9 - 14 - ERDC TR ERDC Technical Guidelines on Performing a Sediment Erosion and Deposition Assessment (SEDA) at Superfund Sites Earl Hayter, Karl Gustavson, Steve Ells, Joseph Gailani, September 2014 John Wolfe, Tim Dekker, and Todd Redder Engineer Research and Development Development and Research Engineer Center Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. The US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) solves the nation’s toughest engineering and environmental challenges. ERDC develops innovative solutions in civil and military engineering, geospatial sciences, water resources, and environmental sciences for the Army, the Department of Defense, civilian agencies, and our nation’s public good. Find out more at www.erdc.usace.army.mil. To search for other technical reports published by ERDC, visit the ERDC online library at http://acwc.sdp.sirsi.net/client/default. ERDC TR-14-9 September 2014 Technical Guidelines on Performing a Sediment Erosion and Deposition Assessment (SEDA) at Superfund Sites Earl Hayter and Karl Gustavson Environmental Laboratory U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center 3909 Halls Ferry Road Vicksburg, MS 39180-6199 Steve Ells Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation US Environmental Protection Agency, OSRTI 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington, DC 20460 Joseph Gailani Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory US Army Engineer Research and Development Center 3909 Halls Ferry Road Vicksburg, MS 39180-6199 John Wolfe, Tim Dekker, and Todd Redder LimnoTech, under contract to the US Environmental Protection Agency 501 Avis Drive Ann Arbor, MI 48108 Final report Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. Prepared for US Army Corps of Engineers Washington, DC 20314-1000 ERDC TR-14-9 ii Abstract This report outlines processes influencing sediment transport and describes methods to use in developing a Sediment Erosion and Deposition Assessment (SEDA) at a site designated as a Superfund site. A SEDA is a complex procedure that overlaps multiple disciplines. Processes and properties that should be assessed include sediment characteristics, groundwater movement, surface water stresses, sediment loadings, anthropogenic activity, and weather and oceanographic influences. Historical data can also provide a long-term record on evolution of the system, which is not only critical in assessing sediment erodibility, but will also support conceptual site model development. The most successful SEDA studies have been guided by a technical review panel working with a Remedial Project Manager in SEDA development. Understanding of processes at a specific site, coupled with experience from other sites, is also critical to success. DISCLAIMER: The contents of this report are not to be used for advertising, publication, or promotional purposes. Citation of trade names does not constitute an official endorsement or approval of the use of such commercial products. All product names and trademarks cited are the property of their respective owners. The findings of this report are not to be construed as an official Department of the Army position unless so designated by other authorized documents. DESTROY THIS REPORT WHEN NO LONGER NEEDED. DO NOT RETURN IT TO THE ORIGINATOR. ERDC TR-14-9 iii Contents Abstract .......................................................................................................................................................... ii Figures and Tables ......................................................................................................................................... v Preface ...........................................................................................................................................................vii Acronyms ..................................................................................................................................................... viii 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Background and objectives ........................................................................................... 1 1.2 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 2 2 Sediment Erosion and Deposition Assessment .............................................................................. 6 2.1 What is a SEDA? ............................................................................................................ 6 2.2 Data quality objectives as a framework ....................................................................... 7 2.3 SEDA purposes and possible outcomes ....................................................................... 8 3 Conceptual Site Model ...................................................................................................................... 10 4 Fundamentals of Sediment Transport ............................................................................................12 4.1 Background .................................................................................................................. 12 4.2 Sediment transport processes affecting erodibility ................................................... 17 5 SEDA Methodology ............................................................................................................................. 19 5.1 Project scoping ............................................................................................................ 19 5.2 Current and historical site information review ........................................................... 20 5.3 Data collection to support a SEDA .............................................................................. 22 5.3.1 Data needs for most sites ............................................................................................ 23 5.3.2 Bathymetric analysis .................................................................................................... 26 5.3.3 Hydrodynamic analysis ................................................................................................ 29 5.3.4 Geomorphology assessment ....................................................................................... 31 5.3.5 Sediment stratigraphy .................................................................................................. 33 5.3.6 Geochronology analysis ............................................................................................... 33 5.3.7 Evaluation of anthropogenic impacts ......................................................................... 35 5.3.8 Measuring sediment erodibility ................................................................................... 36 5.3.9 Measuring sediment settling velocity .......................................................................... 40 5.4 Evaluating sediment transport during a major hydrologic event .............................. 41 5.4.1 Determining hydrodynamic driving forces .................................................................. 41 5.4.2 Determination of sediment transport.......................................................................... 41 5.5 Determining the level of analysis needed at a site .................................................... 42 5.6 How to use collected data ........................................................................................... 43 5.6.1 Data analysis ................................................................................................................ 43 5.6.2 Methods and limitations of interpolation of sparse data ........................................... 44 ERDC TR-14-9 iv 6 Predicting Future Conditions with Modeling ................................................................................ 46 6.1 Model uses................................................................................................................... 46 6.2 Types of models ........................................................................................................... 47 6.3 How to determine the appropriate model level .......................................................... 48 6.4 Modeling procedure .................................................................................................... 50 6.4.1 Recommendations for performing modeling studies ................................................. 51 6.4.2 Model setup, calibration, and validation ..................................................................... 53 6.4.3 Sensitivity and uncertainty of models ......................................................................... 56 7 Using SEDA Results to Make Site Decisions ................................................................................. 58 7.1 Structured decision-making based on the SEDA ....................................................... 58 7.2 Developing remedial options and study questions .................................................... 59 7.2.1 Using the initial CSM to evaluate remedial options ................................................... 59 7.2.2 Formulating study questions to refine the conceptual site model ............................ 60 7.2.3 Extreme events and long-term trends ......................................................................... 63 7.3 Using lines of evidence to answer the study questions............................................