Description: This technical memorandum presents a summary of the sampling for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)conducted in 2020 in Lower Beaverdam Creek (LBC), in Prince George’s County, Maryland by theMaryland Department of the Environment (MDE) Land Restoration Program (LRP). Field activities for thisinvestigation included sediment, surface water, and fish sampling. The objective of this sampling is tofurther refine the conceptual site model for the PCB contamination that was found previously in LBCsediment and surface water in November 2019, and to aid in the ongoing source track-down effort inthe LBC watershed.MDE conducted surface water and sediment sampling for PCBs along the entire length of LBC inNovember 2019 (MDE, 2021). Both surface water and sediment data indicated two primary areas ofconcern for PCBs in LBC: the stretch of LBC parallel to Pennsy Drive (just north of the LandoverRoad/Route 202 bridge), and the area adjacent to the I-295-US-50 Interchange. To further delineatethese two areas of concern, additional sediment and surface water sampling was conducted in theseareas in August and September 2020. In addition, in October of 2020, small fish were collected foranalysis of PCBs in fish tissue. * A sample was not able to be collected from OF-12, or between the outfall and the stream, so this sample was taken in creek sediments where the outfall spills. ** These samples were analyzed via EPA Method 1668.
Service Item Id: 4182d67f89014565bf2aa1415fbd3ba5
Copyright Text: Elizabeth Green (Retired)
Benjamin J. Daniels, Ph.D., P.G.
Remedial Project Manager
Federal Assessment and Remediation Division Land and Materials Administration
Maryland Department of the Environment
1800 Washington Boulevard, Suite 625
Baltimore, Maryland 21230
ben.daniels@maryland.gov
410-537-3346 (O)
Description: Twenty locations were identified along the entire length of LBC, two of its tributaries (Cabin Branch andCattail Branch), and reference points in the NEB and NWB for surface water and sediment sampling, inconsultation with MDE’s Water and Science Administration as well as Prince George’s CountyDepartment of the Environment. Samples were collected according to the work plan for this effort.Sample locations, rationale, and identification are provided in Table 1. Sample locations are shown onFigure 1. All sampling was conducted on November 20, 2019, by two separate field teams. In the 30 daysprior to sampling, there was significant rainfall (5.72 inches at the rain gage near Beltsville, MD).However, most of this occurred at the end of October. Between November 2, 2019 and November 20,2019, only 0.38 inches of rain was recorded at this station. A moderate rainfall occurred on November19, the day before sampling, with 0.2 inches of rain recorded at nearby weather stations. However,water velocity and streamflow data from the USGS gage station on LBC indicate that by the timesampling occurred on November 20, LBC had returned to baseflow conditions, with discharge around 7cubic feet per second (USGS Gage Station data).
Service Item Id: 4182d67f89014565bf2aa1415fbd3ba5
Copyright Text: Elizabeth Green (Retired)
Benjamin J. Daniels, Ph.D., P.G.
Remedial Project Manager
Federal Assessment and Remediation Division Land and Materials Administration
Maryland Department of the Environment
1800 Washington Boulevard, Suite 625
Baltimore, Maryland 21230
ben.daniels@maryland.gov
410-537-3346 (O)
Description: Twenty locations were identified along the entire length of LBC, two of its tributaries (Cabin Branch andCattail Branch), and reference points in the NEB and NWB for surface water and sediment sampling, inconsultation with MDE’s Water and Science Administration as well as Prince George’s CountyDepartment of the Environment. Samples were collected according to the work plan for this effort.Sample locations, rationale, and identification are provided in Table 1. Sample locations are shown onFigure 1. All sampling was conducted on November 20, 2019, by two separate field teams. In the 30 daysprior to sampling, there was significant rainfall (5.72 inches at the rain gage near Beltsville, MD).However, most of this occurred at the end of October. Between November 2, 2019 and November 20,2019, only 0.38 inches of rain was recorded at this station. A moderate rainfall occurred on November19, the day before sampling, with 0.2 inches of rain recorded at nearby weather stations. However,water velocity and streamflow data from the USGS gage station on LBC indicate that by the timesampling occurred on November 20, LBC had returned to baseflow conditions, with discharge around 7cubic feet per second (USGS Gage Station data).
Service Item Id: 4182d67f89014565bf2aa1415fbd3ba5
Copyright Text: Elizabeth Green (Retired)
Benjamin J. Daniels, Ph.D., P.G.
