ML20133E284
| ML20133E284 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Wood River Junction |
| Issue date: | 12/09/1996 |
| From: | Hartley J, Kline S, Powers M GZA GEOENVIRONMENTAL, INC. (FORMERLY GOLDBERG-ZOINO |
| To: | Gregg R UNITED NUCLEAR CORP. (SUBS. OF UNC, INC.) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20133E288 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9701100286 | |
| Download: ML20133E284 (4) | |
Text
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GeoEnvironmental, Inc.
asae,m, John R iunicy, Distnct Office Manager Mn hael A. Powers, P.E., L5.R Davwl R. Carchedi, Ph.D., EE.
John J. $ pinto, EL, L5.R Phap n %rgadarno, RE., L$.R December 9,1996 File No. 31516 Mr. Robert J. Gregg, Director UNC Naval Products, Inc.
1 Cross Road Waterford, Connecticut 06385
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Fall 1996 Sampling Round Groundwater Monitoring Program United Nuclear Corporation Facility 140 EmaJny Charleston, Rhode Island Provulence Rhode bland 02903 4oi-4 n 4:40
Dear Mr. Gregg:
f AX 4017318613 In accordance with UNC Naval Products Purchase Order No. 160567, dated October 13,1993, and with the scope of work of our agreement dated August 26,1997, GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. (GZA) has completed the 1996 (third) round of a limited annual groundwater sampling I
program at United Nuclear's Charleston, Rhode Island facility. The purpose of the sampling program is to monitor nitrate, gross beta and Strontium 90, and in limited cases Tecimetium 99, levels in the groundwater over a period of time.
This report transmits tabulated analytical results for the Fall 1996 sampling round.
WORK SCOPE
'The scope ofour work included the following tasks:
coordination of sampling and analytical procedures with the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and the Connecticut Department of Public a sohsia,a,y or cza ceornnronmenui Health, Bureau of Laboratories (CTDOH);
Tec hnologies, Inc.
collection and field screening of groundwater samples from 10 on-site monitoring wells; P,
submission of groundwater samples and QA/QC samples to the RIDOH j
laboratory for nitrate analysis and to the CTDOH laboratory for gross beta and Strontium 90 analysis; submission of confirmatory groundwater samples to Thermo NUtech I
Laboratories, Richmond, California for gross beta and Technetium 99 analysis; and preparation of this report.
p[D 9701100286 961209 PDR ADOCK 07000820 PDR i
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UNC Naval Products, Inc.
December 9,1996 File No. 31516 Page 2 RESULTS The results of our field screening, provided on Table 1, indicate that the pH measurements ranged from 7.2 to 8.4 standard units which fall within the range typically observed in Rhode Island groundwaters. Corresponding specific conductivity values ranged from 30 uS/cm to 490 uS/cm. Background values in Rhode Island are typically less than 200 uS/cm. A comparison of these data and nitrate concentrations, see Table 2, shows a direct correlation between these parameters. We also note that only three of the ten samples exceed the EPA MCL of 10 mg/l with the highest nitrate concentrations observed in samples collected from well CHW-519. The trend of decreasing nitrate concentrations with time appears to continue at the location of we!!
CHW-519; however, nitrate concentrations in samples collected from wells CHW-440 and CHW-523 appear to have tempcrarily stabilized at above background concentrations.
Gross beta values ranging from approximately 1.8 to 45 pCi/L are summarized on Table 3. Only one of the10 samples, collected from well CHW-519, exhibited a gross beta concentration of greater than the EPA guideline of 50 pCi/L. Additional analysis of this sample for Strontium 90, see Table 4, reveals that Strontium 90 is responsible for less than 10 percent of the reported gross beta activity. A sample collected from this well was also analyzed for Technetium 99.
That analysis, see Table 5, substantiates the results of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) 1993 study which indicated that Technetium 99 is the primary source of elevated beta activity at the site.
GROUNDWATER SAMPLING Attachment A provides a field sketch depicting approximate monitoring well locations, and Table I summarizes pertinent well-specific field measurement and field screening data obtained during the 1996 monitoring round.
On September 21, 1996, GZA engineer Stephen Kline and GZA field technician Dave Capacchione '.i:;ited the site to perform the Fall 1996 groundwater sampling. GZA coordinated our sampling to correspond with sampling performed by representatives from the United States Geological Service (USGS) from Denver, Colorado. USGS Hydrogeologist Ken Kipp, and Site Chemist Ken Stollenwerk were performing a comprehensive sampling round of site wells as a l
follow-up to sampling performed in January 1984. Since this sampling was performed over the 3
weekend, no representative from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) was on-site during this round.
