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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0001422_DRAFT_GA140527_ADD01_LVSutton_I&A Report_20150805 Prepared for Duke Energy 526 South Church Street Charlotte, North Carolina 28202 DATA INTERPRETATION AND ANALYSIS REPORT ADDENDUM NO. 1 CONCEPTUAL CLOSURE PLAN L.V. SUTTON PLANT Prepared by Geosyntec Consultants of NC, PC 1300 South Mint Street, Suite 110 Charlotte, North Carolina 28203 Project Number GC5592 August 2014 GC5592/GA140527_ADD01_LVSutton_I&A Report.docx i 08.08.14 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................ 1  2. LOLA INVESTIGATION .................................................................................... 2  2.1 Overview and Background .......................................................................... 2  2.2 Field Investigation ....................................................................................... 2  2.2.1 Groundwater Monitoring ................................................................ 2  2.2.2 Soil and CCR Investigation ............................................................ 3  3. ADDITIONAL INVESTIGATION IN THE 1971 BORROW AREA ................ 5  3.1 Overview ..................................................................................................... 5  3.2 Geotechnical Index Properties ..................................................................... 5  3.2.1 Foundation Soils ............................................................................. 5  3.2.2 CCRs .............................................................................................. 6  3.3 Analytical Tests ........................................................................................... 6  3.3.1 Total Concentrations ...................................................................... 6  3.3.2 SPLP Concentrations ...................................................................... 6  4. REFERENCES ..................................................................................................... 7  LIST OF FIGURES Figure 2.F1: DPT Investigation and Groundwater Monitoring Well Locations Figure 2.F2: Shallow Water Table Elevation Isocontour Map of LOLA Figure 2.F3: Bottom Elevations of CCR in LOLA Figure 2.F4: Isopach Thickness of CCR in LOLA GC5592/GA140527_ADD01_LVSutton_I&A Report.docx 1 08.08.14 1. INTRODUCTION Geosyntec Consultants of North Carolina, P.C. (Geosyntec) has been evaluating conceptual closure options for the coal combustion residuals (CCR) ponds located at the L.V. Sutton Plant using: (i) available information from historical documents and drawings; (ii) data obtained from the field investigations conducted by Geosyntec in May 2014; and (iii) laboratory testing results for the samples collected from the referenced Geosyntec investigations. Two additional field tasks were identified during a meeting in early June 2014 to: (i) delineate the vertical boundaries of the CCR materials within the Lay-of-Land-Area (LOLA) located to the south of the CCR ponds and collect water quality information from monitoring wells located within the LOLA; and (ii) refine the horizontal and vertical delineation of CCR materials located below the 1971 Pond and address the new information gathered from the Geosyntec field investigation conducted in May 2014. The additional field investigations were implemented in late June and early July 2014 and results were presented in the addendum to the Preliminary Site Investigation Data Report (Data Report Addendum 1) [Geosyntec, 2014a]. This current report includes interpretation of the data presented in the Data Report Addendum 1 and is provided as an addendum to the Data Interpretation and Analysis Report (Report 2) [Geosyntec, 2014b] submitted to Duke Energy Corporation (DEC) on 25 July 2014. The remaining sections of this report are organized as follows:  Section 2 presents the interpretation of the LOLA investigation results;  Section 3 presents the interpretation of the results from the additional investigation below the 1971 Pond; and  Section 4 