Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Transcription

1 Texas Commission on Environmental Quality INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM To: Michele Blair Aquatic Scientist for Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Section, Office of Compliance and Enforcement Date: From: Subject: Tracie Phillips, Ph.D. Toxicology Section, Chief Engineer s Office Toxicology Section Contact Recreation Evaluation of the Sediment and Surface Water Data Collected from the Ellison Creek Reservoir, Loan Star, Morris County, Texas Key Findings Sediment sample data were evaluated for the contact recreation exposure pathway. The vast majority of analytes were not detected. Those detected were below their respective totalsediment-combined ( Tot Sed Comb ) Protective Concentration Levels (PCLs). Additionally, surface water sample data were evaluated for exposure to contaminants through contact recreation and the ingestion of fish. The vast majority of analytes were not detected. Those detected were well below their respective total-recreation-water-combined ( Tot RW Comb ) PCLs and fish ingestion surface water Risk-Based Exposure Limits ( SW RBELs). Staff of the Toxicology Section (TS) do not expect adverse health effects to occur as a result of contact recreation exposure to the reported levels of analytes in sediment and surface water at Ellison Creek Reservoir. In regards to the ingestion of fish, it should be noted that the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) issued a fishing advisory for Ellison Creek Reservoir in November 2005 based on PCB levels measured in fish tissue. Overview As requested, TS reviewed sediment and surface water data collected at Ellison Creek Reservoir to address the public's concern regarding contact recreation. From an exposure perspective, sediment present at depths no greater than two meters below the water surface is most relevant for contact recreation. Accordingly, TCEQ collected pertinent sediment and surface water data from several known or potential recreational areas on October 19, 2006 for use in conducting a contact recreation health effects evaluation for Ellison Creek Reservoir. Sediment and surface water samples were analyzed for metals, semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs; including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and pesticides/herbicides. Data from this October 19, 2006 TCEQ sampling event were the primary focus of the contact recreation evaluation. TS also reviewed other available sediment and surface

2 Page 2 of 9 water data to add to the weight-of-evidence for the contact recreation exposure evaluation (TCEQ 2006, Lone Star Steel 2006), although these data were much less relevant as only two sediment samples were collected at two meters or less and not from known recreational areas. TS reviewed all of the data from a human health effects perspective, assessing potential human health risk by comparing detected media concentrations to applicable Texas Risk Reduction Program (TRRP) Tier 1 Protective Concentration Levels (PCLs) and/or surface water Risk- Based Exposure Limits ( SW RBELs). Reported sediment concentrations were compared to their respective total-sediment-combined ( Tot Sed Comb ) PCLs, which are designed to protect against adverse health effects from exposure to sediment contaminants through the incidental ingestion of sediment and dermal contact during contact recreation (e.g., wading, recreating at the shoreline). While sediment and soil environments are dissimilar, for informational purposes sediment metals levels were also compared to median and upper end of the range of metals levels typically found in Texas soils (i.e., TX soil background levels). Reported surface water concentrations were compared to their respective total-recreation-water-combined ( Tot RW Comb ) PCLs, which are designed to protect against adverse health effects during contact recreation (e.g., swimming, wading) from exposure to surface water contaminants through the incidental ingestion of surface water and dermal contact. Surface water concentrations were also compared to applicable SW RBELs based on the ingestion of fish from the waterbody (i.e., fish SW RBELs), as well as a conservative comparison to residential groundwater ingestion ( GW GW Ing ) PCLs for drinking water even though it is TS s understanding that this water body is not considered a public drinking water source. TS did not review the data for the potential to cause adverse effects in the ecosystem (e.g., fish, aquatic plants). Additionally, as direct contact of recreators with sediment and surface water is the focus of this evaluation and DSHS has collected fish tissue data from Ellison Creek Reservoir, the potential transfer of sediment contaminants to fish tissue was not evaluated by TS. Based on the PCB levels found in the fish tissue collected, DSHS issued a fishing advisory in November 2005 for Ellison Creek Reservoir. Background Ellison Creek Reservoir, also called Lone Star Lake, is located west of Lone Star, Texas in southern Morris County. This reservoir is a 1,516 acre impoundment, with a capacity of 24,700 acre-feet. Impounded water is from Ellison Creek, also called Bruton s Creek. This reservoir was constructed in by the United States Defense Plant. In 1947, the Lone Star Steel Company acquired the reservoir. Lone Star Steel uses reservoir water for processes such as ore washing. There is also a Southwest Gas and Electric Company power plant located at the reservoir. The Ellison Creek Watershed covers 37 square miles. Water levels fluctuate annually by 2-3 feet, with a maximum depth of 40 feet and moderate water clarity. Lone Star, Texas, had a population of 1,631 in 2000 and an estimated population of 1,589 in Ellison Creek Reservoir is a residential area, with multiple houses, as well as boat docks located on the shoreline. There are also several recreational areas in close proximity to the reservoir shoreline (Figure 1). Citizens of this area have expressed concern to TCEQ about contact recreation exposure with sediment and surface water from this reservoir. Therefore, TCEQ sampled 7 locations around the reservoir for contact recreation evaluation (Figure 2). The sampling locations were selected based on known or potential recreational use and to provide geographical

