DEQ-CFW_00049569

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Sent: 6/7/20I7I:3I58PM
To: wwbopdeszomp|ex
CC: Jennifer. 8usam([e-mail])[e-mail]]
Subject: FVV: EPA Research: Cleaning upcontaminated sites, helping coastal farmers, and more
Ri Dr. Mark Strynar is one of the co-authors to Dr. Knappe's work (featured below). Dr. Knappe has published papers
on 1,4 dioxane in the Cape Fear and recently studied Perfluoroalkyl substances in the lower Cape Fear.
Julie
From: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Sent: Tuesday, June OG,2O172:36PM
To: Brower, Connie
Subject: EPA Research: Cleaning up contaminated sites, helping coastal farmers, and more
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fPA'sScience Matters newsletter delivers the latest from EPAbOffice nfResearch and
Development straight to your inbox. Keep scrolling to read about recent news and upcoming events.
Terry Burton, Superfund and Technology I zazsonJorFPA Region 6, stands on landthat used mbe part of the LonghornArmy
Ammunition plant Superfund Site. This land anow the Caddo I akemotional TVildlife Refuge.

Every state and inhabited territory in the United States has at least one Superfund site - but some
states have dozens. These sites are some of the country's most contaminated land and include
radiation waste dumps, toxic chemical release sites, and oil spill locations. EPA's Superfund
program cleans up these sites and also responds to environmental emergencies, oil spills, and
natural disasters. EPA's researchers are vital to the Superfund program, providing the scientific
support and assistance needed to safely clean up the sites and make a visible and lasting
difference in communities.
Each year, EPA researchers respond to hundreds of requests for scientific support at contaminated
sites. The support the researchers provide helps ensure cost-effective, health protective solutions to
waste contamination problems in communities across the country. Here are just two examples of
this work:
Cleaning Up Caddo Lake in Texas
EPA researchers helped EPA Region 6 in monitoring site remediation at the Longhorn army
Ammunition Plant Superfund Site in rural eastern Texas.. The former plant, occupying roughly 6,400
acres adjacent to Caddo Lake, was established during World War 11 to manufacture TNT. During the
war, the plant produced almost 400 million pounds of TNT. unfortunately„ TNT, its breakdown
products, and other materials manufactured at the site are among site environmental concerns.
Since 1990, when it was added as a Superfund site, more than 7,000 acres have been cleaned to
applicable standards and transferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the establishment of
Caddo Lake national Wildlife Refuge..
Analysis of a Crumbling Dam in Jackson, CA
The Eastwood Multiple Arch Darn in Jackson, CA, is holding back over 165,000 tons of tailings from
the Argonaut Mine, which closed in 1942. The 100 year -old darn is cracked and crumbling„ and local
officials are concerned that its instability could result in extensive damage to the town in the event of
failure. EPA. researchers helped EPA Region 9 quantify the probabilities of damage and likely costs
if the dam failed. The results of the analysis indicated there could be extensive damage to and
strain on property, infrastructure„ the local economy, and emergency services in the event of dam
failure. In a wet season scenario„ it was estimated the damages and losses could be as high as
100 million. EPA gave the analysis results to the community of Jackson and shared concerns
about the stability of the dam and the need for further investigation. The final modeling results were
also presented to top officials at California's Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Emergency
Services, Department of Transportation, DTC, the Department of Water Resources, and other
agencies. With EPA's access to researchers with modeling expertise, EPA was able to provide
potentially life-saving consultation to key Federal, Mate„ and local agencies.
Centuries of agricultural practices in the southeastern US have degraded the sandy soil of the
Atlantic coastal plain. Poor soil fertility and water storage have contributed to economic challenges
in the agricultural producing areas of the region. To improve soil quality, EPA. researchers, working
with scientists from the USDA's Agricultural Research Service, studied the use of biochar in regional
soils.
Biochar, the carbon -rich solid derived by heating biomass, such as wood chips or manure, has the
potential to Improve the health and fertility of degraded soils. Researchers designed a biochar
mixture of pine chip and poultry litter tailored specifically for the sandy soils found in the southeast.
When this special biochar mixture was applied to the soil, researchers noticed significant Impacts on
soil characteristics such as pH, organic carbon content, and microbial composition.
As biochar research continues, farmers in the region are hopeful that this innovative technique will
improve the health of the soil and increase crop yields.
DEQ-CFW 00049570

