3 4.1.1.3 Underground Fuel Oil Storage Tank 4-3 4.1.1.4 Above-ground Solvent Storage Tank 4-4 4.1.1.5 Former NHPC Production Well 4-4 4.1.1.6 Solidified Material Storage Cell 4-5
4.1.2 Former Lagoon Areas 4-5 4.1.3 Wetland and Overflow Areas 4-7 4.1.4 Summary of Source Areas 4-7
4.2 Nature of Chemical Compounds Detected at NHPC 4-9 4.2.1 Metals 4-9 4.2.2 Cyanide 4-10 4.2.3 Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) 4-10 4.2.4 Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs) 4-11 4.2.5 Pesticides/Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) 4-11 4.2.6 Petroleum Hydrocarbons 4-12
4.3 Background/Upgradient Sampling Locations 4-13 4.3.1 Background Soil Sampling 4-13
4.3.1.1 Metals 4-13 4.3.1.2 VOCs 4-15 4.3.1.3 SVOCs 4-15 4.3.1.4 Compounds Analyzed by Not Detected . . . . 4-15
4.3.2 Upgradient Groundwater Sampling 4-15 4.3.2.1 Metals 4-16 4.3.2.2 VOCs 4-16
4.3.3 Surface Water and Sediment 4-16 4.4 Extent of Contamination in Soils 4-17
4.4.1 Extent of Soils Contamination in NHPC Building Area , 4-19 4.4.1.1 Metals . . . 4-20 4.4.1.2 Cyanide 4-27
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4.4.1.3 VOCs ........................... 4-28 4.4.1.4 SVOCs .......................... 4-30 4.4.1.5 PCBs ............................ 4-30 4.4.1.6 Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) ...... 4-30 4.4.1.7 Compounds Analyzed But Not Detected . . . . 4-31
4.4.2 Data Presentation for Former Lagoons, Wetlands, and Overflow Area .......................... 4-31
4.4.3 Extent of Soils Contamination in Former Lagoon Areas ................................... 4-33 4.4.3.1 Lagoon 1 Area ..................... 4-34 4.4.3.2 Lagoon 2 Area ..................... 4-41 4.4.3.3 Lagoon 3 and 4 Area ................. 4-49 4.4.3.4 Clean Fill Soil Sample Results ........... 4-57
4.4.4 Extent of Soils Contamination in Wetlands and Overflow Area .......................... 4-58 4.4.4.1 Southern Wetland Area ............... 4-58 4.4.4.2 Northern Wetland Area ............... 4-68 4.4.4.3 Lagoon 4 Overflow .................. 4-77
4.4.5 Other On-site Areas ......................... 4-81 4.4.5.1 Jones Chemical Run-off Area ........... 4-81 4.4.5.2 Pug Mill Area ...................... 4-82 4.4.5.3 ESD Anomally Area .................. 4-83 4.4.5.4 Stockpile Area ..................... 4-83
4.4.6 Off-site Soils .............................. 4-83 4.5 NHPC Study Area Breakdown ........................ 4-84
4.5.1 Background and Cross-Gradient Areas ............ 4-84 4.5.2 NHPC Operations Area ....................... 4-85 4.5.3 Downgradient Areas ........................ 4-85
4.6 Extent of Contamination in Ground water ................ 4-86 4.6.1 Evaluation of Ground water Analytical
Results .................................. 4-87 4.6.2 Shallow Overburden Aquifer ................... 4-88
4.6.2.1 Background and Cross-gradient Areas ..... 4-88 4.6.2.2 NHPC Operations Area ............... 4-90 4.6.2.3 Downgradient Areas ................. 4-92 4.6.2.4 Summary of Shallow Overburden
Aquifer Contamination ................ 4-94 4.6.3 Deep Overburden Aquifer .................... 4-103
4.6.3.1 Upgradient/Cross-gradient Areas ........ 4-104 4.6.3.2 NHPC Operations Area .............. 4-104
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4.6.3.3 Downgradient Areas 4-105 4.6.3.4 Summary of Deep Overburden Aquifer
Contamination 4-106 4.6.4 Bedrock Aquifer 4-110
4.6.4.1 Upgradient/Cross-gradient Areas 4-111 4.6.4.2 NHPC Operations Area 4-111 4.6.4.3 Downgradient Areas 4-112 4.6.4.4 Summary of Bedrock Aquifer
Contamination 4-112 4.7 Surface Water and Sediment Analytical Results 4-114
4.7.1 Evaluation of Surface Water and Sediment Results 4-114
4.7.2 Horseshoe Pond 4-115 4.7.2.1 Volatile Organic Compounds 4-115 4.7.2.2 SVOCs 4-116 4.7.2.3 Metals and Cyanide 4-117 4.7.2.4 Total Organic Carbon 4-118
4.7.3 Merrimack River 4-119 4.7.3.1 Volatile Organic Compounds 4-119 4.7.3.2 Metals and Cyanide 4-119 4.7.3.3 Total Organic Carbon 4-120
4.7.4 Summary of Surface Water and Sediment Contamination 4-120
5.0 CONTAMINANT FATE AND TRANSPORT 5-1 5.1 Fate and Transport Processes 5-2
5.1.1 Advection 5-2 5.1.2 Diffusion and Dispersion 5-3 5.1.3 Partitioning 5-5
5.1.3.1 Air-Water Partitioning 5-5 5.1.3.2 Soil-Water Partitioning 5-7
5.1.4 Decay 5-9 5.1.5 Dissolution and Precipitation 5-10 5.1.6 Acid/Base Reactions 5-11 5.1.7 Complexation 5-12 5.1.8 Biotic Uptake 5-12
5.2 Behavior of Contaminants 5-12 5.2.1 Metals 5-13
5.2.1.1 Cadmium 5-13 5.2.1.2 Zinc 5-14
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5.2.1.3 Chromium 5-15 5.2.1.4 Lead 5-15 5.2.1.5 Nickel 5-15
5.2.2 Organic Compounds 5-16 5.3 Discussion of Site Contamination and Transport 5-17
5.3.1 Former Lagoons 5-18 5.3.1.1 Metals and Cyanide 5-18 5.3.1.2 Volatile Organic Compounds 5-21
5.3.2 Former Building Area 5-21 5.3.2.1 Metals and Cyanide 5-22 5.3.2.2 Volatile Organic Compounds 5-22
5.3.3 Downgradient Areas 5-23 5.3.3.1 Metals and Cyanide 5-24 5.3.3.2 Volatile Organic Compounds 5-26
5.4 Summary 5-26 5.4.1 Lagoon Area Sources 5-27 5.4.2 Former Building Area Sources 5-27 5.4.3 Physical Features Influencing Fate and Transport 5-28
6.0 BASELINE HUMAN HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT 6-1 6.1 Introduction 6-1 6.2 Hazard Identification 6-3
6.2.1 Selection of Chemicals of Concern 6-3 6.2.1.1 The Concentration-Toxicity Screen 6-4 6.2.1.2 Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
of Concern 6-6 6.2.1.3 Semivolatile Organic Compounds (SVOC)
of Concern 6-8 6.2.1.4 Pesticides/PCBs- Chemicals of Concern . . . . 6-10 6.2.1.5 Inorganic Chemicals of Concern 6-11
6.2.2 Toxicity Profiles 6-14 6.2.2.1 Acetone 6-15 6.2.2.2 Antimony 6-15 6.2.2.3 Arsenic 6-17 6.2.2.4 Barium 6-17 6.2.2.5 Benzene 6-18 6.2.2.6 Beryllium 6-19 6.2.2.7 Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate 6-20 6.2.2.8 2-Butanone (Methyl Ethyl Ketone) 6-20 6.2.2.9 Cadmium 6-21
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6.2.2.10 Carbon Disulfide 6-22 6.2.2.11 Chloroform 6-22 6.2.2.12 Chromium 6-23 6.2.2.13 Cobalt 6-24 6.2.2.14 Copper 6-26 6.2.2.15 Cyanide 6-27 6.2.2.16 DDT (4,4'-Dichlorodiphenyl
trichloroethane) 6-28 6.2.2.17 1,2-Dichloroethane 6-30 6.2.2.18 1,1-Dichloroethene (1,1-DCE) 6-30 6.2.2.19 1,1-Dichloroethane 6-31 6.2.2.20 Cis-1,2-Dichloroethene (Cis-1,2-Dichloro
ethylene) 6-32 6.2.2.21 Trans-1,2-Dichloroethene (Trans-1,2
Dichloroethylene) 6-32 6.2.2.22 Di-n-butylphthalate (Dibutylphthalate) 6-33 6.2.2.23 Lead 6-33 6.2.2.24 Manganese 6-34 6.2.2.25 Mercury and Mercury Compounds 6-35 6.2.2.26 Methylene Chloride 6-35 6.2.2.27 Nickel 6-36 6.2.2.28 Polychlorinated Biphenyl Compounds (PCBs) . 6-37 6.2.2.29 Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) . 6-37 6.2.2.30 Selenium 6-39 6.2.2.31 Silver 6-39 6.2.2.32 Tetrachloroethene 6-40 6.2.2.33 Inorganic Tin 6-40 6.2.2.34 1,1,1-Trichloroethane 6-41 6.2.2.35 Trichloroethene (TCE) 6-41 6.2.2.36 Vanadium 6-42 6.2.2.37 Vinyl Chloride 6-42 6.2.2.38 Zinc 6-43
6.3 Dose-Response Assessment 6-43 6.3.1 Toxicity Criteria (Dose-Response Parameters) 6-44
6.3.1.1 Reference Dose (RfD) 6-44 6.3.1.2 Carcinogenic Slope Factor (CSF) 6-45
6.3.2 Criteria/Standards 6-46 6.3.2.1 Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) 6-46 6.3.2.2 Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLGs) 6-46
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6.3.2.3 Ambient Water Quality Criteria (AWQC) . . . . 6-47 6.3.2.4 Health Advisories (HAs) 6-47
6.4 Exposure Assessment 6-47 6.4.1 The NHPC Site Environmental Setting and
Sources of Contamination 6-48 6.4.1.1 Potential Sources of Contamination 6-48 6.4.1.2 Site-Related Chemicals 6-49 6.4.1.3 Summary of Environmental Contamination . . 6-49
6.4.2 Contaminant Transport and Migration 6-50 6.4.3 Receptor Identification and Exposure Routes 6-51
6.4.3.1 Demographics and Land/Water Use Patterns . 6-51 6.4.3.2 Human Receptors of Concern 6-53 6.4.3.3 Exposure Routes 6-54
