T1 AM Contaminat Cycling Assessment and Prevention in the NY/NJ Harbor (Part 1)
Tuesday, 15 November 2005: 8:00 AM - 11:40 AM in Ballroom 1

(BOT-1117-596195) Tracking Sources of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in NY/NJ Harbor Wastewater Treatment Systems.

Botts, J¹, Spadone, J², McKenna, B³, Lopes, P³, Corsentino, V⁴, ¹ Aquatic Sciences Consulting, Woodbine, MD, USA² Linden Roselle Sewerage Authority, Linden, NJ, USA³ Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners, Newark, NJ, USA⁴ Joint Meeting of Essex and Union Counties, Elizabeth, NJ, USA

ABSTRACT- PCBs are ubiquitous and cause widespread water quality impairment. As regulators develop TMDLs, the underlying question of how to locate and reduce pollutant sources must be answered. Toxic pollutant trackdown methods are being investigated as part of proposed TMDLs for the New Jersey/New York Harbor. EPA requested the New Jersey Harbor Dischargers Group (NJHDG), a consortium of sewerage authorities, to evaluate trackdown methods for its municipal sewer systems, which EPA identified as significant contributors of PCBs. Beginning in 2000, PCBs were monitored in the main sewer lines and WWTP influent at the Linden Roselle Sewerage Authority. Sampling was performed using water samplers and PISCES, a type of semi-permeable membrane device. Results demonstrated the low cost and time-integrated sampling advantages of PISCES. Water sampling was preferred because it provides more quantitative data and can be used to selectively monitor dry or wet weather PCB sources. Gas chromatography (GC) results showed higher total PCB levels in the industrialized western portion of the LRSA sewer system than in residential/commercial areas. This pattern was most distinct in dry weather. Similar total PCB levels in all areas during wet weather suggested a widespread wet weather source. Follow-up tracking by water composite sampling and GC/MS identified areas of concern within the western sewershed. Less costly, more rapid, sampling (i.e., grab samples of settleable solids and sewer sediment) and analytical (immunoassay) methods were also performed. Split sample analysis of sediment and settleable solids indicated a good correlation in total PCB results by GC/MS and immunoassay (R² of 0.95). The alternative methods of grab sampling and immunoassay will be applied with conventional water composite sampling and GC/MS to try to identify the PCB sources. Final results will be used to judge the success or failure of PCB trackdown and the best methods to apply, if successful.

Key words: PCB, trackdown, TMDL, municipal