EPA Superfund Site, Fort Valley, Georgia Active
USGS Technical Assistance to Support U.S. EPA Feasibility Studies, Remedial Designs, and Remedial Actions at Woolfolk Chemical Works Superfund Site, Fort Valley, GA
Background
The Woolfolk Chemical Works site is located in downtown Fort Valley, Georgia (Figure 1). The 31-acre site is characterized by soil and groundwater contamination related to manufacturing of organic and inorganic pesticides between 1910 and the early 1980s. Some contaminants have leached to the water table, and these contaminants have created a “plume” more than 2 miles from downtown Fort Valley.
The USGS in cooperation with the EPA, Region 4, are investigating the application of an innovative treatment technology, called phytoremediation, to address the contaminated groundwater. Phytoremediation is a cost-effective remedial alternative that can be used to address contaminated soil and groundwater at some sites (Landmeyer 2011; Landmeyer and Effinger 2016). In brief, planted or existing trees take up the groundwater and remove the contaminants. Because the contamination of the groundwater at Ft. Valley is deeper than the tree roots, the deep contaminated groundwater will be pumped to land surface using a solar-powered pump and used to irrigate existing trees using a method described by Landmeyer and others (2020). Over time, it is envisioned that the contaminant levels in the plume will decrease, and the extent of the plume will shrink.
As part of this work, the USGS will establish two Student Services Contracts with students from Fort Valley State University (FVSU). This will enable the students to gain valuable experience by working with USGS research staff and EPA project managers on a real-world project. It will also help the students to evaluate future careers as federal scientists.
Tasks Completed During FY2021
Site Visit: The USGS and EPA staff conducted a site visit in November 2020. The natural vegetation was visually surveyed, and existing monitoring wells were examined (Figure 2).
Tasks Planned for FY2022
During 2022, representative existing trees will be monitored for uptake of groundwater contaminants using in situ passive samplers (Landmeyer and Effinger, 2016). A generalized water budget will be calculated using locally measured rainfall amounts and site-specific estimates of potential evapotranspiration (PET). This data will be evaluated along with groundwater-level fluctuations measured in representative existing wells. A solar-powered pump system will be delivered to the site and installed near an existing deep well. Groundwater pumped will be used to irrigate a small section of existing vegetation. The uptake of contaminants by these trees will be monitored.
References:
U.S. EPA Third Five-Year Review Report for Woolfolk Chemical Works, Inc., September 2014 (https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/SiteProfiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=second.docdata&id=0401315)
USGS Technical Assistance to Support U.S. EPA Feasibility Studies, Remedial Designs, and Remedial Actions at Woolfolk Chemical Works Superfund Site, Fort Valley, GA
Background
The Woolfolk Chemical Works site is located in downtown Fort Valley, Georgia (Figure 1). The 31-acre site is characterized by soil and groundwater contamination related to manufacturing of organic and inorganic pesticides between 1910 and the early 1980s. Some contaminants have leached to the water table, and these contaminants have created a “plume” more than 2 miles from downtown Fort Valley.
The USGS in cooperation with the EPA, Region 4, are investigating the application of an innovative treatment technology, called phytoremediation, to address the contaminated groundwater. Phytoremediation is a cost-effective remedial alternative that can be used to address contaminated soil and groundwater at some sites (Landmeyer 2011; Landmeyer and Effinger 2016). In brief, planted or existing trees take up the groundwater and remove the contaminants. Because the contamination of the groundwater at Ft. Valley is deeper than the tree roots, the deep contaminated groundwater will be pumped to land surface using a solar-powered pump and used to irrigate existing trees using a method described by Landmeyer and others (2020). Over time, it is envisioned that the contaminant levels in the plume will decrease, and the extent of the plume will shrink.
As part of this work, the USGS will establish two Student Services Contracts with students from Fort Valley State University (FVSU). This will enable the students to gain valuable experience by working with USGS research staff and EPA project managers on a real-world project. It will also help the students to evaluate future careers as federal scientists.
Tasks Completed During FY2021
Site Visit: The USGS and EPA staff conducted a site visit in November 2020. The natural vegetation was visually surveyed, and existing monitoring wells were examined (Figure 2).
Tasks Planned for FY2022
During 2022, representative existing trees will be monitored for uptake of groundwater contaminants using in situ passive samplers (Landmeyer and Effinger, 2016). A generalized water budget will be calculated using locally measured rainfall amounts and site-specific estimates of potential evapotranspiration (PET). This data will be evaluated along with groundwater-level fluctuations measured in representative existing wells. A solar-powered pump system will be delivered to the site and installed near an existing deep well. Groundwater pumped will be used to irrigate a small section of existing vegetation. The uptake of contaminants by these trees will be monitored.
References:
U.S. EPA Third Five-Year Review Report for Woolfolk Chemical Works, Inc., September 2014 (https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/SiteProfiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=second.docdata&id=0401315)