tions were variable and white phosphorus parti-
(1998) Treatment verification: Monitoring the
cles were large, did not show a detectable change
remediation of white-phosphorus-contaminated
in concentration from the June sample.
sediments of drained ponds. In Interagency expand-
Additional composite samples were taken
ed site investigation: Evaluation of white phosphorus
contamination and potential treatability at Eagle River
from Pond 40 of Area C/D. No white phosphorus
Flats, Alaska (C.M. Collins and D. Cate, Ed.).
was detected by composite sampling, indicating
CRREL Contract Report to U.S. Army, Alaska,
that this pond is not a serious threat to waterfowl.
Directorate of Public Works, FY97 Final Report, p.
Finally, monitoring of the dredge spoils contin-
4162.
ued. The dredge spoils were air-dried in the
We monitored the effectiveness of pond drain-
retention basin during 1997, and no white phos-
ing on the remediation of white-phosphorus-
phorus residue was found from particles planted
contaminated sediments. Transects were estab-
in 1995.
lished in Area C (ponds 164 and 183), which was
drained by pumping, and in the Bread Truck Pond
Walsh, M.R. (1996) Development of a remotely
(ponds 99 and 109), which was drained by breach-
controlled drilling and sampling system for
ing. The 200-m-long transects extended from what
remediation program at Eagle River Flats. In
was intermittent pond on the west side to what
Interagency expanded site investigation: Evaluation of
was permanent pond on the east side. At 100-m
white phosphorus contamination and potential treat-
intervals, dataloggers recorded the output of sedi-
ability at Eagle River Flats, Alaska (C.H. Racine and
D. Cate, Ed.). CRREL Contract Report to U.S.
ment moisture and temperature sensors, and the
Army, Alaska, Directorate of Public Works, FY95
attenuation of planted white phosphorus particles
Final Report, p. 345364.
was measured. At 50-m intervals, composite sam-
ples were collected from gridded areas extending
The goal of this project was to develop, build,
20 m north and south of the westeast transects.
test, and deploy a remotely operated drilling/
Pumping was very successful at drying the sur-
coring platform for use in the Flats to assist in the
face sediments of Area C. Breaching of the Bread
study of remediation efficiencies for these
Truck Pond has resulted in some drying of the sur-
projects. A market survey, including visits to
face sediment, but a topography characterized by
manufacturers, was conducted and the capabili-
swales and craters that do not drain and a lower
ties of various equipment configurations dis-
tidal flooding threshold slow the potential atten-
cussed. Additional discussions were held with
uation rates.
Sublimation/oxidation conditions were favor-
Alaska. From these discussions, a set of specifica-
able for removal of some white phosphorus from
tions was developed and bid requests sent out
the surface sediments of Area C and the Bread
through the Ft. Richardson contracting office for a
Truck Pond. An approximately 50% decline in
small, lightweight, mobile drill.
mass, from 5.56 to 2.8 + 0.9 mg, was found for
Concurrent with this contracting effort, the
white phosphorus particles planted in the surface
U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Develop-
sediments of Area C and the Bread Truck Pond.
ment, and Engineering Command in Warren,
Composite samples taken in June from Area C and
Michigan, was tasked to develop, build, and test
the Bread Truck Pond showed that most of the
a remote-control system for a vehicle similar to
contamination was located at the midpoint of
the carriers used with the drilling systems
reviewed. A 6 6 vehicle was available for this
transects running west to east from intermittent to
purpose and sent to TARDEC as a test bed. Speci-
permanently flooded ponds. Resampling in Sep-
fications for a remote camera system were also
tember showed significant declines (>80%) in
developed and a system ordered.
white phosphorus concentrations in Area C and
Contracting delays resulted in the awarding of
the south side of Bread Truck Pond. Because the
mass of white phosphorus found in the composite
the contract on 22 July, with an early September
samples is the sum of a range of particle sizes,
delivery date. This precluded any meaningful
from colloidal to macroscopic, and because small
work at the Flats for the 1995 season, but through
particles take less time to attenuate, we see greater
a superb effort by TARDEC, a working, tested sys-
loss for those composite samples that had particles
tem was delivered to the Flats on the 28 Septem-
smaller then the manufactured particles. The com-
ber. The drill unit is now in storage at Ft. Richard-
posite sample taken in September from the north
son, ready for a spring deployment for the 1996
side of the Bread Truck Pond, where drying condi-
field season.
71
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