Print this page Remedial Investigation Considerations for Contaminated Sediment Sites
Michael J. Dickey, P.E.
Course Outline
This online course provides an introduction to remedial investigation issues unique to contaminated sediment sites. Specific topics include site characterization goals (and the types of data typically collected during the remedial investigation phase), conceptual site models (CSMs), understanding current and future watershed conditions, identification/control of ongoing contaminant sources, and development of project-specific cleanup goals. The course also introduces considerations related to sediment mobility and contaminant fate and transport, and modeling for contaminated sediment sites.
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.
Learning Objective
At the conclusion of this course, the student will
- Have an understanding of the site characterization process;
- Understand the typical goals of the remedial investigation phase for a contaminated sediment site;
- Be familiar with the types of data typically collected during site characterization;
- Develop a basic understanding of the different types of effects that certain classes of contaminants have on sediment sites (i.e. – bioaccumulative effects, etc;)
- Understand the typical elements of a conceptual site model for sediment;
- Develop a basic understanding of the different types of human health and ecological risk assessments;
- Understand how remedial action objectives are developed, and their significance;
- Have an understanding of watershed considerations for contaminated sediment sites;
- Understand the significance of identifying and controlling contaminant sources;
- Be familiar with potential causes of sediment and/or contaminant movement;
- Be introduced to some of the empirical methods that are available to assess the extent of past sediment and contaminant movement; and
- Develop a basic understanding of the different types of sediment/contaminant transport and fate models typically used.
Intended Audience
This course is intended primarily for civil and environmental engineers.
Benefit to Attendees
Attendees of this course will understand remedial investigation issues unique to contaminated sediment sites, which is useful for planning purposes and scoping for such investigations.
Course Introduction
The primary objectives of a remedial investigation for a contaminated sediment site are to develop a detailed understanding of the nature and extent of contamination, determine if there are unacceptable risks that warrant a remedial response, and if so, have the necessary data to move forward with the next phase of the project (typically, remedial alternative evaluation and design). Contaminated sediment sites are often complex, and therefore the remedial investigation usually comprises a multi-faceted study of the various physical, chemical, and biological characteristics pertaining to a specific site. Some examples of important physical data for a site typically include sediment grain size(s), tidal influences, and bathymetric conditions, to name a few. A few examples of important chemical data for a site include type and concentration of contaminant(s), organic content, and pH conditions. Similarly, examples of biological factors to be considered include abundance/diversity of bottom-dwelling species and fishes, abundance/diversity of submerged/emerged vegetation, and the extent of recreational/commercial harvesting of fish/shellfish for consumption. This data is used for a variety of purposes including the completion of site-specific risk assessments, development of conceptual site models (CSM), development of remedial action objectives (cleanup goals), fate and transport modeling, and evaluation/design of remedial strategies.
Course Content
The purpose of this course is to present an overview of the typical remedial investigation process required for assessing and characterizing a contaminated sediment site in order to support future phases of the project (i.e. - remedy evaluation, selection, design, and implementation). The course is offered within the context of guidance provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for sites regulated under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) programs. You are required to study the following guidance document from the EPA:
Chapter 2 of Contaminated Sediment Remediation Guidance for Hazardous Waste Sites, 42 pages, PDF file.
The contents of Chapter 2 are in PDF format:
Chapter 2. Remedial Investigation Considerations
Please click on
the above underlined hypertext to view, download or print the document for your
study. Because of the large file size, we recommend that you first save the
file to your computer by right clicking the mouse and choosing "Save Target
As ...", and then open the file in Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you still experience
any difficulty in downloading or opening this file, you may need to close some
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Course Summary
The primary objectives of a remedial investigation for a contaminated sediment site are to develop a detailed understanding of the nature and extent of contamination, determine if there are unacceptable risks that warrant a remedial response, and if so, have the necessary data to move forward with the next phase of the project (typically, remedial alternative evaluation and design). Accordingly, the remedial investigation program for a particular site should be developed with the following objectives in mind:
a. Delineate the spatial distribution and contaminant levels for constituents in various media at/around the site (i.e. - sediment, surface water, biota, adjacent upland soils and groundwater).
b. Identify historical or ongoing sources of contamination to the sediment site.
c. Understand the geomorphological setting and processes (i.e. – sedimentation, resuspension, transport). b. Identify historical or ongoing sources of contamination to the sediment site.
d. Understand the geomorphological setting as well as key chemical and biological processes that influence the fate, transport, and bioavailability of contaminants. e. Identify current and future human and ecological exposure pathways for the contaminants.
f. Collect the necessary data to support the remedial evaluation/design phase, as well as provide baseline information for future monitoring of remedy effectiveness.
Related Links
For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites:
a. Implementation Guide for Assessing and Managing Contaminated Sediment at Navy Facilities, NAVFAC User’s Guide UG-2053-ENV
b. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1994. "ARCS Assessment Guidance Document." EPA-905-B94-002. Great Lakes National Program Office, Chicago, IL.
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
