ward - sediment quality and impact assessment

8/6/2019 Ward - Sediment Quality and Impact Assessment

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Dam Removal: Sediment QualityDam Removal: Sediment QualityEvaluation and Impact AssessmentEvaluation and Impact Assessment

Tom Augspurger and Sara WardTom Augspurger and Sara Ward

U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

P.O. Box 33726P.O. Box 33726

Raleigh, NC 27636Raleigh, NC 27636--37263726

[email protected][email protected] [email protected][email protected]

Phone: 919/856Phone: 919/856--4520 x.214520 x.21 919/856919/856--4520 x.304520 x.30

http://nchttp://nc--es.fws.gov/ecotoxes.fws.gov/ecotox11


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Some questions at dam sitesSome questions at dam sites

Is there a basis for concern at this site?Is there a basis for concern at this site?

Do we need to sample sediments?Do we need to sample sediments? If so, what to analyze?If so, what to analyze? How do I interpret results?How do I interpret results? Will others accept that interpretation?Will others accept that interpretation? Will I get the information I need to make aWill I get the information I need to make adecision?decision?

Where can I get help?Where can I get help?

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ObjectivesObjectives1.1. Describe a framework for evaluatingDescribe a framework for evaluating

sediments at dam removal sitessediments at dam removal sites

2.2. Compile existing information to gauge theCompile existing information to gauge the

extent of any sediment quality concernsextent of any sediment quality concerns

3.3. Identify triggers for determining whetherIdentify triggers for determining whether

additional effort is neededadditional effort is needed4.4. Become familiar with helpful resourcesBecome familiar with helpful resources

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Need for a frameworkNeed for a framework

1.1. Reservoirs act as sediment catchmentsReservoirs act as sediment catchments

2.2. Create environment favoring depositionCreate environment favoring deposition

3.3. Fine grain sediments have a high affinity forFine grain sediments have a high affinity for

contaminant accumulationcontaminant accumulation4.4. ACS estimates >63,000 chemicals in useACS estimates >63,000 chemicals in use

TSCA Inventory lists >70,000 chemicals thatTSCA Inventory lists >70,000 chemicals that

can be commercially producedcan be commercially produced

you canyou cant test for everything (but you want tot test for everything (but you want to

thoroughly assess any important issues )thoroughly assess any important issues )44


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Need for a framework (cont.)Need for a framework (cont.)

5.5. Sediment pollutants can be a concern forSediment pollutants can be a concern for

toxicity, bioaccumulation, water quality, etctoxicity, bioaccumulation, water quality, etc6.6. There are water quality regulations andThere are water quality regulations and

standards to considerstandards to consider

e.g., CWA 404 and 401e.g., CWA 404 and 401

7.7. Interagency guidance in NC notes need toInteragency guidance in NC notes need to

address contaminated sedimentsaddress contaminated sediments

8.8. Analyses are costly and there is uncertainty asAnalyses are costly and there is uncertainty asto how results will be evaluatedto how results will be evaluated

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Need for a framework (concluded)Need for a framework (concluded)

HoweverHowever mostmost

states (includingstates (includingNC) have noNC) have no

regulationsregulations

dictating thedictating theapproach toapproach to

evaluate potentialevaluate potential

sedimentsedimentpollution at dampollution at dam

removal sitesremoval sites

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Good sources of guidanceGood sources of guidance

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USEPA and USACE. 1998. EvaluationUSEPA and USACE. 1998. Evaluation

of dredged material proposed forof dredged material proposed for

discharge in waters of the U.S.discharge in waters of the U.S. --

Testing Manual. EPATesting Manual. EPA--823823--BB--9898--004,004,Office of Water, Washington, DC.Office of Water, Washington, DC.

http://www.epa.gov/OST/itm/ITM/http://www.epa.gov/OST/itm/ITM/

http://www.cerc.usgs.gov/pubs/sedtox/http://www.cerc.usgs.gov/pubs/sedtox/

VolumeI.pdfVolumeI.pdf


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General FrameworkGeneral Framework

Start withStart with tier 1tier 1 assessment (use existing info toassessment (use existing info toassess theassess the potentialpotentialfor a contaminated sedimentfor a contaminated sedimentconcern)concern)

Proceed in a stepProceed in a step--wise fashionwise fashion only to the extentonly to the extentnecessary to address the sitenecessary to address the site

tier 2tier 2 (surface water and sediment chemistry),(surface water and sediment chemistry),

tier 3tier 3 (toxicity and bioaccumulation testing)(toxicity and bioaccumulation testing)

tier 4tier 4 (case(case--specific lab and field testing)specific lab and field testing)