6.5 Risk Assessment 6-61 6.5.1 Methodology for Estimation of Carcinogenic Risks . . . . 6-61 6.5.2 Methodology for Estimation of Noncarcinogenic Risks . . 6-62 6.5.3 Risk Assessment Results 6-63
6.5.3.1 Risk Assessment Results for Soil Exposure Scenarios 6-63
6.5.3.2 Risk Assessment Results for Groundwater Exposure Scenarios 6-70
6.5.3.3 Risk Assessment Results for Surface Water/ Sediment Exposure Scenarios 6-74
6.5.4 Uncertainty in Risk Assessment 6-75 6.6 Summary of the Baseline Risk Assessment Results 6-77
7.0 ECOLOGICAL RISK ASSESSMENT 7-1 7.1 Site Description and Potential Receptors 7-1
7.1.1 Characteristics of the Study Area 7-1 7.1.2 Habitats and Potentially Exposed Receptor Groups 7-3 7.1.3 Nature and Extent of Contamination 7-5
7.2 Contaminants and Areas of Concern, Indicator Species, and Ecological Endpoints 7-9 7.2.1 Identification of Areas and Contaminants of Concern . . . 7-9 7.2.2 Selection of Indicator Species 7-11 7.2.3 Selection of Ecological Endpoints 7-13
7.3 Ecological Effects Assessment 7-14 7.3.1 Reported Toxic and Ecological Effects of Cadmium . . . 7-15 7.3.2 Benchmark Toxicity Values for Cadmium 7-22 7.3.3 Uncertainty Analysis 7-23
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7.4 Exposure Assessment 7-23 7.4.1 Fate and Transport Analysis 7-24 7.4.2 Soil Exposure Assessment 7-26 7.4.3 Uncertainty Analysis 7-33
7.5 Risk Characterization 7-35 7.5.1 Risk from Soil Contamination by Cadmium 7-36 7.5.2 Uncertainty Analysis 7-39
7.6 Summary and Conclusions of the Ecological Risk Assessment . . 7-42
8.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 8-1 8.1 Study Area Hydrology, Geology, and Hydrogeology 8-1 8.2 Source and Nature of Contaminants 8-3 8.3 Surface and Subsurface Soil Contamination 8-5 8.4 Groundwater Contamination 8-7 8.5 Surface Water and Sediment Contamination 8-9 8.6 Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment 8-10 8.7 Recommendations 8-11
REFERENCES
TABLES
NUMBER PAGE
2-1 Previously Installed Monitoring Well and Piezometers Drilling and Installation Summary Volume 2
2-2 Phase I Surface Soil CLP Sampling Locations and Analytical Parameters Volume 2
2-3 CLP Sampling Locations and Analytical Parameters Volume 2 2-4 CLP Sample Locations and Analytical Parameters Volume 2 2-5 Phase II Lagoon Soil Boring Program Volume 2 2-6 Lagoon Soil Boring Analytical Summary Volume 2 2-7 Newly Installed Monitoring Wells and Piezometers
Drilling and Installation Summary Volume 2 2-8 Monitoring Well/Soil Boring Sampling and Analytical Summary . Volume 2 2-9 Summary of Groundwater Elevations and Saturated Thickness
Shallow Groundwater Monitoring Wells Volume 2 2-10 Summary of Groundwater Elevations Deep Overburden and
Bedrock Monitoring Wells Volume 2 2-11 Summary of Groundwater Elevations Former Lagoon Areas . . . Volume 2
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2-12 Ground water Sampling and Analytical Summary Volume 2 2-13 Surface Water Sampling and Analytical Summary Volume 2 2-14 Sediment Sampling and Analytical Summary Volume 2 2-15 Summary of Field and QA/QC Samples Volume 2 3-1 Depths to Ground water Below Ground Surface Former Lagoon
Area Piezometer Locations Volume 2 3-2 Summary of Vertical Hydraulic Gradients Volume 2 4-1 Volatile Organic Compounds Detected in the NHPC
Study Area Volume 2 4-2 Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds Detected in the
NHPC Study Area Volume 2 4-3 XRF and ICP Background Metals Results, Phase I Surficial
Soil Sampling Volume 2 4-4 Detected Contaminants in the Horseshoe Pond Sediment,
Phase II Sampling: 1993 Volume 2 4-5 Detected Contaminants in the Merrimack River Sediment,
Phase II Sampling: 1993 Volume 2 4-6A Metals and Cyanide Analytical Results, Phase I Lagoon
Soil Boring Program, 1992 Volume 2 4-6B Metals and Cyanide Analytical Results, Phase I Lagoon
Soil Sampling Program, 1992 Volume 2 4-7A Metals and Cyanide Analytical Results: Lagoon Areas,
Phase II Lagoon Soil Boring Program: 1993 Volume 2 4-7B Metals and Cyanide Analytical Results: Lagoon Areas,
Phase II Lagoon Soil Boring Program: 1993 Volume 2 4-7C Metals and Cyanide Analytical Results: Lagoon Areas,
Phase II Lagoon Soil Boring Program: 1993 Volume 2 4-7D Metals and Cyanide Analytical Results: Southern Wetland,
Phase II Lagoon Soil Boring Program: 1993 Volume 2 4-7E Metals and Cyanide Analytical Results: Northern Wetland,
Phase II Lagoon Soil Boring Program: 1993 Volume 2 4-7F Metals and Cyanide Analytical Results: Lagoon 4 Overflow
Area, Phase II Lagoon Soil Boring Program: 1993 Volume 2 4-8 Phase I Surficial Soil CLP Analytical Results Volume 2 4-9 XRF Metals and CLP Analytical Results, Building Area
Soil Borings Volume 2 4-10 Detected Contaminants in the Building Soil Sampling
Program: 1994 Volume 2 4-11 Field GC Screening Results Volume 2
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4-12 Summary of Samples with 0-2 Foot Depth Designations, Phase II Lagoon Soil Boring Program Volume 2
4-13 Detected TCLP Contaminants in the Lagoon Areas, Phase II Lagoon Soil Sampling: 1993 Volume 2
4-14 Detected Contaminants in the Soil Samples, Phase I Soil Sampling: 1992 Volume 2
4-15 Detected Contaminants in the Shallow Overburden Aquifer, Phase II Groundwater Sampling: 1993 Volume 2
4-16 Detected Contaminants in the Deep Overburden Aquifer, Phase II Groundwater Sampling: 1993 Volume 2
4-17 Detected Contaminants in the Bedrock Overburden Aquifer, Phase II Groundwater Sampling: 1993 Volume 2
4-18 Frequency of MCL Exceedances in Groundwater Volume 2 5-1 Comparison of TCLP and Total Cadmium in Soil Volume 2 6-1 Toxicity Criteria for Chemicals Detected in Environmental
Media Samples Volume 2 6-2 Selection of Chemicals of Concern for Groundwater Volume 2 6-3 Selection of Chemicals of Concern for Soil Volume 2 6-4 Selection of Chemicals of Concern for Surface Water Volume 2 6-5 Selection of Chemicals of Concern for Sediment Volume 2 6-6 Summary of Chemicals of Concern for Risk Assessment Volume 2 6-7 Standards and Criteria for Chemicals of Concern Volume 2 6-8 Exposure Scenarios for the New Hampshire Plating Site Volume 2 6-9 Summary of Input Parameters for Intake Equations Volume 2 6-10A Carcinogenic Risk Assessment Results for Shallow Soil
Exposure Pathways Accidental Ingestion and Dermal Contact by an Industrial Worker (Future Land Use Scenario) or Trespasser (Current Land Use Scenario) Lagoon Soils Volume 2
6-1 OB Noncarcinogenic Risk Assessment Results for Shallow Soil Exposure Pathways Accidental Ingestion and Dermal Contact by an Industrial Worker (Future Land Use Scenario) or Trespasser (Current Land Use Scenario) Lagoon Soils Volume 2
6-11A Carcinogenic Risk Assessment Results for Shallow Soil Exposure Pathways Accidental Ingestion and Dermal Contact by an Industrial Worker (Future Land Use Scenario) or Trespasser (Current Land Use Scenario) Lagoon 1 Soils Volume 2
6-11B Noncarcinogenic Risk Assessment Results for Shallow Soil Exposure Pathways Accidental Ingestion and Dermal Contact by an Industrial Worker (Future Land Use Scenario) or
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) VOLUME 1 - TEXT
DRAFT FINAL REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION REPORT NEW HAMPSHIRE PLATING COMPANY SITE
MERRIMACK, NEW HAMPSHIRE
NUMBER PAGE
Trespasser (Current Land Use Scenario) Lagoon 1 Soils . . . . . . . Volume 2 6-12A Carcinogenic Risk Assessment Results for Shallow Soil
Exposure Pathways Accidental Ingestion and Dermal Contact by an Industrial Worker (Future Land Use Scenario) or Trespasser (Current Land Use Scenario) Lagoon 2 Soils Volume 2
6-12B Noncarcinogenic Risk Assessment Results for Shallow Soil Exposure Pathways Accidental Ingestion and Dermal Contact by an Industrial Worker (Future Land Use Scenario) or Trespasser (Current Land Use Scenario) Lagoon 2 Soils Volume 2
6-13A Carcinogenic Risk Assessment Results for Shallow Soil Exposure Pathways Accidental Ingestion and Dermal Contact by an Industrial Worker (Future Land Use Scenario) or Trespasser (Current Land Use Scenario) Lagoons 3 and 4 Soils Volume 2
