Stan Pauwels, Ph.D.
Senior Consultant
Dr. Stan Pauwels has 33 years of experience in the environmental field, with broad knowledge in the areas of ecological risk assessment (ERA), ecotoxicology, data analysis and interpretation, field support, and client support. He managed numerous RCRA and Superfund ERA projects between 2002 and 2018, where he gained extensive experience working with and interpreting state, regional, and federal ERA regulations and guidance. He has used this knowledge to write several dozen ERA reports and review more than 350 screening-level ERAs and baseline ERAs at Superfund and RCRA sites nationwide. These sites have included landfills, wood treatment facilities, tanneries, chemical facilities, refiner...
Dr. Stan Pauwels has 33 years of experience in the environmental field, with broad knowledge in the areas of ecological risk assessment (ERA), ecotoxicology, data analysis and interpretation, field support, and client support. He managed numerous RCRA and Superfund ERA projects between 2002 and 2018, where he gained extensive experience working with and interpreting state, regional, and federal ERA regulations and guidance. He has used this knowledge to write several dozen ERA reports and review more than 350 screening-level ERAs and baseline ERAs at Superfund and RCRA sites nationwide. These sites have included landfills, wood treatment facilities, tanneries, chemical facilities, refineries, nuclear power facilities, multiple mining sites, and numerous military bases. Dr. Pauwels has served as a lead biologist and/or project manager at more than 80 RCRA and Superfund sites to assess and quantify the effects of heavy metals, PAHs, petroleum hydrocarbons, pesticides, PCBs, dioxins and furans, and chlorinated solvents on aquatic and terrestrial ecological receptors, communicating his findings to clients nationwide, both in writing and orally.
Dr. Pauwels’ previous consulting experience includes providing ecological support for economic benefits analyses and regulatory impact analyses on environmental rules proposed by EPA for cooling water intake structures, animal feedlots, acid rain, herbicide application, eutrophication, mercury deposition, and petroleum-related activities. He started his career working at a multinational petroleum company to address environmental issues related to petroleum exploration and refining, chemical manufacturing, and oil spills, both in the U.S. and abroad.
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Ph.D., Zoology (Aquatic Toxicology), University of Maine, Orono, Maine, 1990
M.S., Zoology (Fisheries Science), University of Maine, Orono, Maine, 1985
B.A., Biology, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, 1983
Board-Certified Environmental Risk Assessor, IBERA Diplomate (2023)
Stan Pauwels, Ph.D. Senior Consultant
Dr. Stan Pauwels has 33 years of experience in the environmental field, with broad knowledge in the areas of ecological risk assessment (ERA), ecotoxicology, data analysis and interpretation, field support, and client support. He managed numerous RCRA and Superfund ERA projects between 2002 and 2018, where he gained extensive experience working with and interpreting state, regional, and federal ERA regulations and guidance. He has used this knowledge to write several dozen ERA reports and review more than 350 screening-level ERAs and baseline ERAs at Superfund and RCRA sites nationwide. These sites have included landfills, wood treatment facilities, tanneries, chemical facilities, refiner...
Dr. Stan Pauwels has 33 years of experience in the environmental field, with broad knowledge in the areas of ecological risk assessment (ERA), ecotoxicology, data analysis and interpretation, field support, and client support. He managed numerous RCRA and Superfund ERA projects between 2002 and 2018, where he gained extensive experience working with and interpreting state, regional, and federal ERA regulations and guidance. He has used this knowledge to write several dozen ERA reports and review more than 350 screening-level ERAs and baseline ERAs at Superfund and RCRA sites nationwide. These sites have included landfills, wood treatment facilities, tanneries, chemical facilities, refineries, nuclear power facilities, multiple mining sites, and numerous military bases. Dr. Pauwels has served as a lead biologist and/or project manager at more than 80 RCRA and Superfund sites to assess and quantify the effects of heavy metals, PAHs, petroleum hydrocarbons, pesticides, PCBs, dioxins and furans, and chlorinated solvents on aquatic and terrestrial ecological receptors, communicating his findings to clients nationwide, both in writing and orally.
Dr. Pauwels’ previous consulting experience includes providing ecological support for economic benefits analyses and regulatory impact analyses on environmental rules proposed by EPA for cooling water intake structures, animal feedlots, acid rain, herbicide application, eutrophication, mercury deposition, and petroleum-related activities. He started his career working at a multinational petroleum company to address environmental issues related to petroleum exploration and refining, chemical manufacturing, and oil spills, both in the U.S. and abroad.
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Collecting fish samples to provide analytical data for tracking future sediment remediation efforts
Case Study
March 05 2024
Using ecological risk assessment to evaluate environmental impacts of desalination effluent
Case Study
March 05 2024
Supporting the permitting process for the water intake structure of a proposed desalination facility
Case Study
March 05 2024
A fish and benthic invertebrate community survey in support of a pre-design investigation
Case Study
March 01 2024
A refined ecological risk assessment yields less conservative risk estimates
Case Study
March 01 2024- Ecological Risk Assessment
- Planning and Permitting
- Predesign Investigation
- Toxicology
- Regulatory Compliance
- Fisheries
- Data Analysis
- Contaminated Sediments
- Sediment Investigation
- Metals Toxicology and Assessment
- Data Sufficiency
- Mining Support
- Technical Writing
- Statistical Analysis
- Industrial Wastewater
- Litigation Support
- NRDA For Oil Spills
- Data Quality Assurance
- PFAS
- Ecological Modeling
- Groundwater Monitoring
- Environmental Monitoring
- Environmental Modeling
- Ecological Restoration
- Wetlands
- Project Management
Ecological Risk Assessment
Fish Toxicity Testing Quantified the survival and growth of embryo-larval rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) exposed in the laboratory to river water collected at multiple sites affected by unregulated metal-laced and mining-derived effluent. These short-term tests lasted from 96 to 168 hours and followed strict laboratory protocols. Processed the toxicity data using statistical software to derive species-specific no‑observed-effect concentrations, lowest-observed-effect concentrations, and the effect concentrations affecting 50 percent of the test organisms. Included the results of these tests as independent lines of evidence in support of baseline ecological risk assessments at several mining sites.
Population Modeling to Predict the Effects of Pesticide Exposure on Brook Trout Created a parameterized population model (RAMAS Software for Population Modeling) using published data on the long-term reproductive success and survival of a healthy brook trout (S. fontinalis) population in a Midwestern stream to estimate the sustainability of brook trout under hypothetical exposures to a pesticide. This study was published as a technical appendix in a book titled Ecological Modeling in Risk Assessment: Chemical Effects on Populations, Ecosystems, and Landscapes.
Sugar Loaf Mining District (Venture Mine and Welsh Mine Complex), Colorado On behalf of the Bureau of Land Management, reviewed the historical setting of this mine complex, local ecological resources, past environmental sampling efforts, and the available analytical data sets for surface water, sediment, and soil. Used this information to write a data summary and data gap report. Used the available data to write a streamlined aquatic ecological risk assessment in support of an engineering evaluation and cost analysis for this site.
Callahan Mine Superfund Site, Cape Rosier, Maine Supported EPA in interpreting the ecological impacts from past and ongoing releases of mining-related wastes to Goose Pond, a tidally-influenced estuary. These efforts consisted of preparing a baseline ecological risk assessment (BERA) work plan; providing technical comments on the BERA prepared by an outside consultant; providing technical support to EPA on an inter-agency work group formed to guide the BERA process; developing sediment preliminary remediation goals using the results of a site-specific sediment toxicity testing program; and reviewing and amending the ecological components of the record of decision for this site.
Five-Year Reviews of Ecological Risk Issues at Landfill Superfund Sites On behalf of EPA, assessed the continued protection of past remedial actions on ecological receptors at the Barkhamsted-New Hartford Landfill Superfund Site (Barkhamsted, Connecticut), the Beacon Heights Landfill Superfund Site (Beacon Falls, Connecticut), and the Rose Disposal Pit Superfund Site (Lanesborough, Massachusetts). These efforts consisted of reviewing the historical records for each of these sites, which included remedial investigations, ecological risk assessment reports, feasibility studies, records of decision, health assessment reports, and previous five-year review reports. Used these sources of information to summarize the site histories, identify potential ecological risk issues, and identify data gaps and ecological concerns to be addressed as part of the following five-year review cycle.
Saco Tannery Waste Pits Superfund Site, Maine This site contained several capped waste lagoons to secure chromium-contaminated tanning process wastes. Previous sediment collection efforts in nearby Stuart Brook identified chromium levels above applicable cleanup goals. Participated in a site visit to identify sediment sampling locations in the brook upstream, adjacent, and downstream from an active seep next to the waste lagoons. Developed a sampling and analysis plan to collect sediment samples for chemical analyses and toxicity testing to determine if ecological impacts existed in Stuart Brook. Also coauthored the sediment toxicity test report, and interpreted the test results and the analytical chemistry data. Identified the groundwater seep as a source of chromium even though chromium levels in brook sediment did not differ from background, nor did the toxicity test results identify ecological concerns. EPA used the results to apply an engineering solution to the seep, but without concerns about impacts of the seep to the stream.
Winthrop Landfill Superfund Site, Maine On behalf of EPA, evaluated ecological impacts of arsenic accumulation in fish associated with the Annabessacook Lake and Hoyt Brook seep areas, both of which release arsenic-contaminated groundwater from the nearby Winthrop Landfill Superfund Site. The work consisted of 1) using literature data to derive defensible uptake factors for arsenic in fish, 2) calculating arsenic surface water exposure concentrations using long-term monitoring data collected from the two seep areas, 3) estimating a range of arsenic levels in fish exposed at the two seep areas based on the surface water exposures and the calculated uptake factors, and 4) determining if those estimated fish tissue levels exceeded published fish critical body residues. The evaluation concluded that arsenic accumulation in fish exposed at the two seep areas would not affect the local fish populations.
Peterson Puritan Landfill Superfund Site, Rhode Island On behalf of EPA, prepared a baseline ecological risk assessment for the Blackstone River and associated ponded and riparian habitats potentially affected by releases from the landfill. The evaluation was based on analytical chemistry data (surface water, sediment, soil), benthic invertebrate sediment toxicity test results, benthic invertebrate and fish community surveys, tissue analyses of fish collected from the Blackstone River, and wildlife food chain modeling. Used multiple lines of evidence to identify the presence of ecological risk to local receptor groups.
Ottati & Gosh Superfund Site, Kingston, New Hampshire Performed an ERA using analytical data for PCB congeners—assessed both as total PCBs and dioxin-like PCBs—in yellow perch. The fish tissue analytical data were used to evaluate if the perch, or the piscivorous wildlife feeding on them, could be impacted by PCBs. For perch, the dioxin-like PCBs were evaluated in terms of a toxicity equivalent (TEQ) for comparison to a fish critical body residue (CBR) for 2,3,7,8‑tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Hazard quotients for dioxin-like PCBs in bird eggs were calculated by dividing the estimated avian TEQ-egg by a bird egg CBR for TCDD. Risk from total PCBs and dioxin-like PCBs was found to be negligible for fish and nonexistent for piscivores in the site-impacted pond. EPA used this information to support its remedial decision-making.
Raymark Industries Superfund Site, Stratford, Connecticut Developed sediment preliminary remediation goals (PRGs) for use in tidal wetlands impacted by site-related contamination. Used an extensive site-specific sediment toxicity database to select sediment samples that lacked toxicity to two amphipod species and showed low levels of site-derived contaminants, and to use those samples to identify contaminant concentration ranges for copper, lead, total PCBs, total PAHs, and dioxin TEQs unlikely to cause toxicity in benthic invertebrates. Used reverse food web modeling to determine if the proposed sediment PRGs protective of benthic invertebrates would also protect semi-aquatic birds and mammals foraging in the impacted wetlands. Presented the PRG development method to EPA and NOAA. The sediment PRGs were accepted by both agencies for use at the site.
Three Mining Sites in Historic Vermont Copper Belt, Eastern Vermont Provided EPA with multiyear support at three copper mine Superfund sites. Provided ERA support to the multiagency Vermont Copper Mines work group (i.e., EPA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [USFWS], U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and U.S. Geological Survey) charged with coordinating, planning, executing, and interpreting the ERAs at the three mining sites. Prepared data gap analysis reports to summarize existing analytical data sets and identify future data needs to complete the ERAs. Presented a summary to the work group on the toxicity test results, site-specific conceptual site models, and proposed assessment and measurement endpoints for evaluation in the ERAs. Identified the studies required to provide the data needed for the future ERAs, and wrote two ERAs for review by the work group. Reviewed and commented on two ERAs prepared by consultants for two of the mines and prepared risk summaries to help EPA focus on the major risk drivers, critical exposure routes, and impacted receptor groups. This technical support helped EPA streamline its internal risk management decision-making process.
Former Air Force Plant No. 51 State Superfund Site (on behalf of New York State Department of Environmental Conservation [NYSDEC]), Greece, New York Developed a Phase I fish and wildlife impact analysis for offsite wetlands. Purpose was to identify sensitive habitats, listed state and federal species, site-specific and regional contaminant sources, known and expected ecological receptors, potential exposure pathways, the value of the habitats to their associated fauna, the value of the resources to humans, and a list of all the state and federal fish, wildlife, and habitat-specific regulatory criteria applicable to this site (i.e., applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements). NYSDEC used this information to determine the need to perform a baseline ERA at this site.
Impact Assessment of Polychlorinated Naphthalenes (PCNs) in Aquatic and Terrestrial Environments (on behalf of NYSDEC), Union Springs, New York Summarized the soil, sediment, surface water, and groundwater PCN analytical data collected offsite from a state RCRA facility; determined the general physical and chemical properties of the nine PCN classes; and identified or developed PCN toxicity benchmarks for surface water, sediment, soil, groundwater, and homegrown vegetables protective of human health and aquatic receptor groups for use in the risk evaluation. Concluded that the frequency of detection and concentrations of PCNs measured in the offsite samples were not a concern to human health or ecological community-level receptors.
South River Science Team, Waynesboro, Virginia Selected by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) to provide ERA support on its behalf on the South River Science Team. This team consisted of representatives from VDEQ, EPA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the responsible party, academia, and consulting firms tasked with coordinating a large-scale ERA for the mercury-contaminated South River. Participated in multiple meetings to discuss and reach consensus on the structure of the ERA, the use of historical data sets, the receptors of concern, the exposure pathways, the critical body residues, the wildlife toxicity reference values and exposure factors, and the various lines of evidence proposed for evaluation. Reviewed and commented on the ERAs and helped VDEQ understand and interpret the risk results. Also tasked by VDEQ with reviewing and commenting on multiple other reports, including a short- and long-term monitoring program, monitoring data reports, ecotoxicity testing reports, public bulletins, and several remedial pilot study reports.
Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund Site, Silverton, Colorado Invited by EPA to participate in the Biological Technical Assistance Group for the Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund site in Colorado. Wrote the aquatic ERA for the lower reach of the Animas River, developed an ERA work plan for the upper reach, and wrote a terrestrial ERA for this large site. In addition, led a team that statistically analyzed and graphed the metal levels measured in surface water samples collected from the Animas River before, during, and after the August 5, 2015, Gold King Mine spill, which released 3 million gallons of contaminated mine sludge. EPA used the results of these analyses to determine the need to collect post-spill samples in support of an updated Animas River ERA.
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, Marion, Illinois Invited by EPA to participate in a technical work group convened to help organize, review, and interpret 35 separate aquatic and terrestrial ERAs prepared for the refuge. The work group members included EPA, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Defense, the responsible party, and consultants. The group met multiple times to discuss the structure of the ERAs, agree on the various input data, review risk calculations, review site-specific soil toxicity test results, discuss the pros and cons of proposed soil preliminary remediation goals, and consider remedial options. Assisted EPA in the interpretation of ERA results and in developing a strategy to move the process towards completion.
Savannah River Site Nuclear Reservation, Aiken, South Carolina Invited by EPA to provide support on a technical work group convened to help organize, review, and interpret an ERA for the cooling-water system of two decommissioned nuclear breeder reactors. The system consisted of several large ponds, a 2,000+ acre reservoir, and more than 12 miles of interconnected canals. The work group members consisted of EPA, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. Input on this project included participating in a site visit, attending multiple technical meetings in South Carolina, proposing aquatic exposure units within the cooling water system, reviewing historical analytical data for use in the exposure calculations, reviewing all the exposure factors proposed for wildlife food-web modeling, commenting of the conceptual site model, reviewing and commenting on the ERA report, and helping EPA interpret the risk conclusions to support its risk management decisions.
Sunrise #3 Mill Site, Joshua Tree National Park, California Conducted an ERA on behalf of the National Park Service (NPS) for terrestrial habitats affected by historical mill tailings. Earthworms were exposed to tailings samples in the laboratory to assess soil toxicity and provide metal worm tissue data to calculate realistic wildlife exposures. Small rodents were trapped on and around the tailings piles for whole-animal residue analysis to provide metal tissue data and estimate exposures to a carnivorous small bird and a carnivorous small mammal via wildlife exposure modeling. Used the outcome of the ERA to identify the risk drivers and derive site-specific soil preliminary remediation goals protective of the local receptor groups. NPS evaluated this approach to determine its application to 13 other mining sites located throughout the park.
Sudbury River, Nyanza Chemical Superfund Site, Ashland, Massachusetts Supported EPA for 15 years to assess the ecological impacts of mercury in the Sudbury River in eastern Massachusetts. This support included preparing sampling and analysis plans, collecting fish samples, processing fish tissue for mercury analyses, developing mercury critical body residues and wildlife toxicity reference values for various tissues and receptors for use in the baseline ERA, reviewing and commenting on the baseline ERA prepared by a consultant, preparing risk summary tables for use in EPA risk management discussions, performing graphical and statistical analyses of historical fish mercury data collected from the Sudbury River for use in trend analyses, developing a long-term fish monitoring program for the Sudbury River, plotting stable isotope data collected from the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge on the Sudbury River, and reviewing the ecological impacts and benefits of sediment remediation via sand capping.
Diesel Fuel Spill, Willard Bay State Park, Utah Wrote an ERA for the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (UDEQ) to assess post-remedial risks from residual diesel fuel in wetland sediment following a pipeline spill at Willard Bay State Park located next to the Great Salt Lake in Ogden, Utah. The responsible party collected sediment porewater samples and used solid phase microextraction (SPME) to remove the PAHs from each sample. The SPME fibers were then analyzed for 34 dissolved PAHs consisting of 18 parent PAHs and 16 alkylated daughter PAHs. Converted the PAH analytical results from each porewater sample into toxic units (TU = measured concentration/final chronic value) and then summed the PAH-specific TUs across the 34 PAHs to calculate a sample-specific TU PAH34. Based on agreement between UDEQ and the responsible party, interpreted a TU PAH34 of 1.0 or less as falling below a “no-effect” toxicity threshold and a TU PAH34 of 5.0 or above as exceeding a “low-effect” threshold. This approach identified potential risk in several of the remediated sediment samples, which resulted in additional investigations to address these “hot spots.”
Moran Tunnel Portal, Butte County, Idaho Prepared a streamlined ecological risk evaluation on behalf of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to determine to what extent exposure to mining-derived contaminants from the Moran Tunnel Portal affected aquatic invertebrates and fish in Champagne Creek. This evaluation helped risk managers determine if conditions warranted cleanup action or if more site-specific data were needed to support defensible and cost-effective remedial decisions. Evaluated the available analytical data to determine what matrices were available for evaluation, how many data points existed for each matrix, where the samples were collected in relation to the portal and within Champagne Creek, and what analytical detection limits were available for non-detected values. Used this evaluation to develop a conceptual site model to show primary and secondary contaminant sources, major exposure pathways, and key aquatic community-level receptor groups of concern. Summarized the findings in a report and also derived preliminary remediation goals for surface water and sediment to support recommendations to BLM for collecting more samples to increase the accuracy and decrease the uncertainties in a follow-up ERA.
Identification of Vernal Pools, Bridgeport, Connecticut In response to the site owner proposing sampling of 11 wetland-type depressions for only soil contamination as part of a remedial investigation, performed a site visit and showed that these habitats had vernal pool attributes. Advised EPA to request that the site owner perform a spring survey of these potential vernal pool habitats. The ensuing report showed that 8 of the 11 depressions were certifiable vernal pools supporting obligate species (e.g., fairy shrimp, wood frogs). These habitats received full regulatory protection in the ensuing ERA.
Negotiation to Remove Genotoxicity Testing from a Sediment Risk Assessment, Montreal, Canada On behalf of client, engaged with regulators to review use of genotoxicity testing to assess effects of contaminated sediments on benthic invertebrates and argued that no useful risk data would be generated. Agency accepted technical arguments and removed genotoxicity testing from the programs.
Caspian Sea Comparative Risk Assessment (U.S. Agency for International Development), Eastern Europe Developed an ecological risk assessment framework to prioritize the environmental impacts of current and future crude oil extraction and refining activities in the Caspian Sea region. This effort included developing an approach to measure and rank the relative risks in terrestrial and aquatic environments. Presented this approach in Moscow at a conference on Caspian Sea environmental issues sponsored by the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Superfund Integrated Cost–Benefit Model (SICM), EPA, Office of Policy Investigated the feasibility of modeling ecological risks and quantifying ecological benefits of site remediation in support of SICM. Efforts included reviewing existing EPA guidance documents on ERAs, identifying relevant endpoints and potential approaches applicable across Superfund sites, and investigating the availability of analytical, ecotoxicological, and biological data from EPA’s records of decision to support modeling efforts.
