Bioremediation in Wetland Areas, Standard Chlorine of Delaware Inc. Superfund Site, Delaware City, Delaware Completed
Major releases of chlorinated benzenes and benzene are known to have occurred at the Standard Chlorine of Delaware Inc. Superfund Site from 1966-2002, resulting in contamination of the groundwater underlying the site and the wetlands surrounding Red Lion Creek.
Although installation of a groundwater interception and treatment system has been completed around the main facility, wetland and sediment areas impacted by contaminated groundwater discharge and past surficial spills remain outside this containment area.
Implementation of in situ bioremediation was identified for the wetland areas under the selected remediation alternative during the Feasibility Study.
Background
Major releases of chlorinated benzenes and benzene are known to have occurred at the Standard Chlorine of Delaware Inc. Superfund Site from 1966-2002, resulting in contamination of the groundwater underlying the site and the wetlands surrounding Red Lion Creek. Although installation of a groundwater interception and treatment system has been completed around the main facility, wetland and sediment areas impacted by contaminated groundwater discharge and past surficial spills remain outside this containment area.
Implementation of in situ bioremediation was identified for the wetland areas under the selected remediation alternative for the SCD site during the Feasibility Study, and a laboratory treatability investigation of bioremediation of wetland sediments was completed in 1993 (Roy F. Weston, 1993, AR308120). This feasibility investigation, however, was inconclusive on the potential bioremediation technologies that could be used to enhance degradation and their effectiveness in the wetland areas.
Objectives
Characterization of contaminant extent in wetland area,
Seasonal natural attenuation monitoring in low to moderately contaminated areas,
Column studies for permeable, reactive cap in moderately contaminated area,
Laboratory tests for evaluation of treatment of highly contaminated sediment.
Strategy and Approach:
Wetland characterization includes installation and sampling of passive diffusion bags (PDBs) and dialysis samplers, piezometer and peeper installation and sampling, thermal infrared (TIR) surveys of potential seepage areas
Investigation of natural attenuation processes and application of bioremediation includes
In situ microcosms (MICRO-Tracs, or biotraps) with unamended and amended treatments (biostimulation, addition of WBC-2 culture, 13C-labeled parent compounds); includes assessment of geochemistry and microbial populations.
Laboratory microcosms and column experiments are also underway to further assess degradation pathways and rates for trichlorobenzene and dichlorobenze isomers and monochlorobenzene under different conditions in the wetland sediment, and the ability of the anaerobic WBC-2 culture to degrade these compounds.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Contaminant Fate and Transport Capabilities @ MD-DE-DC
Laboratory Capabilities @ MD-DE-DC
Below are publications associated with this project.
Hydrogeologic characterization and assessment of bioremediation of chlorinated benzenes and benzene in wetland areas, Standard Chlorine of Delaware, Inc. Superfund Site, New Castle County, Delaware, 2009-12
Hydrogeologic framework, hydrology, and refined conceptual model of groundwater flow for Coastal Plain aquifers at the Standard Chlorine of Delaware, Inc. Superfund Site, New Castle County, Delaware, 2005-12
Preliminary Investigation of Paleochannels and Groundwater Specific Conductance using Direct-Current Resistivity and Surface-Wave Seismic Geophysical Surveys at the Standard Chlorine of Delaware, Inc., Superfund Site, Delaware City, Delaware, 2008
Below are partners associated with this project.
- Overview
Major releases of chlorinated benzenes and benzene are known to have occurred at the Standard Chlorine of Delaware Inc. Superfund Site from 1966-2002, resulting in contamination of the groundwater underlying the site and the wetlands surrounding Red Lion Creek.
Although installation of a groundwater interception and treatment system has been completed around the main facility, wetland and sediment areas impacted by contaminated groundwater discharge and past surficial spills remain outside this containment area.
Implementation of in situ bioremediation was identified for the wetland areas under the selected remediation alternative during the Feasibility Study.
Background
Major releases of chlorinated benzenes and benzene are known to have occurred at the Standard Chlorine of Delaware Inc. Superfund Site from 1966-2002, resulting in contamination of the groundwater underlying the site and the wetlands surrounding Red Lion Creek. Although installation of a groundwater interception and treatment system has been completed around the main facility, wetland and sediment areas impacted by contaminated groundwater discharge and past surficial spills remain outside this containment area.