6-13B Noncarcinogenic Risk Assessment Results for Shallow Soil Exposure Pathways Accidental Ingestion and Dermal Contact by an Industrial Worker (Future Land Use Scenario) or Trespasser (Current Land Use Scenario) Lagoons 3 and 4 Soils Volume 2
6-14A Carcinogenic Risk Assessment Results for Shallow Soil Exposure Pathways Accidental Ingestion and Dermal Contact by an Industrial Worker (Future Land Use Scenario) or Trespasser (Current Land Use Scenario) Northern Wetlands . . . Volume 2
6-14B Noncarcinogenic Risk Assessment Results for Shallow Soil Exposure Pathways Accidental Ingestion and Dermal Contact by an Industrial Worker (Future Land Use Scenario) or Trespasser (Current Land Use Scenario) Northern Wetlands . . . Volume 2
6-15A Carcinogenic Risk Assessment Results for Shallow Soil Exposure Pathways Accidental Ingestion and Dermal Contact by an Industrial Worker (Future Land Use Scenario) or Trespasser (Current Land Use Scenario) Southern Wetlands . . . Volume 2
6-15B Noncarcinogenic Risk Assessment Results for Shallow Soil Exposure Pathways Accidental Ingestion and Dermal Contact by an Industrial Worker (Future Land Use Scenario) or Trespasser (Current Land Use Scenario) Southern Wetlands . . . Volume 2
6-16A Carcinogenic Risk Assessment Results for Shallow Soil Exposure Pathways Accidental Ingestion and Dermal Contact by Future Adult and Young Child Residents Building Phase II Data Volume 2
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) VOLUME 1 - TEXT
DRAFT FINAL REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION REPORT NEW HAMPSHIRE PLATING COMPANY SITE
MERRIMACK, NEW HAMPSHIRE
NUMBER PAGE
6-16B Noncarcinogenic Risk Assessment Results for Shallow Soil Exposure Pathways Accidental Ingestion and Dermal Contact by Future Adult and Young Child Residents Building Phase II Data Volume 2
6-16C Carcinogenic Risk Assessment Results for Shallow Soil Exposure Pathways Accidental Ingestion and Dermal Contact by Future Adult and Young Child Residents Building Phase I . . Volume 2
6-16D Noncarcinogenic Risk Assessment Results for Surface Soil (0 to 2 feet) Exposure Pathways Accidental Ingestion and Dermal Contact by Future Adult and Young Child Residents Building Phase I Volume 2
6-17A Carcinogenic Risk Assessment Results for Shallow Soil Exposure Pathways Accidental Ingestion and Dermal Contact by an Industrial Worker (Future Land Use Scenario) or Trespasser (Current Land Use Scenario) Building Area Volume 2
6-17B Noncarcinogenic Risk Assessment Results for Shallow Soil Exposure Pathways Accidental Ingestion and Dermal Contact by an Industrial Worker (Future Land Use Scenario) or Trespasser (Current Land Use Scenario) Building Area Volume 2
6-17C Carcinogenic Risk Assessment Results for Shallow Soil Exposure Pathways Accidental Ingestion and Dermal Contact by an Industrial Worker (Future Land Use Scenario) or Trespasser (Current Land Use Scenario) Building Phase I Data . Volume 2
6-17D Noncarcinogenic Risk Assessment Results for Shallow Soil Exposure Pathways Accidental Ingestion and Dermal Contact by an Industrial Worker (Future Land Use Scenario) or Trespasser (Current Land Use Scenario) Building Area Volume 2
6-18A Carcinogenic Risk Assessment Results for Shallow Soil Exposure Pathways Accidental Ingestion and Dermal Contact by Future Adult and Young Child Residents, Jones Chemical . . Volume 2
6-18B Noncarcinogenic Risk Assessment Results for Shallow Soil Exposure Pathways Accidental Ingestion and Dermal Contact by Future Adult and Young Child Residents, Jones Chemical . . Volume 2
6-19A Carcinogenic Risk Assessment Results for Shallow Soil Exposure Pathways Accidental Ingestion and Dermal Contact by an Industrial Worker (Future Land Use Scenario) or Trespasser (Current Land Use Scenario), Jones Chemical Soils . Volume 2
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) VOLUME 1 - TEXT
DRAFT FINAL REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION REPORT NEW HAMPSHIRE PLATING COMPANY SITE
MERRIMACK, NEW HAMPSHIRE
NUMBER
6-19B Noncarcinogenic Risk Assessment Results for Shallow Soil Exposure Pathways Accidental Ingestion and Dermal Contact by an Industrial Worker (Future Land Use Scenario) or Trespasser (Current Land Use Scenario), Jones Chemical Soils . Volume 2
6-20A Carcinogenic Risk Analysis Results for Groundwater Exposure Pathways (RME Receptor) Ingestion of Background (Shallow Overburden) Groundwater as Drinking Water by Future Adult Residents Volume 2
6-20B Noncarcinogenic Risk Analysis Results for Groundwater Exposure Pathways (RME Receptor) Ingestion of Background (Shallow Overburden) Groundwater as Drinking Water by Future Adult Residents Volume 2
6-20C Carcinogenic Risk Analysis Results for Groundwater Exposure Pathways (CT Receptor) Ingestion of Background (Shallow Overburden) Groundwater as Drinking Water by Future Adult Residents Volume 2
6-20D Noncarcinogenic Risk Analysis Results for Groundwater Exposure Pathways (CT Receptor) Ingestion of Background (Shallow Overburden) Groundwater as Drinking Water by Future Adult Residents Volume 2
6-21A Carcinogenic Risk Analysis Results for Groundwater Exposure Pathways (RME Receptor) Ingestion of Background (Deep Overburden) Groundwater as Drinking Water by Future Adult Residents Volume 2
6-21B Noncarcinogenic Risk Analysis Results for Groundwater Exposure Pathways (RME Receptor) Ingestion of Background (Deep Overburden) Groundwater as Drinking Water by Future Adult Residents Volume 2
6-21C Carcinogenic Risk Analysis Results for Groundwater Exposure Pathways (CT Receptor) Ingestion of Background (Deep Overburden) Groundwater as Drinking Water by Future Adult Residents Volume 2
6-21D Noncarcinogenic Risk Analysis Results for Groundwater Exposure Pathways (CT Receptor) Ingestion of Background (Deep Overburden) Groundwater as Drinking Water by Future Adult Residents Volume 2
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) VOLUME 1 - TEXT
DRAFT FINAL REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION REPORT NEW HAMPSHIRE PLATING COMPANY SITE
MERRIMACK, NEW HAMPSHIRE
NUMBER
6-22A Carcinogenic Risk Analysis Results for Groundwater Exposure Pathways (RME Receptor) Ingestion of Background (Bedrock) Groundwater as Drinking Water by Future Adult Residents Volume 2
6-22B Noncarcinogenic Risk Analysis Results for Groundwater Exposure Pathways (RME Receptor) Ingestion of Background (Bedrock) Groundwater as Drinking Water by Future Adult Residents Volume 2
6-22C Carcinogenic Risk Analysis Results for Groundwater Exposure Pathways (CT Receptor) Ingestion of Background (Bedrock) Groundwater as Drinking Water by Future Adult Residents Volume 2
6-22D Noncarcinogenic Risk Analysis Results for Groundwater Exposure Pathways (CT Receptor) Ingestion of Background (Bedrock) Groundwater as Drinking Water by Future Adult Residents Volume 2
6-23A Carcinogenic Risk Analysis Results for Groundwater Exposure Pathways (RME Receptor) Ingestion of Upgradient (Shallow Overburden) Groundwater as Drinking Water by Future Adult Residents Volume 2
6-23B Noncarcinogenic Risk Analysis Results for Groundwater Exposure Pathways (RME Receptor) Ingestion of Upgradient (Shallow Overburden) Groundwater as Drinking Water by Future Adult Residents Volume 2
6-23C Carcinogenic Risk Analysis Results for Groundwater Exposure Pathways (CT Receptor) Ingestion of Upgradient (Shallow Overburden) Groundwater as Drinking Water by Future Adult Residents Volume 2
6-23D Noncarcinogenic Risk Analysis Results for Groundwater Exposure Pathways (CT Receptor) Ingestion of Upgradient (Shallow Overburden) Groundwater as Drinking Water by Future Adult Residents Volume 2
6-24 Summary of Risk Assessment Results for Groundwater Volume 2 6-25 Summary of Risk Assessment Results for Soils Volume 2 7-1 Plant Species Present in the Study Area Volume 2 7-2 Mammal Species Associated with the Study Area Volume 2 7-3 Bird Species Associated with the Study Area Volume 2 7-4 Amphibian and Reptile Species Associated with the
Study Area Volume 2