Get stakeholder inputGet stakeholder input

establishestablish a prioria priorithe triggers for next tierthe triggers for next tier

provide draft tier reports for stakeholder review soprovide draft tier reports for stakeholder review sothat group learns together and data collection isthat group learns together and data collection isefficientefficient

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Tier 1Tier 1

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Start with existing info to assess theStart with existing info to assess the potentialpotential

a) lack of pollutant sources = low need fora) lack of pollutant sources = low need for

aggressive site characterizationaggressive site characterizationb)b) likewise, any sampling should be guided bylikewise, any sampling should be guided by

specific issues from this reviewspecific issues from this review


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1. Introduction1. Introduction

Purpose of review (tech assistance /Purpose of review (tech assistance /

regulatory)regulatory) Overview of dam / reservoir of interest:Overview of dam / reservoir of interest:

Age of structureAge of structure

Height of structureHeight of structure

Upstream damsUpstream dams

LandusesLanduses Sensitive resources / known issues ofSensitive resources / known issues ofconcernconcern1111


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2. Sources of Contamination2. Sources of Contamination

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Potential sources of contamination include:Potential sources of contamination include:

urban and agricultural runoffurban and agricultural runoffindustrial and municipal wastewaterindustrial and municipal wastewater

discharges riparian filldischarges riparian fill

spills of oil or chemicalsspills of oil or chemicalsreleases from landfills or hazardous wastereleases from landfills or hazardous waste

sites mineral extraction / refinement practices,sites mineral extraction / refinement practices,

etc.etc.

Existing and historicExisting and historic


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Background Info SourcesBackground Info Sources

Databases (federal and NC examples)Databases (federal and NC examples)

National Priorities List (Superfund Sites)National Priorities List (Superfund Sites)

Inactive Hazardous Waste SitesInactive Hazardous Waste Sites

Old LandfillsOld Landfills

Active Solid Waste PermitsActive Solid Waste Permits

CERCLIS Sites (known and suspected waste sites)CERCLIS Sites (known and suspected waste sites)

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act SitesResource Conservation and Recovery Act Sites

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System SitesNational Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Sites

Sewage Sludge Land Application SitesSewage Sludge Land Application SitesRegistered Concentrated Animal Feeding OperationsRegistered Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations

Toxics Release InventoryToxics Release Inventory

Underground Storage TanksUnderground Storage Tanks

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Interviews with waterInterviews with water

quality regulators,quality regulators,reservoir owners /reservoir owners /

operators, landoperators, land

managersmanagers File reviewFile review Water quality andWater quality andlanduse reports / datalanduse reports / data

Site reconSite recon

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

4.5

5

1993 1995 1998 2001 2004

TotalPhos

phorus(mg/lasP)

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Background Info Sources (cont)Background Info Sources (cont)


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Contents of Tier 1 AssessmentContents of Tier 1 Assessment

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1. Introduction1. Introduction2. Sources of contamination2. Sources of contamination

3. Pathways of contaminant transport3. Pathways of contaminant transport

4. Chemical / physical nature of sediments4. Chemical / physical nature of sediments(behind dam and downstream)(behind dam and downstream)

5. Contaminants of concern / Areas of concern5. Contaminants of concern / Areas of concern

6. Summary / Recommendations6. Summary / Recommendations


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3. Pathways3. Pathways

4. Nature of sediments4. Nature of sediments

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Factors influencing contaminant fate:Factors influencing contaminant fate:

groundwater flow direction,groundwater flow direction,

impoundment bathymetry,impoundment bathymetry,flows,flows,

soil types,soil types,

sediment particle size, OM content,sediment particle size, OM content,

shoaling areas,shoaling areas,sediment deposition ratessediment deposition rates


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5. Contaminants of concern5. Contaminants of concern

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From lists of sources likeFrom lists of sources like

thisthiscan get listingscan get listingsof pollutants byof pollutants by

source type:source type:

USEPA .1997. Incidence and Severity of SedimentUSEPA .1997. Incidence and Severity of SedimentContamination in Surface Waters of the UnitedContamination in Surface Waters of the United

States: Volume 3: National Sediment ContaminantStates: Volume 3: National Sediment Contaminant

Point Source Inventory. EPAPoint Source Inventory. EPA--823R97008823R97008

Road runRoad run--offoff = PAHs,= PAHs,metalsmetals

Textile manufacturersTextile manufacturers ==metalsmetals

Paper millsPaper mills = metals,= metals,dioxinsdioxins

Metal finishingMetal finishing == metals,metals,PCBsPCBs


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5. Contaminants of concern5. Contaminants of concern

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If you have data, canIf you have data, canevaluate against:evaluate against:

Water quality standardsWater quality standards

Federal water qualityFederal water quality

criteriacriteria Sediment qualitySediment qualityguidelines andguidelines and

standards (none in NC,standards (none in NC,but other models tobut other models toconsider)consider)


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ConcentrationConcentration--Based ScreeningBased Screening

ValuesValues Concentrations in sediment that areConcentrations in sediment that areassociated with an adverse biologicalassociated with an adverse biological

responseresponse

Toxicity (lethality / disease)Toxicity (lethality / disease)

BioaccumulationBioaccumulation

Altered benthic community structureAltered benthic community structure

Sources:Sources:

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Ingersoll CG, Dillon T, Biddinger RG, editors. 1997. Ecological Risk Assessment of ContaminatedSediment. SETAC Press, Pensacola, FL.