Implementation of in situ bioremediation was identified for the wetland areas under the selected remediation alternative for the SCD site during the Feasibility Study, and a laboratory treatability investigation of bioremediation of wetland sediments was completed in 1993 (Roy F. Weston, 1993, AR308120). This feasibility investigation, however, was inconclusive on the potential bioremediation technologies that could be used to enhance degradation and their effectiveness in the wetland areas.
Objectives
Characterization of contaminant extent in wetland area,
Seasonal natural attenuation monitoring in low to moderately contaminated areas,
Column studies for permeable, reactive cap in moderately contaminated area,
Laboratory tests for evaluation of treatment of highly contaminated sediment.
Strategy and Approach:Wetland characterization includes installation and sampling of passive diffusion bags (PDBs) and dialysis samplers, piezometer and peeper installation and sampling, thermal infrared (TIR) surveys of potential seepage areas
Investigation of natural attenuation processes and application of bioremediation includes
In situ microcosms (MICRO-Tracs, or biotraps) with unamended and amended treatments (biostimulation, addition of WBC-2 culture, 13C-labeled parent compounds); includes assessment of geochemistry and microbial populations.
Laboratory microcosms and column experiments are also underway to further assess degradation pathways and rates for trichlorobenzene and dichlorobenze isomers and monochlorobenzene under different conditions in the wetland sediment, and the ability of the anaerobic WBC-2 culture to degrade these compounds. - Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Contaminant Fate and Transport Capabilities @ MD-DE-DC
The Contaminant Fate and Transport team conducts research on the transport and fate of contaminants in groundwater through the unsaturated and saturated zones using innovative and proven USGS methods. The team's research focuses on the often complex processes that affect contaminant fate and transport, and includes expertise in wetland environments. Performing both field and laboratory studies to...Laboratory Capabilities @ MD-DE-DC
The labs at the MD-DE-DC WSC are clean, well-stocked, and appointed with modern equipment and a highly talented staff. The three labs analyze samples, conduct controlled-environment chemical tests with GCMS in the Water Qualty lab. Scientists and technicians work with core samples and analyze soils in the Sediment Lab. Our labs assure reliability, reproducibility, and high quality of its data and... - Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Hydrogeologic characterization and assessment of bioremediation of chlorinated benzenes and benzene in wetland areas, Standard Chlorine of Delaware, Inc. Superfund Site, New Castle County, Delaware, 2009-12
Wetlands at the Standard Chlorine of Delaware, Inc. Superfund Site (SCD) in New Castle County, Delaware, are affected by contamination with chlorobenzenes and benzene from past waste storage and disposal, spills, leaks, and contaminated groundwater discharge. In cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Geological Survey began an investigation in June 2009 to characterizeAuthorsMichelle M. Lorah, Charles W. Walker, Anna C. Baker, Jessica A. Teunis, Emily Majcher, Michael J. Brayton, Jeff P. Raffensperger, Isabelle M. CozzarelliHydrogeologic framework, hydrology, and refined conceptual model of groundwater flow for Coastal Plain aquifers at the Standard Chlorine of Delaware, Inc. Superfund Site, New Castle County, Delaware, 2005-12
From 1966 to 2002, activities at the Standard Chlorine of Delaware chemical facility in New Castle County, Delaware resulted in the contamination of groundwater, soils, and wetland sediment. In 2005, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 3, and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control began a multi-yearAuthorsMichael J. Brayton, Roberto M. Cruz, Luke Myers, James R. Degnan, Jeff P. RaffenspergerPreliminary Investigation of Paleochannels and Groundwater Specific Conductance using Direct-Current Resistivity and Surface-Wave Seismic Geophysical Surveys at the Standard Chlorine of Delaware, Inc., Superfund Site, Delaware City, Delaware, 2008
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with Region III of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the State of Delaware, is conducting an ongoing study of the water-quality and hydrogeologic properties of the Columbia and Potomac aquifers and the extent of cross-aquifer contamination with benzene; chlorobenzene; 1,2-dichlorobenzene; 1,4-dichlorobenzene; and hydrogen chloridAuthorsJames R. Degnan, Michael J. Brayton - Partners
Below are partners associated with this project.