Regulatory Impact Analysis for Groundwater Pesticide Management Plan Rule, EPA, Office of Pesticide Programs Assessed the potential impacts of exposure to four pesticides (atrazine, simazine, alachlor, and metolachlor) on algae, invertebrates, and fish in Midwestern streams. This work included performing a literature search to obtain data on the aquatic toxicity of the target pesticides; estimating a range of pesticide concentrations in receiving streams based on surface runoff and groundwater recharge data; and quantifying the effects of exposure to the target pesticides to ecological receptors. Received written commendation from the client for this effort.
Toxic Release Inventory (TRI), EPA, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics Developed a comparative risk-based framework to help EPA analyze potential ecological impacts of TRI chemicals to aquatic receptors. This work included identifying key assessment variables, proposing an approach to combine exposure and effects data, assembling an aquatic-toxicity database for TRI chemicals, and developing an approach to score facilities based on annual releases and biological response measures.
Confined Animal Feeding Operations, EPA, Office of Policy Developed a risk-based framework to analyze the potential ecological effects of different animal waste management practices. This effort included selecting appropriate ecotoxicological endpoints for each constituent of concern; identifying and delineating important knowledge gaps needed to quantify effects; and coauthoring a report to outline the proposed assessment strategies and recommend future research needs.
RCRA Corrective Actions, Considerations for Assessing Ecological Risks Supported EPA Region 1 with developing a guidance document to address 10 common technical issues associated with ERAs at RCRA sites. This guidance was routinely used in the region to ensure that RCRA facility owners addressed the ERA concerns of interest to EPA.
Planning and Permitting
Fish Community Assessment to Evaluate Impingement and Entrainment, Maine Confidential client requested a characterization of the fish populations in two impoundments in support of a permit application for a proposed cooling water intake structure at a hydroelectric dam on the Penobscot River in Maine. This work involved 1) identifying all the fish species present in the impoundments, 2) describing species-specific spawning behaviors, 3) highlighting the spawning and early life stage periods for each species, 4) identifying and evaluating the primary period of reproduction, larval recruitment, and period of peak abundance, and 5) identifying the species and life stages most susceptible to impingement or entrainment. This information was summarized, tabulated, and included in the permit application.
Impacts of Thermal Effluent on a State-Designated Trout Stream, New York As part of a relicensing action, a confidential electric utility client requested support to understand the impacts of high surface water temperatures on trout in a creek receiving the facility’s thermal effluent. Researched the approach developed by the state to assign “trout stream” status. The review showed that the creek received the state’s lowest-possible stream rating because it 1) could not support a year-round trout population either via natural reproduction or annual stocking, and 2) would allow survival of stocked trout for only 6 weeks in early spring (April–May) before natural increases in surface water temperatures made further survival impossible. Also, regardless of these considerations, the state did not stock the affected creek segment with trout because of jurisdictional issues. Concluded that the excessive summer temperatures from thermal effluent in the receiving creek could not affect trout that were absent in the first place. The client successfully argued with the state regulatory agency that its thermal effluent had no impact on trout populations.
Atlantic Salmon Smolt Mortality from Dam Passage, Maine As part of the permit renewal process for a hydroelectric dam on the Penobscot River in Maine, compared a supplemental filing for the 24-hour downstream dam-passage criterion for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) smolts against a published dam passage smolt survival model developed specifically for the Penobscot River. The review identified several technical issues with applying the results of the published dam passage model to the site-specific dam that required further clarification and elaboration in the permit.
Effects of Proposed Desalination Plant Effluent on Estuarine Fish Populations, Texas As part of a legal case, performed in-depth evaluations of the life cycles of more than two dozen estuarine fish species to obtain a contested effluent permit for a proposed large desalination plant on the U.S. Gulf Coast. The goal was to quantify the degree and intensity of exposure on four different life stages (i.e., fertilized eggs, larvae, juveniles, and adults) to modeled effluent salinity concentrations in the receiving waters by accounting for life stage-specific daily and seasonal migration patterns through a large estuarine system. The effort also included reviewing the published literature to obtain salinity tolerance data for sensitive early life stages of estuarine fish. The evaluation showed conclusively that any effects from exposure to the increased effluent salinity would be brief, spatially limited, and nonlethal. The court accepted our argument and allowed the permit to be issued.
Evaluate Impingement and Entrainment of a Water Intake Structure for a Proposed Desalination Plant, Texas As part of a water intake permit, characterized the potential for impingement and entrainment of a water intake structure placed in the Gulf of Mexico to provide 150 million gallons per day of feed water to a proposed desalination plant. This work involved 1) creating a comprehensive list of aquatic invertebrate and vertebrate species present in the target area, 2) identifying essential fish habitats, highly-migratory species, managed fish species, threatened and endangered species, most-abundant species, and “fragile” species, and 3) evaluating the potential for impingement and entrainment for a subset of these species based on biological considerations, regulatory concerns, intake design and location, and measured densities of early life stages. This study was included in a permit application submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for review.
Predesign Investigation
Fish Community Assessment, Rhode Island Wrote a report in support of a predesign investigation at a Superfund site to describe the fish community observed at and downstream of the site as compared to the fish community present in upstream reference areas. The community consisted of warm-water species with intermediate-to-high tolerance to anthropogenic stressors. The analysis was based on calculating an index of biotic integrity (IBI) for each of the site-affected and upstream sampling areas. The IBI scores showed that the structure and function of the fish communities in the site-affected areas were substantially similar to those measured in the upstream reference study areas. EPA will use this information to inform a long-term monitoring program to measure the recovery of the local fish community after the contaminated sediments in the site-affected sections of the river have been dredged.
Evaluation of Fish Tissue Analytical Data, Rhode Island Assessed the fish tissue analytical data for adult American eels, largemouth bass, and white suckers collected from two upstream reference ponded areas and two site-affected ponded areas on a river in Rhode Island. The data evaluation consisted of 1) determining if the concentrations of contaminants of concern (COCs) measured in the samples collected from four ponded areas exceeded fish tissue benchmarks, 2) using statistical testing to determine if the COC concentrations in the fish samples collected from the two upstream reference ponded areas differed significantly from each other, or could be pooled, and 3) determining via statistical testing if the COC concentrations in the fish samples collected from the two site-affected ponded areas differed significantly from those measured in tissue samples obtained from the upstream reference ponded areas. The data evaluation also assessed the condition factors for the three fish species and a regression analysis of COC concentrations versus fish length. Wrote a report describing the data analyses and the outcome of the evaluations. EPA will use this information as part of a long-term monitoring program to gauge the post-remediation recovery of contaminant levels in fish tissues collected from the two mitigated site-affected ponded areas.
Ecological Evaluation of Contaminated Sediments in the Hackensack River, Rebuild by Design–Meadowlands (RBDM) (on behalf of NJDEP), Little Ferry, New Jersey Tabulated the analytical data from nine sediment core samples collected from the Hackensack River in support of RBDM plans to create a new intertidal wetland on the river. Existing substrate was planned to be dredged from the river down to 4 ft to remove historically contaminated sediment, followed by an assessment of any residual contamination present in the post-dredged bottom located 4–4.5 ft below the current sediment surface. The pre-design investigation ecological evaluation was used to determine if residual contamination (specifically mercury, PCBs, PAHs, and organotins) in the new post-dredge sediment bottom at 4–4.5 ft deep would be able to support benthic macroinvertebrates. Identified no-effect and low-effect sediment benchmarks for the target contaminants protective of benthic macroinvertebrates in an estuarine setting, derived sample- and contaminant-specific exposure concentrations for the future “new” bottom, and interpreted the concentration patterns in terms of potential future impacts. Determined that the residual levels of mercury, PCBs, and tributyltin at depth were potentially hazardous to benthic macroinvertebrates and would have to be addressed during future dredging.
Toxicology
Effects of Proposed Desalination Plant Effluent on Estuarine Fish Populations, Texas As part of a legal case, performed in-depth evaluations of the life cycles of more than two dozen estuarine fish species to obtain a contested effluent permit for a proposed large desalination plant on the U.S. Gulf Coast. The goal was to quantify the degree and intensity of exposure on four different life stages (i.e., fertilized eggs, larvae, juveniles, and adults) to modeled effluent salinity concentrations in the receiving waters by accounting for life stage-specific daily and seasonal migration patterns through a large estuarine system. The effort also included reviewing the published literature to obtain salinity tolerance data for sensitive early life stages of estuarine fish. The evaluation showed conclusively that any effects from exposure to the increased effluent salinity would be brief, spatially limited, and nonlethal. The court accepted our argument and allowed the permit to be issued.
Fish Toxicity Testing Quantified the survival and growth of embryo-larval rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) exposed in the laboratory to river water collected at multiple sites affected by unregulated metal-laced and mining-derived effluent. These short-term tests lasted from 96 to 168 hours and followed strict laboratory protocols. Processed the toxicity data using statistical software to derive species-specific no‑observed-effect concentrations, lowest-observed-effect concentrations, and the effect concentrations affecting 50 percent of the test organisms. Included the results of these tests as independent lines of evidence in support of baseline ecological risk assessments at several mining sites.
Population Modeling to Predict the Effects of Pesticide Exposure on Brook Trout Created a parameterized population model (RAMAS Software for Population Modeling) using published data on the long-term reproductive success and survival of a healthy brook trout (S. fontinalis) population in a Midwestern stream to estimate the sustainability of brook trout under hypothetical exposures to a pesticide. This study was published as a technical appendix in a book titled Ecological Modeling in Risk Assessment: Chemical Effects on Populations, Ecosystems, and Landscapes.
Saco Tannery Waste Pits Superfund Site, Maine This site contained several capped waste lagoons to secure chromium-contaminated tanning process wastes. Previous sediment collection efforts in nearby Stuart Brook identified chromium levels above applicable cleanup goals. Participated in a site visit to identify sediment sampling locations in the brook upstream, adjacent, and downstream from an active seep next to the waste lagoons. Developed a sampling and analysis plan to collect sediment samples for chemical analyses and toxicity testing to determine if ecological impacts existed in Stuart Brook. Also coauthored the sediment toxicity test report, and interpreted the test results and the analytical chemistry data. Identified the groundwater seep as a source of chromium even though chromium levels in brook sediment did not differ from background, nor did the toxicity test results identify ecological concerns. EPA used the results to apply an engineering solution to the seep, but without concerns about impacts of the seep to the stream.
Peterson Puritan Landfill Superfund Site, Rhode Island On behalf of EPA, prepared a baseline ecological risk assessment for the Blackstone River and associated ponded and riparian habitats potentially affected by releases from the landfill. The evaluation was based on analytical chemistry data (surface water, sediment, soil), benthic invertebrate sediment toxicity test results, benthic invertebrate and fish community surveys, tissue analyses of fish collected from the Blackstone River, and wildlife food chain modeling. Used multiple lines of evidence to identify the presence of ecological risk to local receptor groups.
Raymark Industries Superfund Site, Stratford, Connecticut Developed sediment preliminary remediation goals (PRGs) for use in tidal wetlands impacted by site-related contamination. Used an extensive site-specific sediment toxicity database to select sediment samples that lacked toxicity to two amphipod species and showed low levels of site-derived contaminants, and to use those samples to identify contaminant concentration ranges for copper, lead, total PCBs, total PAHs, and dioxin TEQs unlikely to cause toxicity in benthic invertebrates. Used reverse food web modeling to determine if the proposed sediment PRGs protective of benthic invertebrates would also protect semi-aquatic birds and mammals foraging in the impacted wetlands. Presented the PRG development method to EPA and NOAA. The sediment PRGs were accepted by both agencies for use at the site.
Three Mining Sites in Historic Vermont Copper Belt, Eastern Vermont Provided EPA with multiyear support at three copper mine Superfund sites. Provided ERA support to the multiagency Vermont Copper Mines work group (i.e., EPA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [USFWS], U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and U.S. Geological Survey) charged with coordinating, planning, executing, and interpreting the ERAs at the three mining sites. Prepared data gap analysis reports to summarize existing analytical data sets and identify future data needs to complete the ERAs. Presented a summary to the work group on the toxicity test results, site-specific conceptual site models, and proposed assessment and measurement endpoints for evaluation in the ERAs. Identified the studies required to provide the data needed for the future ERAs, and wrote two ERAs for review by the work group. Reviewed and commented on two ERAs prepared by consultants for two of the mines and prepared risk summaries to help EPA focus on the major risk drivers, critical exposure routes, and impacted receptor groups. This technical support helped EPA streamline its internal risk management decision-making process.
Ecological Evaluation of Contaminated Sediments in the Hackensack River, Rebuild by Design–Meadowlands (RBDM) (on behalf of NJDEP), Little Ferry, New Jersey Tabulated the analytical data from nine sediment core samples collected from the Hackensack River in support of RBDM plans to create a new intertidal wetland on the river. Existing substrate was planned to be dredged from the river down to 4 ft to remove historically contaminated sediment, followed by an assessment of any residual contamination present in the post-dredged bottom located 4–4.5 ft below the current sediment surface. The pre-design investigation ecological evaluation was used to determine if residual contamination (specifically mercury, PCBs, PAHs, and organotins) in the new post-dredge sediment bottom at 4–4.5 ft deep would be able to support benthic macroinvertebrates. Identified no-effect and low-effect sediment benchmarks for the target contaminants protective of benthic macroinvertebrates in an estuarine setting, derived sample- and contaminant-specific exposure concentrations for the future “new” bottom, and interpreted the concentration patterns in terms of potential future impacts. Determined that the residual levels of mercury, PCBs, and tributyltin at depth were potentially hazardous to benthic macroinvertebrates and would have to be addressed during future dredging.
Impact Assessment of Polychlorinated Naphthalenes (PCNs) in Aquatic and Terrestrial Environments (on behalf of NYSDEC), Union Springs, New York Summarized the soil, sediment, surface water, and groundwater PCN analytical data collected offsite from a state RCRA facility; determined the general physical and chemical properties of the nine PCN classes; and identified or developed PCN toxicity benchmarks for surface water, sediment, soil, groundwater, and homegrown vegetables protective of human health and aquatic receptor groups for use in the risk evaluation. Concluded that the frequency of detection and concentrations of PCNs measured in the offsite samples were not a concern to human health or ecological community-level receptors.
South River Science Team, Waynesboro, Virginia Selected by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) to provide ERA support on its behalf on the South River Science Team. This team consisted of representatives from VDEQ, EPA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the responsible party, academia, and consulting firms tasked with coordinating a large-scale ERA for the mercury-contaminated South River. Participated in multiple meetings to discuss and reach consensus on the structure of the ERA, the use of historical data sets, the receptors of concern, the exposure pathways, the critical body residues, the wildlife toxicity reference values and exposure factors, and the various lines of evidence proposed for evaluation. Reviewed and commented on the ERAs and helped VDEQ understand and interpret the risk results. Also tasked by VDEQ with reviewing and commenting on multiple other reports, including a short- and long-term monitoring program, monitoring data reports, ecotoxicity testing reports, public bulletins, and several remedial pilot study reports.
Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund Site, Silverton, Colorado Invited by EPA to participate in the Biological Technical Assistance Group for the Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund site in Colorado. Wrote the aquatic ERA for the lower reach of the Animas River, developed an ERA work plan for the upper reach, and wrote a terrestrial ERA for this large site. In addition, led a team that statistically analyzed and graphed the metal levels measured in surface water samples collected from the Animas River before, during, and after the August 5, 2015, Gold King Mine spill, which released 3 million gallons of contaminated mine sludge. EPA used the results of these analyses to determine the need to collect post-spill samples in support of an updated Animas River ERA.
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, Marion, Illinois Invited by EPA to participate in a technical work group convened to help organize, review, and interpret 35 separate aquatic and terrestrial ERAs prepared for the refuge. The work group members included EPA, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Defense, the responsible party, and consultants. The group met multiple times to discuss the structure of the ERAs, agree on the various input data, review risk calculations, review site-specific soil toxicity test results, discuss the pros and cons of proposed soil preliminary remediation goals, and consider remedial options. Assisted EPA in the interpretation of ERA results and in developing a strategy to move the process towards completion.
Savannah River Site Nuclear Reservation, Aiken, South Carolina Invited by EPA to provide support on a technical work group convened to help organize, review, and interpret an ERA for the cooling-water system of two decommissioned nuclear breeder reactors. The system consisted of several large ponds, a 2,000+ acre reservoir, and more than 12 miles of interconnected canals. The work group members consisted of EPA, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. Input on this project included participating in a site visit, attending multiple technical meetings in South Carolina, proposing aquatic exposure units within the cooling water system, reviewing historical analytical data for use in the exposure calculations, reviewing all the exposure factors proposed for wildlife food-web modeling, commenting of the conceptual site model, reviewing and commenting on the ERA report, and helping EPA interpret the risk conclusions to support its risk management decisions.
Sunrise #3 Mill Site, Joshua Tree National Park, California Conducted an ERA on behalf of the National Park Service (NPS) for terrestrial habitats affected by historical mill tailings. Earthworms were exposed to tailings samples in the laboratory to assess soil toxicity and provide metal worm tissue data to calculate realistic wildlife exposures. Small rodents were trapped on and around the tailings piles for whole-animal residue analysis to provide metal tissue data and estimate exposures to a carnivorous small bird and a carnivorous small mammal via wildlife exposure modeling. Used the outcome of the ERA to identify the risk drivers and derive site-specific soil preliminary remediation goals protective of the local receptor groups. NPS evaluated this approach to determine its application to 13 other mining sites located throughout the park.
Sudbury River, Nyanza Chemical Superfund Site, Ashland, Massachusetts Supported EPA for 15 years to assess the ecological impacts of mercury in the Sudbury River in eastern Massachusetts. This support included preparing sampling and analysis plans, collecting fish samples, processing fish tissue for mercury analyses, developing mercury critical body residues and wildlife toxicity reference values for various tissues and receptors for use in the baseline ERA, reviewing and commenting on the baseline ERA prepared by a consultant, preparing risk summary tables for use in EPA risk management discussions, performing graphical and statistical analyses of historical fish mercury data collected from the Sudbury River for use in trend analyses, developing a long-term fish monitoring program for the Sudbury River, plotting stable isotope data collected from the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge on the Sudbury River, and reviewing the ecological impacts and benefits of sediment remediation via sand capping.
Diesel Fuel Spill, Willard Bay State Park, Utah Wrote an ERA for the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (UDEQ) to assess post-remedial risks from residual diesel fuel in wetland sediment following a pipeline spill at Willard Bay State Park located next to the Great Salt Lake in Ogden, Utah. The responsible party collected sediment porewater samples and used solid phase microextraction (SPME) to remove the PAHs from each sample. The SPME fibers were then analyzed for 34 dissolved PAHs consisting of 18 parent PAHs and 16 alkylated daughter PAHs. Converted the PAH analytical results from each porewater sample into toxic units (TU = measured concentration/final chronic value) and then summed the PAH-specific TUs across the 34 PAHs to calculate a sample-specific TU PAH34. Based on agreement between UDEQ and the responsible party, interpreted a TU PAH34 of 1.0 or less as falling below a “no-effect” toxicity threshold and a TU PAH34 of 5.0 or above as exceeding a “low-effect” threshold. This approach identified potential risk in several of the remediated sediment samples, which resulted in additional investigations to address these “hot spots.”
Moran Tunnel Portal, Butte County, Idaho Prepared a streamlined ecological risk evaluation on behalf of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to determine to what extent exposure to mining-derived contaminants from the Moran Tunnel Portal affected aquatic invertebrates and fish in Champagne Creek. This evaluation helped risk managers determine if conditions warranted cleanup action or if more site-specific data were needed to support defensible and cost-effective remedial decisions. Evaluated the available analytical data to determine what matrices were available for evaluation, how many data points existed for each matrix, where the samples were collected in relation to the portal and within Champagne Creek, and what analytical detection limits were available for non-detected values. Used this evaluation to develop a conceptual site model to show primary and secondary contaminant sources, major exposure pathways, and key aquatic community-level receptor groups of concern. Summarized the findings in a report and also derived preliminary remediation goals for surface water and sediment to support recommendations to BLM for collecting more samples to increase the accuracy and decrease the uncertainties in a follow-up ERA.
State Certification for a Private Laboratory to Test the Ecotoxicity of Effluents for Regulatory Compliance, New Jersey Coordinated the ecotoxicity testing program; conveyed agency requirements to the laboratory; provided technical oversight during the testing; summarized data and reported results to the state. Client obtained certification to test refinery effluents toxicity for NPDES purposes.
Literature Review on the Effects of Exposure to Crude Oils on Salmon Species, New Jersey Organized and coordinated a literature search, summarized toxicity data from 150+ studies, entered information into a database management system, and summarized the findings for inclusion in a technical report. This information was used for legal support in Exxon Valdez spill litigation.
Development of Trout-Specific Hardness-Dependent Toxicity Thresholds, EPA Region 8, Colorado Evaluated acute and chronic laboratory toxicity studies to provide evidence of a stressor-response relationship between water hardness and aluminum, cadmium, copper, and zinc. Performed a literature search focused on four trout species (i.e., brook trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout, and rainbow trout) to establish protective threshold metal concentrations in surface water to inform risk management decisions at mining sites. Data sources included surface water criteria documents, EPA’s Ecotox database, and peer-reviewed journal articles. Pertinent information from each study was captured in a database and included organism parameters (length, weight, life stage), water quality characteristics (pH, hardness, alkalinity, temperature), design specifications (exposure duration, exposure type, method of chemical analysis), and toxicity endpoints. EPA used this information to interpret the surface water analytical data collected from a large mining site.
Review of Published Literature on Bioavailability of Soil Contaminants to Terrestrial Receptors, New Jersey Organized literature search, obtained 150+ technical papers and coordinated reading assignments with team members, summarized information into a database, developed technical summaries, and coordinated report writing. The report was published as a book chapter.
