Investigation of Contaminant Transport from the Saginaw Confined Disposal Facility

Pilot biomonitoring and modeling studies were conducted at the Saginaw Confined Disposal Facility (CDF), Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron, during 1987 to develop methods to assess the potential for or magnitude of 1) contaminant transport from the dike interior to the outside environment, 2) impacts of CDF d...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Great Lakes research 1993, Vol.19 (1), p.158-174
Main Authors: Velleux, Mark L., Rathbun, Joseph E., Kreis, Russell G., Martin, James L., Mac, Michael J., Tuchman, Marc L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
biomonitoring
contaminated sediments
Freshwater
Mathematical models
PCBs
polychlorinated biphenyls
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Summary:Pilot biomonitoring and modeling studies were conducted at the Saginaw Confined Disposal Facility (CDF), Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron, during 1987 to develop methods to assess the potential for or magnitude of 1) contaminant transport from the dike interior to the outside environment, 2) impacts of CDF disposal on the water column and sediments, and 3) impacts of CDF disposal on aquatic biota living in the outdike zone. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were selected for study due to their presence in the sediments of the Saginaw River/Bay ecosystem. A mathematical model of near-field contaminant transport through the dike walls was constructed. Model predictions indicate that the rate of contaminant transport through the dike is expected to be small, amounting to less than 0.25 kg of PCBs after 5,000 days of simulation. A mathematical model of the far-field impacts of CDF transport was also constructed. Model predictions indicate that the incremental increase in steady-state, water column PCB concentrations in Saginaw Bay is expected to be approximately 0.05 ng/Lper kg of PCB transported from the CDF. A biomonitoring program was developed to assess contaminant transport through dike walls and its impact on contaminant concentrations in biological tissues. Distinct transport of contaminants through the dike walls was not demonstrated using the biomonitoring approach.
ISSN:0380-1330
DOI:10.1016/S0380-1330(93)71206-X