Table 2

Summary of Site History

AOC No.

Name

Waste

Contaminated Media

Primary Contaminants of Concern

Maximum Concentration

Reference

Radiologically Contaminated Soils

1

Former Hazardous Waste Management Facility (HWMF) Processing, storage and shipping of hazardous and radioactive wastes from 1947 to 1977. Twelve acres containing approximately 35,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil and debris (i.e. concrete and asphalt). Contains buildings and structures with no planned future use. Also, an adjacent wetland contains contaminated sediments.

Soil

 

 

 

Sediment

Cesium-137

Strontium-90

Lead

Mercury

Cesium-137

Aroclor-126

Aluminum

Zinc

810,000 pCi/gm

1,300 pCi/gm

429 mg/kg

184 mg/kg

13 pCi/g

36 microgram/kg

8,150 mg/kg

14 mg/kg

CDM, 1996a.

CDM, 1999a.

BNL, 1999.

 

CDM, 1999a.

6

Reclamation Facility (Building 650) sump and outfall area Equipment decontamination pad at Building 650 drained into a sump. Pipe from sump drained into an outfall area 800 feet northeast of Building 650. Contaminated soil exists near the decontamination pad and at the outfall area. The sump outfall area was fenced off as an Interim Remedy under the Operable Unit IV ROD. Soil

Cesium-137

Strontium-90

Plutonium-239/240

2,800 pCi/gm

140 pCi/gm

170 pCi/gm

CDM, 1994.

CDM, 1999a.

BNL, 1999.

10

Waste Concentration Facility (Building 811) Facility for processing and concentration liquid radioactive wastes since 1947. Liquid wastes were stored in 100,000 gallon above- ground D tanks from 1947 to 1987. Several leaks were documented in the 1980s. Tanks were dismantled in 1995 and disposed of off-site. Contaminated concrete, asphalt pad and soil remain. Out-of-service piping and six 8,000 gallon underground tanks also remain. Soil

Cesium-137

Strontium-90

1,486 pCi/gm

454 pCi/gm

IT,1999.

CDM, 1999a.

BNL, 1999.

16

Aerial Radiation Survey Results/ Landscape Soils Radiologically contaminated soils were found near several buildings. The source of the contaminated soils was originally from the former HWMF, which was used for landscaping. Soil

Cesium-137

Strontium-90

Lead

348 pCi/gm

2 pCi/gm

2,310 mg/kg

IT, 1999.

CDM, 1999a.

BNL, 1999.

17

Low Mass Criticality Facility Slightly elevated levels of radiation were found near the former Low Mass Criticality facility, which was in operation from 1955 through mid 1960s. The facility was dismantled in 1994. The former silo area is currently a recharge basin for the OU I groundwater treatment system. Soil Cesium-137

0.5 pCi/gm

IT, 1999.

CDM, 1999a.

BNL, 1999.

18

Alternating Gradient Synchrotron Storage Yards Two of the three yards are used for more than 20 years to store activated steel used in the synchrotron accelerator facilities. The third yard is used to store non-activated steel. Soil None

Not Applicable

IT, 1999.

CDM, 1999a.

BNL, 1999.

Removal Actions

1B

OU I Groundwater

(HWMF/Current Landfill)

In 1984, radiological and volatile organic compounds associated with AOC 1 and AOC 3 were found in the groundwater in the southeast portion of the BNL site. In 1992, VOCs were found in groundwater at the site boundary 130-150 feet below the surface and are migrating off-site. Tritium is also co-located with the VOCs. A pump and treat system for the VOCs is currently in operation. The strontium-90 remains on the BNL site. Groundwater

1,1 Dichloroethane

Chloroethane

1,1,1 Trichloroethane

1,1 Dichloroethene

Tritium

Strontium-90

360 ppb

210 ppb

62 ppb

34 ppb

37,000 pCi/l

150 pCi/l

CDM, 1995b

2A

&

2E

Former Landfill and Slit Trench This eight-acre landfill was operated by the U.S. Army during World War II and by BNL from 1947 to 1966. Used primarily for disposal of sanitary, municipal-type and construction wastes. Limited amounts of low-level radioactive waste and some laboratory chemical wastes also were disposed in this landfill. The landfill, including adjacent Slit Trench, was capped in 1996.

Groundwater

Buried Waste

Strontium-90

N/A

150 pCi/l

N/A

CDM, 1995a.

BNL, 1996.