Derivation of Surface Water Benchmarks, Massachusetts Performed a literature review on four chlorinated solvents to compile comprehensive acute and chronic aquatic toxicity data sets. Used the data to calculate surface water benchmarks based on EPA-approved calculation methods. The benchmarks served to derive groundwater cleanup goals protective of aquatic receptors at a Superfund site.
Data Quality in a Soil Ecotoxicity Testing Program, Montreal, Canada In response to a contract laboratory’s inability to generate quality soil ecotoxicity data on bioremediated soils, reviewed all protocols and data packages, identified protocol deviations, and designed a program to flag sources of error. Client and contract laboratory agreed with findings and implemented the suggested testing program. High quality data were generated and submitted to the agency on time.
Assessment of Soil Contaminant Bioavailability, Montreal, Canada Designed a study to assess toxicity of weathered petroleum in soils. Organized sampling activities, coordinated analytical and biological testing, selected test species and protocols, performed data analyses, and wrote a paper. Study results showed that weathering lowered bioavailability and toxicity.
Contaminated Refinery Soils Impact Study, Montreal, Canada Supported client to assess ecotoxicity of bioremediated refinery soils. Participated in 15+ meetings with regulators to design the study, developed key company positions, developed approach to assess contaminant bioconcentration, and designed a tiered testing approach that saved the client more than $250,000. Study showed that bioremediated soils were least toxic. Received written commendation from regulators for high quality of support.
Technical Input to Support a Soil Ecotoxicity Testing Program, France Reviewed test protocols after a contract laboratory measured unusually high toxicity in earthworms for a member of a European industry consortium charged with finding acceptable toxicity thresholds for gasoline in soil. Reviewed test protocols and data, identified reasons for high toxicity, and suggested improvements using soil weathering principles. Findings were presented to the consortium and regulators. Recommendations were implemented and resulted in large decline in toxicity.
Review of Test Data to Determine TSCA Reporting Needs, New Jersey Coordinated a team to review, summarize, and record data from 400+ laboratory reports to help a client determine compliance with Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) rules on fate and toxicity data for chemicals tested in-house; tabulated and evaluated the analytical data; and developed strategy with company lawyers to identify reportable data. This effort eliminated the client’s liabilities under TSCA.
Negotiation to Remove Genotoxicity Testing from a Sediment Risk Assessment, Montreal, Canada On behalf of client, engaged with regulators to review use of genotoxicity testing to assess effects of contaminated sediments on benthic invertebrates and argued that no useful risk data would be generated. Agency accepted technical arguments and removed genotoxicity testing from the programs.
Development of a Surface Water Criterion Protective of a Federally Listed Species, Kansas Derived an alternative surface water criterion for perchlorate protective of the federally listed Topeka shiner (Notropis topeka) on behalf of the State of Kansas. This work involved an in-depth literature search, consultation with the State and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and derivation of the actual criterion. The State used the value in its remedial decision-making for a contaminated groundwater plume.
Environmental Toxicity of Mercury, Ashland, Massachusetts Obtained 300+ papers to develop a database on the toxicity of mercury to aquatic and terrestrial ecological receptors. This effort included deriving critical body residues for fish, crayfish, birds, and mammals and calculating toxicity reference values for mercury in wildlife receptors. This work was used in an ERA to characterize the impacts of mercury historically released to the Sudbury River from nearby Superfund site in Massachusetts.
Cause-and-Effect Evaluation of Chromium Toxicity in Sediments, Windsor Lock, Connecticut Developed a data set consisting of site sediment chromium levels, toxicity test results (28-day exposures using the amphipod Hyalella azteca) on those sediments, and the threshold effect concentration and probable effect concentration (PEC) for chromium to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between chromium and the toxicity test results. Found no relationship because the sediment chromium levels were too low to produce a dose response. However, growth was statistically lower in all of the sediment samples. In addition, the chromium levels exceeded the PEC, which is viewed as a toxicity threshold above which effects become possible. Calculated the sediment mean PEC quotients (mean PEC-Qs) for four metals (i.e., chromium plus copper, lead, and zinc) for which sediment samples were analyzed to determine if including other site-specific chemical stressors would result in a better relationship. Observed no such response. The mean PEC-Qs also closely overlapped the chromium-only figures, suggesting that adding the three divalent metals did not improve the explanation for the observed toxicity. EPA used this information to determine the need for sediment remediation at an impacted pond.
Ecotoxicity of Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) to Mammals and Birds, Nationwide Performed a literature search to summarize data on the sub-chronic and chronic toxicity of PFOS and PFOA to mammals and birds. The toxicity endpoints of interest were no-effect and effect doses affecting mortality, growth, or reproduction, and the no-effect and effect PFOS and PFOA residues in liver and kidneys for use in deriving mammalian critical body residues for these two organs associated with mortality, growth, and reproduction.
Effect-Based Ecological Soil Screening Levels (EcoSSLs), Nationwide Derived effect-based EcoSSLs for 16 metals, three organochlorinated pesticides, low-molecular-weight PAHs, and high-molecular- weight PAHs for birds and mammals based on the method developed by EPA to derive the no-effect EcoSSLs protective of birds and mammals.
Regulatory Impact Analysis for Groundwater Pesticide Management Plan Rule, EPA, Office of Pesticide Programs Assessed the potential impacts of exposure to four pesticides (atrazine, simazine, alachlor, and metolachlor) on algae, invertebrates, and fish in Midwestern streams. This work included performing a literature search to obtain data on the aquatic toxicity of the target pesticides; estimating a range of pesticide concentrations in receiving streams based on surface runoff and groundwater recharge data; and quantifying the effects of exposure to the target pesticides to ecological receptors. Received written commendation from the client for this effort.
Regulatory Impact Analysis for Metal Plating and Manufacturing (MP&M) Rule, EPA, Office of Water Collected and summarized data on the fate (biodegradation, volatilization, bioaccumulation, sedimentation) and effects (carcinogenicity, systemic toxicity, ecotoxicity) of 150+ pollutants detected in MP&M effluents. Ranked and categorized the data based on established criteria to assess the overall impact of each pollutant on human health and the environment. This information formed the basis of a benefits analysis in support of the MP&M regulatory impact analysis.
Eutrophication of Reservoirs by Nutrients Derived from Animal Waste, EPA, Office of Policy Quantified the biological impacts of phosphorus from animal waste runoff on dissolved oxygen levels in 400+ reservoirs. Several phosphorus loading scenarios were modeled to estimate summer dissolved oxygen levels in the hypolimnia of the reservoirs. Compared these dissolved oxygen levels to ecotoxicological benchmarks to estimate the improvement in cold-water fisheries for each phosphorus loading scenario.
Toxic Release Inventory (TRI), EPA, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics Developed a comparative risk-based framework to help EPA analyze potential ecological impacts of TRI chemicals to aquatic receptors. This work included identifying key assessment variables, proposing an approach to combine exposure and effects data, assembling an aquatic-toxicity database for TRI chemicals, and developing an approach to score facilities based on annual releases and biological response measures.
Confined Animal Feeding Operations, EPA, Office of Policy Developed a risk-based framework to analyze the potential ecological effects of different animal waste management practices. This effort included selecting appropriate ecotoxicological endpoints for each constituent of concern; identifying and delineating important knowledge gaps needed to quantify effects; and coauthoring a report to outline the proposed assessment strategies and recommend future research needs.
Proposed Part 158 Data Requirements and Cost Estimates for Study Guidelines, EPA, Office of Pesticide Programs Provided ecotoxicity cost data to support EPA in calculating the cost changes associated with the proposed Part 158 regulation development. The work included becoming familiar with 40+ different pesticide fate and effects testing guidelines and protocols, contacting commercial laboratories across the U.S. to obtain a range of cost estimates for each test, and summarizing the cost data in a technical memorandum to EPA.
Determination of Average Mercury Concentrations in Fish Tissues, EPA, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards As part of a national analysis to assess the health benefits of proposed mercury emission reductions., coordinated efforts to geocode and map 45,000+ mercury concentrations in fish obtained from the National Listing of Fish and Wildlife Advisories Mercury Fish Tissue Database; developed a method to weigh the average fish mercury concentration in terms of fish trophic level, recreational consumption patterns, and minimum legal size; critically reviewed the Office of Water’s Mercury Maps model to evaluate its usefulness for the national benefits analysis and suggested ways to improve the modeling approach to support our efforts.
Regulatory Compliance
Fish Community Assessment to Evaluate Impingement and Entrainment, Maine Confidential client requested a characterization of the fish populations in two impoundments in support of a permit application for a proposed cooling water intake structure at a hydroelectric dam on the Penobscot River in Maine. This work involved 1) identifying all the fish species present in the impoundments, 2) describing species-specific spawning behaviors, 3) highlighting the spawning and early life stage periods for each species, 4) identifying and evaluating the primary period of reproduction, larval recruitment, and period of peak abundance, and 5) identifying the species and life stages most susceptible to impingement or entrainment. This information was summarized, tabulated, and included in the permit application.
Impacts of Thermal Effluent on a State-Designated Trout Stream, New York As part of a relicensing action, a confidential electric utility client requested support to understand the impacts of high surface water temperatures on trout in a creek receiving the facility’s thermal effluent. Researched the approach developed by the state to assign “trout stream” status. The review showed that the creek received the state’s lowest-possible stream rating because it 1) could not support a year-round trout population either via natural reproduction or annual stocking, and 2) would allow survival of stocked trout for only 6 weeks in early spring (April–May) before natural increases in surface water temperatures made further survival impossible. Also, regardless of these considerations, the state did not stock the affected creek segment with trout because of jurisdictional issues. Concluded that the excessive summer temperatures from thermal effluent in the receiving creek could not affect trout that were absent in the first place. The client successfully argued with the state regulatory agency that its thermal effluent had no impact on trout populations.
Atlantic Salmon Smolt Mortality from Dam Passage, Maine As part of the permit renewal process for a hydroelectric dam on the Penobscot River in Maine, compared a supplemental filing for the 24-hour downstream dam-passage criterion for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) smolts against a published dam passage smolt survival model developed specifically for the Penobscot River. The review identified several technical issues with applying the results of the published dam passage model to the site-specific dam that required further clarification and elaboration in the permit.
Effects of Proposed Desalination Plant Effluent on Estuarine Fish Populations, Texas As part of a legal case, performed in-depth evaluations of the life cycles of more than two dozen estuarine fish species to obtain a contested effluent permit for a proposed large desalination plant on the U.S. Gulf Coast. The goal was to quantify the degree and intensity of exposure on four different life stages (i.e., fertilized eggs, larvae, juveniles, and adults) to modeled effluent salinity concentrations in the receiving waters by accounting for life stage-specific daily and seasonal migration patterns through a large estuarine system. The effort also included reviewing the published literature to obtain salinity tolerance data for sensitive early life stages of estuarine fish. The evaluation showed conclusively that any effects from exposure to the increased effluent salinity would be brief, spatially limited, and nonlethal. The court accepted our argument and allowed the permit to be issued.
Evaluate Impingement and Entrainment of a Water Intake Structure for a Proposed Desalination Plant, Texas As part of a water intake permit, characterized the potential for impingement and entrainment of a water intake structure placed in the Gulf of Mexico to provide 150 million gallons per day of feed water to a proposed desalination plant. This work involved 1) creating a comprehensive list of aquatic invertebrate and vertebrate species present in the target area, 2) identifying essential fish habitats, highly-migratory species, managed fish species, threatened and endangered species, most-abundant species, and “fragile” species, and 3) evaluating the potential for impingement and entrainment for a subset of these species based on biological considerations, regulatory concerns, intake design and location, and measured densities of early life stages. This study was included in a permit application submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for review.
Five-Year Reviews of Ecological Risk Issues at Landfill Superfund Sites On behalf of EPA, assessed the continued protection of past remedial actions on ecological receptors at the Barkhamsted-New Hartford Landfill Superfund Site (Barkhamsted, Connecticut), the Beacon Heights Landfill Superfund Site (Beacon Falls, Connecticut), and the Rose Disposal Pit Superfund Site (Lanesborough, Massachusetts). These efforts consisted of reviewing the historical records for each of these sites, which included remedial investigations, ecological risk assessment reports, feasibility studies, records of decision, health assessment reports, and previous five-year review reports. Used these sources of information to summarize the site histories, identify potential ecological risk issues, and identify data gaps and ecological concerns to be addressed as part of the following five-year review cycle.
Saco Tannery Waste Pits Superfund Site, Maine This site contained several capped waste lagoons to secure chromium-contaminated tanning process wastes. Previous sediment collection efforts in nearby Stuart Brook identified chromium levels above applicable cleanup goals. Participated in a site visit to identify sediment sampling locations in the brook upstream, adjacent, and downstream from an active seep next to the waste lagoons. Developed a sampling and analysis plan to collect sediment samples for chemical analyses and toxicity testing to determine if ecological impacts existed in Stuart Brook. Also coauthored the sediment toxicity test report, and interpreted the test results and the analytical chemistry data. Identified the groundwater seep as a source of chromium even though chromium levels in brook sediment did not differ from background, nor did the toxicity test results identify ecological concerns. EPA used the results to apply an engineering solution to the seep, but without concerns about impacts of the seep to the stream.
Winthrop Landfill Superfund Site, Maine On behalf of EPA, evaluated ecological impacts of arsenic accumulation in fish associated with the Annabessacook Lake and Hoyt Brook seep areas, both of which release arsenic-contaminated groundwater from the nearby Winthrop Landfill Superfund Site. The work consisted of 1) using literature data to derive defensible uptake factors for arsenic in fish, 2) calculating arsenic surface water exposure concentrations using long-term monitoring data collected from the two seep areas, 3) estimating a range of arsenic levels in fish exposed at the two seep areas based on the surface water exposures and the calculated uptake factors, and 4) determining if those estimated fish tissue levels exceeded published fish critical body residues. The evaluation concluded that arsenic accumulation in fish exposed at the two seep areas would not affect the local fish populations.
Three Mining Sites in Historic Vermont Copper Belt, Eastern Vermont Provided EPA with multiyear support at three copper mine Superfund sites. Provided ERA support to the multiagency Vermont Copper Mines work group (i.e., EPA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [USFWS], U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and U.S. Geological Survey) charged with coordinating, planning, executing, and interpreting the ERAs at the three mining sites. Prepared data gap analysis reports to summarize existing analytical data sets and identify future data needs to complete the ERAs. Presented a summary to the work group on the toxicity test results, site-specific conceptual site models, and proposed assessment and measurement endpoints for evaluation in the ERAs. Identified the studies required to provide the data needed for the future ERAs, and wrote two ERAs for review by the work group. Reviewed and commented on two ERAs prepared by consultants for two of the mines and prepared risk summaries to help EPA focus on the major risk drivers, critical exposure routes, and impacted receptor groups. This technical support helped EPA streamline its internal risk management decision-making process.
South River Science Team, Waynesboro, Virginia Selected by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) to provide ERA support on its behalf on the South River Science Team. This team consisted of representatives from VDEQ, EPA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the responsible party, academia, and consulting firms tasked with coordinating a large-scale ERA for the mercury-contaminated South River. Participated in multiple meetings to discuss and reach consensus on the structure of the ERA, the use of historical data sets, the receptors of concern, the exposure pathways, the critical body residues, the wildlife toxicity reference values and exposure factors, and the various lines of evidence proposed for evaluation. Reviewed and commented on the ERAs and helped VDEQ understand and interpret the risk results. Also tasked by VDEQ with reviewing and commenting on multiple other reports, including a short- and long-term monitoring program, monitoring data reports, ecotoxicity testing reports, public bulletins, and several remedial pilot study reports.
Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund Site, Silverton, Colorado Invited by EPA to participate in the Biological Technical Assistance Group for the Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund site in Colorado. Wrote the aquatic ERA for the lower reach of the Animas River, developed an ERA work plan for the upper reach, and wrote a terrestrial ERA for this large site. In addition, led a team that statistically analyzed and graphed the metal levels measured in surface water samples collected from the Animas River before, during, and after the August 5, 2015, Gold King Mine spill, which released 3 million gallons of contaminated mine sludge. EPA used the results of these analyses to determine the need to collect post-spill samples in support of an updated Animas River ERA.
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, Marion, Illinois Invited by EPA to participate in a technical work group convened to help organize, review, and interpret 35 separate aquatic and terrestrial ERAs prepared for the refuge. The work group members included EPA, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Defense, the responsible party, and consultants. The group met multiple times to discuss the structure of the ERAs, agree on the various input data, review risk calculations, review site-specific soil toxicity test results, discuss the pros and cons of proposed soil preliminary remediation goals, and consider remedial options. Assisted EPA in the interpretation of ERA results and in developing a strategy to move the process towards completion.
Savannah River Site Nuclear Reservation, Aiken, South Carolina Invited by EPA to provide support on a technical work group convened to help organize, review, and interpret an ERA for the cooling-water system of two decommissioned nuclear breeder reactors. The system consisted of several large ponds, a 2,000+ acre reservoir, and more than 12 miles of interconnected canals. The work group members consisted of EPA, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. Input on this project included participating in a site visit, attending multiple technical meetings in South Carolina, proposing aquatic exposure units within the cooling water system, reviewing historical analytical data for use in the exposure calculations, reviewing all the exposure factors proposed for wildlife food-web modeling, commenting of the conceptual site model, reviewing and commenting on the ERA report, and helping EPA interpret the risk conclusions to support its risk management decisions.
Sudbury River, Nyanza Chemical Superfund Site, Ashland, Massachusetts Supported EPA for 15 years to assess the ecological impacts of mercury in the Sudbury River in eastern Massachusetts. This support included preparing sampling and analysis plans, collecting fish samples, processing fish tissue for mercury analyses, developing mercury critical body residues and wildlife toxicity reference values for various tissues and receptors for use in the baseline ERA, reviewing and commenting on the baseline ERA prepared by a consultant, preparing risk summary tables for use in EPA risk management discussions, performing graphical and statistical analyses of historical fish mercury data collected from the Sudbury River for use in trend analyses, developing a long-term fish monitoring program for the Sudbury River, plotting stable isotope data collected from the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge on the Sudbury River, and reviewing the ecological impacts and benefits of sediment remediation via sand capping.
Diesel Fuel Spill, Willard Bay State Park, Utah Wrote an ERA for the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (UDEQ) to assess post-remedial risks from residual diesel fuel in wetland sediment following a pipeline spill at Willard Bay State Park located next to the Great Salt Lake in Ogden, Utah. The responsible party collected sediment porewater samples and used solid phase microextraction (SPME) to remove the PAHs from each sample. The SPME fibers were then analyzed for 34 dissolved PAHs consisting of 18 parent PAHs and 16 alkylated daughter PAHs. Converted the PAH analytical results from each porewater sample into toxic units (TU = measured concentration/final chronic value) and then summed the PAH-specific TUs across the 34 PAHs to calculate a sample-specific TU PAH34. Based on agreement between UDEQ and the responsible party, interpreted a TU PAH34 of 1.0 or less as falling below a “no-effect” toxicity threshold and a TU PAH34 of 5.0 or above as exceeding a “low-effect” threshold. This approach identified potential risk in several of the remediated sediment samples, which resulted in additional investigations to address these “hot spots.”
Identification of Vernal Pools, Bridgeport, Connecticut In response to the site owner proposing sampling of 11 wetland-type depressions for only soil contamination as part of a remedial investigation, performed a site visit and showed that these habitats had vernal pool attributes. Advised EPA to request that the site owner perform a spring survey of these potential vernal pool habitats. The ensuing report showed that 8 of the 11 depressions were certifiable vernal pools supporting obligate species (e.g., fairy shrimp, wood frogs). These habitats received full regulatory protection in the ensuing ERA.
State Certification for a Private Laboratory to Test the Ecotoxicity of Effluents for Regulatory Compliance, New Jersey Coordinated the ecotoxicity testing program; conveyed agency requirements to the laboratory; provided technical oversight during the testing; summarized data and reported results to the state. Client obtained certification to test refinery effluents toxicity for NPDES purposes.
Contaminated Refinery Soils Impact Study, Montreal, Canada Supported client to assess ecotoxicity of bioremediated refinery soils. Participated in 15+ meetings with regulators to design the study, developed key company positions, developed approach to assess contaminant bioconcentration, and designed a tiered testing approach that saved the client more than $250,000. Study showed that bioremediated soils were least toxic. Received written commendation from regulators for high quality of support.
Review of Test Data to Determine TSCA Reporting Needs, New Jersey Coordinated a team to review, summarize, and record data from 400+ laboratory reports to help a client determine compliance with Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) rules on fate and toxicity data for chemicals tested in-house; tabulated and evaluated the analytical data; and developed strategy with company lawyers to identify reportable data. This effort eliminated the client’s liabilities under TSCA.
Development of a Surface Water Criterion Protective of a Federally Listed Species, Kansas Derived an alternative surface water criterion for perchlorate protective of the federally listed Topeka shiner (Notropis topeka) on behalf of the State of Kansas. This work involved an in-depth literature search, consultation with the State and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and derivation of the actual criterion. The State used the value in its remedial decision-making for a contaminated groundwater plume.
Caspian Sea Comparative Risk Assessment (U.S. Agency for International Development), Eastern Europe Developed an ecological risk assessment framework to prioritize the environmental impacts of current and future crude oil extraction and refining activities in the Caspian Sea region. This effort included developing an approach to measure and rank the relative risks in terrestrial and aquatic environments. Presented this approach in Moscow at a conference on Caspian Sea environmental issues sponsored by the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Modeling to Predict Brook Trout Densities in Mountain Streams in Response to Surface Water Acidification, Southern Appalachian Mountain Initiative Reviewed the literature to identify fishery surveys in brook trout streams affected by acidic deposition. Selected a study to develop a multivariate regression model to predict brook trout densities based on the acid neutralizing capacity in streams. The trout model used the output generated by the Model of Acidification of Groundwater in Catchments (MAGIC) to generate input used in a regional recreational fishing analysis to quantify the economic benefits of reduced sulfur and nitrogen emissions.