Adam Nayak, a junior at Cleveland Nigh School in Portland, OR, was this year's winner of EPA's
Patrick H. Nerd Sustainability reward for his project„ "Modeling the Effects of Land Use Change on
Flooding in Pacific Northwest Streams to Promote Green Practices." The project used historical
flood and urban load use date., landscape imagery, geographical information systems (GIS)
software, and streamflow modeling developed by the U.S. Geological Survey to project the severity
of floods in four Portland urban stream basins if impervious surfaces continue to expand at the
same pace as in recent years.
Nayak was inspired at an early age when he wondered why fish weren't coming back to the stream
in his neighborhood. As he learned more about streams and what influences their health, he found
that many communities don't always have the scientific information they need to fully inform their
decisions. As he put it, "A. lot of research rarely gets applied in the community."
"I feel so incredibly honored to have been selected for this award and cannot fully express my
gratitude towards the EPA and all they do for our country," said Nayak. "For the past five years, my
work has been centered around ray passion for empowering communities and applying research in
order to promote conservation locally. I'd like to thank all of those who have offered me guidance,
especially Ronda Loyal, Kate Fickas, Andy Bryant, and Katie Songer and the ,Johnson Creek
Watershed Council for all of their support."
Nayak was selected from among 1,773 student scientists and engineers competing in the Intel
Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles, California, and went on to win "Best of Category„ and
"First award" in Earth & Environmental Sciences during the Grand award Ceremony on May 19th.
Hear frorn Adam about his r)roiect.
EPA scientists are filling in missing pieces of the puzzle on chemical exposure.. One approach is the
development of Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs). AGPs are a way of assembling all the existing
knowledge about small biological changes — to a cell, tissue, or organ-- resulting from exposure to a
chemical, and their connection to more serious harmful health effects detected in people and
ecosystems. These powerful organizational tools use available biological data and information to
predict potential effects caused by exposure to chemicals that have limited available safety data.
Findings from newly developed A.GPs are exciting. However, like all science, they must be tested to
determine how they can best assist regulators in their efforts to protect people and the environment
from unhealthy exposures to toxic chemicals.
In a new.pt p. published in Environmental Science & Technology, EPA scientists developed a
computer model of an AOP, called a quantitative AOP (gAOP). They tested whether the gAOP,
working with the data they had about a specific estrogen disruption triggered in the fathead minnow
after exposure to a chemical at a certain dose„ over a specific period of time, could be used to
predict a decrease in the minnow population over time.
The paper shows that the gAQP is, in -fact, able to provide regulatory decision -makers with data -
based information about the amount of the chemical the fish would need to be exposed to over a
specified period of time in order to eventually see the population decrease. This is an Important step
in providing regulators with the tools and data they need to justify regulations when traditional safety
data is limited.
EPA is seeking nominations for technical experts to serve on Its Board of Scientific Counselors
`BSC�, a federal advisory committee to the Office of Research and Development. The BOSC
provides Independent scientific and technical peer review, consultation, advice, and
recommendations for each of Its research programs. Individuals and organizations can nominate
themselves or others by using the nomination form on the BOSC website. The nomination period is
open until June 30, 2017. Details regarding areas of expertise sought, process for submitting
nominations, and selection criteria can also be found in the Federal Register.
DEQ-CFW 00049571

Meet EPA Economist Dr. Marisa Ma, , otta
Dr. Mazzotta has over 20 years of experience as an analyst,
researcher, writer, and educator in the field of environmental &
natural resource economics. Her research focuses on the
public's valuation and prioritization of natural resources, the
evaluation of ecosystem services, and the relationship between
ecological changes and economic benefits. Learn more about
her work.
Meet EPA Physical Scientist Dr. Mark Strynar
Dr. trynar's research Interests include developing methods to
measure and analyze the movement and fate of perfluorinated
compounds (PFCs) and other xenoblotic compounds
(chemicals found In organisms that are not normally expected
to be present) In biological and environmental media. Learn
more about his research.
Events
Water Research Webinar Series: Nonpotable Water Reuse in Urban
Environments
Wednesday, June 21, 2017 1 2:00-3:30 {yin ET
This month's water research Webinar will focus on the reuse of water for non -drinking water
purposes. The presenters will provide information on EPA's research efforts to support
decentralized nonpotable water systems, and how Can Francisco is streamlining the regulatory
process for buildings to install onsite nonpotable water systems for the reuse of water for toilet
flushing and irrigation. Pe inter here.
EPA Tools and Resources Webinar: Public Health Impact of Wildfire Smoke
Emissions
Wednesday, June 21, 2017 1 3:00 - 4:00 PM ET
As the start of the summer wildfire season approaches„ public officials„ communities and individuals
need up-to-date wildfire smoke health guidance to protect against related health risks. The 2015
(2017 final version available this fall) Wildfire Smoke: Guide for Public Health Officials serves as an
easy -to -use source of information that outlines whose health is most affected by wildfire smoke,
how to reduce exposure to smoke, what public health actions are recommended, and how to
communicate air quality to the public. This Webinar presented by Wayne Cascio, M.D., will highlight
updates to the Wildfire Smoke Guide, as well as the Smoke Sense app, which is a mobile
application that gets air quality information to people impacted by wildfire smoke, and helps those
affected learn Ways to protect their health from smoke exposure. Reyistee.
Small Water Systems Webinar Series: Harmful Algal Blooms —Treatment, Risk
Communications Toolbox, and Management Plans
Tuesday, June 27, 2017 j 2:00-3:30 pm ET
This month's small systems webinar will focus on harmful algal blooms and associated cyanotoxins.
The presenters will focus on how drinking Water systems can manage exposure risks, Including
management and communications tools and current treatment processes for algal cell and toxin
removal. Peoist.er Mere.
DEQ-CFW 00049572

Monday, July Y0-Thursday, July Y3,2017
EPA researchers will be presenting sessions and exhibiting at the National Environmental Health
Association conference inGrand Rapids, Michigan, from July 1O-13.2Q17.
For those attending the conference, please stop by booth 307 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on July 10
and 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM on July 11 to pick up informational materials and see demos of EPA'a
online tools. Learn rn0re here,
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