Remedial Project Manager
Federal Assessment and Remediation Division Land and Materials Administration
Maryland Department of the Environment
1800 Washington Boulevard, Suite 625
Baltimore, Maryland 21230
ben.daniels@maryland.gov
410-537-3346 (O)
Description: 2007 to 2011 data from MDE Anacostia Watershed Specific. Media includes Fish, Sediment, Water, Passive, Clam, and Soil. Data includs PCB total and Homologs
Service Item Id: 4182d67f89014565bf2aa1415fbd3ba5
Copyright Text: Leonard Schugam
MDE - WSA
IWPP - TMDL Division
Montgomery Business Park
1800 Washington Boulevard Suite 540
Baltimore, MD 21230
Phone: (410) 537-3935
FAX: (410) 537-3873
email: Leonard.Schugam@maryland.gov
Description: NPS conducted the tributary sediment sampling on November 27, 2018 through December 1,2018. The location where each sediment sample was collected is shown on Figure 4. Table 3provides the sample identifications, northing and easting, sampling date, sampling method, and adescription of the sampling location, in addition to any changes to the sampling location from theproposed location. Samples were collected from four locations within HR, nine locations fromLBC, 18 locations from NEB, 14 locations from NWB, and ten locations from WB, for a total of55 locations sampled. A total of three duplicate samples and three matrix spike (MS) and matrixspike duplicate (MSD) samples were also collected during this investigation, resulting in a totalof 64 samples collected.Collected bottom sediment samples (top 6 inches of sediment) from 55 locations inthe five major tributaries Analyzed for following compounds:PCB CongenersDioxins and FuransParent and alkylated PAHsPesticidesMercuryAlso analyzed for TOC and grain size
Service Item Id: 4182d67f89014565bf2aa1415fbd3ba5
Copyright Text: Donna Davies
CERCLA Project Manager
484-663-1043
https://app.box.com/s/6cqd7wu1a87fqkd3sggrwhsorr5xi48t/folder/217792400050
Description: NPS conducted the tributary sediment sampling on November 27, 2018 through December 1,2018. The location where each sediment sample was collected is shown on Figure 4. Table 3provides the sample identifications, northing and easting, sampling date, sampling method, and adescription of the sampling location, in addition to any changes to the sampling location from theproposed location. Samples were collected from four locations within HR, nine locations fromLBC, 18 locations from NEB, 14 locations from NWB, and ten locations from WB, for a total of55 locations sampled. A total of three duplicate samples and three matrix spike (MS) and matrixspike duplicate (MSD) samples were also collected during this investigation, resulting in a totalof 64 samples collected.Collected bottom sediment samples (top 6 inches of sediment) from 55 locations inthe five major tributaries Analyzed for following compounds:PCB CongenersDioxins and FuransParent and alkylated PAHsPesticidesMercuryAlso analyzed for TOC and grain size
Service Item Id: 4182d67f89014565bf2aa1415fbd3ba5
Copyright Text: Donna Davies
CERCLA Project Manager
484-663-1043
https://app.box.com/s/6cqd7wu1a87fqkd3sggrwhsorr5xi48t/folder/217792400050
Description: 12 passive samplers made of polyethylene sheets were deployed in various locations along the stretch of LBC that runs parallel to Pennsy Drive in Hyattsville, MD. The samplers are placed in a metal mesh envelope which is attached to a u-post to secure the sampler to the location site. The samplers were positioned to sample the overlying water in the creek. Nine samplers were deployed in LBC, and three samplers were deployed in smaller tributaries that feed into LBC, to identify areas of elevated PCB concentrations in the surface water. Only surface water passive samplers were deployed (i.e., no porewater samplers were deployed in this project). The samplers were deployed on April 17th, 2024 and retrieved on June 18th, 2024, for a total deployment time of 62 days. The samplers were taken back to the Ghosh lab at UMBC where PCBs were extracted from the passive samplers with hexane, treated with copper to remove sulfur from the samples, and run through a silica gel column to remove organic compounds that interfere with PCB detection on the analytical machinery. The samples were run on a Agilent 6890N Gas Chromatograph with electron capture detection for quantification and data analysis. The measurements were converted to freely dissolved water concentrations using the sample concentration, the partition coefficient between water and the sampler, and corrected for non-equilibrium using Performance Reference Compounds (PRCs) pre-loaded on the passive samplers. Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) developed by the Ghosh lab are available for each of these sample preparation and analytical methods.
Service Item Id: 4182d67f89014565bf2aa1415fbd3ba5
Copyright Text: Ben Marino, Upal Ghosh, Nathalie Lombard, Yu Ting, Jasmine Ives, and Eswar Chandra. Technical Memorandum: Source Tracking of PCB Contamination in Lower Beaverdam Creek. Department of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering
University of Maryland, Baltimore County. December 6, 2024
Description: Freely-dissolved PCB concentrations in the tributaries were lower than those in the Anacostia River, with the exception of Lower Beaverdam Creek (LBC), which exhibited PCB levels up to twenty times higher than the concentrations than the Anacostia River. Freely-dissolved concentrations in water phases (water column and sediment porewater) were similar between Summer 2016 and Summer 2017, but seasonal changes were observed with notably a factor of two decrease in the water column from Summer to Fall 2017. For all tributaries and the river, PCB concentrations measured were above the EPA Water Quality Criteria for Human Health protection for the consumption of water and organisms (0.064 ng/L; at 1 in a million incremental risk of cancer) throughout the seasons.