presents the cited references. GC5592/GA140527_ADD01_LVSutton_I&A Report.docx 2 08.08.14 2. LOLA INVESTIGATION 2.1 Overview and Background The LOLA is located between the discharge canal and the coal pile. It is believed that the observed presence of CCR in this area may have been due to the plant operations between approximately 1954 and 1972. Geosyntec understands that the LOLA may be on the North Carolina Inactive Hazardous Waste Sites Priority List and may at some point have been under the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR) Department of Waste Management (DWM) Inactive Hazardous Sites Branch’s voluntary program. 2.2 Field Investigation 2.2.1 Groundwater Monitoring Figure 2.F1 depicts the monitoring well locations (as well as the boring locations) within the LOLA. Water level measurements were summarized in Table 2.T1 of the Data Report Addendum 1. Based on these water level elevations, a potentiometric surface map was developed, which is presented on Figure 2.F2. As can be seen on this figure, the flow direction within the LOLA is consistent with previous depictions of the flow direction from the northeast to the southwest towards the discharge canal. Water quality samples were collected from all existing monitoring wells within the LOLA, including MW-13, MW-13D, MW-14, MW-15, MW-15D, MW-16, MW-16D, MW-20 and MW-20D. During purging of the wells, field parameters were collected and the readings were summarized in Table 2.T2 of the Data Report Addendum 1. As can be seen from this table, pH conditions were relatively uniform and circum- neutral to slightly acidic and redox conditions were generally mildly reducing. This is consistent with other monitoring locations throughout the Site (including background conditions), even though many locations across the Site appear to have somewhat more oxidizing conditions. The difference might be related to the input from natural organic matter (e.g., decaying leaf litter within the densely vegetated areas in the northern part of the LOLA) and/or potential historical impacts of petroleum hydrocarbon around the former aboveground storage tank (AST) area within the southern part of the LOLA. The analytical results were presented in Table 2.T3 of the Data Report Addendum 1. Consistent with historical sampling results, the arsenic concentration in MW-13 GC5592/GA140527_ADD01_LVSutton_I&A Report.docx 3 08.08.14 (shallow well) was substantially elevated (218 µg/L), but the boron concentration was only slightly elevated (935 µg/L). On the other hand, the deep well at this location (MW-13D) indicated a low arsenic concentration (9.6 µg/L), but a substantially elevated boron concentration (2,350 µg/L), which likely did not originate within the LOLA, but from the upgradient deeper zones within the 1971 Pond area. Shallow monitoring well MW-15, which appears to be located at the previously established compliance boundary around the LOLA, indicated an arsenic concentration of 31.2 µg/L, exceeding the groundwater standard of 10 µg/L. Manganese and iron concentrations were substantially elevated throughout the LOLA, which is consistent with conditions across the Site (including background conditions). 2.2.2 Soil and CCR Investigation A preliminary, screening-level assessment of the soils and CCR materials within the LOLA was conducted and the boring locations are shown on Figure 2.F1. A subset of soil and/or CCR samples was collected from the borings and submitted for chemical analysis. The analytical results were presented in Table 2.T4 (total metals, pH, and % moisture) and Table 2.T5 (SPLP) of the Data Report Addendum 1. The analytical results were used to evaluate levels of constituents of interest (COI), assess the current leachability potential, and supplement the visual identification of CCR materials to confirm that the vertical extent of CCR materials has been reached. Using both the analytical results and the visual identification of CCR materials, boring logs were developed that were included in Appendix 2.A3 of the Data Report Addendum 1. Figure 2.F1 includes descriptions of the