efforts to keep migratory waterfowl from being
Based on the investigations to date, the follow-
poisoned by white phosphorus in the U.S. Army's
ing recommendations are made:
Eagle River Flats (ERF) Impact Area at Ft. Richard-
Cost-effective remediation can be accom-
plished to a significant degree by allowing
son, near Anchorage, Alaska. The work involved
the physical system to remove or isolate WP
the use of a variety of traditional hazing methods
contamination over time.
over discrete, limited areas within Eagle River
Flats, with other less-contaminated areas remain-
50% or more of C Pond, including potentially
ing as undisturbed sanctuaries.
Lawson's Pond in the long term, should be
treated by natural or enhanced drainage and
Pochop, P.A., J.L. Cummings, L. Clark, and J.E.
Davis (1994) Evaluation of Concover and Bento-
subsequent in-situ WP degradation by drying.
BallsTM on contaminated sediments to reduce
Sedimentation and burial of WP may be
effective in removing it from feeding water-
mortality of foraging waterfowl. In Interagency
fowl in the short term; in the long term, bur-
expanded site investigation: Evaluation of white phos-
ial will reduce waterfowl mortality during
phorus contamination and potential treatability at
natural pond drainage in the C, Lawson's
Eagle River Flats, Alaska (C.H. Racine and D. Cate,
and C/D Pond areas.
Ed.). CRREL Contract Report to U.S. Army Garri-
Racine Island Pond may be effectively
son, Alaska, Directorate of Public Works, FY93
remediated by gully extension, artificial
Final Report, p. 305312.
pond drainage, and pumping, and long-term
We evaluated the feasibility of applying two
materials, Concover and BentoBallsTM barrier
containment with a temporary berm to per-
mit in-situ WP degradation by extended dry-
system, on contaminated sediments to provide a
ing of pond bottom sediments. By simply
physical barrier to foraging waterfowl. Labora-
removing the berm after WP has attenuated
tory trials were performed to determine if either
naturally, the pond environment will be
product would stand up to field trials. Visual
restored.
inspections during laboratory trials indicated that
the Concover was immediately penetrated by
Erosion and recession rates, pond sedimenta-
tion, groundwater, pond drainage, and dry-
the water and readily torn up by mallard activity.
In contrast, daily inspections of the BentoBallsTM
should be monitored to ensure that remedi-
indicated that it appeared to maintain its structure
under mallard use. Therefore, the BentoBallsTM
ation is taking place as predicted by physical
system analyses and to assess ecosystem
barrier system was used in the subsequent field
impacts of artificial remediation techniques
trial.
during feasibility studies and remediation.
The field trial was conducted from 14 to 30 June
WP migration and contamination in Knik
1993 at Eagle River Flats. During the pre-treat-
Arm should be evaluated, focusing on areas
ment all of the ducks died in the control and half
of the ducks died in the BentoBallsTM pen within
of near-shore zones and mid-Arm bars where
there is a potential for WP exposure to recep-
the first 6 days. However, no ducks died in the
BentoBalIsTM pen during the last 2 days of the pre-
tors.
treatment. During the post-treatment all of the
The potential for natural attenuation of white
control ducks and none of the BentoBallsTM ducks
phosphorus as the result of mechanical abra-
died. Observations of the BentoBallsTM 42 days
sion during transport by gully and tidal cur-
after application indicated that algae was growing
rents should be evaluated.
on it. During a follow-up trial on 613 August
O'Neil, P. (1994) Hazing waterfowl in ERF. In
1993, more control than treated ducks died up to
Interagency expanded site investigation: Evaluation of
55 hours of exposure. However, there were no dif-
white phosphorus contamination and potential treat-
ferences in mortality after 70 hours.
ability at Eagle River Flats, Alaska (C.H. Racine and
The results of laboratory and field trials of Con-
cover and BentoBalIsTM indicates that the Bento-
D. Cate, Ed.). CRREL Contract Report to U.S. Army
BallsTM barrier system has potential for reducing
Garrison, Alaska, Directorate of Public Works,
FY93 Final Report, p. 267273.
waterfowl mortality and warrants further studies
During parts of May, September, and October of
to determine its effectiveness and longevity for a
1993 under Agreement 12-34-73-2158, USDA/
potential method of remediation on Eagle River
APHIS/Animal Damage Control (ADC) continued
Flats.
50
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