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) VOLUME 1 - TEXT
DRAFT FINAL REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION REPORT NEW HAMPSHIRE PLATING COMPANY SITE
MERRIMACK, NEW HAMPSHIRE
NUMBER
7-5 Fish Species Associated with the Study Area Volume 2 7-6 Soil Contaminants Detected in the 0 to 2 Foot Depth Interval Volume 2 7-7 Characterization of the Indicator Species Volume 2 7-8 Bioaccumulation Factors for Earthworms and other Terrestrial Volume 2
Invertebrates 7-9 Cadmium Soil Concentration Estimates Derived from the Food Volume 2
Web Model 7-10 Cadmium Risk Estimates for the Indicator Species Volume 2
EXHIBITS
NUMBER
6-1 Ingestion of Groundwater Residential Land Use Scenario Volume 2 6-2 Incidental Ingestion of Soils Residential Land Use and Volume 2
Trespassing Scenarios 6-3 Dermal Contact with Soils Residential Land Use and Volume 2
Trespassing Scenarios 6-4 Incidental Ingestion of Soils Industrial Land Use Scenario . . . . Volume 2 6-5 Dermal Contact with Soils Industrial Land Use Scenario Volume 2 6-6 Incidental Ingestion of Sediments Recreational Land Use Volume 2
and Trespassing Scenarios 6-7 Dermal Contact with Sediments Recreational Land Use
Scenario Volume 2
FIGURES
NUMBER PAGE
1-1 Site Location Map Volume 3 1-2 Study Area Location Map Volume 3 2-1 Previously Installed Monitoring Well and Piezometer
Location Map Volume 3 2-2 Groundwater Elevation Contour Map, Shallow Overburden
Aquifer, 24 August 1992 Volume 3 2-3 Building Area Soil Sampling Location Map Volume 3 2-4 Lagoon Soil Boring Location Map Volume 3
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) VOLUME 1 - TEXT
DRAFT FINAL REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION REPORT NEW HAMPSHIRE PLATING COMPANY SITE
MERRIMACK, NEW HAMPSHIRE
NUMBER
2-5 Phase I Surficial Soil Sampling Location Map Volume 3 2-6 Phase I Lagoon Sampling Location Map Volume 3 2-7 Cyanide Sampling Location Map, Lagoon Soil Boring Program . Volume 3 2-8 TCLP Sampling Location Map, Lagoon Soil Boring Program . . . Volume 3 2-9 VOC Sampling Location Map, Lagoon Soil Boring Program . . . . Volume 3 2-10 Chrome VI Sampling Location Map, Lagoon Soil
Boring Program Volume 3 2-11 Wetlands Restoration Sampling Location Map Volume 3 2-12 Newly Installed Monitoring Well and Piezometer Location Map . Volume 3 2-13 Soil Vapor Survey Sampling Location Map Volume 3 2-14 Monitoring Well and Piezometer Location Map Volume 3 2-15 Groundwater Sampling Location Map Volume 3 2-16 Surface Water and Sediment Sampling Location Map Volume 3 3-1 Geological Cross-Section Line Location Map (NHPC
Study Area) Volume 3 3-2 Geological Cross-Section A-A' Volume 3 3-3 Geological Cross-Sections B-B' and C-C' Volume 3 3-4 Glacio-Lacustrine Unit Surface Elevation Contour Map Volume 3 3-5 Geological Cross-Section Line Location Map (Former
Lagoon Area) Volume 3 3-6 Lagoon Area Cross-Sections Volume 3 3-7 Bedrock Surface Elevation Contour Map Volume 3 3-8 Groundwater Elevation Contour Map, Shallow Overburden
Aquifer, 30 November 1993 Volume 3 3-9 Piezometric Surface Elevation Contour Map, Deep
Overburden Aquifer, 30 November 1993 Volume 3 3-10 Piezometric Surface Elevation Contour Map, Bedrock
Aquifer, 30 November 1993 Volume 3 3-11 Groundwater Contaminant Distribution Cross-Section
Location Map Volume 3 3-12 Flow Net Cross-Section l-l' (Shallow and Deep
Overburden Aquifers) Volume 3 3-13 Water Level Hydrograph, Selected Wells Volume 3 4-1 Building Area Detail Map Volume 3 4-2 Phase II Lagoon Sampling - South Cadmium Concentrations
in Soil Volume 3 4-3 Phase II Lagoon Sampling - North Cadmium Concentrations
in Soil Volume 3 4-4 Study Area Breakdown Map Volume 3
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) VOLUME 1 - TEXT
DRAFT FINAL REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION REPORT NEW HAMPSHIRE PLATING COMPANY SITE
MERRIMACK, NEW HAMPSHIRE
NUMBER
4-5 MCL Exceedance Map, Volatile Organic Compounds in Groundwater Volume 3
4-6 Contaminant Contour Map (TCE in Groundwater) Shallow Overburden Aquifer Volume 3
4-7 MCL Exceedance Map, Metals in Groundwater Volume 3 4-8 Contaminant Concentration, Cross Section J-J', TCE in
Groundwater Volume 3 4-9 Contaminant Contour Map (Cadmium in Groundwater)
Shallow Overburden Aquifer Volume 3 4-10 Contaminant Concentration, Cross-Section A-A', TCE in . . . . Volume 3
Groundwater 4-11 Contaminant Concentration, Cross Section l-l', TCE in
Groundwater Volume 3 4-12 MCL Exceedances in Overburden Groundwater Volume 3 7-1 Habitat Distribution Map Volume 3 7-2 Lagoons-Wetlands System, Area of Concern for the
Ecological Soil Exposure Pathway Volume 3
APPENDICES (VOLUME IV)
Appendix A Building Area Soil Borings Log Appendix B Monitoring Well/Soil Boring Logs Appendix C Soil Vapor Survey Report Appendix D Low Flow Groundwater Sampling Procedure Appendix E Phase I Soil Analytical Results Appendix F Phase II Soil Analytical Results Appendix G Groundwater Analytical Results Appendix H Surface Water/Sediment Analytical Results Appendix I XRF Comparison to ICP Data Appendix J Groundwater Sampling Log Sheets For Low Flow Sampling (December
1993)
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E.O EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Halliburton NUS Corporation (HNUS) and Raytheon Engineers and Constructors (REC,
formerly Badger Engineers, Inc.) conducted a Remedial Investigation (Rl) at the New
Hampshire Plating Company (NHPC) Superfund Site located in Merrimack, New
Hampshire, under U.S. EPA Work Assignment No. 33-1GL1, Contract No.
68-W8-0117. The Rl evaluated the physical characteristics of the site; the source,
nature and extent, and fate and transport of the site contaminants; and the human
health and ecological risks posed by the site. The results of the Rl indicate that soils
within the NHPC property are contaminated with metals, most significantly cadmium,
and that the groundwater beneath and migrating from the NHPC property is
contaminated with metals, most notably cadmium, and volatile organic compounds
(VOCs), principally trichloroethylene (TCE). The Rl further concludes that the
contaminated soils present a direct risk to ecological receptors, and an indirect risk to
human receptors through leaching of the contaminants to groundwater. The
contaminated groundwater was found to present a human health risk, and to exceed
regulatory levels for several of the detected contaminants in drinking water.
The principle site contaminants are:
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
• Tetrachloroethylene (PCE)
• Trichloroethylene (TCE)
• 1,1,1 -trichloroethane (TCA)
Cyanide
Metals
• Cadmium • Lead
• Zinc • Nickel
• Chromium • Tin
• Copper
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Physical Characteristics
The NHPC site is located Wright Avenue in Merrimack (Hillsborough County), New
Hampshire. The study area investigated during the Rl includes the NHPC Operations
Area and adjacent properties and surface water bodies as noted below:
NHPC Operations Area
• NHPC Building
• Lagoons 1, 2, 3, and 4
• Northern Wetland Area
• Southern Wetland Area
Adjacent Properties
• Magnum Leasing Property
• YMCA Property
• Horseshoe Pond Island Property
• New England Pole Wood Treating Corporation Property
• Lot Number 22 Property
• Techwood Building Systems, Inc. Property
• Jones Chemical, Inc. Property
Surface Water Bodies
• Horseshoe Pond
• Merrimack River
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Historical information
NHPC operated an electroplating facility on the site from 1962 to 1985. The metals
used in the electroplating process included cadmium, zinc, chromium, copper, lead,
nickel, tin, gold, silver, aluminum, iron, and manganese. The chlorinated organic
solvents used included trichloroethylene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, and
tetrachloroethylene. Cyanide was also used in the electroplating process. Chlorinated
solvent use was reportedly discontinued during the latter part of the 1970s.