Superfund Integrated Cost–Benefit Model (SICM), EPA, Office of Policy Investigated the feasibility of modeling ecological risks and quantifying ecological benefits of site remediation in support of SICM. Efforts included reviewing existing EPA guidance documents on ERAs, identifying relevant endpoints and potential approaches applicable across Superfund sites, and investigating the availability of analytical, ecotoxicological, and biological data from EPA’s records of decision to support modeling efforts.
Regulatory Impact Analysis for Groundwater Pesticide Management Plan Rule, EPA, Office of Pesticide Programs Assessed the potential impacts of exposure to four pesticides (atrazine, simazine, alachlor, and metolachlor) on algae, invertebrates, and fish in Midwestern streams. This work included performing a literature search to obtain data on the aquatic toxicity of the target pesticides; estimating a range of pesticide concentrations in receiving streams based on surface runoff and groundwater recharge data; and quantifying the effects of exposure to the target pesticides to ecological receptors. Received written commendation from the client for this effort.
Regulatory Impact Analysis for Metal Plating and Manufacturing (MP&M) Rule, EPA, Office of Water Collected and summarized data on the fate (biodegradation, volatilization, bioaccumulation, sedimentation) and effects (carcinogenicity, systemic toxicity, ecotoxicity) of 150+ pollutants detected in MP&M effluents. Ranked and categorized the data based on established criteria to assess the overall impact of each pollutant on human health and the environment. This information formed the basis of a benefits analysis in support of the MP&M regulatory impact analysis.
Eutrophication of Reservoirs by Nutrients Derived from Animal Waste, EPA, Office of Policy Quantified the biological impacts of phosphorus from animal waste runoff on dissolved oxygen levels in 400+ reservoirs. Several phosphorus loading scenarios were modeled to estimate summer dissolved oxygen levels in the hypolimnia of the reservoirs. Compared these dissolved oxygen levels to ecotoxicological benchmarks to estimate the improvement in cold-water fisheries for each phosphorus loading scenario.
Toxic Release Inventory (TRI), EPA, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics Developed a comparative risk-based framework to help EPA analyze potential ecological impacts of TRI chemicals to aquatic receptors. This work included identifying key assessment variables, proposing an approach to combine exposure and effects data, assembling an aquatic-toxicity database for TRI chemicals, and developing an approach to score facilities based on annual releases and biological response measures.
Confined Animal Feeding Operations, EPA, Office of Policy Developed a risk-based framework to analyze the potential ecological effects of different animal waste management practices. This effort included selecting appropriate ecotoxicological endpoints for each constituent of concern; identifying and delineating important knowledge gaps needed to quantify effects; and coauthoring a report to outline the proposed assessment strategies and recommend future research needs.
Support 316(b) Rule Making, EPA, Office of Water Assessed the effects of impingement and entrainment by cooling water intake structures (CWIS) on aquatic biological resources. This work included designing an approach using physico-chemical, biological, and site-specific parameters to rank facilities for potential effects to aquatic receptors; developing two case studies for use in quantifying the impacts of CWIS to local ecosystems; identifying and quantifying the effects of CWIS on threatened and endangered aquatic species; and writing technical chapters in support of the biological assessments associated with the rule.
Proposed Part 158 Data Requirements and Cost Estimates for Study Guidelines, EPA, Office of Pesticide Programs Provided ecotoxicity cost data to support EPA in calculating the cost changes associated with the proposed Part 158 regulation development. The work included becoming familiar with 40+ different pesticide fate and effects testing guidelines and protocols, contacting commercial laboratories across the U.S. to obtain a range of cost estimates for each test, and summarizing the cost data in a technical memorandum to EPA.
Review of Public Comments on the Chlorfenapyr Pesticide Reregistration Notice, EPA, Office of Pesticide Programs Reviewed the technical merits of the human health and ecological comments generated by dozens of organizations in response to EPA’s chlorfenapyr reregistration notice. Each individual comment was identified, categorized, and entered in a database for further evaluation by EPA. The structure of the database was developed specifically to support this effort.
Assessment of Cost Differential of Remediating Groundwater with and without Methyl tert-Butyl Ether (MTBE), EPA, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics As part of a cost–benefits analysis in support of a proposed rule to ban MTBE as an oxygenate in gasoline, performed a literature review to compare the fate of MTBE when present in gasoline-contaminated groundwater at gas stations and to assess remediation costs. Developed an algorithm to calculate the average groundwater cleanup costs in the presence or absence of MTBE.
Revision of Lipid and Organic Carbon Databases for Ambient Water Quality Criteria Derivation, EPA, Office of Water Spearheaded efforts to update the list of fish and invertebrate species commonly consumed in the United States, identified representative diets for target fish species, estimated and compared trophic levels for target species, and coordinated a literature search to locate data on tissue lipid contents.
Determination of Average Mercury Concentrations in Fish Tissues, EPA, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards As part of a national analysis to assess the health benefits of proposed mercury emission reductions., coordinated efforts to geocode and map 45,000+ mercury concentrations in fish obtained from the National Listing of Fish and Wildlife Advisories Mercury Fish Tissue Database; developed a method to weigh the average fish mercury concentration in terms of fish trophic level, recreational consumption patterns, and minimum legal size; critically reviewed the Office of Water’s Mercury Maps model to evaluate its usefulness for the national benefits analysis and suggested ways to improve the modeling approach to support our efforts.
RCRA Corrective Actions, Considerations for Assessing Ecological Risks Supported EPA Region 1 with developing a guidance document to address 10 common technical issues associated with ERAs at RCRA sites. This guidance was routinely used in the region to ensure that RCRA facility owners addressed the ERA concerns of interest to EPA.
Fisheries
Fish Community Assessment to Evaluate Impingement and Entrainment, Maine Confidential client requested a characterization of the fish populations in two impoundments in support of a permit application for a proposed cooling water intake structure at a hydroelectric dam on the Penobscot River in Maine. This work involved 1) identifying all the fish species present in the impoundments, 2) describing species-specific spawning behaviors, 3) highlighting the spawning and early life stage periods for each species, 4) identifying and evaluating the primary period of reproduction, larval recruitment, and period of peak abundance, and 5) identifying the species and life stages most susceptible to impingement or entrainment. This information was summarized, tabulated, and included in the permit application.
Impacts of Thermal Effluent on a State-Designated Trout Stream, New York As part of a relicensing action, a confidential electric utility client requested support to understand the impacts of high surface water temperatures on trout in a creek receiving the facility’s thermal effluent. Researched the approach developed by the state to assign “trout stream” status. The review showed that the creek received the state’s lowest-possible stream rating because it 1) could not support a year-round trout population either via natural reproduction or annual stocking, and 2) would allow survival of stocked trout for only 6 weeks in early spring (April–May) before natural increases in surface water temperatures made further survival impossible. Also, regardless of these considerations, the state did not stock the affected creek segment with trout because of jurisdictional issues. Concluded that the excessive summer temperatures from thermal effluent in the receiving creek could not affect trout that were absent in the first place. The client successfully argued with the state regulatory agency that its thermal effluent had no impact on trout populations.
Atlantic Salmon Smolt Mortality from Dam Passage, Maine As part of the permit renewal process for a hydroelectric dam on the Penobscot River in Maine, compared a supplemental filing for the 24-hour downstream dam-passage criterion for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) smolts against a published dam passage smolt survival model developed specifically for the Penobscot River. The review identified several technical issues with applying the results of the published dam passage model to the site-specific dam that required further clarification and elaboration in the permit.
Effects of Proposed Desalination Plant Effluent on Estuarine Fish Populations, Texas As part of a legal case, performed in-depth evaluations of the life cycles of more than two dozen estuarine fish species to obtain a contested effluent permit for a proposed large desalination plant on the U.S. Gulf Coast. The goal was to quantify the degree and intensity of exposure on four different life stages (i.e., fertilized eggs, larvae, juveniles, and adults) to modeled effluent salinity concentrations in the receiving waters by accounting for life stage-specific daily and seasonal migration patterns through a large estuarine system. The effort also included reviewing the published literature to obtain salinity tolerance data for sensitive early life stages of estuarine fish. The evaluation showed conclusively that any effects from exposure to the increased effluent salinity would be brief, spatially limited, and nonlethal. The court accepted our argument and allowed the permit to be issued.
Evaluate Impingement and Entrainment of a Water Intake Structure for a Proposed Desalination Plant, Texas As part of a water intake permit, characterized the potential for impingement and entrainment of a water intake structure placed in the Gulf of Mexico to provide 150 million gallons per day of feed water to a proposed desalination plant. This work involved 1) creating a comprehensive list of aquatic invertebrate and vertebrate species present in the target area, 2) identifying essential fish habitats, highly-migratory species, managed fish species, threatened and endangered species, most-abundant species, and “fragile” species, and 3) evaluating the potential for impingement and entrainment for a subset of these species based on biological considerations, regulatory concerns, intake design and location, and measured densities of early life stages. This study was included in a permit application submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for review.
Fish Community Assessment, Rhode Island Wrote a report in support of a predesign investigation at a Superfund site to describe the fish community observed at and downstream of the site as compared to the fish community present in upstream reference areas. The community consisted of warm-water species with intermediate-to-high tolerance to anthropogenic stressors. The analysis was based on calculating an index of biotic integrity (IBI) for each of the site-affected and upstream sampling areas. The IBI scores showed that the structure and function of the fish communities in the site-affected areas were substantially similar to those measured in the upstream reference study areas. EPA will use this information to inform a long-term monitoring program to measure the recovery of the local fish community after the contaminated sediments in the site-affected sections of the river have been dredged.
Evaluation of Fish Tissue Analytical Data, Rhode Island Assessed the fish tissue analytical data for adult American eels, largemouth bass, and white suckers collected from two upstream reference ponded areas and two site-affected ponded areas on a river in Rhode Island. The data evaluation consisted of 1) determining if the concentrations of contaminants of concern (COCs) measured in the samples collected from four ponded areas exceeded fish tissue benchmarks, 2) using statistical testing to determine if the COC concentrations in the fish samples collected from the two upstream reference ponded areas differed significantly from each other, or could be pooled, and 3) determining via statistical testing if the COC concentrations in the fish samples collected from the two site-affected ponded areas differed significantly from those measured in tissue samples obtained from the upstream reference ponded areas. The data evaluation also assessed the condition factors for the three fish species and a regression analysis of COC concentrations versus fish length. Wrote a report describing the data analyses and the outcome of the evaluations. EPA will use this information as part of a long-term monitoring program to gauge the post-remediation recovery of contaminant levels in fish tissues collected from the two mitigated site-affected ponded areas.
Fish Toxicity Testing Quantified the survival and growth of embryo-larval rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) exposed in the laboratory to river water collected at multiple sites affected by unregulated metal-laced and mining-derived effluent. These short-term tests lasted from 96 to 168 hours and followed strict laboratory protocols. Processed the toxicity data using statistical software to derive species-specific no‑observed-effect concentrations, lowest-observed-effect concentrations, and the effect concentrations affecting 50 percent of the test organisms. Included the results of these tests as independent lines of evidence in support of baseline ecological risk assessments at several mining sites.
Population Modeling to Predict the Effects of Pesticide Exposure on Brook Trout Created a parameterized population model (RAMAS Software for Population Modeling) using published data on the long-term reproductive success and survival of a healthy brook trout (S. fontinalis) population in a Midwestern stream to estimate the sustainability of brook trout under hypothetical exposures to a pesticide. This study was published as a technical appendix in a book titled Ecological Modeling in Risk Assessment: Chemical Effects on Populations, Ecosystems, and Landscapes.
Fish Long-Term Monitoring Program Performed extensive statistical and graphical data analyses of mercury residue data in fish collected over a 25-year period from the mercury-contaminated Sudbury River in eastern Massachusetts. Used this large body of data to develop a defensible fish long-term monitoring program focused on largemouth bass on behalf of EPA’s Superfund program.
Winthrop Landfill Superfund Site, Maine On behalf of EPA, evaluated ecological impacts of arsenic accumulation in fish associated with the Annabessacook Lake and Hoyt Brook seep areas, both of which release arsenic-contaminated groundwater from the nearby Winthrop Landfill Superfund Site. The work consisted of 1) using literature data to derive defensible uptake factors for arsenic in fish, 2) calculating arsenic surface water exposure concentrations using long-term monitoring data collected from the two seep areas, 3) estimating a range of arsenic levels in fish exposed at the two seep areas based on the surface water exposures and the calculated uptake factors, and 4) determining if those estimated fish tissue levels exceeded published fish critical body residues. The evaluation concluded that arsenic accumulation in fish exposed at the two seep areas would not affect the local fish populations.
Sudbury River, Nyanza Chemical Superfund Site, Ashland, Massachusetts Supported EPA for 15 years to assess the ecological impacts of mercury in the Sudbury River in eastern Massachusetts. This support included preparing sampling and analysis plans, collecting fish samples, processing fish tissue for mercury analyses, developing mercury critical body residues and wildlife toxicity reference values for various tissues and receptors for use in the baseline ERA, reviewing and commenting on the baseline ERA prepared by a consultant, preparing risk summary tables for use in EPA risk management discussions, performing graphical and statistical analyses of historical fish mercury data collected from the Sudbury River for use in trend analyses, developing a long-term fish monitoring program for the Sudbury River, plotting stable isotope data collected from the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge on the Sudbury River, and reviewing the ecological impacts and benefits of sediment remediation via sand capping.
Literature Review on the Effects of Exposure to Crude Oils on Salmon Species, New Jersey Organized and coordinated a literature search, summarized toxicity data from 150+ studies, entered information into a database management system, and summarized the findings for inclusion in a technical report. This information was used for legal support in Exxon Valdez spill litigation.
Development of Trout-Specific Hardness-Dependent Toxicity Thresholds, EPA Region 8, Colorado Evaluated acute and chronic laboratory toxicity studies to provide evidence of a stressor-response relationship between water hardness and aluminum, cadmium, copper, and zinc. Performed a literature search focused on four trout species (i.e., brook trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout, and rainbow trout) to establish protective threshold metal concentrations in surface water to inform risk management decisions at mining sites. Data sources included surface water criteria documents, EPA’s Ecotox database, and peer-reviewed journal articles. Pertinent information from each study was captured in a database and included organism parameters (length, weight, life stage), water quality characteristics (pH, hardness, alkalinity, temperature), design specifications (exposure duration, exposure type, method of chemical analysis), and toxicity endpoints. EPA used this information to interpret the surface water analytical data collected from a large mining site.
Modeling to Predict Brook Trout Densities in Mountain Streams in Response to Surface Water Acidification, Southern Appalachian Mountain Initiative Reviewed the literature to identify fishery surveys in brook trout streams affected by acidic deposition. Selected a study to develop a multivariate regression model to predict brook trout densities based on the acid neutralizing capacity in streams. The trout model used the output generated by the Model of Acidification of Groundwater in Catchments (MAGIC) to generate input used in a regional recreational fishing analysis to quantify the economic benefits of reduced sulfur and nitrogen emissions.
Eutrophication of Reservoirs by Nutrients Derived from Animal Waste, EPA, Office of Policy Quantified the biological impacts of phosphorus from animal waste runoff on dissolved oxygen levels in 400+ reservoirs. Several phosphorus loading scenarios were modeled to estimate summer dissolved oxygen levels in the hypolimnia of the reservoirs. Compared these dissolved oxygen levels to ecotoxicological benchmarks to estimate the improvement in cold-water fisheries for each phosphorus loading scenario.
Data Analysis
Fish Community Assessment to Evaluate Impingement and Entrainment, Maine Confidential client requested a characterization of the fish populations in two impoundments in support of a permit application for a proposed cooling water intake structure at a hydroelectric dam on the Penobscot River in Maine. This work involved 1) identifying all the fish species present in the impoundments, 2) describing species-specific spawning behaviors, 3) highlighting the spawning and early life stage periods for each species, 4) identifying and evaluating the primary period of reproduction, larval recruitment, and period of peak abundance, and 5) identifying the species and life stages most susceptible to impingement or entrainment. This information was summarized, tabulated, and included in the permit application.
Effects of Proposed Desalination Plant Effluent on Estuarine Fish Populations, Texas As part of a legal case, performed in-depth evaluations of the life cycles of more than two dozen estuarine fish species to obtain a contested effluent permit for a proposed large desalination plant on the U.S. Gulf Coast. The goal was to quantify the degree and intensity of exposure on four different life stages (i.e., fertilized eggs, larvae, juveniles, and adults) to modeled effluent salinity concentrations in the receiving waters by accounting for life stage-specific daily and seasonal migration patterns through a large estuarine system. The effort also included reviewing the published literature to obtain salinity tolerance data for sensitive early life stages of estuarine fish. The evaluation showed conclusively that any effects from exposure to the increased effluent salinity would be brief, spatially limited, and nonlethal. The court accepted our argument and allowed the permit to be issued.
Evaluate Impingement and Entrainment of a Water Intake Structure for a Proposed Desalination Plant, Texas As part of a water intake permit, characterized the potential for impingement and entrainment of a water intake structure placed in the Gulf of Mexico to provide 150 million gallons per day of feed water to a proposed desalination plant. This work involved 1) creating a comprehensive list of aquatic invertebrate and vertebrate species present in the target area, 2) identifying essential fish habitats, highly-migratory species, managed fish species, threatened and endangered species, most-abundant species, and “fragile” species, and 3) evaluating the potential for impingement and entrainment for a subset of these species based on biological considerations, regulatory concerns, intake design and location, and measured densities of early life stages. This study was included in a permit application submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for review.
Fish Community Assessment, Rhode Island Wrote a report in support of a predesign investigation at a Superfund site to describe the fish community observed at and downstream of the site as compared to the fish community present in upstream reference areas. The community consisted of warm-water species with intermediate-to-high tolerance to anthropogenic stressors. The analysis was based on calculating an index of biotic integrity (IBI) for each of the site-affected and upstream sampling areas. The IBI scores showed that the structure and function of the fish communities in the site-affected areas were substantially similar to those measured in the upstream reference study areas. EPA will use this information to inform a long-term monitoring program to measure the recovery of the local fish community after the contaminated sediments in the site-affected sections of the river have been dredged.
Evaluation of Fish Tissue Analytical Data, Rhode Island Assessed the fish tissue analytical data for adult American eels, largemouth bass, and white suckers collected from two upstream reference ponded areas and two site-affected ponded areas on a river in Rhode Island. The data evaluation consisted of 1) determining if the concentrations of contaminants of concern (COCs) measured in the samples collected from four ponded areas exceeded fish tissue benchmarks, 2) using statistical testing to determine if the COC concentrations in the fish samples collected from the two upstream reference ponded areas differed significantly from each other, or could be pooled, and 3) determining via statistical testing if the COC concentrations in the fish samples collected from the two site-affected ponded areas differed significantly from those measured in tissue samples obtained from the upstream reference ponded areas. The data evaluation also assessed the condition factors for the three fish species and a regression analysis of COC concentrations versus fish length. Wrote a report describing the data analyses and the outcome of the evaluations. EPA will use this information as part of a long-term monitoring program to gauge the post-remediation recovery of contaminant levels in fish tissues collected from the two mitigated site-affected ponded areas.
Fish Toxicity Testing Quantified the survival and growth of embryo-larval rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) exposed in the laboratory to river water collected at multiple sites affected by unregulated metal-laced and mining-derived effluent. These short-term tests lasted from 96 to 168 hours and followed strict laboratory protocols. Processed the toxicity data using statistical software to derive species-specific no‑observed-effect concentrations, lowest-observed-effect concentrations, and the effect concentrations affecting 50 percent of the test organisms. Included the results of these tests as independent lines of evidence in support of baseline ecological risk assessments at several mining sites.
Population Modeling to Predict the Effects of Pesticide Exposure on Brook Trout Created a parameterized population model (RAMAS Software for Population Modeling) using published data on the long-term reproductive success and survival of a healthy brook trout (S. fontinalis) population in a Midwestern stream to estimate the sustainability of brook trout under hypothetical exposures to a pesticide. This study was published as a technical appendix in a book titled Ecological Modeling in Risk Assessment: Chemical Effects on Populations, Ecosystems, and Landscapes.
Fish Long-Term Monitoring Program Performed extensive statistical and graphical data analyses of mercury residue data in fish collected over a 25-year period from the mercury-contaminated Sudbury River in eastern Massachusetts. Used this large body of data to develop a defensible fish long-term monitoring program focused on largemouth bass on behalf of EPA’s Superfund program.
Sugar Loaf Mining District (Venture Mine and Welsh Mine Complex), Colorado On behalf of the Bureau of Land Management, reviewed the historical setting of this mine complex, local ecological resources, past environmental sampling efforts, and the available analytical data sets for surface water, sediment, and soil. Used this information to write a data summary and data gap report. Used the available data to write a streamlined aquatic ecological risk assessment in support of an engineering evaluation and cost analysis for this site.
Callahan Mine Superfund Site, Cape Rosier, Maine Supported EPA in interpreting the ecological impacts from past and ongoing releases of mining-related wastes to Goose Pond, a tidally-influenced estuary. These efforts consisted of preparing a baseline ecological risk assessment (BERA) work plan; providing technical comments on the BERA prepared by an outside consultant; providing technical support to EPA on an inter-agency work group formed to guide the BERA process; developing sediment preliminary remediation goals using the results of a site-specific sediment toxicity testing program; and reviewing and amending the ecological components of the record of decision for this site.
