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f DUCKS UNLIMITED, INC. (;a. I NEW JERSEY MEADOWLANDS I ONE DEKORTE PARK PLAZA LYNDHURST, NEW JERSEY 0707 I-3799 PHONE: (20 1) 460 - 466 1 FAX: (20 1) 460 - 8434 Baseline Monitoring Program: Soil and Sediment Contamination at Wetland Enhancement Sites Within the Hackensack Meadowlands March 1998 Prepared for: Hackensack Meadowlands Development Commission One DeKorte Park Plaza Lyndhurst, New Jersey 07071 i TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 .o INTRODUCTION 1 ..P. I 2.0 CONTAMINANTS AT WETLAND ENHANCEMENT SITES 1 2.0 Methods 1 2.1 Results: Sisselman Tract 1 2.2 Results: Harrier Meadow 2 2.3 Results: Skeetkill Creek Marsh 3 2.4 Results: Mill Creek Marsh 3 3 .o BACKGROUND CONTAMINATION IN THE bi.EADOW-LANDS 5 4.0 ECOLOGY OF HEAVY METALS 6 5 .o POTENTIAL FOR CONTAMINATION BIO-AVAILABILITY 8 6.0 POTENTIAL FOR CONTAMINANT BIO-ACCUh4ULATION 9 6.1 Heavy Metal Bio-Concentration in Marsh Vegetation 10 6.2 Heavy Metal Bio-Concentration in Marsh Animals . 11 6.3 Potential for Bio-Magnification of Heavy Metals 12 ‘6.4 Bio-Concentration and Bio-Magnification of Organochlorines 13 7.0 CONCLUSIONS 15 8.0 REFERENCES 16 Tables 24 i % 1.0 INTRODUCTION The following report describes the results of soils sampling and analysis at several wetland restoration sitcs in the Hackensack Meadowlands District. It provides some background on the ambient levels of soil contamination present throughout the District in order to place the results of this analysis in perspective. Finally, it provides a brief review of the ecology of heavy metal and organochlorine contaminants is provided in order to understand the implications of.observed contaminant levels. Preliminary surveys were conducted to screen soils at the Perry’s Creek Canal site (a.k.a. Sisselman tract), Harrier Meadow, Skeetkill Creek M&h, and Mill Creek Marsh in order to detect the presence of potential chemical contaminants which might affect future plans for wetland restoration. The history of significant manufacturing activity in the Hackensack Meadowlands suggested the potential for soil contamination. Sampling at the Berry’s Creek Canal site was conducted on January 4, 1996 and December 22, 1997. Sampling at Harrier Meadow and the adjacent Kingsland mudflats was done February-August 1996. Mill Creek Marsh was sampled April 21-22, 1997. Finally, samples were taken at the Skeetkill Creek Marsh site on March 10, 1997. Results summarized below are described more fully in the final reports for these projects on file at the HMDC and should be consulted as needed. * 2.0 CONTAMINANTS AT WETLAND ENHANCEMENT SITES . 2.1 Methods’ Due to time and cost constraints, soils sampling described in this report was done on a preliminary, rather than comprehensive, basis. Sampling for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) priority Pollutants + 40 peaks was concentrated in those portions of the properties where signi&ant excavation is contemplated and/or where the potential for contamination was judged to be highest. Additional scnxning for .the ‘potential presence of Priority Pollutant metals was conducted m the rem&r&r of the sites; Composite samples were collected, comprising soil taken at O-6, 12-18, and 24-30 in .,:.. intervals below grade or, if groundwater was encountered at or near the surface, at the O-6 in interval above standing water. The composite sampling methods used here provide a costeffective means of performing an initial. screening for contamination on large sites. The soils analysis was conducted according to New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) criteria (Cleanup Standards for Contaminated Sites, N.J.A.C. 7:26D-et seq.). ‘I& NJDEP recognizes three levels of contamination as follows (from most to least stringent cleanup standards): Residential Direct Contact limits (RD), Non-residential Direct Contact limits (NRD), and Impact to Ground Water limits. These cleanup standards have been developed primarily to address human health effects, with some consideration of ecological receptors in some cases. Thus, direct and indirect effects of contaminants \ on wildlife cannot be determined from the results of these analysis, particularly since the effects on different species vary based on route of exposure and metabolic pathways affected. In most cases, very . little data is available on the soil and sediment contaminant levels that pose a threat to benthic infauna, vegetation, and the wildlife that feeds on them. As a comparison, results were compared to other published criteria on biological effects (NOAA 1990, Long ef al. 1995). At both sites, the preliminary analyses either did not detect or revealed relatively low concentrations of TPHC, cyanides, PP+l5, and PP+25 (individually and cornposited). Elevated levels of some organochlorines and/or several heavy metals were detected at all sites (Tables 1 and 2). 2.2 Results: Sissetman Tract . 