UNC Superfund Basic Research UNC Superfund Basic Research Program Program Research Translation CoreResearch Translation CoreDana Haine, Science Educator Dana Haine, Science Educator

What’s in the What’s in the Water?Water?

Funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Central QuestionsCentral Questions

How does water get polluted? How does water get polluted? What is a hazardous waste site?What is a hazardous waste site? What is a Superfund Site?What is a Superfund Site? How is hazardous waste cleaned How is hazardous waste cleaned

up? up? How might chemicals in the water How might chemicals in the water

affect wildlife and humans? affect wildlife and humans?

Movement of Movement of contaminantscontaminants

www.epa.gov

Point source:Point source: any any single identifiable, single identifiable, stationarystationary source from which pollutants source from which pollutants are discharged (e.g., a pipe, industrial are discharged (e.g., a pipe, industrial facility, or wastewater treatment plant)facility, or wastewater treatment plant)

Non-point source:Non-point source: pollutant comes pollutant comes from a from a broad area and/or many diffuse broad area and/or many diffuse sourcessources. Precipitation moving over and . Precipitation moving over and through the ground picks up pollutantsthrough the ground picks up pollutants. .

Types of Water Pollution Types of Water Pollution

Point Source Pollution and Plume Formation

http://earthsci.org/education/teacher/basicgeol/groundwa/groundwa.html

Water-solubleWater-solublee.g., pesticides, perchlorate, chromium, and e.g., pesticides, perchlorate, chromium, and MTBE MTBE

LNAPLs, Light Non-Aqueous Phase LNAPLs, Light Non-Aqueous Phase LiquidsLiquidse.g., benzene, toluene, jet fuel, and gasoline e.g., benzene, toluene, jet fuel, and gasoline

DNAPLs, Dense Non-Aqueous Phase DNAPLs, Dense Non-Aqueous Phase LiquidsLiquidse.g., trichloroethylene (TCE), polychlorinated e.g., trichloroethylene (TCE), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)biphenyls (PCBs)

Classifying Water Classifying Water ContaminantsContaminants

Groundwater Contamination:Groundwater Contamination:LNAPLs and DNAPLs LNAPLs and DNAPLs

http://earthsci.org/education/teacher/basicgeol/groundwa/groundwa.html

Activity 1Activity 1

Water Muddle Up and Clean Water Muddle Up and Clean UpUp

Loop LakeLoop Lake

You own property surrounding Loop Lake.

Safe Drinking Water Act Safe Drinking Water Act Sets Standards for Drinking Water Sets Standards for Drinking Water

ContaminantsContaminants Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs)Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs)

Microorganisms Microorganisms Disinfectants Disinfectants Disinfection Byproducts Disinfection Byproducts Inorganic Chemicals Inorganic Chemicals Organic Chemicals Organic Chemicals Radionuclides Radionuclides

http://www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/index.html#mcls

Toxic Chemicals Can:Toxic Chemicals Can:

Interact with macromolecules within Interact with macromolecules within the bodythe body

Impair or inhibit metabolic processesImpair or inhibit metabolic processes Induce mutations in DNA (mutagenic)Induce mutations in DNA (mutagenic) May increase the risk of cancer by May increase the risk of cancer by

altering cellular metabolism or damaging altering cellular metabolism or damaging DNA directly (carcinogenic)DNA directly (carcinogenic)

Impair reproductionImpair reproduction Induce birth defects (teratogenic)Induce birth defects (teratogenic)

Demonstrating Susceptibility

Exposure to Chemicals: What’s the Exposure to Chemicals: What’s the risk?risk?

Images from Integrated Environmental Health Middle School Project • University of Washington

ExposureExposure is the amount of a chemical is the amount of a chemical that comes in that comes in direct contactdirect contact with your with your body. body.

Dose is the amount of a chemical that actually enters your body.

Response is the reaction to the dose.

ToxicityToxicity is a measure of how is a measure of how dangerous a chemcial is. dangerous a chemcial is.