MacDonald DD, Ingersoll CG, Berger TA. 2000. Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment quality guidelines for freshwater ecosystems. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol39: 20-31.

USEPA. 2000. Prediction of sediment toxicity using consensus-based freshwater sedimentquality guidelines. EPA 905/R-00/007, Chicago, IL.


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Other screening valuesOther screening values

USEPA Eco SSLsUSEPA Eco SSLssoil quality screeningsoil quality screening

numbersnumbershttp://www.epa.gov/ecotox/ecossl/http://www.epa.gov/ecotox/ecossl/

USEPA R4 Ecological Screening ValuesUSEPA R4 Ecological Screening Valueshttp://www.epa.gov/Region4/waste/ots/http://www.epa.gov/Region4/waste/ots/ecolbul.htm#ecoscreenecolbul.htm#ecoscreen

NCDENR DWM Inactive Hazardous SitesNCDENR DWM Inactive Hazardous SitesBranch Soil Remediation GoalsBranch Soil Remediation Goalshttp://www.wastenotnc.org/soiltable.pdfhttp://www.wastenotnc.org/soiltable.pdf

2020


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Contents of Tier 1 AssessmentContents of Tier 1 Assessment

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1. Introduction1. Introduction2. Sources of contamination2. Sources of contamination

3. Pathways of contaminant transport3. Pathways of contaminant transport

4. Chemical / physical nature of sediments4. Chemical / physical nature of sediments(behind dam and downstream)(behind dam and downstream)

5. Contaminants of concern / Areas of concern5. Contaminants of concern / Areas of concern



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What was doneWhat was done

How it was doneHow it was doneWhat was learnedWhat was learned

Where to go from hereWhere to go from herewillwill

almost always include some level ofalmost always include some level of

sampling (tier 2), so include asampling (tier 2), so include a

draft sampling designdraft sampling design

Circulate draft and final through stakeholdersCirculate draft and final through stakeholders


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Tier 2Tier 2 -- TestingTesting

Sampling plan needs to include:Sampling plan needs to include:

What, How many, Where, How, and WhenWhat, How many, Where, How, and When

PLUS:PLUS: Use of competent field crew and certifiedUse of competent field crew and certified

lab (lab (WhoWho))QA/QC Plan (QA/QC Plan (How wellHow well))

Proposed screening values as triggers forProposed screening values as triggers for

tier 3 versus done (tier 3 versus done (WhyWhy))

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McDonald et al. consensusMcDonald et al. consensus

valuesvalues

Geometric means ofGeometric means of

available valuesavailable values Lower boundLower boundThreshold EffectThreshold Effect

Concentration (Concentration (TECTEC))= toxic to sensitive= toxic to sensitivebenthic organismsbenthic organisms

Upper boundUpper boundProbable EffectProbable EffectConcentration (Concentration (PECPEC))= toxic to most= toxic to most

benthic organismsbenthic organisms2424

Increasin

g

Conce

ntration

Increasin

g

Conce

ntration

PresumedPresumed

NontoxicNontoxic

PresumedPresumed

ToxicToxic

PossiblyPossibly

ToxicToxic

PECPEC

TECTEC


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Example:Example:

DillsboroDillsboroReservoirReservoir

sedimentssediments

http://www.fws.gov/raleigh/pdfs/DillsboroReportFinal.pdf


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Dillsboro Reservoir sedimentsDillsboro Reservoir sediments

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Dillsboro Reservoir sedimentsDillsboro Reservoir sediments

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General Framework RevisitedGeneral Framework Revisited

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Tier 1Tier 1 (review / evaluate existing information)(review / evaluate existing information)

TTier 2ier 2 (surface water and sediment chemistry),(surface water and sediment chemistry),

Tier 3Tier 3 (toxicity and bioaccumulation testing),(toxicity and bioaccumulation testing),

TTier 4ier 4 (case(case--specific lab and field testing)specific lab and field testing)

Work to the extent necessary to address theWork to the extent necessary to address the

sitesite

With stakeholder input on triggersWith stakeholder input on triggers


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Questions?Questions?

2929http://nchttp://nc--es.fws.gov/ecotoxes.fws.gov/ecotox

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