2.2.1 Pesticides and Polvchlorinated Biphenyls IPCBQ Sampling in the southwestern comer of the property included analysis for pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls. Analysis detected 4,4’-DDT, as well as DDT metabolites, including 4,4’- DDE and 4,4’-DDD. None of these levels exceeded soil standards, but these contaminants were detected in three of the four samples collected. Similarly, dieldrin was detected in hvo of the four samples, but at levels below standards. PCBs were not detected (Table 1). 2.2.2 pioritv Pollutant Metals . All samples were analyzed for Priority Pollutant metals. While most were found at levels below MDEP criteria, several heavy metals were detected in the samples at levels exceeding those standards. Arsenic was detected at three of eight sample locations at concentrations in excess of the RD criterion and cadmium exceeded the standard at several locations. Surprisingly, mercury was not detected in any of the samples (Table 2). 2.3 Results Harrier Meadow 2.3.1 Pestrcldes’ ’ and Polvchlorinati Biohenvls (PO At Hamier Meadow analysis of samples taken from the northern property boundary (along the margin of an existing landiill) detected elevated levels of total PCBs and several Priority Pollutant metals which exceeded RD soil criteria. Levels of 4,4’-DDT ranged between 1.6% and 77.5 % of NJDEP cleanup standards, but DDT residues were detected at every sample location. Additionally, chlordam (no standard) and dieldrin were detected at low levels at all locations, with one location yielding die&in levels exceeding the RD criterion. PCE3 levels exceeded the RD criterion at all sample locations adjacent to the landfill. 2.3.2 J’rioritv Pollutant Me&& 2 All soil samples were analyzed for Priority Pollutant metals. In general, heavy metals were detected at levels below RD criteria, however there were some exceptions (Table 2). Cadmium was detected at levels exceeding criteria at all locations. Lead levels exceeded cleanup standards at three of the 10 sample locations. In addition, one level of arsenic, cadmium, and zinc, and three levels of lead exceeded the NRD criteria. The highest levels of contamination were uniformly encountered in soil samples collected along the landfill margin. Some of the heavy metals were detected only in these samples and levels of others were one or two orders of magnitude higher than in other samples. These results suggest that contamination is Iocalized in this portion of the property. 2.4 Results: Skeetkill Creek Marsh 2.4.1 Pesticides and Polvchlorinated Biphenvls (PCBS1 Analysis of soils at the Skeetkill Creek site yielded several organochlorine pesticides and their metabolites (Table 1). PCBs (primarily Aroclor 1260) were detected in several of the composited samples. Soils analysis detected relatively low concentrations of organic contaminants, but total PCBs were detected ip some samples at levels exceeding the RD criterion. 2.4.2 Prioritv Pollutant Metals Analysis for PP metals showed levels of arsenic at all sample locations, but exceeded RD standards at only one location (Table 2). Cadmium exceeded RD levels at 3 of 5 sample locations, while chromium, lead, and nickel were detected at concentrations exceeding their respective standards at only one sampling location. The presence of arsenic and 4,4’-DDT and its metabolites could be explained by past mosquito control activities. Other possible. sources of contaminants include unauthorized dumping along the northern boundary and stormwater runoff from Pleasantview Tenace and the parking area along the eastern portion of the site. 2.5 Results: MU Creek Marsh 2.5.1 Pesticides and Polychlorinated Bipbenvls (PCBS) In light of the absence of any industrial land use at or directly adjacent to the site, Sample locations were based primarily on the need to obtain a representative sampling of the site conditions. Twelve sediment were collected from Mill Creek and remnant mosquito control ditches that cross portions of the property. Soil samples were taken at the intersection of a 600 ft grid. fro pesticides, 4,4’-DDT and 4,4-DDE, and one PCB (Aroclor-1248) were detected in sediment and soil samples at levels that were well below accepted standards (Table 2). Highest detected levels were found in Mill Creek sediments upstream from the adjacent sewage treatment plant. Recorded values are at the lower end of values detected in the New York/New Jersey Harbor Estuary (NOAA 1988). 3 \ 2.5.2 Prioritvt b.tiQ Nine metals were detected in sediment samples (Table 2). Only two sediment samples had cadmium values above the trip blank with detected values of 17.6 ppm and 6.0 ppm. These values are within the range of background values observed within the Hackensack Meadowlands (Table 3). Both values were associated with Mill Creek and the northern tributary to the Site from Mill Creek. Chromium was detected in all of the sediment samples. Concentrations range from a low of 27.7 ppm to a high of 520 ppm. These values are well within the range of concentrations observed in the Meadowlands in general, and are significantly below values recorded for Mill and Cromakill Creeks (Table 3).