People may be more People may be more susceptiblesusceptible, or , or more likely to get sick, due to more likely to get sick, due to genetics, body size, age, gender or genetics, body size, age, gender or general health.general health.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)(PCBs)

Man-made class of oil-like Man-made class of oil-like chemicals used in the chemicals used in the manufacture of electrical manufacture of electrical equipment due to the equipment due to the molecules’ insulating molecules’ insulating properties.properties.

Banned from manufacture Banned from manufacture in the US in 1977.in the US in 1977.

      

PCBs in the EnvironmentPCBs in the Environment

Do not readily break down and thus Do not readily break down and thus persist in the environmentpersist in the environment

Stick to particles and bottom sediments Stick to particles and bottom sediments in water in water

Build up in fatty tissues of animals due Build up in fatty tissues of animals due to their fat-soluble (lipophilic) to their fat-soluble (lipophilic) properties (bioaccumulation)properties (bioaccumulation)

Ingested by aquatic organisms and Ingested by aquatic organisms and increase in concentration through food increase in concentration through food chain (biomagnification) chain (biomagnification)

PCBs & Human HealthPCBs & Human Health

““Probably carcinogenic” - EPAProbably carcinogenic” - EPA Humans/Animal models exposed to Humans/Animal models exposed to

PCBs have exhibited:PCBs have exhibited: Acne-like skin conditionsAcne-like skin conditions Liver damageLiver damage Impaired reproductionImpaired reproduction Low birth weight babiesLow birth weight babies Impaired immune systemsImpaired immune systems

A Hazardous Waste SiteA Hazardous Waste Site

Loop Lake is now a hazardous waste site.

According to the EPA…According to the EPA…

One in four Americans lives within 4 One in four Americans lives within 4 miles of a hazardous waste sitemiles of a hazardous waste site, yet , yet many US citizens are unaware of many US citizens are unaware of these sites and their implications for these sites and their implications for human health. human health.

To search for EPA clean-up sites in To search for EPA clean-up sites in your community: your community: http://iaspub.epa.gov/Cleanups/index.jsp

What is Superfund? What is Superfund? Established by Congress in 1980 to clean up Established by Congress in 1980 to clean up

the country’s worst hazardous waste sites; the country’s worst hazardous waste sites; Locates, investigates, cleans up and Locates, investigates, cleans up and

monitors hazardous waste sites throughout monitors hazardous waste sites throughout the US; the US;

Works with communities to return Works with communities to return hazardous waste sites to safe and hazardous waste sites to safe and productive sites following cleanup; productive sites following cleanup;

Administered through the Environmental Administered through the Environmental Protection Agency in cooperation with state Protection Agency in cooperation with state and tribal governments.and tribal governments.

Source: EPA, http://www.epa.gov/superfund/index.htm

What is a Superfund What is a Superfund Site? Site?

““A Superfund site is any land in the A Superfund site is any land in the United States that has been United States that has been contaminated by hazardous waste contaminated by hazardous waste and identified by the Environmental and identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Protection Agency (EPA) as a as a candidate for cleanup because it candidate for cleanup because it poses a risk to human health and/or poses a risk to human health and/or the environment.”the environment.”- US Environmental Protection Agency- US Environmental Protection Agency

EPA has the authority:EPA has the authority: ““to conduct removal actions where to conduct removal actions where

immediate action needs to be taken; immediate action needs to be taken; to enforce against potentially to enforce against potentially

responsible parties; responsible parties; to ensure community involvement; to ensure community involvement; to involve states; to involve states; and to ensure long-term protectiveness.”and to ensure long-term protectiveness.”