Electroplating wastes generated by the NHPC facility included metals, VOCs, cyanide,
and acids (Weston, 19901).
Treated and untreated wastes and wastewater were collected in various drainage
channels constructed within the concrete floors in the processing areas of the NHPC
building. The wastes were then gravity-drained through an underground discharge
pipe to unlined waste lagoons located approximately 325 feet north of the building.
Wastes were discharged directly into a primary infiltration lagoon (Lagoon 1). The
lagoon system was constructed to allow the discharged wastes to flow from the
primary lagoon into a secondary infiltration lagoon (Lagoon 2} and subsequent
overflow lagoons (Lagoons 3 and 4) during periods of high discharge from the facility.
Approximately 35,000 to 60,000 gallons of wastewater were generated and
discharged to the lagoons each day (Bracchi, 1992).
In 1980, NHPC notified the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that it was
a hazardous waste disposal facility according to the Resource and Conservation
Recovery Act (RCRA) Section 3001 regulations. NHPC continued to operate, and as
a result of inspections by EPA and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental
Services (NHDES), received several Notices of Violation/Orders of Abatement for
failure to comply with RCRA transportation, storage, and disposal requirements, and
for failure to treat its cyanide wastewater prior to discharge. Operations at NHPC
ceased in November 1985.
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In June 1987, the NHDES initiated interim remedial measures at the site that
consisted of removing waste materials (plating solutions, cyanide salts, and other
materials) from the NHPC building. Sludge and sediment were also removed from the
building floors and disposed of at an approved off-site facility. Additionally, Lagoon
1 was treated with approximately 127 tons of lime and 800 gallons of a sodium
hypochlorite solution of unknown concentration (Weston, 19901).
The U.S. EPA Emergency Response Team (ERT) initiated an emergency removal action
in October of 1989. After a preliminary study in the fall of 1990 and spring of 1991,
EPA performed a limited on-site removal action involving the excavation of sludge and
soil from the lagoons. Approximately 13,600 tons of material was excavated,
solidified on site in an ash/mortar mix, and encapsulated in a high density polyethylene
(HDP) Solidified Material Storage Cell at a location immediately north of the NHPC
building. An additional 5,000 tons of soil were disposed off site at a secured landfill.
As the last step of the removal action, approximately 5,600 cubic yards of material
excavated from the overflow lagoon areas were placed in the former primary lagoon
area (Lagoon 1 Area). The material was covered with a HDP cap and approximately
two feet of clean fill. The other excavated lagoon areas were covered with 1 to 6
feet of clean fill.
EPA also undertook a Non-Time-Critical Removal Action (NTCRA) at the NHPC building
site in November and December of 1994. Laboratory wastes from within the building
were packed in drums for off-site shipment; asbestos-containing material was
removed; process equipment and the building were decontaminated; the building, floor
slab, and foundation were demolished; an underground storage tank was removed;
and the building footprint was graded and covered with geomembrane. Both non
hazardous and hazardous materials generated during the building removal were
disposed of off site.
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DRAFT FINAL
Geologic and Hydrogeologic Features
The Merrimack River flows from north to south along the eastern boundary of the
study area. Horseshoe Pond, a recreational water body, is located on the southern
boundary of the study area. The land surface generally slopes downward to the
southeast. The lowest elevations are located within the former lagoons and wetland
areas on the NHPC property. The Merrimack River is the low point of the study area.
The study area lies within the drainage basin of the Merrimack River and its
tributaries. The east-flowing Souhegan River joins the Merrimack River approximately
1500 feet north of the NHPC property. Surface water from Horseshoe Pond, an
oxbow lake, flows into the Merrimack River through an outlet stream at the
southeastern end of the pond. Surface drainage within the study area is controlled
primarily by topographic features. Because the study area is predominantly unpaved,
much of the surface water infiltrates directly into the subsurface soils during light and
moderate precipitation periods.
The subsurface soils encountered during the Rl, in order from ground surface to
bedrock, generally consist of alluvial sand deposits with glacio-lacustrine, glacial
outwash, and glacial till deposits. The lower permeability glacio-lacustrine deposits
were observed in the subsurface soils across much, but not all, of the study area. A
bedrock trough, between the NHPC building and Horseshoe Pond, oriented in an
approximate north-south direction, extends across the southern portion of the study
area. The bedrock surface rises steeply in all directions away from the central bedrock
low area. Bedrock cores collected during the Rl indicated that the dominant rock
types encountered in the study area were granite and granite gneiss, with some
schist.
Three water bearing formations in the study area include a shallow overburden, deep
overburden, and bedrock aquifers:
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DRAFT FINAL
• The shallow overburden aquifer is generally situated between 5 and 40
feet below ground surface, is generally unconfined, and is bounded at
depth by lower permeability glacio-lacustrine soils.
• The deep overburden aquifer is generally below the glacio-lacustrine soil
unit within the glacial outwash sand deposits. This aquifer is semi-
confined by upper (glacio-lacustrine) and lower (bedrock) hydraulic
boundaries of less permeable formations over most of the study area,
except where the glacio-lacustrine soils are absent. It ranges between
10 and 75 feet thick across the study area showing a general trend of
thinning toward do wngradient locations adjacent to the Merrimack River.
Historically, the deep overburden aquifer contained lower levels of
contaminants than the shallow overburden aquifer.
• The bedrock aquifer generally includes the entire bedrock section
beneath the study area. In general, this aquifer contained lower levels
of contamination than the shallow and deep overburden aquifers.
Horizontal flow within the shallow overburden is from areas of higher to lower
elevation. Groundwater within the shallow and deep overburden aquifers
predominantly flows in a southeasterly and easterly direction toward the Merrimack
River. Horizontal flow within the bedrock aquifer appears to be in an easterly direction
toward the Merrimack River.
Conversely, upward vertical gradients were generally observed between these aquifers
in the southern and eastern portions of the study area. Downward vertical gradients
occur in the northern and western portions of the study area between the shallow and
deep overburden aquifers.
Sources of Contamination
The historic sources of metals, cyanide, and VOCs at the site are:
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E.2
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DRAFT FINAL
• the release of effluent from the discharge trenches within the building;
• the release of effluent from the overflow pipes along the north wall of
the building;
• the discharge of effluent to Lagoon 1 ;
• the migration of effluent from Lagoon 1 to Lagoons 2, 3, and 4; and
• the overflow of the effluent from the lagoons to adjacent wetlands and
soils.
The results of the Rl and previous investigations also indicate that the current sources
of contamination can be summarized as follows:
• The surface soils and subsurface soils both above and below the
groundwater table in the Lagoon 1 Area are continuing sources of
cadmium and other metals to the groundwater.
• To a lesser extent, the subsurface soils in the building area may be a
continuing source of cadmium and other metals to the groundwater.
• The subsurface soils below the groundwater table in the Lagoon 1 Area
are a continuing source of chlorinated VOC contamination to the
groundwater.
• The surface soils and subsurface soils in the embankments and basins
of Lagoons 2, 3, and 4; the Southern Wetland; Northern Wetland; and
Lagoon 4 Overflow Areas are continuing sources of cadmium and other
metals.
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DRAFT FINAL
• Cadmium and chlorinated VOCs in groundwater are migrating east and
southeast, and are likely a current and/or potential source of contaminant
discharge to the Merrimack River.
The Lagoon 1 soils represent the most significant source of the highest levels of
contamination in the study area.
E.3 Nature and Extent of Contamination
The nature of contaminants detected within the NHPC study area corresponds to the
known plating effluent constituents released during the facility operations. These
contaminants include metals (cadmium, zinc, chromium, lead, nickel, copper, tin),
chlorinated solvents, (TCE and its degradation products), and cyanide.
E.3.1 Extent of Contamination in Soils
NHPC Building Area Soils
The highest residual levels of metals and VOCs were found along the northern side
of the former building, where the overflow pipes discharged through the building wall.
Contamination was generally higher in the surface soil, decreasing with depth. The
highest level of cadmium detected was 172 mg/Kg from a location beneath where the
former discharge trench exited the building.
Detectable levels of cyanide were found in 22 soils samples taken from the building
area. The highest level of cyanide detected was 87.7 mg/Kg.
VOC field screening results indicated the presence of trichloroethylene (TCE), trans-
1,2-dichloroethene (T-DCE), 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA), tetrachloroethylene (PCE),
and benzene around the building, and TCE in the vicinity of the former septic system.
No appreciable levels of VOCs were detected by laboratory analysis.
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DRAFT FINAL
Former Lagoon Area Soils
Although some VOCs were detected during field screening of Lagoon 1 soils, no
appreciable chlorinated VOCs were detected in laboratory samples from any of the
lagoons. The metals detected above background concentrations are cadmium,
chromium, copper, lead, nickel, tin, and zinc. Cyanide was also detected.