depth increments that appeared to contain CCR materials. Based on visual identification, the observed CCR materials appeared to include a range of grain sizes, which might indicate the presence of both bottom ash and fly ash within the LOLA. Based on this investigation alone it cannot be confirmed that a continuous soil layer is present over CCR and/or CCR sand mixtures across the entire LOLA and additional confirmatory shallow borings are recommended to evaluate shallow soil (cover) conditions across the area. However, the main purpose of this current investigation was to evaluate the vertical extent of CCR materials. The elevations (NAVD 88) for the bottom of CCR materials are presented on Figure 2.F3, while Figure 2.F4 depicts isopach contours of the thickness of CCR materials within the LOLA. Note that the GC5592/GA140527_ADD01_LVSutton_I&A Report.docx 4 08.08.14 horizontal extent of the LOLA has changed from previously depicted delineations, but is subject to further adjustments. As can be seen on Figure 2.F4, the thickness of CCR varies considerably across the LOLA, but appears to be thickest within the northwestern corner of the LOLA and thinnest within the southeastern corner. The chemical characterization summarized in Table 2.T4 of the Data Report Addendum 1 indicates relatively low concentrations of arsenic (up to a maximum of 42 mg/kg), boron (up to 25 mg/kg), chromium (up to 25 mg/kg), and iron (up to 16,200 mg/kg) compared to the CCR materials characterized in the 1971 and 1984 Ponds. The chemical signatures do indicate a contribution of CCR materials when arsenic, iron, and chromium were detected at appreciable concentrations, but the levels are more consistent with a CCR/soil mixture than pure CCR materials. The SPLP data summarized in Table 2.T5 of the Data Report Addendum 1 indicate that this CCR/soil mixture within the LOLA does not leach COIs at elevated concentrations. Again, this is in contrast to the CCR materials characterized within the 1971 and 1984 Ponds. The chemical characterization of the deeper CCR materials below the 1971 Pond is discussed in Section 3 below. GC5592/GA140527_ADD01_LVSutton_I&A Report.docx 5 08.08.14 3. ADDITIONAL INVESTIGATION IN THE 1971 BORROW AREA 3.1 Overview The additional investigation in the 1971 Pond with focus on the 1971 Borrow Area consisted of 14 geoprobe borings, and geotechnical and analytical laboratory tests for selected samples collected during the geoprobe borings. Based on the additional investigation results, the horizontal and vertical delineation of CCR materials in the 1971 Pond (i.e. 1971 Pond and 1971 Borrow Area) was refined from that developed using the Geosyntec May 2014 investigation results. The refined interpreted horizontal and vertical delineation of CCRs in the 1971 Pond will be included in the “Closure Options Feasibility Analysis Report” (Report 3) to be submitted to DEC. Also, the estimated thickness of CCRs in the 1971 Pond will be graphed as isopachs, which are contours connecting points of equal thicknesses, in Report 3. The sections below present the interpretation of the laboratory test results including: (i) the geotechnical index properties; and (ii) the analytical tests (total and SPLP concentrations). 3.2 Geotechnical Index Properties 3.2.1 Foundation Soils One geoprobe boring was conducted on the dike separating the 1971 Pond from the 1984 Pond. As observed from other dike borings conducted during the Geosyntec May 2014 investigation, the Dike Fill and Foundation Soils are generally sandy. However, some Foundation Soil samples appeared to be different from the sandy Foundation Soils. Two grain size distribution tests [ASTM D 422] (both of which included a hydrometer test [ASTM D 422]) and six Atterberg Limits tests [ASTM D 4318] were conducted on those samples as part of Geosyntec’s laboratory testing program. The grain size distribution data and measured Atterberg Limits were presented in Table 3.T1 of the Data Report Addendum 1. The grain size test results indicate that the tested samples consist of 44% to 59% sand and 41% to 56% fines (i.e., silt