- US Environmental Protection Agency,- US Environmental Protection Agency, http://www.epa.gov/superfund/about.htmhttp://www.epa.gov/superfund/about.htm

Superfund Clean Up Superfund Clean Up TimelineTimeline

Discovery of Contaminated SiteDiscovery of Contaminated Site Preliminary Assessment/InspectionPreliminary Assessment/Inspection NPL Site Listing ProcessNPL Site Listing Process Remedial Investigation/Feasibility StudyRemedial Investigation/Feasibility Study Records of DecisionRecords of Decision Remedial Design & ActionRemedial Design & Action Construction CompletionConstruction Completion NPL DeletionNPL Deletion Site Reuse/RedevelopmentSite Reuse/Redevelopment

=Clean-Up

2007 Priority List of 2007 Priority List of Hazardous Substances Hazardous Substances

1.1. ARSENICARSENIC2.2. LEAD LEAD 3.3. MERCURY MERCURY 4.4. VINYL CHLORIDE VINYL CHLORIDE 5.5. POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLSPOLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS 6.6. BENZENEBENZENE7.7. CADMIUM CADMIUM 8.8. POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONSPOLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS

These substances are most commonly found at facilities on These substances are most commonly found at facilities on the National Priorities List (NPL) and which are determined the National Priorities List (NPL) and which are determined to pose the most significant potential threat to human to pose the most significant potential threat to human health due to their known or suspected toxicity and health due to their known or suspected toxicity and potential for human exposure at these NPL sites. potential for human exposure at these NPL sites.

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/cercla/07list.html

How is contaminated soil How is contaminated soil cleaned?cleaned?

Allow natural processes to breakdown Allow natural processes to breakdown contaminantcontaminant BioremediationBioremediation PhytoremediationPhytoremediation

Use a detergent to clean contaminated Use a detergent to clean contaminated soilsoil

Thermal desorption Thermal desorption Isolate contaminated areaIsolate contaminated area

Concrete dikesConcrete dikes Cap with impervious layers of plastic/clayCap with impervious layers of plastic/clay

How is polluted water How is polluted water cleaned?cleaned?

Surface WaterSurface Water Prevent spreadingPrevent spreading Allow natural processes to breakdown contaminantAllow natural processes to breakdown contaminant Skim contaminant from surface Skim contaminant from surface Mix and aerate to promote natural clean up Mix and aerate to promote natural clean up Clean up contaminated sediments Clean up contaminated sediments

Dredge Dredge Place a cover over themPlace a cover over them Allow natural processes to break them downAllow natural processes to break them down

Groundwater Groundwater Pump and treat and return to groundPump and treat and return to ground Containment Containment Allow natural processes to breakdown contaminantAllow natural processes to breakdown contaminant

North Carolina

National Priority List of Superfund sites (2008)

http://www.epa.gov/superfund/sites/npl/nc.htm

Map Key:      Proposed: 1        Final: 31        Deleted: 1

Ward Transformer, Morrisville, NC, reconditioned Ward Transformer, Morrisville, NC, reconditioned electrical transformers since 1964 electrical transformers since 1964

1978 - Ward sprays 30,000 tons of PCB-contaminated oil 1978 - Ward sprays 30,000 tons of PCB-contaminated oil along 243 miles of NC roads in 14 countiesalong 243 miles of NC roads in 14 counties

1982 - EPA moves soil to new landfill in Warren County 1982 - EPA moves soil to new landfill in Warren County

NPL Site: PCB SpillsNPL Site: PCB Spills

Population 69% Population 69% minority, over 20% minority, over 20% low-incomelow-income

Spurred the Spurred the Environmental Environmental Justice movement Justice movement

PCB Landfill PCB Landfill Detoxification Detoxification

PCB contaminated soil (82,000 tons) PCB contaminated soil (82,000 tons) was treated by indirect thermal was treated by indirect thermal desorption (Aug 2002-October 2003)desorption (Aug 2002-October 2003)

4,500 gallons of concentrated PCB oil 4,500 gallons of concentrated PCB oil was recovered and taken to a was recovered and taken to a hazardous waste facilityhazardous waste facility

http://www.tdxassociates.com/Indirect%20Fired.html

Ward Transformer, Morrisville, NC, Ward Transformer, Morrisville, NC, reconditioned electrical transformers reconditioned electrical transformers since 1964 since 1964

Added to National Priority List in 2003. Added to National Priority List in 2003. Found PCBs on the site and in streams Found PCBs on the site and in streams

and wetlands downstream of the site.and wetlands downstream of the site. More than 100,000 tons of PCB More than 100,000 tons of PCB

contaminated soil and material will be contaminated soil and material will be cleaned up. cleaned up.