The following paragraphs summarize the distribution of these inorganic contaminants.
Lagoon 1
High concentrations of cadmium and zinc were detected in Lagoon 1 soils, with
generally the highest levels (cadmium, 623 mg/Kg) in subsurface soils from the
embankments and from the backfilled soils. Their presence in the lagoon
embankments suggests that plating effluent infiltrated the area laterally. Their
presence in the surface soils suggests that plating effluent from the lagoon periodically
overflowed to perimeter areas. The shallow nature of the metals contamination
detected in both surface and subsurface soils in the southwestern corner of the
Lagoon 1 Area indicates that plating effluent overflowed and/or infiltrated laterally
southwest of the former lagoon to the topographically lower Southern Wetland area.
Metals presence in the formerly remediated and filled portion of the Lagoon 1 Area
indicates that their concentrations in the contaminated soil fill are generally
homogeneous. The concentrations decrease at depths below the contaminated fill in
soil samples that entirely penetrate the undisturbed soils beneath the fill.
Cyanide was detected in 11 of 13 soil samples; 10 were collected within the
contaminated fill soils. The highest level of cyanide detected was 59.9 mg/Kg.
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DRAFT FINAL
Lagoon 2
The lateral distribution of cadmium and zinc reveals that both surface and subsurface
soils in the former lagoon and its embankments have been impacted. Cadmium
concentrations ranged from 8 to 733 mg/Kg, with the highest levels detected in the
southeastern and northwestern corners of the former lagoon.
High concentrations of cadmium and zinc were found within 0 to 6 feet below ground
surface in the embankment area soils. Within the formerly remediated and filled
portion of the Lagoon 2 Area, concentrations generally decreased with depth below
the fill. High concentrations of target metals were encountered in the shallow
subsurface soil beneath the fill. In general, metals concentrations decreased to lower
or non-detection concentrations within 0 to 2-feet depth below the fill, although high
target metal concentrations were found at several sampling locations, in subsurface
soils up to 8 feet below the fill.
Detectable concentrations of cyanide were found in eight of eleven soil samples with
the 74.6 mg/Kg the highest level detected.
Lagoons 3 and 4
Cadmium concentrations detected ranged between 6 and 1277 mg/Kg, with the
highest concentration detected in shallow subsurface soils located beneath the clean
fill. This concentration is one of the two highest levels of cadmium found anywhere
within the NHPC property.
High concentrations of the target metals were also detected in the embankment
surface soils. High concentrations of target metals in the soil berm that separates
Lagoons 3 and 4 from the Northern Wetland reveals that overflow of lagoon effluent
occurred between Lagoon 3 and 4 and the Northern Wetland.
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DRAFT FINAL
Metals were detected predominantly at shallow depths in both the embankment and
interior of the Lagoon 3 and 4 Area.
Cyanide concentrations were found in 11 of the 20 soil samples. The highest level
of cyanide detected was 247 mg/Kg.
Lagoon 4 Overflow Area
Surface soils in the southwestern corner and along the western side of the overflow
area have been impacted by metals from NHPC waste disposal operations. Only
locations immediately adjacent to the former lagoon areas contain high concentrations
of metals in the surface soils. In the overflow area, metals concentrations decrease
to lower or non-detectable concentrations below 1 foot depth.
Detection of cyanide in samples analyzed from the Lagoon 4 Overflow Area
corresponded with high levels of zinc and cadmium. The highest level of cyanide
detected was 10.4 mg/Kg.
Wetlands Areas
The Southern and Northern Wetlands were not part of the original lagoon system, and
were not remediated during the EPA ERT removal action.
Southern Wetland Area
Overflow from the former NHPC lagoon system has impacted surface and shallow
subsurface soils throughout the Southern Wetland Area. High concentrations of
metals in the surface soils along the western edge of the wetland also indicates that
past vehicle decontamination activities in this area may have contributed to the area's
metals contamination.
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High concentrations of cadmium and zinc were found in surface soils within the
Southern Wetland Area, with cadmium concentrations ranging from 12 to 728 mg/Kg.
The highest cadmium concentrations were detected in surface soils in the eastern and
northern portions of the wetland. Sample locations along the northern side of the
wetland and within the roadway area also indicated high concentrations of cadmium
and zinc in the soils beneath the crushed stone fill.
Other target metals detected were not widespread except for chromium and tin.
Cadmium and zinc decreased to lower concentrations at depths greater than 4 feet
below ground surface for most of the soil boring locations in the wetland area.
Cyanide was detected in seven of ten soil samples collected, with the highest level
of 509 mg/Kg. This surface soil sample contained the highest detected level of
cyanide anywhere within the NHPC property.
Northern Wetland Area
Overflow effluent from the former NHPC lagoon system delivered metals to shallow
subsurface soils throughout the area. Cadmium concentrations ranged from 7 to 286
mg/Kg, all in surface soil.
The high concentrations of cadmium and zinc detected at the berm surface and at
locations throughout the Northern Wetland Area indicate that lagoon effluent
overflowed into the Northern Wetland from the Lagoon 3 and 4 Area. The surface
water likely provided a pathway for the metals to reach areas in the central and
eastern portions of the area.
Cyanide was detected in 9 of 12 soil samples. The highest level of cyanide detected
was 21.5 mg/Kg.
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E.3.2 Extent of Contamination in Groundwater
Eight VOCs were detected in groundwater at concentrations above the Maximum
Contaminant Levels (MCLs) established by federal regulation. These include
trichloroethylene (TCE); 1,1-dichIoroethene (DCE); tetrachloroethylene (PCE); vinyl
chloride (VC); 1,1,1 -trichloroethane (TCA); cis & trans-1,2-dichloroethene (C&T DCE);
1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCA); and chloroform. Five metals were also detected in the
groundwater above the established MCLs, including cadmium, nickel, chromium,
arsenic, and lead. No samples collected in December 1993 contained elevated
cyanide concentrations. TCE and cadmium were the contaminants that most
frequently exceeded their respective MCLs of 5 ug/L.
Groundwater contamination was detected in all three aquifers. However, the levels
of contamination in the deep overburden were significantly less than in the shallow
overburden; similarly the bedrock aquifer exhibited lower levels of contamination than
found in the deep overburden. Metals contamination did not extend below the
shallow overburden aquifer. The following paragraphs characterize the extent of
groundwater contamination by aquifer.
Shallow Overburden Aquifer
Two VOCs (TCE and DCE) were detected above their MCLs within the northern half
of the YMCA property south of the NHPC Operations Area; six VOCs (TCE, DCE, PCE,
TCA, C&T DCE and VC) were detected above their MCLs within the NHPC Operations
Area, and five VOCs (TCE, DCE, PCE, TCA, and VC) were detected above their MCLs
downgradient of the NHPC Operations Area. The highest level of VOC contamination
(7500 ug/L of TCE) was found at well MW-217S, within the NHPC Operations Area,
immediately adjacent to Lagoon 1. VOC levels decrease with distance from the
Lagoon 1 source area.
One well located on the western side of the YMCA property indicated cadmium
exceeding MCLs. Twelve wells in the NHPC Operations Area indicated elevated
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concentrations of cadmium, nickel, arsenic, lead, and chromium. Samples from seven
monitoring wells located in the downgradient portions of the NHPC study area
indicated cadmium, nickel, and chromium at elevated concentrations. The highest
level of metals contamination (852 ug/L of cadmium) was found at well OHM-3, on
the JCI property immediately downgradient of Lagoon 1.
Deep Overburden Aquifer
Two deep overburden monitoring wells within the YMCA property south of the NHPC
Operations Area indicated TCE, the only VOC detected in these wells, at
concentrations in exceedence of MCLs. Monitoring well MW-106, located adjacent
to Horseshoe Pond on the southern portion of the YMCA property had the highest
concentration of TCE (220 ug/L) observed in the deep overburden aquifer within the
NHPC study area. Four deep overburden monitoring wells in the NHPC Operations
Area indicated VOC concentrations exceeding MCLs. TCE and chloroform were the
only VOCs detected at elevated concentrations from these wells. Five of six wells
downgradient of the NHPC Operations Area revealed TCE and C&T-DCE at levels
above MCLs.
None of the deep overburden aquifer wells yielded groundwater samples with metals
exceeding MCLs.
Bedrock Aquifer
One VOC (TCE at 180 ug/L) was detected above its MCL in well MW-106R, adjacent
to Horseshoe Pond on the south side of the YMCA property. TCE was also detected
at elevated concentrations from bedrock wells within the NHPC Operations Area. The
results of the chemical analyses for three wells downgradient of the NHPC Operations
Area indicated the presence of TCE above its MCL in only one of them.
None of the bedrock aquifer wells yielded groundwater samples with metals exceeding
MCLs.
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E.3.3 Extent of Contamination in Surface Water and Sediments
Horseshoe Pond
VOCs were not detected in any of the surface water samples, however, they were
detected in five of the seven sediment samples. Four VOCs were detected in these
samples including: 2-butanone (methyl ethyl ketone (MEK)); acetone; 1,1,1
trichloroethylene (TCA); and carbon disulfide.