3 Page 3 of 9 coverage of the reservoir, and included the public swimming area and boat ramp at Lone Star City Park, the canoe/paddleboat dock at the Baptist Church Encampment, the boat ramp area at the Scenic Marina, the boat ramp area at Porky Pig Park, and near two residences on the south side of the reservoir. Figure 1. Ellison Reservoir Recreational Areas

4 Page 4 of 9 Figure 2. Ellison Creek Reservoir Sampling Sites

5 Page 5 of 9 Sediment Sample Data Table 1 provides the maximum reported concentrations for the TCEQ October 19, 2006 sampling event, which is the primary focus of this evaluation. In regards to other available sediment data, Table 2 provides the maximum reported concentrations for a depth of 2 meters or less below the water surface, as well as the maximum reported concentrations for all depths sampled (TCEQ 2006 and Lone Star Steel 2006). The analytes respective Tot Sed Comb PCLs, median TX soil background levels, as well as the upper end of the TX soil background range are also listed in each table. Metals All metal concentrations in Table 1 are well below their respective Tot Sed Comb PCLs. The maximum concentrations of two metals (i.e., iron and manganese) are marginally above the upper end of the TX soil background range (Table 1). While not as relevant from an exposure perspective, all metal concentrations in Table 2 are also below Tot Sed Comb PCLs. Some metals (i.e., cadmium, lead and zinc) concentrations in Table 2 are above the upper end of the TX soil background range. Since all metals tested are below the Tot Sed Comb PCL values, we would not expect adverse health effects to occur as a result of contact recreation exposure to the reported sediment levels. VOCs, SVOCs and PCBs The maximum concentrations of bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, 2,4-dinitrotoluene, di-n-butyl phthalate and PCBs are well below their respective Tot Sed Comb PCLs. All other VOCs and SVOCs were not detected, with detection limits well below the Tot Sed Comb PCL values. Therefore, we would not expect adverse health effects to occur as a result of contact recreation exposure to the reported sediment levels. Surface Water Sample Data Table 3 provides the maximum reported concentrations for analytes detected in surface water for the TCEQ October 19, 2006 data, which is the primary focus of this evaluation. In regards to other available surface water data, Table 4 provides the maximum reported concentrations for analytes previously detected in surface water (TCEQ 2006 data). Metals All detected metals concentrations are below applicable Tot RW Comb PCLs and freshwater fish SW RBELs. Additionally, while it is TS s understanding that Ellison Reservoir is not considered a public drinking water source, detected metals concentrations were conservatively compared to residential GW GW Ing PCLs. All reported metals concentrations are well below their respective residential GW GW Ing PCLs. Therefore, we would not expect adverse health effects to occur as a result of exposure to the reported metals levels through contact recreation exposure and the ingestion of fish.

6 Page 6 of 9 VOCs, SVOCs and PCBs No VOCs, SVOCs or PCBs were detected, with detection limits well below the Tot RW Comb PCLs and freshwater fish SW RBELs. Therefore, we would not expect adverse health effects to occur as a result of exposure to the reported surface water concentrations through contact recreation exposure and the ingestion of fish. However, as mentioned previously, the potential transfer of sediment contaminants to fish tissue was not evaluated by TS as direct contact of recreators with sediment and surface water is the focus of this evaluation and fish tissue data has been collected by DSHS. DSHS issued a fishing advisory in November 2005 for Ellison Creek Reservoir based on PCB levels measured in fish tissue, which can be found at Table 1. Contact Recreation Sediment Sample Data (TCEQ October 19, 2006) Ellison Creek Reservoir TCEQ Sediment Samples Upper End Max Median TX of Range TX Concentration Sed Comb Bkg Soil for Soil for Analyte ppm PCL ppm Metals ppm Metals ppm Alluminum 7.32E E E E+05 Arsenic 1.60E E E E+01 Barium E E E+03 Cadmium 7.50E E Chromium 9.83E E E E+02 Copper 9.95E E E E+01 Iron 7.24E E E+04 Lead 1.81E E E E+01 Manganese 1.48E E E E+03 Mercury E E E-01 Nickel 6.45E E E E+01 Selenium E Silver 7.00E E Zinc 8.16E E E E+02 2,4-Dinitrotoluene 6.99E E Total PCBs E E PCB TEQ E E Total PCBs with ½ the DL for nondetected PCB congeners 2 Dioxin-like PCB TEQ with ½ DL for nondetected dioxin-like PCB congeners