Five-Year Reviews of Ecological Risk Issues at Landfill Superfund Sites On behalf of EPA, assessed the continued protection of past remedial actions on ecological receptors at the Barkhamsted-New Hartford Landfill Superfund Site (Barkhamsted, Connecticut), the Beacon Heights Landfill Superfund Site (Beacon Falls, Connecticut), and the Rose Disposal Pit Superfund Site (Lanesborough, Massachusetts). These efforts consisted of reviewing the historical records for each of these sites, which included remedial investigations, ecological risk assessment reports, feasibility studies, records of decision, health assessment reports, and previous five-year review reports. Used these sources of information to summarize the site histories, identify potential ecological risk issues, and identify data gaps and ecological concerns to be addressed as part of the following five-year review cycle.
Saco Tannery Waste Pits Superfund Site, Maine This site contained several capped waste lagoons to secure chromium-contaminated tanning process wastes. Previous sediment collection efforts in nearby Stuart Brook identified chromium levels above applicable cleanup goals. Participated in a site visit to identify sediment sampling locations in the brook upstream, adjacent, and downstream from an active seep next to the waste lagoons. Developed a sampling and analysis plan to collect sediment samples for chemical analyses and toxicity testing to determine if ecological impacts existed in Stuart Brook. Also coauthored the sediment toxicity test report, and interpreted the test results and the analytical chemistry data. Identified the groundwater seep as a source of chromium even though chromium levels in brook sediment did not differ from background, nor did the toxicity test results identify ecological concerns. EPA used the results to apply an engineering solution to the seep, but without concerns about impacts of the seep to the stream.
Winthrop Landfill Superfund Site, Maine On behalf of EPA, evaluated ecological impacts of arsenic accumulation in fish associated with the Annabessacook Lake and Hoyt Brook seep areas, both of which release arsenic-contaminated groundwater from the nearby Winthrop Landfill Superfund Site. The work consisted of 1) using literature data to derive defensible uptake factors for arsenic in fish, 2) calculating arsenic surface water exposure concentrations using long-term monitoring data collected from the two seep areas, 3) estimating a range of arsenic levels in fish exposed at the two seep areas based on the surface water exposures and the calculated uptake factors, and 4) determining if those estimated fish tissue levels exceeded published fish critical body residues. The evaluation concluded that arsenic accumulation in fish exposed at the two seep areas would not affect the local fish populations.
Peterson Puritan Landfill Superfund Site, Rhode Island On behalf of EPA, prepared a baseline ecological risk assessment for the Blackstone River and associated ponded and riparian habitats potentially affected by releases from the landfill. The evaluation was based on analytical chemistry data (surface water, sediment, soil), benthic invertebrate sediment toxicity test results, benthic invertebrate and fish community surveys, tissue analyses of fish collected from the Blackstone River, and wildlife food chain modeling. Used multiple lines of evidence to identify the presence of ecological risk to local receptor groups.
Raymark Industries Superfund Site, Stratford, Connecticut Developed sediment preliminary remediation goals (PRGs) for use in tidal wetlands impacted by site-related contamination. Used an extensive site-specific sediment toxicity database to select sediment samples that lacked toxicity to two amphipod species and showed low levels of site-derived contaminants, and to use those samples to identify contaminant concentration ranges for copper, lead, total PCBs, total PAHs, and dioxin TEQs unlikely to cause toxicity in benthic invertebrates. Used reverse food web modeling to determine if the proposed sediment PRGs protective of benthic invertebrates would also protect semi-aquatic birds and mammals foraging in the impacted wetlands. Presented the PRG development method to EPA and NOAA. The sediment PRGs were accepted by both agencies for use at the site.
Three Mining Sites in Historic Vermont Copper Belt, Eastern Vermont Provided EPA with multiyear support at three copper mine Superfund sites. Provided ERA support to the multiagency Vermont Copper Mines work group (i.e., EPA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [USFWS], U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and U.S. Geological Survey) charged with coordinating, planning, executing, and interpreting the ERAs at the three mining sites. Prepared data gap analysis reports to summarize existing analytical data sets and identify future data needs to complete the ERAs. Presented a summary to the work group on the toxicity test results, site-specific conceptual site models, and proposed assessment and measurement endpoints for evaluation in the ERAs. Identified the studies required to provide the data needed for the future ERAs, and wrote two ERAs for review by the work group. Reviewed and commented on two ERAs prepared by consultants for two of the mines and prepared risk summaries to help EPA focus on the major risk drivers, critical exposure routes, and impacted receptor groups. This technical support helped EPA streamline its internal risk management decision-making process.
Impact Assessment of Polychlorinated Naphthalenes (PCNs) in Aquatic and Terrestrial Environments (on behalf of NYSDEC), Union Springs, New York Summarized the soil, sediment, surface water, and groundwater PCN analytical data collected offsite from a state RCRA facility; determined the general physical and chemical properties of the nine PCN classes; and identified or developed PCN toxicity benchmarks for surface water, sediment, soil, groundwater, and homegrown vegetables protective of human health and aquatic receptor groups for use in the risk evaluation. Concluded that the frequency of detection and concentrations of PCNs measured in the offsite samples were not a concern to human health or ecological community-level receptors.
South River Science Team, Waynesboro, Virginia Selected by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) to provide ERA support on its behalf on the South River Science Team. This team consisted of representatives from VDEQ, EPA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the responsible party, academia, and consulting firms tasked with coordinating a large-scale ERA for the mercury-contaminated South River. Participated in multiple meetings to discuss and reach consensus on the structure of the ERA, the use of historical data sets, the receptors of concern, the exposure pathways, the critical body residues, the wildlife toxicity reference values and exposure factors, and the various lines of evidence proposed for evaluation. Reviewed and commented on the ERAs and helped VDEQ understand and interpret the risk results. Also tasked by VDEQ with reviewing and commenting on multiple other reports, including a short- and long-term monitoring program, monitoring data reports, ecotoxicity testing reports, public bulletins, and several remedial pilot study reports.
Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund Site, Silverton, Colorado Invited by EPA to participate in the Biological Technical Assistance Group for the Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund site in Colorado. Wrote the aquatic ERA for the lower reach of the Animas River, developed an ERA work plan for the upper reach, and wrote a terrestrial ERA for this large site. In addition, led a team that statistically analyzed and graphed the metal levels measured in surface water samples collected from the Animas River before, during, and after the August 5, 2015, Gold King Mine spill, which released 3 million gallons of contaminated mine sludge. EPA used the results of these analyses to determine the need to collect post-spill samples in support of an updated Animas River ERA.
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, Marion, Illinois Invited by EPA to participate in a technical work group convened to help organize, review, and interpret 35 separate aquatic and terrestrial ERAs prepared for the refuge. The work group members included EPA, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Defense, the responsible party, and consultants. The group met multiple times to discuss the structure of the ERAs, agree on the various input data, review risk calculations, review site-specific soil toxicity test results, discuss the pros and cons of proposed soil preliminary remediation goals, and consider remedial options. Assisted EPA in the interpretation of ERA results and in developing a strategy to move the process towards completion.
Savannah River Site Nuclear Reservation, Aiken, South Carolina Invited by EPA to provide support on a technical work group convened to help organize, review, and interpret an ERA for the cooling-water system of two decommissioned nuclear breeder reactors. The system consisted of several large ponds, a 2,000+ acre reservoir, and more than 12 miles of interconnected canals. The work group members consisted of EPA, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. Input on this project included participating in a site visit, attending multiple technical meetings in South Carolina, proposing aquatic exposure units within the cooling water system, reviewing historical analytical data for use in the exposure calculations, reviewing all the exposure factors proposed for wildlife food-web modeling, commenting of the conceptual site model, reviewing and commenting on the ERA report, and helping EPA interpret the risk conclusions to support its risk management decisions.
Sunrise #3 Mill Site, Joshua Tree National Park, California Conducted an ERA on behalf of the National Park Service (NPS) for terrestrial habitats affected by historical mill tailings. Earthworms were exposed to tailings samples in the laboratory to assess soil toxicity and provide metal worm tissue data to calculate realistic wildlife exposures. Small rodents were trapped on and around the tailings piles for whole-animal residue analysis to provide metal tissue data and estimate exposures to a carnivorous small bird and a carnivorous small mammal via wildlife exposure modeling. Used the outcome of the ERA to identify the risk drivers and derive site-specific soil preliminary remediation goals protective of the local receptor groups. NPS evaluated this approach to determine its application to 13 other mining sites located throughout the park.
Sudbury River, Nyanza Chemical Superfund Site, Ashland, Massachusetts Supported EPA for 15 years to assess the ecological impacts of mercury in the Sudbury River in eastern Massachusetts. This support included preparing sampling and analysis plans, collecting fish samples, processing fish tissue for mercury analyses, developing mercury critical body residues and wildlife toxicity reference values for various tissues and receptors for use in the baseline ERA, reviewing and commenting on the baseline ERA prepared by a consultant, preparing risk summary tables for use in EPA risk management discussions, performing graphical and statistical analyses of historical fish mercury data collected from the Sudbury River for use in trend analyses, developing a long-term fish monitoring program for the Sudbury River, plotting stable isotope data collected from the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge on the Sudbury River, and reviewing the ecological impacts and benefits of sediment remediation via sand capping.
Diesel Fuel Spill, Willard Bay State Park, Utah Wrote an ERA for the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (UDEQ) to assess post-remedial risks from residual diesel fuel in wetland sediment following a pipeline spill at Willard Bay State Park located next to the Great Salt Lake in Ogden, Utah. The responsible party collected sediment porewater samples and used solid phase microextraction (SPME) to remove the PAHs from each sample. The SPME fibers were then analyzed for 34 dissolved PAHs consisting of 18 parent PAHs and 16 alkylated daughter PAHs. Converted the PAH analytical results from each porewater sample into toxic units (TU = measured concentration/final chronic value) and then summed the PAH-specific TUs across the 34 PAHs to calculate a sample-specific TU PAH34. Based on agreement between UDEQ and the responsible party, interpreted a TU PAH34 of 1.0 or less as falling below a “no-effect” toxicity threshold and a TU PAH34 of 5.0 or above as exceeding a “low-effect” threshold. This approach identified potential risk in several of the remediated sediment samples, which resulted in additional investigations to address these “hot spots.”
Moran Tunnel Portal, Butte County, Idaho Prepared a streamlined ecological risk evaluation on behalf of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to determine to what extent exposure to mining-derived contaminants from the Moran Tunnel Portal affected aquatic invertebrates and fish in Champagne Creek. This evaluation helped risk managers determine if conditions warranted cleanup action or if more site-specific data were needed to support defensible and cost-effective remedial decisions. Evaluated the available analytical data to determine what matrices were available for evaluation, how many data points existed for each matrix, where the samples were collected in relation to the portal and within Champagne Creek, and what analytical detection limits were available for non-detected values. Used this evaluation to develop a conceptual site model to show primary and secondary contaminant sources, major exposure pathways, and key aquatic community-level receptor groups of concern. Summarized the findings in a report and also derived preliminary remediation goals for surface water and sediment to support recommendations to BLM for collecting more samples to increase the accuracy and decrease the uncertainties in a follow-up ERA.
State Certification for a Private Laboratory to Test the Ecotoxicity of Effluents for Regulatory Compliance, New Jersey Coordinated the ecotoxicity testing program; conveyed agency requirements to the laboratory; provided technical oversight during the testing; summarized data and reported results to the state. Client obtained certification to test refinery effluents toxicity for NPDES purposes.
Literature Review on the Effects of Exposure to Crude Oils on Salmon Species, New Jersey Organized and coordinated a literature search, summarized toxicity data from 150+ studies, entered information into a database management system, and summarized the findings for inclusion in a technical report. This information was used for legal support in Exxon Valdez spill litigation.
Development of Trout-Specific Hardness-Dependent Toxicity Thresholds, EPA Region 8, Colorado Evaluated acute and chronic laboratory toxicity studies to provide evidence of a stressor-response relationship between water hardness and aluminum, cadmium, copper, and zinc. Performed a literature search focused on four trout species (i.e., brook trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout, and rainbow trout) to establish protective threshold metal concentrations in surface water to inform risk management decisions at mining sites. Data sources included surface water criteria documents, EPA’s Ecotox database, and peer-reviewed journal articles. Pertinent information from each study was captured in a database and included organism parameters (length, weight, life stage), water quality characteristics (pH, hardness, alkalinity, temperature), design specifications (exposure duration, exposure type, method of chemical analysis), and toxicity endpoints. EPA used this information to interpret the surface water analytical data collected from a large mining site.
Review of Published Literature on Bioavailability of Soil Contaminants to Terrestrial Receptors, New Jersey Organized literature search, obtained 150+ technical papers and coordinated reading assignments with team members, summarized information into a database, developed technical summaries, and coordinated report writing. The report was published as a book chapter.
Derivation of Surface Water Benchmarks, Massachusetts Performed a literature review on four chlorinated solvents to compile comprehensive acute and chronic aquatic toxicity data sets. Used the data to calculate surface water benchmarks based on EPA-approved calculation methods. The benchmarks served to derive groundwater cleanup goals protective of aquatic receptors at a Superfund site.
Data Quality in a Soil Ecotoxicity Testing Program, Montreal, Canada In response to a contract laboratory’s inability to generate quality soil ecotoxicity data on bioremediated soils, reviewed all protocols and data packages, identified protocol deviations, and designed a program to flag sources of error. Client and contract laboratory agreed with findings and implemented the suggested testing program. High quality data were generated and submitted to the agency on time.
Assessment of Soil Contaminant Bioavailability, Montreal, Canada Designed a study to assess toxicity of weathered petroleum in soils. Organized sampling activities, coordinated analytical and biological testing, selected test species and protocols, performed data analyses, and wrote a paper. Study results showed that weathering lowered bioavailability and toxicity.
Contaminated Refinery Soils Impact Study, Montreal, Canada Supported client to assess ecotoxicity of bioremediated refinery soils. Participated in 15+ meetings with regulators to design the study, developed key company positions, developed approach to assess contaminant bioconcentration, and designed a tiered testing approach that saved the client more than $250,000. Study showed that bioremediated soils were least toxic. Received written commendation from regulators for high quality of support.
Technical Input to Support a Soil Ecotoxicity Testing Program, France Reviewed test protocols after a contract laboratory measured unusually high toxicity in earthworms for a member of a European industry consortium charged with finding acceptable toxicity thresholds for gasoline in soil. Reviewed test protocols and data, identified reasons for high toxicity, and suggested improvements using soil weathering principles. Findings were presented to the consortium and regulators. Recommendations were implemented and resulted in large decline in toxicity.
Review of Test Data to Determine TSCA Reporting Needs, New Jersey Coordinated a team to review, summarize, and record data from 400+ laboratory reports to help a client determine compliance with Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) rules on fate and toxicity data for chemicals tested in-house; tabulated and evaluated the analytical data; and developed strategy with company lawyers to identify reportable data. This effort eliminated the client’s liabilities under TSCA.
Development of a Surface Water Criterion Protective of a Federally Listed Species, Kansas Derived an alternative surface water criterion for perchlorate protective of the federally listed Topeka shiner (Notropis topeka) on behalf of the State of Kansas. This work involved an in-depth literature search, consultation with the State and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and derivation of the actual criterion. The State used the value in its remedial decision-making for a contaminated groundwater plume.
Environmental Toxicity of Mercury, Ashland, Massachusetts Obtained 300+ papers to develop a database on the toxicity of mercury to aquatic and terrestrial ecological receptors. This effort included deriving critical body residues for fish, crayfish, birds, and mammals and calculating toxicity reference values for mercury in wildlife receptors. This work was used in an ERA to characterize the impacts of mercury historically released to the Sudbury River from nearby Superfund site in Massachusetts.
Cause-and-Effect Evaluation of Chromium Toxicity in Sediments, Windsor Lock, Connecticut Developed a data set consisting of site sediment chromium levels, toxicity test results (28-day exposures using the amphipod Hyalella azteca) on those sediments, and the threshold effect concentration and probable effect concentration (PEC) for chromium to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between chromium and the toxicity test results. Found no relationship because the sediment chromium levels were too low to produce a dose response. However, growth was statistically lower in all of the sediment samples. In addition, the chromium levels exceeded the PEC, which is viewed as a toxicity threshold above which effects become possible. Calculated the sediment mean PEC quotients (mean PEC-Qs) for four metals (i.e., chromium plus copper, lead, and zinc) for which sediment samples were analyzed to determine if including other site-specific chemical stressors would result in a better relationship. Observed no such response. The mean PEC-Qs also closely overlapped the chromium-only figures, suggesting that adding the three divalent metals did not improve the explanation for the observed toxicity. EPA used this information to determine the need for sediment remediation at an impacted pond.
Ecotoxicity of Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) to Mammals and Birds, Nationwide Performed a literature search to summarize data on the sub-chronic and chronic toxicity of PFOS and PFOA to mammals and birds. The toxicity endpoints of interest were no-effect and effect doses affecting mortality, growth, or reproduction, and the no-effect and effect PFOS and PFOA residues in liver and kidneys for use in deriving mammalian critical body residues for these two organs associated with mortality, growth, and reproduction.
Effect-Based Ecological Soil Screening Levels (EcoSSLs), Nationwide Derived effect-based EcoSSLs for 16 metals, three organochlorinated pesticides, low-molecular-weight PAHs, and high-molecular- weight PAHs for birds and mammals based on the method developed by EPA to derive the no-effect EcoSSLs protective of birds and mammals.
Regulatory Impact Analysis for Metal Plating and Manufacturing (MP&M) Rule, EPA, Office of Water Collected and summarized data on the fate (biodegradation, volatilization, bioaccumulation, sedimentation) and effects (carcinogenicity, systemic toxicity, ecotoxicity) of 150+ pollutants detected in MP&M effluents. Ranked and categorized the data based on established criteria to assess the overall impact of each pollutant on human health and the environment. This information formed the basis of a benefits analysis in support of the MP&M regulatory impact analysis.
Toxic Release Inventory (TRI), EPA, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics Developed a comparative risk-based framework to help EPA analyze potential ecological impacts of TRI chemicals to aquatic receptors. This work included identifying key assessment variables, proposing an approach to combine exposure and effects data, assembling an aquatic-toxicity database for TRI chemicals, and developing an approach to score facilities based on annual releases and biological response measures.
Review of Public Comments on the Chlorfenapyr Pesticide Reregistration Notice, EPA, Office of Pesticide Programs Reviewed the technical merits of the human health and ecological comments generated by dozens of organizations in response to EPA’s chlorfenapyr reregistration notice. Each individual comment was identified, categorized, and entered in a database for further evaluation by EPA. The structure of the database was developed specifically to support this effort.
Assessment of Cost Differential of Remediating Groundwater with and without Methyl tert-Butyl Ether (MTBE), EPA, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics As part of a cost–benefits analysis in support of a proposed rule to ban MTBE as an oxygenate in gasoline, performed a literature review to compare the fate of MTBE when present in gasoline-contaminated groundwater at gas stations and to assess remediation costs. Developed an algorithm to calculate the average groundwater cleanup costs in the presence or absence of MTBE.
Revision of Lipid and Organic Carbon Databases for Ambient Water Quality Criteria Derivation, EPA, Office of Water Spearheaded efforts to update the list of fish and invertebrate species commonly consumed in the United States, identified representative diets for target fish species, estimated and compared trophic levels for target species, and coordinated a literature search to locate data on tissue lipid contents.
Determination of Average Mercury Concentrations in Fish Tissues, EPA, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards As part of a national analysis to assess the health benefits of proposed mercury emission reductions., coordinated efforts to geocode and map 45,000+ mercury concentrations in fish obtained from the National Listing of Fish and Wildlife Advisories Mercury Fish Tissue Database; developed a method to weigh the average fish mercury concentration in terms of fish trophic level, recreational consumption patterns, and minimum legal size; critically reviewed the Office of Water’s Mercury Maps model to evaluate its usefulness for the national benefits analysis and suggested ways to improve the modeling approach to support our efforts.
Contaminated Sediments
Saco Tannery Waste Pits Superfund Site, Maine This site contained several capped waste lagoons to secure chromium-contaminated tanning process wastes. Previous sediment collection efforts in nearby Stuart Brook identified chromium levels above applicable cleanup goals. Participated in a site visit to identify sediment sampling locations in the brook upstream, adjacent, and downstream from an active seep next to the waste lagoons. Developed a sampling and analysis plan to collect sediment samples for chemical analyses and toxicity testing to determine if ecological impacts existed in Stuart Brook. Also coauthored the sediment toxicity test report, and interpreted the test results and the analytical chemistry data. Identified the groundwater seep as a source of chromium even though chromium levels in brook sediment did not differ from background, nor did the toxicity test results identify ecological concerns. EPA used the results to apply an engineering solution to the seep, but without concerns about impacts of the seep to the stream.
Raymark Industries Superfund Site, Stratford, Connecticut Developed sediment preliminary remediation goals (PRGs) for use in tidal wetlands impacted by site-related contamination. Used an extensive site-specific sediment toxicity database to select sediment samples that lacked toxicity to two amphipod species and showed low levels of site-derived contaminants, and to use those samples to identify contaminant concentration ranges for copper, lead, total PCBs, total PAHs, and dioxin TEQs unlikely to cause toxicity in benthic invertebrates. Used reverse food web modeling to determine if the proposed sediment PRGs protective of benthic invertebrates would also protect semi-aquatic birds and mammals foraging in the impacted wetlands. Presented the PRG development method to EPA and NOAA. The sediment PRGs were accepted by both agencies for use at the site.