As noted during the 1995 sampling round, the depth of the water table at four wells (CHW-518, l
-519, -523 and 525) necessitated the use of a gas-drive, double valve pump 'br sampling. This technique conforms to the EPA Region I low-flow sampling requirements (SOP #: GW 0001, I
dated August 10, 1994) and is acceptable to RIDEM. To reduce the likelihood of cross contamination, the sampling preceded from wells where groundwater was believed to have the lowest concentrations to those with higher concentrations (i.e., CHW-523, CHW-518, CHW-I 525, and finally CHW-519). Due to the integrated inflatable packer assembly, GZA was able to isolate the screened interval of each well and purge three volumes of the standing water from 1
6 UNC Naval Products, Inc.
December 9,1996 File No. 31516 Page 3 only this screened zone. We positioned the pump intake assembly approximately 6 inches off the bottom of each well to create a 5-foot purging / sampling zone. Packer inflation pressures were I
regulated to maintain a well seal and to balance against the hydrostatic pressure of the water column. After sampling CHW-519, an equipment blank of distilled water (designated CHW-100) was taken of the gas-drive pump after it had been decontaminated.
l Five small diameter (0.38-inch diameter) monitoring wells (designated RIW-657, -658, -663, RIW-667, and -670) were sampled using peristaltic pumps by USGS. Clean, dedicated tubing was used to sample each well to minimize the risk of cross-contamination. Three times the initial volume of the groundwater within each well was evacuated to remove stagnant water, and the wells were allowed to recharge prior to sampling. GZA also sampled two 1.25-inch diameter wells (designated CHW-440 and CHW-523) using a peristaltic pump. A blind duplicate of the sample from monitoring well CHW-440 was obtained and designated CHW-200.
GZA personnel split samples with the USGS sampling team at all well locations.
I Nitrate samples were collected in lah,ratory preserved 250-ml polyethylene bottles provided by RIDOH. The nitrate samples weie kept cool until their delivery to RIDOH's laboratory in l
Providence, Rhode Island. The radioactive analysis samples were collected in one clean,1-gallon HDPE plastic bottles. The samples for radioactivity analysis were shipped to the l
CTDOH's laboratory in Hartford, Connecticut. Based on historical sampling data results, l
duplicate samples were taken from program well CHW-519. This location was considered to have the greatest probability of exceeding the regulatory limit of 50 pCi/L for gross beta emissions. CHW-519 was sampled for an additional 2 liters of groundwater and preserved with 0.1 molar nitric acid. The duplicate sample was shipped to Thermo NUtech to determine major radioactive constituents contributing to gross beta activity.
QUALITY ASSURANCE / QUALITY CONTROL i
All samples were collected and transported to the laboratories in accordance with project plans.
A review of field control samples reveals no field or laboratory deficiencies of significance. In addition, no target analytes were detected in the field blank of ths ;as-drive pump indicating l
proper decontamination procedures were employed.
LABORATORY ANALYSES I
In accordance with the UNC groundwater monitoring program revised October 7,1994, nitrate analyses were performed by RIDOH, and gross beta and Strontium 90 analyses were performed I,
by CTDOH. The testing program was developed in accordance with the requirements of the UNC/RIDEM Consent Agreement, Exhibit A " Groundwater Monitoring Program."
Table 2 provides a tabular summary of the nitrate testing results. The gross beta and Strontium
(
90 testing results are summarized on Table 3 and Table 4, respectively. Laboratory certificates of analysis and chain-of-custody documentation are presented in Attachment B.
)
_= - - - _ -
s UNC Naval Products, Inc.
December 9,1996 File No. 31516 Page 4 L
To evaluate the major radioactive constituents contributing to gross beta activity, the duplicate sample from CHW-519 was submitted to Thermo NUtech Laboratories, Richmond, Califomia for gross beta and Technetium 99 analysis. The testing results for Technetium 99 are presented on Table 5.
I LIMITATIONS f
We collected samples in accordance with project procedures which reflect the practices being
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used in New England for this type of environmental work by regulatory agencies and other j
professionals. Lur review of QA/QC information provided by the laboratories indicated no reasons for concern, however, we did not provide independent data validation services.
It has been our pleasure to work with you. If you have any questions or comments regarding 2
this report, please call either Mike or me at (401) 421-4140.
Sincerely, l
GZA GEOENVIRONMENTAL, INC.
l w%
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Steph n M. Kline P. Hartley Project Engineer roject Reviewer M ael A. Po ers, P.E., LSP Senior Principal t
SMK/ MAP: lag cc:
Mr. Paul X. McLain, UNC Ms. Susan Kiernan, RIDEM Ms. Galen Howard, RIDEM Mr. Jack Parrott, USNRC Mr. Kenneth Kipp, USGS Attachments: Tables (5)
Attachment A - Field Sketch (provided by UNC)
Attachment B - Laboratory Data Sheets O \\ JOBS'ENV\\31516 mal *ROUNIN65ALL1996 DOC
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