Clean up (direct-fired thermal Clean up (direct-fired thermal desorption) is in progress and expected desorption) is in progress and expected to be complete by the end of 2008.to be complete by the end of 2008.

NPL Site: Ward NPL Site: Ward TransformerTransformer

Downstream Downstream ContaminationContamination

Watch WRAL News Story:Watch WRAL News Story:http://www.wral.com/news/local/wral_investigates/video/2877995/

Activity 2Activity 2

What is the effect of PCBs in the What is the effect of PCBs in the environment on wildlife and humans?environment on wildlife and humans?

Biomagnification of PCBS Biomagnification of PCBS

Primary Consumer

Tertiary Consumer

Secondary Consumer

Enter Number of PCBs acquired during activity

Zooplankton

XX

XX

XX

http://www.wakegov.com/parks/lakecrabtree/fishing.htm

Bioaccumulation vs Bioaccumulation vs BiomagnificationBiomagnification

BioaccumulationBioaccumulation Concentration of a pollutant Concentration of a pollutant withinwithin an organism an organism Body BurdenBody Burden refers to the amount of pollution refers to the amount of pollution

present in an organismpresent in an organism Pollution of the human body begins before birth Pollution of the human body begins before birth

BiomagnificationBiomagnification Concentration of a pollutant within a food chainConcentration of a pollutant within a food chain

PCBs, DDT, Mercury, Arsenic, DioxinPCBs, DDT, Mercury, Arsenic, Dioxin

UNC Superfund Basic UNC Superfund Basic Research ProgramResearch Program

Advances the scientific knowledge Advances the scientific knowledge required to understand and reduce risks required to understand and reduce risks to human health associated with several to human health associated with several of the highest priority chemicals of the highest priority chemicals regulated under the Superfund program, regulated under the Superfund program, namely polycyclic aromatic namely polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and chlorinated hydrocarbons (PAHs) and chlorinated hydrocarbons (TCE and PCB). hydrocarbons (TCE and PCB).

Biomedical Research ProjectsBiomedical Research Projects Toxicity caused by Oxidative Stress (e.g., Toxicity caused by Oxidative Stress (e.g.,

DNA Damage)DNA Damage) Toxicity of Trichloroethylene (TCE)Toxicity of Trichloroethylene (TCE) Metabolism of PAHs and benzene in the Metabolism of PAHs and benzene in the

bodybody Impact of exposure to PAHs on the bodyImpact of exposure to PAHs on the body

Cleanup (Remediation) Research Cleanup (Remediation) Research ProjectsProjects

Biodegradation of PAHs Biodegradation of PAHs Enhanced DNAPL RemediationEnhanced DNAPL Remediation

UNC Superfund Basic Research UNC Superfund Basic Research ProgramProgram

Faculty Research Projects:Faculty Research Projects:

Polycyclic Aromatic Hyrdocarbons Polycyclic Aromatic Hyrdocarbons (PAHs)(PAHs)

Formed during Formed during incomplete burning incomplete burning of coal, oil, gas, and of coal, oil, gas, and other organic other organic materialsmaterials

Over 100 different Over 100 different moleculesmolecules

16 are regulated by 16 are regulated by the EPAthe EPA

7 of these are known 7 of these are known human carcinogenshuman carcinogens

www.emsl.pnl.gov/new/highlights/200404/

PAH Hazard: Manufactured-PAH Hazard: Manufactured-gas plant sites gas plant sites

These plants made gas by These plants made gas by heating coal and/or oil. heating coal and/or oil.

Coal tar was the by-Coal tar was the by-product from this process. product from this process.

Coal tars containing PAHs Coal tars containing PAHs may have been left may have been left behind in subsurface behind in subsurface structures and soils after structures and soils after plant closure. plant closure.