Ecological Evaluation of Contaminated Sediments in the Hackensack River, Rebuild by Design–Meadowlands (RBDM) (on behalf of NJDEP), Little Ferry, New Jersey Tabulated the analytical data from nine sediment core samples collected from the Hackensack River in support of RBDM plans to create a new intertidal wetland on the river. Existing substrate was planned to be dredged from the river down to 4 ft to remove historically contaminated sediment, followed by an assessment of any residual contamination present in the post-dredged bottom located 4–4.5 ft below the current sediment surface. The pre-design investigation ecological evaluation was used to determine if residual contamination (specifically mercury, PCBs, PAHs, and organotins) in the new post-dredge sediment bottom at 4–4.5 ft deep would be able to support benthic macroinvertebrates. Identified no-effect and low-effect sediment benchmarks for the target contaminants protective of benthic macroinvertebrates in an estuarine setting, derived sample- and contaminant-specific exposure concentrations for the future “new” bottom, and interpreted the concentration patterns in terms of potential future impacts. Determined that the residual levels of mercury, PCBs, and tributyltin at depth were potentially hazardous to benthic macroinvertebrates and would have to be addressed during future dredging.
Impact Assessment of Polychlorinated Naphthalenes (PCNs) in Aquatic and Terrestrial Environments (on behalf of NYSDEC), Union Springs, New York Summarized the soil, sediment, surface water, and groundwater PCN analytical data collected offsite from a state RCRA facility; determined the general physical and chemical properties of the nine PCN classes; and identified or developed PCN toxicity benchmarks for surface water, sediment, soil, groundwater, and homegrown vegetables protective of human health and aquatic receptor groups for use in the risk evaluation. Concluded that the frequency of detection and concentrations of PCNs measured in the offsite samples were not a concern to human health or ecological community-level receptors.
Diesel Fuel Spill, Willard Bay State Park, Utah Wrote an ERA for the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (UDEQ) to assess post-remedial risks from residual diesel fuel in wetland sediment following a pipeline spill at Willard Bay State Park located next to the Great Salt Lake in Ogden, Utah. The responsible party collected sediment porewater samples and used solid phase microextraction (SPME) to remove the PAHs from each sample. The SPME fibers were then analyzed for 34 dissolved PAHs consisting of 18 parent PAHs and 16 alkylated daughter PAHs. Converted the PAH analytical results from each porewater sample into toxic units (TU = measured concentration/final chronic value) and then summed the PAH-specific TUs across the 34 PAHs to calculate a sample-specific TU PAH34. Based on agreement between UDEQ and the responsible party, interpreted a TU PAH34 of 1.0 or less as falling below a “no-effect” toxicity threshold and a TU PAH34 of 5.0 or above as exceeding a “low-effect” threshold. This approach identified potential risk in several of the remediated sediment samples, which resulted in additional investigations to address these “hot spots.”
Sediment Investigation
Callahan Mine Superfund Site, Cape Rosier, Maine Supported EPA in interpreting the ecological impacts from past and ongoing releases of mining-related wastes to Goose Pond, a tidally-influenced estuary. These efforts consisted of preparing a baseline ecological risk assessment (BERA) work plan; providing technical comments on the BERA prepared by an outside consultant; providing technical support to EPA on an inter-agency work group formed to guide the BERA process; developing sediment preliminary remediation goals using the results of a site-specific sediment toxicity testing program; and reviewing and amending the ecological components of the record of decision for this site.
Saco Tannery Waste Pits Superfund Site, Maine This site contained several capped waste lagoons to secure chromium-contaminated tanning process wastes. Previous sediment collection efforts in nearby Stuart Brook identified chromium levels above applicable cleanup goals. Participated in a site visit to identify sediment sampling locations in the brook upstream, adjacent, and downstream from an active seep next to the waste lagoons. Developed a sampling and analysis plan to collect sediment samples for chemical analyses and toxicity testing to determine if ecological impacts existed in Stuart Brook. Also coauthored the sediment toxicity test report, and interpreted the test results and the analytical chemistry data. Identified the groundwater seep as a source of chromium even though chromium levels in brook sediment did not differ from background, nor did the toxicity test results identify ecological concerns. EPA used the results to apply an engineering solution to the seep, but without concerns about impacts of the seep to the stream.
Raymark Industries Superfund Site, Stratford, Connecticut Developed sediment preliminary remediation goals (PRGs) for use in tidal wetlands impacted by site-related contamination. Used an extensive site-specific sediment toxicity database to select sediment samples that lacked toxicity to two amphipod species and showed low levels of site-derived contaminants, and to use those samples to identify contaminant concentration ranges for copper, lead, total PCBs, total PAHs, and dioxin TEQs unlikely to cause toxicity in benthic invertebrates. Used reverse food web modeling to determine if the proposed sediment PRGs protective of benthic invertebrates would also protect semi-aquatic birds and mammals foraging in the impacted wetlands. Presented the PRG development method to EPA and NOAA. The sediment PRGs were accepted by both agencies for use at the site.
Ecological Evaluation of Contaminated Sediments in the Hackensack River, Rebuild by Design–Meadowlands (RBDM) (on behalf of NJDEP), Little Ferry, New Jersey Tabulated the analytical data from nine sediment core samples collected from the Hackensack River in support of RBDM plans to create a new intertidal wetland on the river. Existing substrate was planned to be dredged from the river down to 4 ft to remove historically contaminated sediment, followed by an assessment of any residual contamination present in the post-dredged bottom located 4–4.5 ft below the current sediment surface. The pre-design investigation ecological evaluation was used to determine if residual contamination (specifically mercury, PCBs, PAHs, and organotins) in the new post-dredge sediment bottom at 4–4.5 ft deep would be able to support benthic macroinvertebrates. Identified no-effect and low-effect sediment benchmarks for the target contaminants protective of benthic macroinvertebrates in an estuarine setting, derived sample- and contaminant-specific exposure concentrations for the future “new” bottom, and interpreted the concentration patterns in terms of potential future impacts. Determined that the residual levels of mercury, PCBs, and tributyltin at depth were potentially hazardous to benthic macroinvertebrates and would have to be addressed during future dredging.
Diesel Fuel Spill, Willard Bay State Park, Utah Wrote an ERA for the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (UDEQ) to assess post-remedial risks from residual diesel fuel in wetland sediment following a pipeline spill at Willard Bay State Park located next to the Great Salt Lake in Ogden, Utah. The responsible party collected sediment porewater samples and used solid phase microextraction (SPME) to remove the PAHs from each sample. The SPME fibers were then analyzed for 34 dissolved PAHs consisting of 18 parent PAHs and 16 alkylated daughter PAHs. Converted the PAH analytical results from each porewater sample into toxic units (TU = measured concentration/final chronic value) and then summed the PAH-specific TUs across the 34 PAHs to calculate a sample-specific TU PAH34. Based on agreement between UDEQ and the responsible party, interpreted a TU PAH34 of 1.0 or less as falling below a “no-effect” toxicity threshold and a TU PAH34 of 5.0 or above as exceeding a “low-effect” threshold. This approach identified potential risk in several of the remediated sediment samples, which resulted in additional investigations to address these “hot spots.”
Negotiation to Remove Genotoxicity Testing from a Sediment Risk Assessment, Montreal, Canada On behalf of client, engaged with regulators to review use of genotoxicity testing to assess effects of contaminated sediments on benthic invertebrates and argued that no useful risk data would be generated. Agency accepted technical arguments and removed genotoxicity testing from the programs.
Cause-and-Effect Evaluation of Chromium Toxicity in Sediments, Windsor Lock, Connecticut Developed a data set consisting of site sediment chromium levels, toxicity test results (28-day exposures using the amphipod Hyalella azteca) on those sediments, and the threshold effect concentration and probable effect concentration (PEC) for chromium to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between chromium and the toxicity test results. Found no relationship because the sediment chromium levels were too low to produce a dose response. However, growth was statistically lower in all of the sediment samples. In addition, the chromium levels exceeded the PEC, which is viewed as a toxicity threshold above which effects become possible. Calculated the sediment mean PEC quotients (mean PEC-Qs) for four metals (i.e., chromium plus copper, lead, and zinc) for which sediment samples were analyzed to determine if including other site-specific chemical stressors would result in a better relationship. Observed no such response. The mean PEC-Qs also closely overlapped the chromium-only figures, suggesting that adding the three divalent metals did not improve the explanation for the observed toxicity. EPA used this information to determine the need for sediment remediation at an impacted pond.
Metals Toxicology and Assessment
Sugar Loaf Mining District (Venture Mine and Welsh Mine Complex), Colorado On behalf of the Bureau of Land Management, reviewed the historical setting of this mine complex, local ecological resources, past environmental sampling efforts, and the available analytical data sets for surface water, sediment, and soil. Used this information to write a data summary and data gap report. Used the available data to write a streamlined aquatic ecological risk assessment in support of an engineering evaluation and cost analysis for this site.
Callahan Mine Superfund Site, Cape Rosier, Maine Supported EPA in interpreting the ecological impacts from past and ongoing releases of mining-related wastes to Goose Pond, a tidally-influenced estuary. These efforts consisted of preparing a baseline ecological risk assessment (BERA) work plan; providing technical comments on the BERA prepared by an outside consultant; providing technical support to EPA on an inter-agency work group formed to guide the BERA process; developing sediment preliminary remediation goals using the results of a site-specific sediment toxicity testing program; and reviewing and amending the ecological components of the record of decision for this site.
Saco Tannery Waste Pits Superfund Site, Maine This site contained several capped waste lagoons to secure chromium-contaminated tanning process wastes. Previous sediment collection efforts in nearby Stuart Brook identified chromium levels above applicable cleanup goals. Participated in a site visit to identify sediment sampling locations in the brook upstream, adjacent, and downstream from an active seep next to the waste lagoons. Developed a sampling and analysis plan to collect sediment samples for chemical analyses and toxicity testing to determine if ecological impacts existed in Stuart Brook. Also coauthored the sediment toxicity test report, and interpreted the test results and the analytical chemistry data. Identified the groundwater seep as a source of chromium even though chromium levels in brook sediment did not differ from background, nor did the toxicity test results identify ecological concerns. EPA used the results to apply an engineering solution to the seep, but without concerns about impacts of the seep to the stream.
Winthrop Landfill Superfund Site, Maine On behalf of EPA, evaluated ecological impacts of arsenic accumulation in fish associated with the Annabessacook Lake and Hoyt Brook seep areas, both of which release arsenic-contaminated groundwater from the nearby Winthrop Landfill Superfund Site. The work consisted of 1) using literature data to derive defensible uptake factors for arsenic in fish, 2) calculating arsenic surface water exposure concentrations using long-term monitoring data collected from the two seep areas, 3) estimating a range of arsenic levels in fish exposed at the two seep areas based on the surface water exposures and the calculated uptake factors, and 4) determining if those estimated fish tissue levels exceeded published fish critical body residues. The evaluation concluded that arsenic accumulation in fish exposed at the two seep areas would not affect the local fish populations.
Three Mining Sites in Historic Vermont Copper Belt, Eastern Vermont Provided EPA with multiyear support at three copper mine Superfund sites. Provided ERA support to the multiagency Vermont Copper Mines work group (i.e., EPA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [USFWS], U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and U.S. Geological Survey) charged with coordinating, planning, executing, and interpreting the ERAs at the three mining sites. Prepared data gap analysis reports to summarize existing analytical data sets and identify future data needs to complete the ERAs. Presented a summary to the work group on the toxicity test results, site-specific conceptual site models, and proposed assessment and measurement endpoints for evaluation in the ERAs. Identified the studies required to provide the data needed for the future ERAs, and wrote two ERAs for review by the work group. Reviewed and commented on two ERAs prepared by consultants for two of the mines and prepared risk summaries to help EPA focus on the major risk drivers, critical exposure routes, and impacted receptor groups. This technical support helped EPA streamline its internal risk management decision-making process.
South River Science Team, Waynesboro, Virginia Selected by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) to provide ERA support on its behalf on the South River Science Team. This team consisted of representatives from VDEQ, EPA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the responsible party, academia, and consulting firms tasked with coordinating a large-scale ERA for the mercury-contaminated South River. Participated in multiple meetings to discuss and reach consensus on the structure of the ERA, the use of historical data sets, the receptors of concern, the exposure pathways, the critical body residues, the wildlife toxicity reference values and exposure factors, and the various lines of evidence proposed for evaluation. Reviewed and commented on the ERAs and helped VDEQ understand and interpret the risk results. Also tasked by VDEQ with reviewing and commenting on multiple other reports, including a short- and long-term monitoring program, monitoring data reports, ecotoxicity testing reports, public bulletins, and several remedial pilot study reports.
Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund Site, Silverton, Colorado Invited by EPA to participate in the Biological Technical Assistance Group for the Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund site in Colorado. Wrote the aquatic ERA for the lower reach of the Animas River, developed an ERA work plan for the upper reach, and wrote a terrestrial ERA for this large site. In addition, led a team that statistically analyzed and graphed the metal levels measured in surface water samples collected from the Animas River before, during, and after the August 5, 2015, Gold King Mine spill, which released 3 million gallons of contaminated mine sludge. EPA used the results of these analyses to determine the need to collect post-spill samples in support of an updated Animas River ERA.
Sunrise #3 Mill Site, Joshua Tree National Park, California Conducted an ERA on behalf of the National Park Service (NPS) for terrestrial habitats affected by historical mill tailings. Earthworms were exposed to tailings samples in the laboratory to assess soil toxicity and provide metal worm tissue data to calculate realistic wildlife exposures. Small rodents were trapped on and around the tailings piles for whole-animal residue analysis to provide metal tissue data and estimate exposures to a carnivorous small bird and a carnivorous small mammal via wildlife exposure modeling. Used the outcome of the ERA to identify the risk drivers and derive site-specific soil preliminary remediation goals protective of the local receptor groups. NPS evaluated this approach to determine its application to 13 other mining sites located throughout the park.
Sudbury River, Nyanza Chemical Superfund Site, Ashland, Massachusetts Supported EPA for 15 years to assess the ecological impacts of mercury in the Sudbury River in eastern Massachusetts. This support included preparing sampling and analysis plans, collecting fish samples, processing fish tissue for mercury analyses, developing mercury critical body residues and wildlife toxicity reference values for various tissues and receptors for use in the baseline ERA, reviewing and commenting on the baseline ERA prepared by a consultant, preparing risk summary tables for use in EPA risk management discussions, performing graphical and statistical analyses of historical fish mercury data collected from the Sudbury River for use in trend analyses, developing a long-term fish monitoring program for the Sudbury River, plotting stable isotope data collected from the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge on the Sudbury River, and reviewing the ecological impacts and benefits of sediment remediation via sand capping.
Moran Tunnel Portal, Butte County, Idaho Prepared a streamlined ecological risk evaluation on behalf of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to determine to what extent exposure to mining-derived contaminants from the Moran Tunnel Portal affected aquatic invertebrates and fish in Champagne Creek. This evaluation helped risk managers determine if conditions warranted cleanup action or if more site-specific data were needed to support defensible and cost-effective remedial decisions. Evaluated the available analytical data to determine what matrices were available for evaluation, how many data points existed for each matrix, where the samples were collected in relation to the portal and within Champagne Creek, and what analytical detection limits were available for non-detected values. Used this evaluation to develop a conceptual site model to show primary and secondary contaminant sources, major exposure pathways, and key aquatic community-level receptor groups of concern. Summarized the findings in a report and also derived preliminary remediation goals for surface water and sediment to support recommendations to BLM for collecting more samples to increase the accuracy and decrease the uncertainties in a follow-up ERA.
Development of Trout-Specific Hardness-Dependent Toxicity Thresholds, EPA Region 8, Colorado Evaluated acute and chronic laboratory toxicity studies to provide evidence of a stressor-response relationship between water hardness and aluminum, cadmium, copper, and zinc. Performed a literature search focused on four trout species (i.e., brook trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout, and rainbow trout) to establish protective threshold metal concentrations in surface water to inform risk management decisions at mining sites. Data sources included surface water criteria documents, EPA’s Ecotox database, and peer-reviewed journal articles. Pertinent information from each study was captured in a database and included organism parameters (length, weight, life stage), water quality characteristics (pH, hardness, alkalinity, temperature), design specifications (exposure duration, exposure type, method of chemical analysis), and toxicity endpoints. EPA used this information to interpret the surface water analytical data collected from a large mining site.
Environmental Toxicity of Mercury, Ashland, Massachusetts Obtained 300+ papers to develop a database on the toxicity of mercury to aquatic and terrestrial ecological receptors. This effort included deriving critical body residues for fish, crayfish, birds, and mammals and calculating toxicity reference values for mercury in wildlife receptors. This work was used in an ERA to characterize the impacts of mercury historically released to the Sudbury River from nearby Superfund site in Massachusetts.
Cause-and-Effect Evaluation of Chromium Toxicity in Sediments, Windsor Lock, Connecticut Developed a data set consisting of site sediment chromium levels, toxicity test results (28-day exposures using the amphipod Hyalella azteca) on those sediments, and the threshold effect concentration and probable effect concentration (PEC) for chromium to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between chromium and the toxicity test results. Found no relationship because the sediment chromium levels were too low to produce a dose response. However, growth was statistically lower in all of the sediment samples. In addition, the chromium levels exceeded the PEC, which is viewed as a toxicity threshold above which effects become possible. Calculated the sediment mean PEC quotients (mean PEC-Qs) for four metals (i.e., chromium plus copper, lead, and zinc) for which sediment samples were analyzed to determine if including other site-specific chemical stressors would result in a better relationship. Observed no such response. The mean PEC-Qs also closely overlapped the chromium-only figures, suggesting that adding the three divalent metals did not improve the explanation for the observed toxicity. EPA used this information to determine the need for sediment remediation at an impacted pond.
Automated Contaminant Toxicity Screening Spreadsheets, Nationwide Developed linked Excel spreadsheets to allow for quick and automated screening of surface water, sediment, and soil analytical data for 12 metals in 25 samples at a time. EPA used the spreadsheets to screen analytical data from multiple mining sites and help prioritize follow-up investigations and risk assessments.
Determination of Average Mercury Concentrations in Fish Tissues, EPA, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards As part of a national analysis to assess the health benefits of proposed mercury emission reductions., coordinated efforts to geocode and map 45,000+ mercury concentrations in fish obtained from the National Listing of Fish and Wildlife Advisories Mercury Fish Tissue Database; developed a method to weigh the average fish mercury concentration in terms of fish trophic level, recreational consumption patterns, and minimum legal size; critically reviewed the Office of Water’s Mercury Maps model to evaluate its usefulness for the national benefits analysis and suggested ways to improve the modeling approach to support our efforts.
Data Sufficiency
Fish Long-Term Monitoring Program Performed extensive statistical and graphical data analyses of mercury residue data in fish collected over a 25-year period from the mercury-contaminated Sudbury River in eastern Massachusetts. Used this large body of data to develop a defensible fish long-term monitoring program focused on largemouth bass on behalf of EPA’s Superfund program.
Sugar Loaf Mining District (Venture Mine and Welsh Mine Complex), Colorado On behalf of the Bureau of Land Management, reviewed the historical setting of this mine complex, local ecological resources, past environmental sampling efforts, and the available analytical data sets for surface water, sediment, and soil. Used this information to write a data summary and data gap report. Used the available data to write a streamlined aquatic ecological risk assessment in support of an engineering evaluation and cost analysis for this site.
Callahan Mine Superfund Site, Cape Rosier, Maine Supported EPA in interpreting the ecological impacts from past and ongoing releases of mining-related wastes to Goose Pond, a tidally-influenced estuary. These efforts consisted of preparing a baseline ecological risk assessment (BERA) work plan; providing technical comments on the BERA prepared by an outside consultant; providing technical support to EPA on an inter-agency work group formed to guide the BERA process; developing sediment preliminary remediation goals using the results of a site-specific sediment toxicity testing program; and reviewing and amending the ecological components of the record of decision for this site.
Five-Year Reviews of Ecological Risk Issues at Landfill Superfund Sites On behalf of EPA, assessed the continued protection of past remedial actions on ecological receptors at the Barkhamsted-New Hartford Landfill Superfund Site (Barkhamsted, Connecticut), the Beacon Heights Landfill Superfund Site (Beacon Falls, Connecticut), and the Rose Disposal Pit Superfund Site (Lanesborough, Massachusetts). These efforts consisted of reviewing the historical records for each of these sites, which included remedial investigations, ecological risk assessment reports, feasibility studies, records of decision, health assessment reports, and previous five-year review reports. Used these sources of information to summarize the site histories, identify potential ecological risk issues, and identify data gaps and ecological concerns to be addressed as part of the following five-year review cycle.
Saco Tannery Waste Pits Superfund Site, Maine This site contained several capped waste lagoons to secure chromium-contaminated tanning process wastes. Previous sediment collection efforts in nearby Stuart Brook identified chromium levels above applicable cleanup goals. Participated in a site visit to identify sediment sampling locations in the brook upstream, adjacent, and downstream from an active seep next to the waste lagoons. Developed a sampling and analysis plan to collect sediment samples for chemical analyses and toxicity testing to determine if ecological impacts existed in Stuart Brook. Also coauthored the sediment toxicity test report, and interpreted the test results and the analytical chemistry data. Identified the groundwater seep as a source of chromium even though chromium levels in brook sediment did not differ from background, nor did the toxicity test results identify ecological concerns. EPA used the results to apply an engineering solution to the seep, but without concerns about impacts of the seep to the stream.
Three Mining Sites in Historic Vermont Copper Belt, Eastern Vermont Provided EPA with multiyear support at three copper mine Superfund sites. Provided ERA support to the multiagency Vermont Copper Mines work group (i.e., EPA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [USFWS], U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and U.S. Geological Survey) charged with coordinating, planning, executing, and interpreting the ERAs at the three mining sites. Prepared data gap analysis reports to summarize existing analytical data sets and identify future data needs to complete the ERAs. Presented a summary to the work group on the toxicity test results, site-specific conceptual site models, and proposed assessment and measurement endpoints for evaluation in the ERAs. Identified the studies required to provide the data needed for the future ERAs, and wrote two ERAs for review by the work group. Reviewed and commented on two ERAs prepared by consultants for two of the mines and prepared risk summaries to help EPA focus on the major risk drivers, critical exposure routes, and impacted receptor groups. This technical support helped EPA streamline its internal risk management decision-making process.