2B

&

2C

Chemical Animal Pits/ Glass Holes These disposal pits were used from the late 1950s to 1981. Wastes consisted of laboratory glassware, equipment, chemical bottles, laboratory animal carcasses, and other laboratory wastes. Fifty-five pits were excavated in 1997, and wastes were sorted and stockpiled. They are currently being disposed of off-site.

Soil

Groundwater

 

 

Buried Waste

Mercury

Strontium-90

Trichloroethene

Carbon tetrachloride

N/A

0.18 mg/kg

240 pCi/l

22 ppb

6 ppb

N/A

CDM, 1997.

BNL, 1997.

2D

Interim Landfill This three-quarter acre landfill was operated BNL from 1966 to 1967. Used temporarily for municipal-type, sanitary and construction waste disposal until the Current Landfill was built. Limited amounts of low- level radioactive waste and some laboratory chemical wastes also were disposed of in this landfill. The landfill was capped in 1997.

Groundwater

Buried Waste

Strontium-90

N/A

150 pCi/l

N/A

CDM, 1995a.

BNL, 1996a.

 

3

Current Landfill This eight-acre landfill was operated by BNL from 1967 to 1990. Used primarily for municipal-type, sanitary and construction waste disposal. Limited amounts of low-level radioactive waste and some laboratory chemical wastes also were disposed in this landfill. The landfill was capped in 1995.

Groundwater

 

 

Buried Waste

1,1 Dichloroethane

1,1,1 Trichloroethane

Chloroethane

N/A

48 ppb

6 ppb

34 ppb

N/A

CDM, 1995a.

BNL, 1994.

16S

National Weather Service Stockpile In 1992, soil excavated from the National Weather Service site at BNL was found to contain low levels of radioactive contamination. About 127 cubic yards of soil was below cleanup goals and one drum of soil was above cleanup goals. The drum is being stored at the former Hazardous Waste Management Facility and the 127 cubic yards was used as fill under the cap of the Former Landfill. Soil Cesium-137

greater than 23 pCi/g

(one drum)

CDM, 1995a.

BNL, 1996a.

Other Areas of Concern

2F

Ash Pit This three-acre area was used for disposal of incinerator ash from 1943 to 1963. No records indicate incineration of radiological or hazardous wastes. Portions of the ash pit are covered with a fire break and a paved road. Soil Lead

2,100 mg/kg

CDM, 1995a.

CDM, 1996a.

3

Wooded Wetland This two-acre wetland is adjacent to the capped Current Landfill. Runoff contaminated with leachate for the landfill drained into the area before capping the landfill in 1995. Elevated levels of metal below human health concerns may be a potential threat to the New York State endangered Tiger Salamander.

Surface Water

 

 

Sediment

Aluminum

Copper

Zinc

Copper

Lead

38,600 microgram/l

56 microgram/l

252 microgram/l

8 mg/kg

28 mg/kg

CDM, 1996a.

CDM, 1999a.

CDM, 1999b.

8

Upland and Recharge Meadow Marsh Used for experiments in the 1960s and 1970s on use of natural ecosystems for treatment of sewage and recharge to groundwater. The sewage contained metal and radionuclide contaminants. The area currently contains abandoned artificial basins and ponds. No chemicals of concern exceed human health risk criteria; metal concentrations are a potential concern for the New York State endangered Tiger Salamander.

Surface Water

 

 

 

Sediment

Aluminum

Cadmium

Copper

Zinc

Cadmium

Copper

Mercury

Silver

5,110 microgram/l

73 microgram/l

1,550 microgram/l

27,800 microgram/l

22 mg/kg

1,880 mg/kg

12 mg/kg

138 mg/kg

CDM, 1996a.

CDM, 1999a.

CDM, 1999b.

24E

&

24F

Recharge Basin HS

 

Recharge Basin HW

These two recharge basins receive storm water effluent from the center of the BNL site and warehouse area. They are New York State permitted basins. No chemicals of concern exceed human health risk criteria. Metal concentrations are a potential concern for the New York State endangered Tiger Salamander.

Surface Water

 

 

Sediment

Aluminum

Copper

Zinc

Cadmium

Copper

Lead

Zinc

14,800 microgram/l

70 microgram/l

297 microgram/l

3 mg/kg

143 mg/kg

297 mg/kg

806 mg/kg

CDM, 1996a.

CDM, 1999a.

CDM, 1999b.