6.5.2 800 Area Characterization




The 800 Area RCRA RFI addresses 11 SWMUs, two environmental AOCs, and one area suspected of containing a former solid waste disposal area. The 800 Area RFI included a field program of soil boring, installation and sampling of ground water monitoring and leachate wells, surface water and sediment sampling, and geophysical and soil gas surveys.

Analysis of soil samples from the Waste Oil Storage Area detected the presence of SVOCs. The SVOCs detected are all common constituents of fuel and waste oil and include fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[a]fluoranthene, and benzo[a]pyrene. Similar SVOCs were measured in the soil samples from the Waste Oil Satellite Accumulation Area, the area of the Waste Oil Spread on Roads, and the Scrap Metal Storage Area. The detection of VOCs, PCBs, pesticides, and inorganics in these areas was not at levels indicating a significant source of contamination but will be further examined in the next phase of the RFI field work.

Phase I sampling showed that several organic compounds exist in the soil near two removed USTs. Additional Phase II sampling is planned to further define the nature and extent of this contamination. Toluene, acetone, and PCB were detected in the soils in the Building 810 Paint and Solvent Disposal Area. No contamination was found in the groundwater.

In 1995, ANL-E completed the following RFI activities at the 800 Area Landfill: installation of nine new groundwater monitoring wells, installation of four leachate wells in the landfill, and collection of groundwater samples. Analytical results of surface water samples taken in the vicinity of the 800 Area Landfill, the French Drain (Northeast corner), wetland (West side), and leachate seeps indicate no contamination at the time of sampling. Wetland sediments taken at the same locations as surface water samples indicated low levels of pesticides, PCBs, and several SVOCs. A sediment sample taken upstream of the landfill contained low levels of a few organics. SVOCs were also detected. Pesticides were detected from the wetland areas west of the landfill in sediment samples; however, pesticides were also detected in the quality control duplicate sediment sample. PCBs were detected in one sediment sample.

Analytical data from the three leachate wells sampled (one leachate well was dry) showed the presence of VOCs in all three wells (see Figure 6.5; LW02, LW-3, LW04). SVOCs were detected in samples from LW02 and LW03. PCBs were detected only in LW02. No pesticides were detected in any of the leachate wells. Elevated levels of tritium occurred in all the samples from the leachate wells.

Because the 800 Area Landfill and its leachate are a potential source of contamination for the wetland areas and because it is possible that there is a hydrologic connection between the landfill leachate, the groundwater, and the adjacent wetland, additional sampling and detailed water level mapping are planned as future RFI field activities in the 800 Area.



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