Former Air Force Plant No. 51 State Superfund Site (on behalf of New York State Department of Environmental Conservation [NYSDEC]), Greece, New York Developed a Phase I fish and wildlife impact analysis for offsite wetlands. Purpose was to identify sensitive habitats, listed state and federal species, site-specific and regional contaminant sources, known and expected ecological receptors, potential exposure pathways, the value of the habitats to their associated fauna, the value of the resources to humans, and a list of all the state and federal fish, wildlife, and habitat-specific regulatory criteria applicable to this site (i.e., applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements). NYSDEC used this information to determine the need to perform a baseline ERA at this site.
Impact Assessment of Polychlorinated Naphthalenes (PCNs) in Aquatic and Terrestrial Environments (on behalf of NYSDEC), Union Springs, New York Summarized the soil, sediment, surface water, and groundwater PCN analytical data collected offsite from a state RCRA facility; determined the general physical and chemical properties of the nine PCN classes; and identified or developed PCN toxicity benchmarks for surface water, sediment, soil, groundwater, and homegrown vegetables protective of human health and aquatic receptor groups for use in the risk evaluation. Concluded that the frequency of detection and concentrations of PCNs measured in the offsite samples were not a concern to human health or ecological community-level receptors.
South River Science Team, Waynesboro, Virginia Selected by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) to provide ERA support on its behalf on the South River Science Team. This team consisted of representatives from VDEQ, EPA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the responsible party, academia, and consulting firms tasked with coordinating a large-scale ERA for the mercury-contaminated South River. Participated in multiple meetings to discuss and reach consensus on the structure of the ERA, the use of historical data sets, the receptors of concern, the exposure pathways, the critical body residues, the wildlife toxicity reference values and exposure factors, and the various lines of evidence proposed for evaluation. Reviewed and commented on the ERAs and helped VDEQ understand and interpret the risk results. Also tasked by VDEQ with reviewing and commenting on multiple other reports, including a short- and long-term monitoring program, monitoring data reports, ecotoxicity testing reports, public bulletins, and several remedial pilot study reports.
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, Marion, Illinois Invited by EPA to participate in a technical work group convened to help organize, review, and interpret 35 separate aquatic and terrestrial ERAs prepared for the refuge. The work group members included EPA, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Defense, the responsible party, and consultants. The group met multiple times to discuss the structure of the ERAs, agree on the various input data, review risk calculations, review site-specific soil toxicity test results, discuss the pros and cons of proposed soil preliminary remediation goals, and consider remedial options. Assisted EPA in the interpretation of ERA results and in developing a strategy to move the process towards completion.
Savannah River Site Nuclear Reservation, Aiken, South Carolina Invited by EPA to provide support on a technical work group convened to help organize, review, and interpret an ERA for the cooling-water system of two decommissioned nuclear breeder reactors. The system consisted of several large ponds, a 2,000+ acre reservoir, and more than 12 miles of interconnected canals. The work group members consisted of EPA, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. Input on this project included participating in a site visit, attending multiple technical meetings in South Carolina, proposing aquatic exposure units within the cooling water system, reviewing historical analytical data for use in the exposure calculations, reviewing all the exposure factors proposed for wildlife food-web modeling, commenting of the conceptual site model, reviewing and commenting on the ERA report, and helping EPA interpret the risk conclusions to support its risk management decisions.
Sudbury River, Nyanza Chemical Superfund Site, Ashland, Massachusetts Supported EPA for 15 years to assess the ecological impacts of mercury in the Sudbury River in eastern Massachusetts. This support included preparing sampling and analysis plans, collecting fish samples, processing fish tissue for mercury analyses, developing mercury critical body residues and wildlife toxicity reference values for various tissues and receptors for use in the baseline ERA, reviewing and commenting on the baseline ERA prepared by a consultant, preparing risk summary tables for use in EPA risk management discussions, performing graphical and statistical analyses of historical fish mercury data collected from the Sudbury River for use in trend analyses, developing a long-term fish monitoring program for the Sudbury River, plotting stable isotope data collected from the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge on the Sudbury River, and reviewing the ecological impacts and benefits of sediment remediation via sand capping.
Moran Tunnel Portal, Butte County, Idaho Prepared a streamlined ecological risk evaluation on behalf of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to determine to what extent exposure to mining-derived contaminants from the Moran Tunnel Portal affected aquatic invertebrates and fish in Champagne Creek. This evaluation helped risk managers determine if conditions warranted cleanup action or if more site-specific data were needed to support defensible and cost-effective remedial decisions. Evaluated the available analytical data to determine what matrices were available for evaluation, how many data points existed for each matrix, where the samples were collected in relation to the portal and within Champagne Creek, and what analytical detection limits were available for non-detected values. Used this evaluation to develop a conceptual site model to show primary and secondary contaminant sources, major exposure pathways, and key aquatic community-level receptor groups of concern. Summarized the findings in a report and also derived preliminary remediation goals for surface water and sediment to support recommendations to BLM for collecting more samples to increase the accuracy and decrease the uncertainties in a follow-up ERA.
Literature Review on the Effects of Exposure to Crude Oils on Salmon Species, New Jersey Organized and coordinated a literature search, summarized toxicity data from 150+ studies, entered information into a database management system, and summarized the findings for inclusion in a technical report. This information was used for legal support in Exxon Valdez spill litigation.
Development of Trout-Specific Hardness-Dependent Toxicity Thresholds, EPA Region 8, Colorado Evaluated acute and chronic laboratory toxicity studies to provide evidence of a stressor-response relationship between water hardness and aluminum, cadmium, copper, and zinc. Performed a literature search focused on four trout species (i.e., brook trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout, and rainbow trout) to establish protective threshold metal concentrations in surface water to inform risk management decisions at mining sites. Data sources included surface water criteria documents, EPA’s Ecotox database, and peer-reviewed journal articles. Pertinent information from each study was captured in a database and included organism parameters (length, weight, life stage), water quality characteristics (pH, hardness, alkalinity, temperature), design specifications (exposure duration, exposure type, method of chemical analysis), and toxicity endpoints. EPA used this information to interpret the surface water analytical data collected from a large mining site.
Review of Published Literature on Bioavailability of Soil Contaminants to Terrestrial Receptors, New Jersey Organized literature search, obtained 150+ technical papers and coordinated reading assignments with team members, summarized information into a database, developed technical summaries, and coordinated report writing. The report was published as a book chapter.
Derivation of Surface Water Benchmarks, Massachusetts Performed a literature review on four chlorinated solvents to compile comprehensive acute and chronic aquatic toxicity data sets. Used the data to calculate surface water benchmarks based on EPA-approved calculation methods. The benchmarks served to derive groundwater cleanup goals protective of aquatic receptors at a Superfund site.
Environmental Toxicity of Mercury, Ashland, Massachusetts Obtained 300+ papers to develop a database on the toxicity of mercury to aquatic and terrestrial ecological receptors. This effort included deriving critical body residues for fish, crayfish, birds, and mammals and calculating toxicity reference values for mercury in wildlife receptors. This work was used in an ERA to characterize the impacts of mercury historically released to the Sudbury River from nearby Superfund site in Massachusetts.
Ecotoxicity of Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) to Mammals and Birds, Nationwide Performed a literature search to summarize data on the sub-chronic and chronic toxicity of PFOS and PFOA to mammals and birds. The toxicity endpoints of interest were no-effect and effect doses affecting mortality, growth, or reproduction, and the no-effect and effect PFOS and PFOA residues in liver and kidneys for use in deriving mammalian critical body residues for these two organs associated with mortality, growth, and reproduction.
Proposed Part 158 Data Requirements and Cost Estimates for Study Guidelines, EPA, Office of Pesticide Programs Provided ecotoxicity cost data to support EPA in calculating the cost changes associated with the proposed Part 158 regulation development. The work included becoming familiar with 40+ different pesticide fate and effects testing guidelines and protocols, contacting commercial laboratories across the U.S. to obtain a range of cost estimates for each test, and summarizing the cost data in a technical memorandum to EPA.
Revision of Lipid and Organic Carbon Databases for Ambient Water Quality Criteria Derivation, EPA, Office of Water Spearheaded efforts to update the list of fish and invertebrate species commonly consumed in the United States, identified representative diets for target fish species, estimated and compared trophic levels for target species, and coordinated a literature search to locate data on tissue lipid contents.
Determination of Average Mercury Concentrations in Fish Tissues, EPA, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards As part of a national analysis to assess the health benefits of proposed mercury emission reductions., coordinated efforts to geocode and map 45,000+ mercury concentrations in fish obtained from the National Listing of Fish and Wildlife Advisories Mercury Fish Tissue Database; developed a method to weigh the average fish mercury concentration in terms of fish trophic level, recreational consumption patterns, and minimum legal size; critically reviewed the Office of Water’s Mercury Maps model to evaluate its usefulness for the national benefits analysis and suggested ways to improve the modeling approach to support our efforts.
Mining Support
Sugar Loaf Mining District (Venture Mine and Welsh Mine Complex), Colorado On behalf of the Bureau of Land Management, reviewed the historical setting of this mine complex, local ecological resources, past environmental sampling efforts, and the available analytical data sets for surface water, sediment, and soil. Used this information to write a data summary and data gap report. Used the available data to write a streamlined aquatic ecological risk assessment in support of an engineering evaluation and cost analysis for this site.
Callahan Mine Superfund Site, Cape Rosier, Maine Supported EPA in interpreting the ecological impacts from past and ongoing releases of mining-related wastes to Goose Pond, a tidally-influenced estuary. These efforts consisted of preparing a baseline ecological risk assessment (BERA) work plan; providing technical comments on the BERA prepared by an outside consultant; providing technical support to EPA on an inter-agency work group formed to guide the BERA process; developing sediment preliminary remediation goals using the results of a site-specific sediment toxicity testing program; and reviewing and amending the ecological components of the record of decision for this site.
Three Mining Sites in Historic Vermont Copper Belt, Eastern Vermont Provided EPA with multiyear support at three copper mine Superfund sites. Provided ERA support to the multiagency Vermont Copper Mines work group (i.e., EPA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [USFWS], U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and U.S. Geological Survey) charged with coordinating, planning, executing, and interpreting the ERAs at the three mining sites. Prepared data gap analysis reports to summarize existing analytical data sets and identify future data needs to complete the ERAs. Presented a summary to the work group on the toxicity test results, site-specific conceptual site models, and proposed assessment and measurement endpoints for evaluation in the ERAs. Identified the studies required to provide the data needed for the future ERAs, and wrote two ERAs for review by the work group. Reviewed and commented on two ERAs prepared by consultants for two of the mines and prepared risk summaries to help EPA focus on the major risk drivers, critical exposure routes, and impacted receptor groups. This technical support helped EPA streamline its internal risk management decision-making process.
Sunrise #3 Mill Site, Joshua Tree National Park, California Conducted an ERA on behalf of the National Park Service (NPS) for terrestrial habitats affected by historical mill tailings. Earthworms were exposed to tailings samples in the laboratory to assess soil toxicity and provide metal worm tissue data to calculate realistic wildlife exposures. Small rodents were trapped on and around the tailings piles for whole-animal residue analysis to provide metal tissue data and estimate exposures to a carnivorous small bird and a carnivorous small mammal via wildlife exposure modeling. Used the outcome of the ERA to identify the risk drivers and derive site-specific soil preliminary remediation goals protective of the local receptor groups. NPS evaluated this approach to determine its application to 13 other mining sites located throughout the park.
Moran Tunnel Portal, Butte County, Idaho Prepared a streamlined ecological risk evaluation on behalf of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to determine to what extent exposure to mining-derived contaminants from the Moran Tunnel Portal affected aquatic invertebrates and fish in Champagne Creek. This evaluation helped risk managers determine if conditions warranted cleanup action or if more site-specific data were needed to support defensible and cost-effective remedial decisions. Evaluated the available analytical data to determine what matrices were available for evaluation, how many data points existed for each matrix, where the samples were collected in relation to the portal and within Champagne Creek, and what analytical detection limits were available for non-detected values. Used this evaluation to develop a conceptual site model to show primary and secondary contaminant sources, major exposure pathways, and key aquatic community-level receptor groups of concern. Summarized the findings in a report and also derived preliminary remediation goals for surface water and sediment to support recommendations to BLM for collecting more samples to increase the accuracy and decrease the uncertainties in a follow-up ERA.
Automated Contaminant Toxicity Screening Spreadsheets, Nationwide Developed linked Excel spreadsheets to allow for quick and automated screening of surface water, sediment, and soil analytical data for 12 metals in 25 samples at a time. EPA used the spreadsheets to screen analytical data from multiple mining sites and help prioritize follow-up investigations and risk assessments.
Technical Writing
Impacts of Thermal Effluent on a State-Designated Trout Stream, New York As part of a relicensing action, a confidential electric utility client requested support to understand the impacts of high surface water temperatures on trout in a creek receiving the facility’s thermal effluent. Researched the approach developed by the state to assign “trout stream” status. The review showed that the creek received the state’s lowest-possible stream rating because it 1) could not support a year-round trout population either via natural reproduction or annual stocking, and 2) would allow survival of stocked trout for only 6 weeks in early spring (April–May) before natural increases in surface water temperatures made further survival impossible. Also, regardless of these considerations, the state did not stock the affected creek segment with trout because of jurisdictional issues. Concluded that the excessive summer temperatures from thermal effluent in the receiving creek could not affect trout that were absent in the first place. The client successfully argued with the state regulatory agency that its thermal effluent had no impact on trout populations.
Atlantic Salmon Smolt Mortality from Dam Passage, Maine As part of the permit renewal process for a hydroelectric dam on the Penobscot River in Maine, compared a supplemental filing for the 24-hour downstream dam-passage criterion for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) smolts against a published dam passage smolt survival model developed specifically for the Penobscot River. The review identified several technical issues with applying the results of the published dam passage model to the site-specific dam that required further clarification and elaboration in the permit.
Effects of Proposed Desalination Plant Effluent on Estuarine Fish Populations, Texas As part of a legal case, performed in-depth evaluations of the life cycles of more than two dozen estuarine fish species to obtain a contested effluent permit for a proposed large desalination plant on the U.S. Gulf Coast. The goal was to quantify the degree and intensity of exposure on four different life stages (i.e., fertilized eggs, larvae, juveniles, and adults) to modeled effluent salinity concentrations in the receiving waters by accounting for life stage-specific daily and seasonal migration patterns through a large estuarine system. The effort also included reviewing the published literature to obtain salinity tolerance data for sensitive early life stages of estuarine fish. The evaluation showed conclusively that any effects from exposure to the increased effluent salinity would be brief, spatially limited, and nonlethal. The court accepted our argument and allowed the permit to be issued.
Evaluate Impingement and Entrainment of a Water Intake Structure for a Proposed Desalination Plant, Texas As part of a water intake permit, characterized the potential for impingement and entrainment of a water intake structure placed in the Gulf of Mexico to provide 150 million gallons per day of feed water to a proposed desalination plant. This work involved 1) creating a comprehensive list of aquatic invertebrate and vertebrate species present in the target area, 2) identifying essential fish habitats, highly-migratory species, managed fish species, threatened and endangered species, most-abundant species, and “fragile” species, and 3) evaluating the potential for impingement and entrainment for a subset of these species based on biological considerations, regulatory concerns, intake design and location, and measured densities of early life stages. This study was included in a permit application submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for review.
Fish Community Assessment, Rhode Island Wrote a report in support of a predesign investigation at a Superfund site to describe the fish community observed at and downstream of the site as compared to the fish community present in upstream reference areas. The community consisted of warm-water species with intermediate-to-high tolerance to anthropogenic stressors. The analysis was based on calculating an index of biotic integrity (IBI) for each of the site-affected and upstream sampling areas. The IBI scores showed that the structure and function of the fish communities in the site-affected areas were substantially similar to those measured in the upstream reference study areas. EPA will use this information to inform a long-term monitoring program to measure the recovery of the local fish community after the contaminated sediments in the site-affected sections of the river have been dredged.
Evaluation of Fish Tissue Analytical Data, Rhode Island Assessed the fish tissue analytical data for adult American eels, largemouth bass, and white suckers collected from two upstream reference ponded areas and two site-affected ponded areas on a river in Rhode Island. The data evaluation consisted of 1) determining if the concentrations of contaminants of concern (COCs) measured in the samples collected from four ponded areas exceeded fish tissue benchmarks, 2) using statistical testing to determine if the COC concentrations in the fish samples collected from the two upstream reference ponded areas differed significantly from each other, or could be pooled, and 3) determining via statistical testing if the COC concentrations in the fish samples collected from the two site-affected ponded areas differed significantly from those measured in tissue samples obtained from the upstream reference ponded areas. The data evaluation also assessed the condition factors for the three fish species and a regression analysis of COC concentrations versus fish length. Wrote a report describing the data analyses and the outcome of the evaluations. EPA will use this information as part of a long-term monitoring program to gauge the post-remediation recovery of contaminant levels in fish tissues collected from the two mitigated site-affected ponded areas.
Population Modeling to Predict the Effects of Pesticide Exposure on Brook Trout Created a parameterized population model (RAMAS Software for Population Modeling) using published data on the long-term reproductive success and survival of a healthy brook trout (S. fontinalis) population in a Midwestern stream to estimate the sustainability of brook trout under hypothetical exposures to a pesticide. This study was published as a technical appendix in a book titled Ecological Modeling in Risk Assessment: Chemical Effects on Populations, Ecosystems, and Landscapes.
Sugar Loaf Mining District (Venture Mine and Welsh Mine Complex), Colorado On behalf of the Bureau of Land Management, reviewed the historical setting of this mine complex, local ecological resources, past environmental sampling efforts, and the available analytical data sets for surface water, sediment, and soil. Used this information to write a data summary and data gap report. Used the available data to write a streamlined aquatic ecological risk assessment in support of an engineering evaluation and cost analysis for this site.
Callahan Mine Superfund Site, Cape Rosier, Maine Supported EPA in interpreting the ecological impacts from past and ongoing releases of mining-related wastes to Goose Pond, a tidally-influenced estuary. These efforts consisted of preparing a baseline ecological risk assessment (BERA) work plan; providing technical comments on the BERA prepared by an outside consultant; providing technical support to EPA on an inter-agency work group formed to guide the BERA process; developing sediment preliminary remediation goals using the results of a site-specific sediment toxicity testing program; and reviewing and amending the ecological components of the record of decision for this site.
Five-Year Reviews of Ecological Risk Issues at Landfill Superfund Sites On behalf of EPA, assessed the continued protection of past remedial actions on ecological receptors at the Barkhamsted-New Hartford Landfill Superfund Site (Barkhamsted, Connecticut), the Beacon Heights Landfill Superfund Site (Beacon Falls, Connecticut), and the Rose Disposal Pit Superfund Site (Lanesborough, Massachusetts). These efforts consisted of reviewing the historical records for each of these sites, which included remedial investigations, ecological risk assessment reports, feasibility studies, records of decision, health assessment reports, and previous five-year review reports. Used these sources of information to summarize the site histories, identify potential ecological risk issues, and identify data gaps and ecological concerns to be addressed as part of the following five-year review cycle.
Peterson Puritan Landfill Superfund Site, Rhode Island On behalf of EPA, prepared a baseline ecological risk assessment for the Blackstone River and associated ponded and riparian habitats potentially affected by releases from the landfill. The evaluation was based on analytical chemistry data (surface water, sediment, soil), benthic invertebrate sediment toxicity test results, benthic invertebrate and fish community surveys, tissue analyses of fish collected from the Blackstone River, and wildlife food chain modeling. Used multiple lines of evidence to identify the presence of ecological risk to local receptor groups.
Three Mining Sites in Historic Vermont Copper Belt, Eastern Vermont Provided EPA with multiyear support at three copper mine Superfund sites. Provided ERA support to the multiagency Vermont Copper Mines work group (i.e., EPA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [USFWS], U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and U.S. Geological Survey) charged with coordinating, planning, executing, and interpreting the ERAs at the three mining sites. Prepared data gap analysis reports to summarize existing analytical data sets and identify future data needs to complete the ERAs. Presented a summary to the work group on the toxicity test results, site-specific conceptual site models, and proposed assessment and measurement endpoints for evaluation in the ERAs. Identified the studies required to provide the data needed for the future ERAs, and wrote two ERAs for review by the work group. Reviewed and commented on two ERAs prepared by consultants for two of the mines and prepared risk summaries to help EPA focus on the major risk drivers, critical exposure routes, and impacted receptor groups. This technical support helped EPA streamline its internal risk management decision-making process.
Former Air Force Plant No. 51 State Superfund Site (on behalf of New York State Department of Environmental Conservation [NYSDEC]), Greece, New York Developed a Phase I fish and wildlife impact analysis for offsite wetlands. Purpose was to identify sensitive habitats, listed state and federal species, site-specific and regional contaminant sources, known and expected ecological receptors, potential exposure pathways, the value of the habitats to their associated fauna, the value of the resources to humans, and a list of all the state and federal fish, wildlife, and habitat-specific regulatory criteria applicable to this site (i.e., applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements). NYSDEC used this information to determine the need to perform a baseline ERA at this site.
