tion database for Eagle River Flats. In Interagency
mortality rates for mallard ducks placed in six ex-
expanded site investigation: Evaluation of white phos-
perimental pens were fairly reasonable. It is likely
phorus contamination and potential treatability at
that only the restricted "hot spots" with higher
concentrations (13000 g/g) contain particles
Eagle River Flats, Alaska (C.M. Collins and D. Cate,
sufficiently large (greater than 0.5 mm) to be
Ed.). CRREL Contract Report to U.S. Army, Alaska,
selected by and cause acute toxicity to a feeding
Directorate of Public Works, FY97 Final Report, p.
duck. Only 15% of the WP-positive sediment
115127.
samples collected in ERF show concentrations
As the remediation of white phosphorus in
above 1 g/g. The fact that a relatively small per-
ponds proceeds over the next several years, the
centage of the waterfowl that feed in ERF proba-
GIS database will centralize the data needed to
bly die from WP poisoning also supports the "hot
evaluate the success of the effort and monitor
spot" theory and agrees with our finding that less
changes in the environment on ERF. The database
than 15% of all WP-positive sediment samples
design is described and diagrammed. Ongoing
have concentrations over 1 g/g. Only in sedi-
analysis of radiotelemetry data will help analyze
ment samples with concentrations above this
movements and mortality. New coverages for
level have we been able to find identifiable parti-
remediation actions, white phosphorus composite
cles of WP. However, mallards died when placed
sampling, and planted particles were added dur-
in pens from which nearly 100% of samples had
ing FY97. New remote sensing methods for deter-
detectable concentrations of WP, all of which
mining which ponds have drained and for moni-
were less than 1 g/g.
toring gully advancement are described in another
section of this report.
Racine, C.H. (1997) FY96 Eagle River Flats GIS
database. In Interagency expanded site investigation:
Racine, C.H., and M. Brouillette (1995) Appendix
Evaluation of white phosphorus contamination and
A: Eagle River Flats map atlas. In Interagency
potential treatability at Eagle River Flats, Alaska
expanded site investigation: Evaluation of white phos-
(C.M. Collins and D. Cate, Ed.). CRREL Contract
phorus contamination and potential treatability at
Report to U.S. Army, Alaska, Directorate of Public
Eagle River Flats, Alaska (C.H. Racine and D. Cate,
Works, FY96 Final Report, p. 101103.
Ed.). CRREL Contract Report to U.S. Army, Alaska,
In 1996 the ERF spatial database was trans-
Directorate of Public Works, FY94 Final Report, p.
ferred to CH2M Hill for use in the preparation of
633698.
the Remedial Investigation (RI) report, an impor-
Beginning in 1990, when CRREL determined
tant CERCLA document. As part of this transfer,
that WP was the cause of waterfowl mortality in
an audit and QA/QC procedures were conducted
Eagle River Flats, a strong effort was made to sur-
on the database. In the RI document the GIS data-
vey the precise location of all sample sites. During
base was analyzed extensively to conduct an eco-
the period from 1991 to the present (1994), this
logical risk assessment and thereby identify areas
practice has been continued and expanded to the
in ERF of highest risk to waterfowl. Of major
locations of monitoring sites and remediation pilot
importance to these conclusions were coverages
studies. In 1992, a Geographic Information System
(IDRISI) was purchased and surveyed sample
developed and updated in 1996, including the
location information entered. In 1993 the data
Waterfowl Database, consisting of mortality
were placed in a new GIS system (ARCINFO) oper-
transect data, telemetry data, and some census
data from past years. The WP Database was also
ated by M. Brouillette. This has facilitated the pro-
critical to this document and now contains about
duction of the high-quality maps presented here.
2700 samples collected in ERF and analyzed for
This map atlas is produced to document the
WP. Finally, the Landcover Database, showing
location of all sample, monitoring, and remedia-
crater density and the locations and distributions
tion test sites in Eagle River Flats during studies
of ponds used by waterfowl, was critical to iden-
between 1991 and 1994. The database shows in
tifying high-risk sites. Other accomplishments in
map form the location and presenceconcentra-
1996 include transfer of the database to the
tion of WP in all the collected sediments and water
USARAlaska GIS project, telemetry data analysis,
samples. (About 2000 samples were collected and
and future planning of a remediation monitoring
analyzed for WP between 1991 and 1994.) Because
and evaluation database.
the distribution of WP particulates in ERF is
patchy and localized, organism exposure to WP is
Racine, C.H., and P. Berger (1998) GIS remedia-
also site specific and highly localized. These maps
53
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