and clay). Also, the Atterberg Limits tests indicate that one sample is non-plastic and that the rest of the samples tested have liquid limits ranging from 26 to 126, plastic limits ranging from 22 to 60, and plasticity indices ranging from 4 and 66. These test results are consistent with visual observations in the field and indicate that the Foundation Soil at the investigated location is clayey and sandy soil and not CCRs. GC5592/GA140527_ADD01_LVSutton_I&A Report.docx 6 08.08.14 3.2.2 CCRs As part of Geosyntec’s laboratory testing program, seven Atterberg limits tests were conducted on CCR samples collected from locations depicted on Figure 3.F1 of the Data Report Addendum 1. The samples were collected from deep locations (1971 Borrow Area) and the results were summarized in Table 3.T1 of the Data Report Addendum 1. The data indicate that the tested CCR samples are non-plastic, which is consistent with their field identification as CCR. In addition, visual observations indicated that these materials would classify as predominantly fly ash. 3.3 Analytical Tests In order to supplement the visual and geotechnical characterization of the CCR within the 1971 Borrow Area, samples were collected for chemical analysis. Both total concentrations of COIs and SPLP concentrations were analyzed in nine CCR samples and the results were summarized in Tables 3.T2 (total concentrations) and 3.T3 (SPLP) of the Data Report Addendum 1. 3.3.1 Total Concentrations Total concentrations of many COIs indicate that the tested samples are CCR materials and not soils, which is consistent with the visual and geotechnical characterization of these samples. Consistent with the results from the May 2014 investigation, the samples exhibited substantially elevated concentrations of arsenic and iron, which appear to be the most important “CCR indicator parameters” of the materials found within the 1971 Borrow Area. Arsenic concentrations ranged up to 155 mg/kg, a result obtained from the deepest sample submitted (MB2 at 76-80 ft bgs), and iron concentrations ranged up to 43,400 mg/kg. In comparison, site-specific soil samples discussed in Report 2 exhibited non- detect results for arsenic and iron concentrations that were generally below about 1,000 mg/kg. 3.3.2 SPLP Concentrations Leaching tests using the SPLP method indicate that the CCR materials located within 1971 Borrow Area have the potential to leach arsenic at elevated concentrations. Arsenic concentrations of up to 316 µg/L were measured in SPLP extracts, and there is a good apparent correlation between total arsenic and SPLP arsenic concentrations. Other “typical” CCR indicator parameters such as boron, iron, chromium, manganese, and selenium do not leach at elevated concentrations from the CCR materials submitted for analysis. GC5592/GA140527_ADD01_LVSutton_I&A Report.docx 7 08.08.14 4. REFERENCES ASTM Standard D 422 (2007), "Standard Test Method for Particle-Size Analysis of Soils," ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, DOI: 10.1520/D0422- 63R07, www.astm.org. ASTM Standard D 4318 (2010), "Standard Test Methods for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and Plasticity Index of Soils," ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, DOI: 10.1520/D4318-10, www.astm.org. Geosyntec Consultants, Inc. (2014a), "Preliminary Site Investigation Data Report Addendum No. 1. Conceptual Closure Plan, L.V. Sutton Plant”. Geosyntec Consultants, Inc. (2014b), "Data Interpretation and Analysis Report. Conceptual Closure Plan, L.V. Sutton Plant”. FIGURES &>&>&> &> &> &> &> &> &> &> &> &> &> &> &> @ A @ A @ A @ A @ A @ A @ A @ A @ A MW-16 MW - 1 5 MW - 2 0 MW - 1 3 MW-16D MW - 1 5 D MW - 2 0 D MW - 1 3 D MW - 1 4 FDPT-9 FD P T - 8 FD P T - 7 FD P T - 6 FD P T - 5 FD P T - 4 FDPT-3FDPT-2 FDPT-1 FD P T - 1 5 FD P T - 1 4 FDPT-13FDPT-12 FD P T - 1 1 FD P T - 1 0 So u r c e : E s r i , D i g i t a l G l o b e , G e o E y e , i - c u b e d , E a r t h s t a r G e o g r a p h i c s , C N E S / A i r b u s D S , U S D A , U S G S , A E X , G e t m a p p i n g , A e r o g r i d , I G N , I G P , s w i s s t o p o , a n d th e G I S U s e r C o m m u n i t y DPT Investigation and Groundwater Monitoring Well Locations L.V. Sutton Plant Figure 2.F1 P a t h : ( \ \ c h a r l o t t e - 0 1 \ d a t a ) M : \ G I S \ D u k e S u t t o n \ M X D s \ R e p o r t N o . 