The only sediment sample subjected to SVOC analysis, which was collected on the
eastern shore adjacent to the NEPWTC property, indicated the presence of several
polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) typically associated with fuels, oils, and
other petroleum-related compounds. One phthalate was also detected in the sample.
Arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, nickel and zinc were not observed above
method detection limits in any of the seven surface water samples analyzed for total
metals or filtered metals. Cyanide also was not observed above detection levels in
surface water or sediment samples.
Sediment samples containing arsenic, chromium, copper, nickel, and zinc were
detected at concentrations above background levels.
Merrimack River
VOCs were not detected at concentrations above detection limits in any of the surface
water or sediment samples.
No identified site metals were detected for total metals, or filtered metals. Cyanide
was also not detected in the surface water.
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Contaminant Fate and Transport
Activities conducted at the NHPC facility have resulted in contaminants being located
principally in three areas, which include the former lagoons, the former building area,
and downgradient areas.
Lagoon System
Within the former lagoon system and adjacent overflow areas, contaminants are
present in soil. Metals and cyanide have been detected in surface and subsurface
soils above the water table. Transport of these metals and cyanide within the lagoon
areas occurs by three primary mechanisms:
• Entrainment of contaminated soil particles in surface runoff;
• Percolation of infiltrating precipitation and surface water through
contaminated soils to the water table; and
• Direct contact between groundwater and stockpiled soil below the water
table in the Lagoon 1 Area and subsequent desorption of contaminants
from the soil.
Transport as surface water runoff occurs as rainwater and snow melt flows overland
and collects in the low-lying lagoons areas. Cadmium, zinc, and other metals were
detected in samples from the lagoon area embankments, which will be a continuing
source for contaminant migration by surface runoff unless they are covered or
otherwise remediated.
Surface water collects in the lagoon areas and recharges the underlying aquifer (water
flows uniformly downward to the water table in the lagoons; upward flow does not
occur). Consequently, metals in lagoon area soils are slowly leaching into the
underlying aquifer.
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Contaminants then travel with groundwater to downgradient areas. These
downgradient areas, east and southeast of the NHPC property, contain elevated
concentrations of several metals, including cadmium. Among the heavy metals,
cadmium is relatively mobile and will tend to leach into groundwater more rapidly than
other metals. The contaminated soils act as a continuing source of groundwater
contamination as the adsorbed metal slowly leaches away.
VOC contamination has also been identified in the aquifer below the lagoon area, with
MCL exceedences found for TCE; PCE; 1,1 -DCE; 1,1,1-TCA; 1,2-DCA; and vinyl
chloride. It is likely that these VOCs are adsorbed to soils beneath the water table in
the Lagoon 1 Area, and are being desorbed from the soil to groundwater.
Former Building Area
Potential source areas include soil near the building septic system leachfield, soil near
a former 275-gallon above ground storage tank, soil beneath a waste collection trench
formerly in the NHPC building, and soil near the former opening in the wall of the
NHPC building that served as an overflow outlet during periods of high waste
discharge. The levels of contamination in these areas, however, are substantially
lower than in the lagoon system.
Transport of contaminants in the building area via surface water runoff is minimized
by the presence of pavement, and a cover over the former building. Percolation of
infiltrating precipitation and surface water through contaminated soils to the water
table is also minimized due to these covers. Therefore, the former building area no
longer serves as a significant continuing source of contamination.
Contamination historically originating from the building is, however, present in
groundwater, and is transported by groundwater to downgradient areas. East of the
building area, peak concentrations of cadmium and chromium were noted
downgradient of the former plating waste collection trench at the building overflow
outlet. The relatively lower metals concentrations closer to the former building area
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DRAFT FINAL
appear to reflect the higher rates of recharge to the water table that occurred during
plant operation and the subsequent downgradient migration of the cadmium plume.
Downgradient Areas
Many of the contaminants found in soils and groundwater at the site are mobile.
VOCs and elevated metals concentrations were detected in groundwater
downgradient of the lagoons and former building area. In general, these contaminants
are being transported through advective flow in the groundwater toward the
Merrimack River. Contaminant diffusion and dispersion results in the typical
broadening of the contaminant plumes with distance from the source. Most
contaminant transport with groundwater occurs in the shallow aquifer.
The approximate distance between the cadmium source area and the groundwater
plume peak cadmium concentration was used to estimate the rate of contaminant
travel. Contaminants in groundwater have traveled approximately 300 feet
downgradient of the source since facility shutdown. The fate of contaminants from
the site travelling with groundwater appears to be the Merrimack River. Contaminants
discharging to the river are apparently diluted to levels below detection.
Human Health Risk Assessment
The following bullets summarize the results of the baseline human health risk
assessment conducted for the NHPC study area:
• Chemicals of concern in groundwater include TCE, DCE, PCE, VC, TCA,
C&T DCE, 1,2-DCA, chloroform, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and
nickel. A comparison of contaminants of concern concentrations to
available MCLs indicates that the aquifer underlying and downgradient
of the site is not suitable as a potable water supply.
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• If the aquifer underlying and downgradient of the NHPC Operations Area
is utilized as a domestic water supply in the future, risk estimates exceed
the U.S. EPA 10~4 to 10"6 cancer risk range often used to determine the
need for action at a CERCLA site. Cancer risk estimates for individual
COCs such as TCE also exceed 104.
• A potential for adverse noncarcinogenic health effects exists to
individuals exposed to the groundwater contaminants in the aquifer -5,5. -=«—IS"*— _ -ai •&£:£- -"J- -W.
underlying and downgradient of the study area.
• Cancer risk estimates for soils from the lagoon system, the former
building area, and adjoining areas are within or less than the EPA target
range of 1 x 10"4 to 1 x 10'6.
• The potential for adverse noncarcinogenic health effects exists only if
receptors are exposed under reasonable maximum exposure conditions.
• Lead concentrations in soil samples from Lagoon 2 and the Southern
Wetland exceed an EPA Benchmark of 1,000 ppm (a benchmark for lead
in industrial soil).
• Dermal contact with or inadvertent ingestion of the sediments of
Horseshoe Pond and/or the Merrimack River by a recreational user does
not appear to present significant risk.
Ecological Assessment
The ecological risk assessment only addressed the soil exposure pathway for the
wetlands-lagoons system as a whole. Cadmium was selected as the indicator
contaminant of concern. The potential ecological risks associated with the former
NHPC building area were not addressed because this area offers minimal wildlife
habitat, and thus represents an incomplete contaminant exposure pathway. The
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potential ecological risks associated with the Merrimack River and Horseshoe Pond
surface water and sediment exposure pathways were not addressed in the ecological
risk assessment because few site-related contaminants were detected there and
because contaminant sources other than the NHPC site can potentially introduce
contaminants to these surface water bodies. The following bullets summarize the
results of the ecological risk assessment:
• The ecological risk assessment concluded that the lagoon system portion
of the NHPC property presents an unacceptable risk to ecological
receptors because cadmium soil contamination could cause detrimental
effects on populations of organisms and the overall food web associated
with the site.
• Four indicator species were selected for the ecological risk assessment,
and a conceptual food web model was prepared to represent the soil
exposure pathway at the site. The food web model was the basis for
the calculation of cadmium soil concentrations above which adverse
effects on the indicator species are expected to occur.
• Of the four indicator species, the short-tailed shrew was found to be at
the greatest risk of adverse effects from cadmium concentrations in the
soil. For this indicator species, cadmium soil concentrations above 5.6
mg/Kg would be expected to cause detrimental impact.
E.7 Conclusions
Surface and subsurface soil within the NHPC lagoon system and the former building
area is contaminated with site-related metals, the most significant of which is
cadmium. Levels of cadmium range up to 1277 mg/Kg, and are higher in the lagoon
system than in the former building area. The levels of contamination in lagoon system
soil present a significant direct risk to ecological receptors. The levels of
contamination in site soils present a noncarcinogenic human health risk only when the
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reasonable maximum exposure scenario is considered. The more significant human
health risk posed by the contaminants in soils is the indirect risk caused by the
continued leaching of contaminants to groundwater.
Groundwater beneath and downgradient of the NHPC Operations Area is contaminated
with site-related organic and inorganic contaminants. The majority of the groundwater
contaminants (chlorinated organics and metals) were found in the shallow overburden
aquifer that lies beneath the site, and above the identified lower permeability glacio
lacustrine soil unit. Only five chlorinated organic contaminants were found in the
lower overburden aquifer (below the glacio-lacustrine unit) and even fewer chlorinated
organic contaminants were detected in bedrock. The highest levels of groundwater
contamination are present below and just downgradient of Lagoon 1. An additional
area of contamination also exists south of the former building area, on the YMCA
property.
Based on water level measurements and contaminant distribution, the contamination
from the site is migrating with groundwater to the east and southeast toward the
Merrimack River. Surface water and sediment sampling do not indicate that the river
is being impacted, and the contaminants are likely being diluted below detection
levels.
Twelve contaminants are present in groundwater at levels that exceed their respective
MCLs. If groundwater were to be used as a domestic water supply, the groundwater
contaminants would present carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risks to human health.
Because the NHPC Site poses both ecological and human health risks, a Feasibility
Study (FS) is recommended to address the contamination detected in soils and
groundwater.
