Complete report - Partners for Clean Streams

prioritized areas for remediation in the Ottawa River. Results of the assessment
include:
• Consolidated sediment, chemical and aquatic stream data from Ohio EPA.
• Analysis of PCB data according to total PCB and congener specific toxicity and
identify areas with elevated PCB concentrations.
• Analysis of risks to human health based on river uses and potential pathways.
• Analysis of risks to ecological receptors, including fish-eating birds and mammals.
• Established risk-level baseline for the lower Ottawa River.
• Recommendation for priority areas for riverbed remediation.
Lead Organization:
Collaborator(s):
TMACOG, Ohio EPA (funded in part by a grant from GLNPO) (contractor: Limnotech)
Maumee RAP, Ottawa River Remediation Team
Surface Water Information Management Systems (SWIMS)
1998-Present
Description:
Lead Organization:
The Ohio EPA Division of Surface Water has developed a client-server based
Surface Water Information Management System (SWIMS). The system is comprised
of two components. The first component is the SWIMS Central System for use by
Ohio EPA staff. This component provides automation of development and tracking of
NPDES permits, monitoring of permit compliance, and preparation of enforcement
actions. It is planned that this system will eventually incorporate DSW’s ambient
chemical and biological databases. The second component is SWIMware. This is a
software package that allows the regulated community to electronically submit various
permit applications and reports to the Ohio EPA Division of Surface Water.
Ohio EPA
Ottawa River Demonstration Capping Project
September 1999 – 2000
Description:
The City of Toledo began a long-term sediment capping demonstration project on the
Ottawa River which involved field-scale testing of AquaBlok TM , a composite material
consisting of clay minerals and aggregate. AquaBlok TM was applied through the water
column to physically stabilize and isolate sediments contaminated with polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs) in a stretch of the river adjacent to Fraleigh Creek. AquaBlok TM
hydrates and forms a cohesive, low permeability, erosion resistant barrier between
sediments and the overlying aquatic ecosystem.
Early field monitoring results indicate that the composite material was applied
successfully and is isolating the PCB-contaminated sediments effectively. Continuing
surveys conducted on the encapsulated areas following construction – and through
seasonal freeze-thaw and periodic high-flow conditions – indicate that AquaBlok TM
stabilized and isolated impacted sediments within this study area. During this
monitoring period, significant sediment deposition on top of the AquaBlok TM cap was
also observed along near-bank areas. Inspection of the encapsulated areas is
periodically conducted. Macroinvertebrate colonization is also being monitored.
Lead Organization:
City of Toledo (funded in part by a grant from Lake Erie Protection Fund)
Activities and Accomplishments
in the Maumee Area of Concern
187
Issue 8: Contaminated
Stream Sediments