1 A d d e n d u m \ F i g u r e A . F 1 - F A D A I n v e s t i g a t i o n L o c a t i o n s . m x d 2 9 J u l y 2 0 1 4 ; R D o n a h u e Raleigh, NC July 2014³ Le g e n d &> DP T L o c a t i o n @ A Mo n i t o r i n g W e l l CC R CC R w i t h C C R - s a n d m i x t u r e CC R - s a n d m i x t u r e 0 400 800 Feet No t e s : 1. S a m p l e s c o l l e c t e d 3 0 J u n e 2 0 1 4 t o 3 J u l y 2 0 1 4 . 2. D e p t h s p r e s e n t e d a r e i n f e e t b e l o w g r o u n d s u r f a c e . 3. LO L A im p a c t b o u n d a r i e s d e t e r m i n e d f r o m f i g u r e s p r o v i d e d b y B B & L . 5. C C R i n d i c a t e s c o a l c o m b u s t i o n r e s i d u a l s . 6. L o c a t i o n s w e r e s u r v e y e d b y W S P o n J u l y 7 - 8 , 2 0 1 4 . 7. H o r i z o n t a l c o o r d i n a t e s y s t e m U S S t a t e P l a n e 1 9 8 3 N o r t h C a r o l i n a , U S s u r v e y f e e t . 8. 2 0 1 1 W o r l d I m a g e r y - S o u r c e : E s r i , D i g i t a l G l o b e , G e o E y e , i - c u b e d , U S D A , U S G S , AE X , G e t m a p p i n g , A e r o g r i d , I G N , I G P , s w i s s t o p o , a n d t h e G I S U s e r C o m m u n i t y . &< &< &<&< &<&< &<&< &< MW - 1 3 ( 8 . 5 2 ) MW-16(8.47) MW - 1 5 ( 6 . 2 8 ) MW - 2 0 ( 2 . 7 3 ) MW-16D(8.44) MW - 1 5 D ( 6 . 2 9 ) MW - 2 0 D ( 3 . 2 2 ) MW - 1 3 D ( 8 . 5 1 ) MW - 14(8.22) 8 ' 7 ' 6 '5 ' 4 ' So u r c e : E s r i , D i g i t a l G l o b e , G e o E y e , i - c u b e d , E a r t h s t a r G e o g r a p h i c s , C N E S / A i r b u s D S , U S D A , U S G S , A E X , G e t m a p p i n g , A e r o g r i d , I G N , I G P , s w i s s t o p o , a 32 th e G I S U s e r C o m m u n i t y Shallow Water Table Elevation Isocontour Map of LOLA L.V. Sutton Plant Figure 2.F 2 P a t h : ( \ \ r a l e i g h - 0 1 \ d a t a ) M : \ G I S \ D u k e S u t t o n \ M X D s \ R e p o r t N o . 2 A d d e n d u m \ F i g u r e 2 . F 3 - F A D A I n v e s t i g a t i o n L o c a t i o n s . m x d 3 0 J u l y 2 0 1 4 ; R D o n a h u e Raleigh, NC August 2014³0 400 800 Feet No t e s : 1. W a t e r l e v e l s c o l l e c t e d o n 3 0 J u n e a n d 1 J u l y 2 0 1 4 . 2. M W - 1 4 w a s s a m p l e d u s i n g l o w - f l o w s a m p l i n g t e c h n i q u e s o n 3 0 J u n e 2 0 1 4 fo l l o w i n g w a t e r l e v e l c o l l e c t i o n . 3. L o c a t i o n s w e r e s u r v e y e d b y W S P o n J u l y 7 - 8 , 2 0 1 4 . 4. H o r i z o n t a l c o o r d i n a t e s y s t e m U S S t a t e P l a n e 1 9 8 3 N o r t h C a r o l i n a , U S s u r v e y f e e t . 5. 2 0 1 1 W o r l d I m a g e r y - S o u r c e : E s r i , D i g i t a l G l o b e , G e o E y e , i - c u b e d , U S D A , U S G S , AE X , G e t m a p p i n g , A e r o g r i d , I G N , I G P , s w i s s t o p o , a n d t h e G I S U s e r C o m m u n i t y . Ap p r o x i m a t e F l o w D i r e c t i o n Le g e n d Wa t e r T a b l e E l e v a t i o n ( f t ) &< Ex i s t i n g M o n i t o i r n g W e l l L o c a t i o n s h o w i n g Wa t e r T a b l e El e v a t i o n (ft , N A V D 8 8 ) Pa t h : Bottom Elevations of CCR in LOLA L.V. Sutton Plant Figure 2.F3 Project No. GC5592 August 2014 Notes: 1.LOLA indicates Lay-of-Land Area 2.FDPT indicates direct-push technology boring location 3.Bottom elevations are in feet relative to North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD88) 4.Horizontal coordinate system North American Datum 1983 (NAD83) Pa t h : Isopach Thickness of CCR in LOLA L.V. Sutton Plant Figure 2.F4 Project No. GC5592 August 2014 Notes: 1.LOLA indicates Lay-of-Land Area 2.FDPT indicates direct-push technology boring location 3.Isopach thickness is denoted in feet 4.Elevations are in feet relative to North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD88) 5.Horizontal coordinate system North American Datum 1983 (NAD83)