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ACGIH
AOC
ATSDR
AWQC
B & M
BAF
BEI
BEPH
BTEX
C & T DCE
CEC
CERCLA
CLP
CNS
COC
CSF
CT
DCA
DCE
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LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
Area of Concern
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Ambient Water Quality Criteria
Boston and Maine
Bioaccumulation Factor
Badger Environmental Inc.
bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate
Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Xylenes
Cis and Trans - 1,2-dichloroethene
Cation Exchange Capacity
Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act
Contract Laboratory Program
Central Nervous System
Contaminant of Concern
Carcinogenic Slope Factor
Central Tendency
1,1 -Dichloroethane
1,1-Dichloroethene
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DRAFT FINAL
LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS (Continued)
DDT 4,4'-Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane
%DI Percent Dietary Intake
DQO Data Quality Objectives
ECG Electrocardiograph
EE/CA Engineering Evaluation / Cost Analysis
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
EPRB Emergency Planning and Response Branch
ERL-C EPA Environmental Research Laboratory - Corvallis
ERT Emergency Response Team
F Degree Fahrenheit
FFS Focused Feasability Study
FS Feasability Study
GC Gas Chromatograph
Gl Gastrointestinal
GZA Goldberg Zoino and Associates, Inc.
HA Health Advisory
HDP High Density Polyethylene
HI Hazard Index
HNUS Halliburton NUS Corporation
HQ Hazard Quotient
IRIS Integrated Risk Information System
I.D. Inside Diameter
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LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS (Continued)
ICP Inductively Coupled Plasma
JCI Jones Chemical Inc.
LEI Ludgate Engineering Inc.
LOAEL Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level
LOEL Lowest Observed Effect Level
MCL Maximum Contaminant Level
MCLG Maximum Contaminant Level Goal
MEK Methyl Ethyl Ketone
mg/Kg milligram per kilogram
mg/L milligram per liter
MLMC Magnum Leasing and Mortgage Company
mph miles per hour
MTBE Methyl-tertbutyl ether
MVWD Merrimack Village Water District
NCR National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan
NEPWTC New England Pole and Wood Treating Company
NERL Northeast Regional Laboratory
NHDES New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services
NHPC New Hampshire Plating Company
NOEL No Observed Effect Level
NOV/OOA Notice of Violation/Order of Abatement
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LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS (Continued)
NTCRA Non-Time-Critical Removal Action
NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Unit
NUS FIT NUS Corporation Field Investigation Team
ORD Office of Research and Development
PA Preliminary Assessment
PAH Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons
PCB Polychlorinated biphenyl
PCE tetrachloroethene
pH Hydrogen ion concentration
PID Photo-ionization detector
PVD Polyvinyl chloride
ppm parts per million
QA/QC Quality Assurance / Quality Control
RAS Routine Analytical Services
RCRA Resource and Conservation Recovery Act
REC Raytheon Engineers and Constructors, Inc.
REAC Response Engineering and Analytical Contractor
RfC Reference Concentration
RfD Reference Dose
Rl Remedial Investigation
RME Reasonable Maximum Exposure
ROD Record of Decision
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LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS (Continued)
Rp Rippowan
RREL Risk Reduction Engineering Laboratory
SARA Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act
SAS Special Analytical Services
SDWA Safe Drinking Water Act
SFF Site Foraging Frequency
SNHWC Southern New Hampshire Water Company
STMSC Solidified Treated Material Storage Cell
SVOC Semivolatile Organic Compound
UF Uncertainty Factor
USCS Unified Soil Classification System
USEPA United States Environmental Protection Agency
USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service
USGS United States Geological Survey
TAT Technical Assistance Team
TCA 1,1,1-Trichloroethane
TCB 3,3',4,4'-Tetrachlorobiphenyl
TCE Trichloroethene
TCLP Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Protocol
T-DCE trans-Dichloroethene
TOC Total Organic Carbon
TPH Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon
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LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS (Continued)
TSD Transportation, Storage and Disposal
TVOC Total Volatile Organic Compound
ug/Kg microgram per kilogram
ug/L microgram per liter
UST Underground Storage Tank
VC Vinyl Chloride
VOC Volatile Organic Compound
WLS Wetlands-Lagoon System
XRF X-Ray Fluorescence
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INTRODUCTION
Halliburton NUS Corporation (HNUS) and Raytheon Engineers and Constructors, Inc.
(REC), (formerly Badger Engineers, Inc.) were contracted by the United States
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to perform a Remedial Investigation (Rl) of the
New Hampshire Plating Company (NHPC) Site in Merrimack, New Hampshire. This
investigation was authorized by the EPA under Work Assignment No. 33-1GL1,
Contract No. 68-W8-0117.
In an effort to accelerate the decision-making process, without dividing the site into
operable units, a detailed evaluation of the former NHPC building was conducted
concurrent with the Rl. This evaluation included the performance of a Focused
Feasibility Study (FFS) and Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA) for the
building. The building subsequently was demolished and removed as a Non-Time-
Critical Removal Action (NTCRA). Results of the FFS and EE/CA for the former NHPC
building are documented separately in the April 1993 "Draft Focused Feasibility
Study" and October 1993 "Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis for Non-Time-Critical
Removal Action" prepared by HNUS/REC.
This report presents the results of the Rl. The source, nature and extent, fate and
transport of contaminants, and ecological and human health risks are addressed in this
report. Recommendations for future work and remedial action objectives for the site
are also presented. With completion of this Rl, a Feasibility Study (FS) will be
undertaken to evaluate remedial alternatives for the entire site. A Record of Decision
(ROD) outlining the selected remedy for the site will follow.
The overall objective of the RI/FS is to characterize the risks posed by hazardous
substances at the site and to evaluate potential remedial options. To achieve this
objective, the RI/FS must:
• assess the source, nature, and distribution of contaminants in
groundwater, soils, surface water, and sediments;
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• assess the fate and transport of these contaminants;
• evaluate through a risk assessment the potential threats to human health
and the environment posed by site contamination; and
• develop and evaluate a range of remedial alternatives that address the
site contamination.
The Rl was performed consistent with requirements outlined in the Comprehensive
Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980 and
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) of 1986, the National Oil
and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP), and the EPA Statement
of Work for the NHPC Site (1992).
The Rl report was prepared in accordance with the Interim Final Guidance for
Conducting Remedial Investigations and Feasibility Studies Under CERCLA (EPA,
October 1988). The report organization is presented in Section 1.2.
Site and Study Area Background
A description of the NHPC site and study area, including the site history, is presented
in this section. The approximately 13 acre NHPC site is located in the Town of
Merrimack (Hillsborough County) in south central New Hampshire. The site is located
on the northern side of Wright Avenue approximately one quarter of a mile east of the
Daniel Webster Highway (Route 3), as shown on Figure 1 -1, Site Location Map. This
area is zoned for commercial and light industrial use, although residential lots, both
developed and undeveloped, are found to the north, south, and west. The site is
situated between three major water bodies, which include the Souhegan River (located
approximately 1200 feet north of the site), the Merrimack River (located
approximately 500 feet east of the site), and Horseshoe Pond (located approximately
600 feet south of the site).
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As shown on Figure 1-2, Study Area Location Map, the NHPC study area is comprised
of several parcels of land that include the NHPC site, adjacent properties, and other
areas located to the south, east, and west. These other areas include the Magnum
Leasing and Mortgage Company property, the City of Manchester YMCA property,
Horseshoe Pond Island, the New England Pole and Wood Treating Company
(NEPWTC) property, Lot Number 22 property, the Techwood Building Systems, Inc.
(Techwood) property, and the Jones Chemical, Inc. (JCI) property. Descriptions of
these study area parcels are provided in Section 2.0.
NHPC Site History
NHPC operated an electroplating facility on the site from 1962 to 1985. The metals
used in the electroplating process included cadmium, zinc, chromium, copper, lead,
nickel, tin, gold, silver, aluminum, iron, and manganese. The chlorinated organic
solvents used included trichloroethylene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, and
tetrachloroethylene. Cyanide was also used in the electroplating process. Chlorinated
solvent use was reportedly discontinued during the latter part of the 1970s.
Electroplating wastes generated by the NHPC facility included metals, volatile organic
compounds (VOCs), cyanide, and acids (Weston, 19901).
Treated and untreated wastes and wastewater were collected within various drainage
trenches constructed in the concrete floors of the former NHPC building's processing
areas. The wastes were then gravity-drained through an underground discharge pipe
to the unlined waste lagoons located approximately 325 feet north of the building.
Wastes were discharged directly into a primary infiltration lagoon (Lagoon 1). The
lagoon system was constructed to allow the discharged wastes to flow from the
primary lagoon into a secondary infiltration lagoon (Lagoon 2) and subsequent
overflow lagoons (Lagoons 3 and 4) during periods of high discharge from the facility.
Approximately 35,000 to 60,000 gallons of wastewater were generated and
discharged to the lagoons each day (Bracchi, 1992).
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In 1980, NHPC notified the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that it was
a hazardous waste disposal facility according to the Resource and Conservation
Recovery Act (RCRA) Section 3001 regulations. The first RCRA inspection in 1982
resulted in the issuance of a Notice of Violat