Service Item Id: 4182d67f89014565bf2aa1415fbd3ba5
Copyright Text: Upal Ghosh, Nathalie Lombard, Mandar Bokare University of Maryland Baltimore County Department of Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering Baltimore, MD
Alfred Pinkney U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Chesapeake Bay Field Office Annapolis, MD Lance Yonkos, Rachel Harrison University of Maryland College Park Department of Environmental Science and Technology College Park, MD
Description: Sampling locations (Table 1, Figure 2) were chosen to obtain pre-remedial concentrations of MC and BK in the Anacostia River, its tributaries, and Kingman Lake. 3 In addition, Potomac River locations were sampled to provide regional context. Fish were collected in September and October 2018, June through August 2019, June through November 2020, and September through October 2022.
Service Item Id: 4182d67f89014565bf2aa1415fbd3ba5
Copyright Text: Alfred E. Pinkney (Retired)
Raquel Wetzell
US Fish and Wildlife Service
Chesapeake Bay Field Office
177 Admiral Cochrane Dr.
Annapolis, MD 21401
cell 571-882-0997
Description: Sampling locations (Table 1, Figure 2) were chosen to obtain pre-remedial concentrations of MC and BK in the Anacostia River, its tributaries, and Kingman Lake. 3 In addition, Potomac River locations were sampled to provide regional context. Fish were collected in September and October 2018, June through August 2019, June through November 2020, and September through October 2022.
Service Item Id: 4182d67f89014565bf2aa1415fbd3ba5
Copyright Text: Alfred E. Pinkney (Retired)
Raquel Wetzell
US Fish and Wildlife Service
Chesapeake Bay Field Office
177 Admiral Cochrane Dr.
Annapolis, MD 21401
cell 571-882-0997
Description: Site‐specific monitoring for PCBs and OC pesticides: consider home range to be 0.5 miles or less• Short‐lived: ~3‐4 years so will respond more quickly to changes to contaminant concentrations in water and sediment• Pre vs. post‐remedial monitoring in tributaries and tidal river• Can isolate areas of tributaries that are high vs. low to focus source tracking • Compare between tributaries and mainstem• Compare Potomac vs. Anacostia
Service Item Id: 4182d67f89014565bf2aa1415fbd3ba5
Copyright Text: Fred Pinkney retired
Raquel Wetzell
US Fish and Wildlife Service
Chesapeake Bay Field Office
177 Admiral Cochrane Dr.
Annapolis, MD 21401
cell 571-882-0997
Description: A study was conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the Washington, D.C., Department of Energy & Environment to estimate the loads of suspended-sediment-bound chemical compounds in five gaged tributaries and four ungaged tributaries of the Anacostia River (known locally as “Lower Anacostia River”) in Washington, D.C. Tributaries whose discharge is measured by the USGS are the Northeast and Northwest Branches of the Anacostia River, referred to in this report as “Northeast Branch” (NEB) and “Northwest Branch” (NWB), respectively; Watts Branch (WB); and Hickey Run (HR). A USGS streamflow-gaging station was established in 2016 on Beaverdam Creek (known locally as “Lower Beaverdam Creek” [LBDC]) to support this study. The ungaged streams studied include Nash Run; Pope Branch; an unnamed stream at Fort DuPont, referred to in this report as “Fort DuPont Creek”; and an unnamed stream at Fort Stanton, referred to in this report as “Fort Stanton Creek.” The gaged streams were sampled during four to five storms and two low-flow events during January, March, May, and July 2017. The ungaged streams were sampled during one storm and one low-flow event during July 2017. Storm sampling involved collecting large-volume (60- to 70-liter) composite samples, then removing sediment by filtration in the laboratory. Low-flow samples were obtained by filtering streamwater directly in the field. Continuously recording data sondes were deployed throughout the study to measure turbidity and other water-quality characteristics. During sampling, multiple discrete samples of streamwater were collected to determine suspended-sediment concentration (SSC) and particulate organic carbon (POC) concentration. Shortly after each storm, bed sediment was collected for chemical analysis.Sediment samples were analyzed for 209 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners; 35 polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds, including 20 nonalkylated and 15 alkylated species; and 20 organochlorine pesticide (OP) compounds. Sediment from one storm was analyzed for 23 metals.
Service Item Id: 4182d67f89014565bf2aa1415fbd3ba5
Copyright Text: Washington, D.C., Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) Funded
Timothy P. Wilson, Ph.D. (Retired)
Dr. Trevor Needham
Supervisory Hydrologist
email: tneedham@usgs.gov
U.S. Geological Survey MD-DE-DC Water Science Center
5522 Research Park Drive
Baltimore, MD 21228
cell phone: (301) 395-3986
office phone: (443) 498-5584