7 Page 7 of 9 Table 2. Other Available Sediment Sample Data (TCEQ 2006 and Lone Star Steel 2006) Ellison Creek Reservoir TCEQ & LSS Sediment Samples TCEQ 2006 LSS 2006 Max Max Max Max Upper End Concentration Concentration Concentration Concentration Median TX of Range ( 2 meters) (all depths) ( 2.2 meters) (all depths) Tot Sed Comb Bkg Soil for TX Soil for Analyte ppm ppm ppm ppm PCL ppm Metals ppm Metals ppm Alluminum E E E E E+05 Arsenic 5.70E E E E E E E+01 Barium E E E E+03 Cadmium 3.19E E E E E Chromium 1.97E E E E E E E+02 Copper 1.60E E E E E E E+01 Iron 3.46E E E E E E+04 Lead 3.44E E E E E E E+01 Manganese 5.42E E E E E E E+03 Mercury < E E E E E E E-01 Nickel 1.88E E E E E E E+01 Selenium E E E Silver < 1.19E E E E E Zinc 2.64E E E E E E E+02 Benz(a)anthracene E E Benzo(b)fluoranthene E E Benzo(k)fluoranthene E E Benzo(a)pyrene E E Chrysene E E Fluoranthene E E Pyrene E E Di-N-butyl phthalate E E E Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate < 4.83E E E E E Total PCBs 2 < 4.80E-01 < 5.50E E E E PCB TEQ E E E < = Analyte nondetect (ND), ½ detection limit (DL) presented 2 Total PCBs with ½ the DL for nondetected PCB congeners 3 Dioxin-like PCB TEQ with ½ DL for nondetected dioxin-like PCB congeners

8 Page 8 of 9 Table 3. Contact Recreation Surface Water Sample Data (TCEQ October 19, 2006) Ellison Creek Resevoir TCEQ Water Samples Max. Concentration Tot RW Comb Freshwater Fish SW RBEL GW GW ING Chemical mg/l PCL (mg/l) (mg/l) PCL (mg/l) Aluminum 8.12E E E+01 Arsenic, dissoved 1.40E E E E-02 Cadmium E E-03 Chromium 7.00E E E E-01 Copper 2.20E E E+00 Lead 9.00E E E-02 Manganese 9.79E E E E+00 Nickel 3.40E E E E-01 Selenium 2.40E E E E-02 Silver E E-01 Zinc 7.70E E E E+00 Table 4. Other Available Surface Water Sample Data (TCEQ 2006) Ellison Creek Resevoir TCEQ 2006 Water Samples Max. Concentration Tot RW Comb PCL Freshwater Fish SW RBEL GW GW ING Chemical Aluminum mg/l 1.64E-01 (mg/l) 4.03E+02 (mg/l) -- PCL (mg/l) 2.40E+01 Arsenic, dissoved 4.58E E E E-02 Cadmium < E E E-03 Chromium < 5.00E E E E-01 Copper 5.00E E E+00 Lead 3.68E E E-02 Manganese E E E+00 Nickel 1.30E E E E-01 Selenium 2.53E E E E-02 Silver < 5.00E E E-01 Zinc 1.70E E E E+00 1 < = Analyte nondetect (ND), ½ detection limit (DL) presented

9 Page 9 of 9 Reports Referenced: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Toxic Substances in Sediment Violation Report. Used in the 2006 Clean Water Act, Section 305(b) Report issued to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Lone Star Steel Sediment Quality Investigation Ellison Creek Reservoir Lone Star, Texas. Prepared for Lone Star Steel by Golder Associates. Issued to Lone Star Steel on If you have any questions concerning this evaluation, please call me at (512) cc: (via ) Leroy Biggers, Regional Director Steve Spaw, Monitoring Operations Director Patrick Roques, Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Section Manager Brenda Archer, Monitoring Operations Robert Cook, Field Operations Region 5-Tyler Arthur Crowe, Field Operations Region 5-Tyler TS (hard copy) Board Remediation File