Contamination of northern parcel
Struever Brothers is still in the process of gathering more information about the adjacent lot at 360 Eddy Street, as it plans to use the site in the future, according to Seth Handy, development director for Dynamo House. However, the following information is known:
SOIL – Petroleum residue, TPH, PAH, Pb, As
Bottom line: TPH, PAH, lead and arsenic exceeded RIDEM standards. 6,7
Petroleum-like contamination at 11 of 13 test pits was found at depths greater than two feet, and in one case as much as seven feet below grade.
What’s happening with TPH?
Previous studies had found nine locations within the sampling grid where TPH exceeded 2,500 ppm, the industrial and commercial direct exposure criterion. The 2001 GZA report showed only one sample that exceeded this standard. GZA therefore conducted a subsurface investigation of this disparity in 2002, in which petroleum and petroleum-like substances were observed, TPH among them. These studies present evidence of decreasing TPH levels over a one-year interval at some sampling locations, although some locations showed TPH above 30,000 ppm upper concentration limit and other limits. LINK TO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS SECTION
WATER – As, Pb, TPH?
TPH is thought to be onsite, given the historical presence of oil tanks. There is also typical background industrial contamination by As and Pb.
At time of sampling, RIDEM had not established standards for TPH in groundwater. Groundwater sample results were compared to the Massachusetts groundwater standards to consider impacts to aquatic receptors in surface water bodies (i.e. the Providence River) that are recharged by contaminated groundwater plumes. This comparison was considered appropriate. No petroleum fractions, VOC or PAH target compounds were present in groundwater samples at levels above these standards.
Environmental Implications
|