Project Description
The Eddy Pump Dredging
Demonstration Project was conducted in September 2000 as part of a continuing
investigation of technologies for dredging and disposal of contaminated
sediments in Indiana Harbor. The project was coordinated by the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers, Chicago District, URS, Ispat-Inland Steel, Roy F. Weston, and the
Eddy Pump dredge company. The dredging demonstration was conducted along
the dock face of Ispat-Inland Steel's Plant 1 dock, at ISPAT Inland Steel, Inc.,
Indiana Harbor Works, located in East Chicago, Indiana. The purpose of the
demonstration project was to obtain information on the operating characteristics
of the Eddy Pump system, a type of hydraulic dredge. In addition to the actual
dredging performance, the dewatering of the dredged material and treatment of
the water removed from the dredged material was also studied. During operation
of the dewatering basin, air data was collected to assess air quality at the
basin.
Purpose of Air Monitoring Study
As part of the Eddy Pump
demonstration, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Chicago District,
conducted air monitoring from August 26, 2000 to November 19, 2001. The
air monitoring was conducted before dredging, during dredging, and after
dredging. The primary purpose of the study was to determine whether
dredging and disposal activities at the dewatering basin have an impact on the
air quality at the site. Air quality data for PCBs, PAHs and VOCs was collected
during the project. Statistical analyses were performed on the data to assess
the impact of activities at the dewatering basin on the air quality at the site.
The study evaluated air monitoring data collected in the vicinity of the
dewatering basin before dredging started (i.e. background air quality data),
during the period when sediment was dredged from Indiana Harbor and discharged
into the dewatering basin, and after dredging was completed.
Data Qualification and Quality Assurance / Quality
Control
A thorough quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) review
of the air monitoring data collected during the Eddy Pump Demonstration is
currently underway. The QA/QC review completed so far has demonstrated that the
air monitoring data posted here may have significant QA/QC deficiencies
for the air monitoring data collected from August 2000 to August 2001.
Potential QA/QC issues include lack of certification for some
sampling cartridges, inadequate sample preservation procedures,
inconsistent flows through sampling cartridges, elevated reporting limits,
field spike problems, and inadequate chain of custody protocol.
USACE is currently investigating the extent to which the data
is impacted by these issues. When the review is complete,
the full QA/QC report will be made available,
along with the remainder of the air monitoring data from
the Eddy Pump Demonstration Project. Until the final QA/QC review is
completed, the data posted here should be considered draft. The data
provided here is posted as part of the Corps' commitment to provide information
regarding the Indiana Harbor and Canal Project to the public, including draft
data.
Descriptions of Chemical Compounds
PolyChlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are mixtures of synthetic
organic chemicals with the same basic chemical structure and similar physical
properties ranging from oily liquids to waxy solids that are colorless to light
yellow. PCBs have no known smell or taste. Due to their non-flammability,
chemical stability, high boiling point and electrical insulating properties,
PCBs were used in hundreds of industrial and commercial applications including
electrical, heat transfer, and hydraulic equipment; as plasticizers in paints,
plastics and rubber products; in pigments, dyes and carbonless copy paper and
many other applications. More than 1.5 billion pounds of PCBs were manufactured
in the United States prior to cessation of production in 1977. Many commercial
PCB mixtures are known in the U.S. by the trade name Aroclor.
Polycyclic Aromatic
Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of over
100 different chemicals that are formed during the incomplete burning of coal,
oil and gas, garbage, or other organic substances like tobacco or charbroiled
meat. PAHs are usually found as a mixture containing two or more of these
compounds, such as soot. Some PAHs are manufactured. These pure PAHs usually
exist as colorless, white, or pale yellow-green solids. PAHs are found in coal
tar, crude oil, creosote, and roofing tar, but a few are used in medicines or to
make dyes, plastics, and pesticides.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
are organic chemicals that easily vaporize at room temperature. They are called
organic because they contain the element carbon in their molecular structures.
VOCs have no color, smell, or taste. VOCs are found in everything from paints
and coatings to underarm deodorant and cleaning fluids. As a product of
incomplete combustion, VOCs are found in automobile exhaust. They also come from
the evaporation of fuels and solvents, and from industrial processes. They are a
major concern of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state air quality
boards all over the United States. VOCs have been found to be a major
contributing factor to ozone, a common air pollutant which has been proven to be
a public health hazard. In addition to ozone (smog) effects, many VOCs can cause
serious health problems such as cancer and other effects.
