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SWMU B-34 RCRA Facility Investigation Report Addendum
Section 1 - Introduction
This document is an addendum to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Facility Investigation (RFI) Report for Solid Waste Management Unit (SWMU) B-34, completed in August 2002. The RFI report described the results of previous fieldwork conducted at SWMU B-34 and recommended additional surface soil sampling to identify the extent of contamination. This addendum describes the results of the additional sampling, which was conducted in March 2003. Information regarding the site-specific background, closure standard, and Phase I RFI findings is provided in the SWMU B-34 RFI Report. References cited in this report can be found in the Bibliography (Volume 1-1 of the Environmental Encyclopedia).
This addendum to the RFI was performed by Parsons under the U.S. Air Force AMC Contract F11623-94-D-0024, Delivery Order RL17. The Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence (AFCEE) provides technical oversight for the delivery order. Based on results of the RFI sampling efforts, additional soil samples were collected in the vicinity of previously completed soil borings. Samples were analyzed for barium, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, and zinc. Selected samples were also analyzed for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs).
1.1 - Site Description and Background
SWMU B-34 is adjacent to Building 28, a building where diesel locomotive maintenance was historically performed (Figure B34-1, RFI Report). The site covers an area of approximately 0.5 acre and is located in the western portion of the Inner Cantonment of CSSA, approximately 1,000 feet east of the western border of CSSA and 4,000 feet north of the southern border of CSSA. A pit located inside Building 28 was used for CSSA personnel to perform maintenance activities on locomotive and railway equipment. SWMU B-34 consists of the below-grade piping and pipe bedding that drained from the pit. The piping extends 230 feet southwest from Building 28, travels subgrade to an outfall area near McElroy Road. The outfall area drains to a ditch adjacent to the northern side of McElroy Road. In turn, the ditch drains from east to west along McElroy Road, then travels south through a culvert constructed beneath McElroy Road. Historical aerial photographs of SWMU B-34 are presented in Figure B34-7.
Since Building 28 was used for diesel locomotive maintenance, there are multiple constituents of concern associated with SWMU B-34. Potential chemicals of concern (COCs) associated with SWMU B-34 include VOCs, SVOCs, and metals. Diesel engine maintenance products, oil products, and various solvents may have been used at the maintenance pit. Spills of maintenance products while performing maintenance activities could transmit them into the drainage piping associated with Building 28 and subsequently into the ditch that lies near the piping outfall area.
1.2 - Previous Investigation Results
Previous investigation activities conducted at SWMU B-34 included a geophysical survey, surface soil sampling, and subsurface soil/rock sampling, as described in the August 2002 RFI report. The geophysical survey did not indicate any anomalies other than those associated with the building. However, the sampling results at SWMU B-34 did not meet RRS1 standards with respect to all COCs.
During March 2000, four surface soil samples, including one soil boring sample obtained from 0 to 0.5 feet (RW-B34-SB03, 0-0.5 ft.), were collected at SWMU B-34 and analyzed for VOCs, SVOCs, and metals. No VOCs or SVOCs were detected in surface soil above RRS1 levels. However, chromium, copper, lead, nickel, and zinc levels exceeded background concentrations. Sample RW-B34-SS01 reported concentrations of 58.6 mg/kg, 52.8 mg/kg, 169.2 mg/kg, and 611.2 mg/kg for chromium, copper, zinc, and lead, respectively. The RRS1 standards (background values) for chromium, copper, zinc, and lead in CSSA soils are 40.2 mg/kg, 23.2 mg/kg, 73.2 mg/kg, and 84.5 mg/kg, respectively. Sample RW-B34-SS02 exceeded background concentrations for chromium, copper, nickel, and zinc, with reported concentrations of 81 mg/kg, 88.6 mg/kg, 45.2 mg/kg, and 168 mg/kg for these constituents, respectively. The RRS1 standard (background value) for nickel is 35.5 mg/kg. Sample RW-B34-SS03 had reported concentrations of 96 mg/kg, 135.8 mg/kg, 204.2 mg/kg, and 110.8 mg/kg for chromium, copper, zinc, and lead, respectively. Copper was detected at 26.3 mg/kg in the surface soil sample at RW-B34-SB03.
Three soil borings were advanced at SWMU B-34 during March 2000. No VOCs were detected above RRS1 criteria in any of the samples, but several metals concentrations exceeded RRS1. One SVOC, bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, exceeded RRS1 standard in four of the samples and, although positively detected, was considered to be associated with laboratory or sampling equipment. Metals concentrations exceeded RRS1 standards in six of the seven subsurface soil samples collected. Metals which exceeded RRS1 standards were barium, chromium, copper, nickel, zinc, cadmium, and lead.
Due to these findings, additional sampling was recommended to identify the extent of metals contamination at SWMU B-34. It was recommended that additional samples be collected to identify the extent of contamination, to be analyzed for barium, chromium, copper, nickel, and zinc (SW-6010B); cadmium (SW-7131A); and lead (SW-7421). In addition, it was recommended that three additional samples be collected at the outfall of the pipe (in the vicinity of SS03, near McElroy Road) and analyzed for VOCs (SW-8260B), SVOCs (SW-8270C), and the aforementioned metals to ensure that any discharges from the pipe to the ground surface are identified. Subsequently, fourteen surface soil samples were collected at SWMU B-34 during March 2003.