DOE/ORO/2327 Oak Ridge Reservation Annual Site Environmental ...

Annual Site Environmental Report
Fig. 3.35. Sample results for mercury and PCBs obtained during K-1070-B CERCLA RA
activities.
3.5.1.8 K-31 and K-33 Area Storm Water Sampling
As stated in the “2008 Remediation Effectiveness Report for the United States Department of Energy
Oak Ridge Reservation, Oak Ridge, Tennessee” that was prepared as part of the BJC Water Resources
Restoration Program, chromium concentrations in groundwater measured between the K-31/K-33
buildings (Fig. 3.22) and Poplar Creek are somewhat elevated. Significant chromium concentrations
(highest of any wells in the area) are shown for groundwater well UNW-043. The highest chromium
concentration shown for this well is about 9 mg/L measured in 2003; most of the other chromium results
for this well are between 1 and 4 mg/L. The residual chromium contamination is attributed to leaks of
recirculated cooling water. The chromium at this location is almost entirely trivalent, with little or no
hexavalent chromium being observed. These chromium concentrations greatly exceed the Tennessee Fish
and Aquatic Life criterion continuous concentration for trivalent chromium which is based on the
applicable water hardness, and any groundwater with these concentrations entering surface water would
be a concern.
As part of the FY 2009 SWPP Program sampling effort, samples were collected from the ETTP storm
drain system in the K-31/K-33 area to monitor for metals and radiological contaminants in storm water
discharges (Table 3.25). Several of these samples could not be collected because there was no dry weather
or wet weather flow present at any of the times they were visited. No dry or wet weather sampling was
performed at outfalls 510, 560, 600, 660, or 690 due to lack of flow. Efforts to collect samples from these
outfalls will continue through 2010.
Storm water
outfall
590
700
710
Table 3.25. Storm water sampling in the K-31/K-33 area
Sampling
event(s)
1
Wet weather
1
Wet weather
1
Dry weather
Area of
investigation
Metals by
EPA-200.7
Gross alpha/
gross beta
K-861 X X
K-33 X X
K-33 X X
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