Impact Assessment of Polychlorinated Naphthalenes (PCNs) in Aquatic and Terrestrial Environments (on behalf of NYSDEC), Union Springs, New York Summarized the soil, sediment, surface water, and groundwater PCN analytical data collected offsite from a state RCRA facility; determined the general physical and chemical properties of the nine PCN classes; and identified or developed PCN toxicity benchmarks for surface water, sediment, soil, groundwater, and homegrown vegetables protective of human health and aquatic receptor groups for use in the risk evaluation. Concluded that the frequency of detection and concentrations of PCNs measured in the offsite samples were not a concern to human health or ecological community-level receptors.
Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund Site, Silverton, Colorado Invited by EPA to participate in the Biological Technical Assistance Group for the Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund site in Colorado. Wrote the aquatic ERA for the lower reach of the Animas River, developed an ERA work plan for the upper reach, and wrote a terrestrial ERA for this large site. In addition, led a team that statistically analyzed and graphed the metal levels measured in surface water samples collected from the Animas River before, during, and after the August 5, 2015, Gold King Mine spill, which released 3 million gallons of contaminated mine sludge. EPA used the results of these analyses to determine the need to collect post-spill samples in support of an updated Animas River ERA.
Sunrise #3 Mill Site, Joshua Tree National Park, California Conducted an ERA on behalf of the National Park Service (NPS) for terrestrial habitats affected by historical mill tailings. Earthworms were exposed to tailings samples in the laboratory to assess soil toxicity and provide metal worm tissue data to calculate realistic wildlife exposures. Small rodents were trapped on and around the tailings piles for whole-animal residue analysis to provide metal tissue data and estimate exposures to a carnivorous small bird and a carnivorous small mammal via wildlife exposure modeling. Used the outcome of the ERA to identify the risk drivers and derive site-specific soil preliminary remediation goals protective of the local receptor groups. NPS evaluated this approach to determine its application to 13 other mining sites located throughout the park.
Sudbury River, Nyanza Chemical Superfund Site, Ashland, Massachusetts Supported EPA for 15 years to assess the ecological impacts of mercury in the Sudbury River in eastern Massachusetts. This support included preparing sampling and analysis plans, collecting fish samples, processing fish tissue for mercury analyses, developing mercury critical body residues and wildlife toxicity reference values for various tissues and receptors for use in the baseline ERA, reviewing and commenting on the baseline ERA prepared by a consultant, preparing risk summary tables for use in EPA risk management discussions, performing graphical and statistical analyses of historical fish mercury data collected from the Sudbury River for use in trend analyses, developing a long-term fish monitoring program for the Sudbury River, plotting stable isotope data collected from the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge on the Sudbury River, and reviewing the ecological impacts and benefits of sediment remediation via sand capping.
Diesel Fuel Spill, Willard Bay State Park, Utah Wrote an ERA for the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (UDEQ) to assess post-remedial risks from residual diesel fuel in wetland sediment following a pipeline spill at Willard Bay State Park located next to the Great Salt Lake in Ogden, Utah. The responsible party collected sediment porewater samples and used solid phase microextraction (SPME) to remove the PAHs from each sample. The SPME fibers were then analyzed for 34 dissolved PAHs consisting of 18 parent PAHs and 16 alkylated daughter PAHs. Converted the PAH analytical results from each porewater sample into toxic units (TU = measured concentration/final chronic value) and then summed the PAH-specific TUs across the 34 PAHs to calculate a sample-specific TU PAH34. Based on agreement between UDEQ and the responsible party, interpreted a TU PAH34 of 1.0 or less as falling below a “no-effect” toxicity threshold and a TU PAH34 of 5.0 or above as exceeding a “low-effect” threshold. This approach identified potential risk in several of the remediated sediment samples, which resulted in additional investigations to address these “hot spots.”
Moran Tunnel Portal, Butte County, Idaho Prepared a streamlined ecological risk evaluation on behalf of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to determine to what extent exposure to mining-derived contaminants from the Moran Tunnel Portal affected aquatic invertebrates and fish in Champagne Creek. This evaluation helped risk managers determine if conditions warranted cleanup action or if more site-specific data were needed to support defensible and cost-effective remedial decisions. Evaluated the available analytical data to determine what matrices were available for evaluation, how many data points existed for each matrix, where the samples were collected in relation to the portal and within Champagne Creek, and what analytical detection limits were available for non-detected values. Used this evaluation to develop a conceptual site model to show primary and secondary contaminant sources, major exposure pathways, and key aquatic community-level receptor groups of concern. Summarized the findings in a report and also derived preliminary remediation goals for surface water and sediment to support recommendations to BLM for collecting more samples to increase the accuracy and decrease the uncertainties in a follow-up ERA.
Literature Review on the Effects of Exposure to Crude Oils on Salmon Species, New Jersey Organized and coordinated a literature search, summarized toxicity data from 150+ studies, entered information into a database management system, and summarized the findings for inclusion in a technical report. This information was used for legal support in Exxon Valdez spill litigation.
Review of Published Literature on Bioavailability of Soil Contaminants to Terrestrial Receptors, New Jersey Organized literature search, obtained 150+ technical papers and coordinated reading assignments with team members, summarized information into a database, developed technical summaries, and coordinated report writing. The report was published as a book chapter.
Assessment of Soil Contaminant Bioavailability, Montreal, Canada Designed a study to assess toxicity of weathered petroleum in soils. Organized sampling activities, coordinated analytical and biological testing, selected test species and protocols, performed data analyses, and wrote a paper. Study results showed that weathering lowered bioavailability and toxicity.
Regulatory Impact Analysis for Groundwater Pesticide Management Plan Rule, EPA, Office of Pesticide Programs Assessed the potential impacts of exposure to four pesticides (atrazine, simazine, alachlor, and metolachlor) on algae, invertebrates, and fish in Midwestern streams. This work included performing a literature search to obtain data on the aquatic toxicity of the target pesticides; estimating a range of pesticide concentrations in receiving streams based on surface runoff and groundwater recharge data; and quantifying the effects of exposure to the target pesticides to ecological receptors. Received written commendation from the client for this effort.
Regulatory Impact Analysis for Metal Plating and Manufacturing (MP&M) Rule, EPA, Office of Water Collected and summarized data on the fate (biodegradation, volatilization, bioaccumulation, sedimentation) and effects (carcinogenicity, systemic toxicity, ecotoxicity) of 150+ pollutants detected in MP&M effluents. Ranked and categorized the data based on established criteria to assess the overall impact of each pollutant on human health and the environment. This information formed the basis of a benefits analysis in support of the MP&M regulatory impact analysis.
Confined Animal Feeding Operations, EPA, Office of Policy Developed a risk-based framework to analyze the potential ecological effects of different animal waste management practices. This effort included selecting appropriate ecotoxicological endpoints for each constituent of concern; identifying and delineating important knowledge gaps needed to quantify effects; and coauthoring a report to outline the proposed assessment strategies and recommend future research needs.
Support 316(b) Rule Making, EPA, Office of Water Assessed the effects of impingement and entrainment by cooling water intake structures (CWIS) on aquatic biological resources. This work included designing an approach using physico-chemical, biological, and site-specific parameters to rank facilities for potential effects to aquatic receptors; developing two case studies for use in quantifying the impacts of CWIS to local ecosystems; identifying and quantifying the effects of CWIS on threatened and endangered aquatic species; and writing technical chapters in support of the biological assessments associated with the rule.
Proposed Part 158 Data Requirements and Cost Estimates for Study Guidelines, EPA, Office of Pesticide Programs Provided ecotoxicity cost data to support EPA in calculating the cost changes associated with the proposed Part 158 regulation development. The work included becoming familiar with 40+ different pesticide fate and effects testing guidelines and protocols, contacting commercial laboratories across the U.S. to obtain a range of cost estimates for each test, and summarizing the cost data in a technical memorandum to EPA.
Statistical Analysis
Evaluation of Fish Tissue Analytical Data, Rhode Island Assessed the fish tissue analytical data for adult American eels, largemouth bass, and white suckers collected from two upstream reference ponded areas and two site-affected ponded areas on a river in Rhode Island. The data evaluation consisted of 1) determining if the concentrations of contaminants of concern (COCs) measured in the samples collected from four ponded areas exceeded fish tissue benchmarks, 2) using statistical testing to determine if the COC concentrations in the fish samples collected from the two upstream reference ponded areas differed significantly from each other, or could be pooled, and 3) determining via statistical testing if the COC concentrations in the fish samples collected from the two site-affected ponded areas differed significantly from those measured in tissue samples obtained from the upstream reference ponded areas. The data evaluation also assessed the condition factors for the three fish species and a regression analysis of COC concentrations versus fish length. Wrote a report describing the data analyses and the outcome of the evaluations. EPA will use this information as part of a long-term monitoring program to gauge the post-remediation recovery of contaminant levels in fish tissues collected from the two mitigated site-affected ponded areas.
Fish Toxicity Testing Quantified the survival and growth of embryo-larval rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) exposed in the laboratory to river water collected at multiple sites affected by unregulated metal-laced and mining-derived effluent. These short-term tests lasted from 96 to 168 hours and followed strict laboratory protocols. Processed the toxicity data using statistical software to derive species-specific no‑observed-effect concentrations, lowest-observed-effect concentrations, and the effect concentrations affecting 50 percent of the test organisms. Included the results of these tests as independent lines of evidence in support of baseline ecological risk assessments at several mining sites.
Fish Long-Term Monitoring Program Performed extensive statistical and graphical data analyses of mercury residue data in fish collected over a 25-year period from the mercury-contaminated Sudbury River in eastern Massachusetts. Used this large body of data to develop a defensible fish long-term monitoring program focused on largemouth bass on behalf of EPA’s Superfund program.
Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund Site, Silverton, Colorado Invited by EPA to participate in the Biological Technical Assistance Group for the Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund site in Colorado. Wrote the aquatic ERA for the lower reach of the Animas River, developed an ERA work plan for the upper reach, and wrote a terrestrial ERA for this large site. In addition, led a team that statistically analyzed and graphed the metal levels measured in surface water samples collected from the Animas River before, during, and after the August 5, 2015, Gold King Mine spill, which released 3 million gallons of contaminated mine sludge. EPA used the results of these analyses to determine the need to collect post-spill samples in support of an updated Animas River ERA.
Sudbury River, Nyanza Chemical Superfund Site, Ashland, Massachusetts Supported EPA for 15 years to assess the ecological impacts of mercury in the Sudbury River in eastern Massachusetts. This support included preparing sampling and analysis plans, collecting fish samples, processing fish tissue for mercury analyses, developing mercury critical body residues and wildlife toxicity reference values for various tissues and receptors for use in the baseline ERA, reviewing and commenting on the baseline ERA prepared by a consultant, preparing risk summary tables for use in EPA risk management discussions, performing graphical and statistical analyses of historical fish mercury data collected from the Sudbury River for use in trend analyses, developing a long-term fish monitoring program for the Sudbury River, plotting stable isotope data collected from the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge on the Sudbury River, and reviewing the ecological impacts and benefits of sediment remediation via sand capping.
Industrial Wastewater
State Certification for a Private Laboratory to Test the Ecotoxicity of Effluents for Regulatory Compliance, New Jersey Coordinated the ecotoxicity testing program; conveyed agency requirements to the laboratory; provided technical oversight during the testing; summarized data and reported results to the state. Client obtained certification to test refinery effluents toxicity for NPDES purposes.
Litigation Support
Effects of Proposed Desalination Plant Effluent on Estuarine Fish Populations, Texas As part of a legal case, performed in-depth evaluations of the life cycles of more than two dozen estuarine fish species to obtain a contested effluent permit for a proposed large desalination plant on the U.S. Gulf Coast. The goal was to quantify the degree and intensity of exposure on four different life stages (i.e., fertilized eggs, larvae, juveniles, and adults) to modeled effluent salinity concentrations in the receiving waters by accounting for life stage-specific daily and seasonal migration patterns through a large estuarine system. The effort also included reviewing the published literature to obtain salinity tolerance data for sensitive early life stages of estuarine fish. The evaluation showed conclusively that any effects from exposure to the increased effluent salinity would be brief, spatially limited, and nonlethal. The court accepted our argument and allowed the permit to be issued.
Evaluate Impingement and Entrainment of a Water Intake Structure for a Proposed Desalination Plant, Texas As part of a water intake permit, characterized the potential for impingement and entrainment of a water intake structure placed in the Gulf of Mexico to provide 150 million gallons per day of feed water to a proposed desalination plant. This work involved 1) creating a comprehensive list of aquatic invertebrate and vertebrate species present in the target area, 2) identifying essential fish habitats, highly-migratory species, managed fish species, threatened and endangered species, most-abundant species, and “fragile” species, and 3) evaluating the potential for impingement and entrainment for a subset of these species based on biological considerations, regulatory concerns, intake design and location, and measured densities of early life stages. This study was included in a permit application submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for review.
Literature Review on the Effects of Exposure to Crude Oils on Salmon Species, New Jersey Organized and coordinated a literature search, summarized toxicity data from 150+ studies, entered information into a database management system, and summarized the findings for inclusion in a technical report. This information was used for legal support in Exxon Valdez spill litigation.
NRDA For Oil Spills
Literature Review on the Effects of Exposure to Crude Oils on Salmon Species, New Jersey Organized and coordinated a literature search, summarized toxicity data from 150+ studies, entered information into a database management system, and summarized the findings for inclusion in a technical report. This information was used for legal support in Exxon Valdez spill litigation.
Data Quality Assurance
Data Quality in a Soil Ecotoxicity Testing Program, Montreal, Canada In response to a contract laboratory’s inability to generate quality soil ecotoxicity data on bioremediated soils, reviewed all protocols and data packages, identified protocol deviations, and designed a program to flag sources of error. Client and contract laboratory agreed with findings and implemented the suggested testing program. High quality data were generated and submitted to the agency on time.
PFAS
Ecotoxicity of Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) to Mammals and Birds, Nationwide Performed a literature search to summarize data on the sub-chronic and chronic toxicity of PFOS and PFOA to mammals and birds. The toxicity endpoints of interest were no-effect and effect doses affecting mortality, growth, or reproduction, and the no-effect and effect PFOS and PFOA residues in liver and kidneys for use in deriving mammalian critical body residues for these two organs associated with mortality, growth, and reproduction.
Ecological Modeling
Modeling to Predict Brook Trout Densities in Mountain Streams in Response to Surface Water Acidification, Southern Appalachian Mountain Initiative Reviewed the literature to identify fishery surveys in brook trout streams affected by acidic deposition. Selected a study to develop a multivariate regression model to predict brook trout densities based on the acid neutralizing capacity in streams. The trout model used the output generated by the Model of Acidification of Groundwater in Catchments (MAGIC) to generate input used in a regional recreational fishing analysis to quantify the economic benefits of reduced sulfur and nitrogen emissions.
Superfund Integrated Cost–Benefit Model (SICM), EPA, Office of Policy Investigated the feasibility of modeling ecological risks and quantifying ecological benefits of site remediation in support of SICM. Efforts included reviewing existing EPA guidance documents on ERAs, identifying relevant endpoints and potential approaches applicable across Superfund sites, and investigating the availability of analytical, ecotoxicological, and biological data from EPA’s records of decision to support modeling efforts.
Groundwater Monitoring
Winthrop Landfill Superfund Site, Maine On behalf of EPA, evaluated ecological impacts of arsenic accumulation in fish associated with the Annabessacook Lake and Hoyt Brook seep areas, both of which release arsenic-contaminated groundwater from the nearby Winthrop Landfill Superfund Site. The work consisted of 1) using literature data to derive defensible uptake factors for arsenic in fish, 2) calculating arsenic surface water exposure concentrations using long-term monitoring data collected from the two seep areas, 3) estimating a range of arsenic levels in fish exposed at the two seep areas based on the surface water exposures and the calculated uptake factors, and 4) determining if those estimated fish tissue levels exceeded published fish critical body residues. The evaluation concluded that arsenic accumulation in fish exposed at the two seep areas would not affect the local fish populations.
Environmental Monitoring
Five-Year Reviews of Ecological Risk Issues at Landfill Superfund Sites On behalf of EPA, assessed the continued protection of past remedial actions on ecological receptors at the Barkhamsted-New Hartford Landfill Superfund Site (Barkhamsted, Connecticut), the Beacon Heights Landfill Superfund Site (Beacon Falls, Connecticut), and the Rose Disposal Pit Superfund Site (Lanesborough, Massachusetts). These efforts consisted of reviewing the historical records for each of these sites, which included remedial investigations, ecological risk assessment reports, feasibility studies, records of decision, health assessment reports, and previous five-year review reports. Used these sources of information to summarize the site histories, identify potential ecological risk issues, and identify data gaps and ecological concerns to be addressed as part of the following five-year review cycle.
Saco Tannery Waste Pits Superfund Site, Maine This site contained several capped waste lagoons to secure chromium-contaminated tanning process wastes. Previous sediment collection efforts in nearby Stuart Brook identified chromium levels above applicable cleanup goals. Participated in a site visit to identify sediment sampling locations in the brook upstream, adjacent, and downstream from an active seep next to the waste lagoons. Developed a sampling and analysis plan to collect sediment samples for chemical analyses and toxicity testing to determine if ecological impacts existed in Stuart Brook. Also coauthored the sediment toxicity test report, and interpreted the test results and the analytical chemistry data. Identified the groundwater seep as a source of chromium even though chromium levels in brook sediment did not differ from background, nor did the toxicity test results identify ecological concerns. EPA used the results to apply an engineering solution to the seep, but without concerns about impacts of the seep to the stream.
Environmental Modeling
Population Modeling to Predict the Effects of Pesticide Exposure on Brook Trout Created a parameterized population model (RAMAS Software for Population Modeling) using published data on the long-term reproductive success and survival of a healthy brook trout (S. fontinalis) population in a Midwestern stream to estimate the sustainability of brook trout under hypothetical exposures to a pesticide. This study was published as a technical appendix in a book titled Ecological Modeling in Risk Assessment: Chemical Effects on Populations, Ecosystems, and Landscapes.
Ecological Restoration
Post-mitigation Wetland Habitat Reconstruction Support, Rhode Island A 30-acre wetland was scheduled for excavation to remove contaminated sediment and floodplain soil at a Superfund site. The wetland was surveyed as part of the predesign investigation. With close input from EPA, identified 37 species of invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals known or expected to be present in these wetlands; determined specific habitat requirements for different life stages of each target species; and prepared a matrix showing the particular aquatic and terrestrial habitat needs of each species and life stage. This information was used by the habitat mitigation team to incorporate as many species-specific habitat features as possible in the design plans in order to attract and retain the 37 target species in the future rehabilitated wetlands.
Wetlands
Post-mitigation Wetland Habitat Reconstruction Support, Rhode Island A 30-acre wetland was scheduled for excavation to remove contaminated sediment and floodplain soil at a Superfund site. The wetland was surveyed as part of the predesign investigation. With close input from EPA, identified 37 species of invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals known or expected to be present in these wetlands; determined specific habitat requirements for different life stages of each target species; and prepared a matrix showing the particular aquatic and terrestrial habitat needs of each species and life stage. This information was used by the habitat mitigation team to incorporate as many species-specific habitat features as possible in the design plans in order to attract and retain the 37 target species in the future rehabilitated wetlands.
Former Air Force Plant No. 51 State Superfund Site (on behalf of New York State Department of Environmental Conservation [NYSDEC]), Greece, New York Developed a Phase I fish and wildlife impact analysis for offsite wetlands. Purpose was to identify sensitive habitats, listed state and federal species, site-specific and regional contaminant sources, known and expected ecological receptors, potential exposure pathways, the value of the habitats to their associated fauna, the value of the resources to humans, and a list of all the state and federal fish, wildlife, and habitat-specific regulatory criteria applicable to this site (i.e., applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements). NYSDEC used this information to determine the need to perform a baseline ERA at this site.
Identification of Vernal Pools, Bridgeport, Connecticut In response to the site owner proposing sampling of 11 wetland-type depressions for only soil contamination as part of a remedial investigation, performed a site visit and showed that these habitats had vernal pool attributes. Advised EPA to request that the site owner perform a spring survey of these potential vernal pool habitats. The ensuing report showed that 8 of the 11 depressions were certifiable vernal pools supporting obligate species (e.g., fairy shrimp, wood frogs). These habitats received full regulatory protection in the ensuing ERA.
Project Management
Effects of Proposed Desalination Plant Effluent on Estuarine Fish Populations, Texas As part of a legal case, performed in-depth evaluations of the life cycles of more than two dozen estuarine fish species to obtain a contested effluent permit for a proposed large desalination plant on the U.S. Gulf Coast. The goal was to quantify the degree and intensity of exposure on four different life stages (i.e., fertilized eggs, larvae, juveniles, and adults) to modeled effluent salinity concentrations in the receiving waters by accounting for life stage-specific daily and seasonal migration patterns through a large estuarine system. The effort also included reviewing the published literature to obtain salinity tolerance data for sensitive early life stages of estuarine fish. The evaluation showed conclusively that any effects from exposure to the increased effluent salinity would be brief, spatially limited, and nonlethal. The court accepted our argument and allowed the permit to be issued.
Evaluate Impingement and Entrainment of a Water Intake Structure for a Proposed Desalination Plant, Texas As part of a water intake permit, characterized the potential for impingement and entrainment of a water intake structure placed in the Gulf of Mexico to provide 150 million gallons per day of feed water to a proposed desalination plant. This work involved 1) creating a comprehensive list of aquatic invertebrate and vertebrate species present in the target area, 2) identifying essential fish habitats, highly-migratory species, managed fish species, threatened and endangered species, most-abundant species, and “fragile” species, and 3) evaluating the potential for impingement and entrainment for a subset of these species based on biological considerations, regulatory concerns, intake design and location, and measured densities of early life stages. This study was included in a permit application submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for review.