There are approximately There are approximately 35 sites in NC.35 sites in NC.

Tarry material freshly excavated at a formermanufactured-gas plant site in Greenville, SC(photo by Joanna Park)

Dr. Mike Aitken: Dr. Mike Aitken: Biodegradation of PAHs Biodegradation of PAHs

Studying PAH Studying PAH contaminated soil from contaminated soil from former manufactured-former manufactured-gas plant sites.gas plant sites.

Characterizing the Characterizing the biodegradation of PAHs biodegradation of PAHs by microorganisms.by microorganisms.

Researching how to Researching how to make biodegradation make biodegradation more effective and more effective and efficient.efficient.

Dr. Aitken’s Research Team is: Dr. Aitken’s Research Team is:

Characterizing the microbial community in Characterizing the microbial community in contaminated soil samples.contaminated soil samples.

Investigating mechanisms for stimulating Investigating mechanisms for stimulating biodegradation.biodegradation.

Searching for genes/gene products that Searching for genes/gene products that enable microbes to breakdown PAHs.enable microbes to breakdown PAHs.

Investigating the movement of PAHs from Investigating the movement of PAHs from contaminated soil to skin.contaminated soil to skin.

Assessing the movement of PAHs in Assessing the movement of PAHs in groundwater.groundwater.

UUsing Soil Columns to Investigate sing Soil Columns to Investigate BiodegradationBiodegradation

Sterile Synthetic Groundwater

Monitor PAH levels over timeMonitor Microbial Community over time

Contaminated

Soil

UUsing Soil Columns to Investigate sing Soil Columns to Investigate BiodegradationBiodegradation

Making Superfund Relevant Making Superfund Relevant to Studentsto Students

Superfund in NC offers an opportunity Superfund in NC offers an opportunity to share relevant scientific concepts to share relevant scientific concepts and societal issues with students and societal issues with students

Connecting industrial hazardous waste Connecting industrial hazardous waste to information on household hazardous to information on household hazardous waste can help empower students to waste can help empower students to improve their immediate environmentimprove their immediate environment

Ample resources and curricula exist to Ample resources and curricula exist to support your teachingsupport your teaching

““Students read background information about Students read background information about Superfund; discuss relevant Superfund sites in NC.”Superfund; discuss relevant Superfund sites in NC.”Stacy Rinehart, 7Stacy Rinehart, 7thth grade science, Wake County Schools grade science, Wake County Schools

““Working in groups, students research different Working in groups, students research different Superfund sites in NC. Students use worksheets to Superfund sites in NC. Students use worksheets to simplify the technical information”:simplify the technical information”: Where's the mess?  Where's the mess?  What chemicals are in the mess? What chemicals are in the mess? How do you know the groundwater is contaminated?  How do you know the groundwater is contaminated?  What did the government (or company) do to clean up the mess?  What did the government (or company) do to clean up the mess?  Do you know if the groundwater is safe to drink? Do you know if the groundwater is safe to drink? 

John Cardarelli, 6John Cardarelli, 6thth grade science, Winston Salem Schools grade science, Winston Salem Schools

Superfund in the Superfund in the ClassroomClassroom

Superfund in the ClassroomSuperfund in the ClassroomHow can UNC SBRP help?How can UNC SBRP help?

Provide lessons and resourcesProvide lessons and resources

http://www.ie.unc.edu/erp/resources.cfm

Provide access to UNC SBRP Provide access to UNC SBRP scientists/facilities (lab tours)scientists/facilities (lab tours)

Identify potential guest speaker(s) Identify potential guest speaker(s) from UNC SBRP or local Superfund from UNC SBRP or local Superfund sitesite

Making Superfund Relevant to Students

Monday August 4, 20088:00 am - 4:00 pm

Lake Crabtree County Park1400 Aviation ParkwayMorrisville, NC

Statewide media attention has spurred interest in theWard Transformer Superfund Site and its effects on Lake Crabtree County Park in Wake County. Educators will hear from an engineer working on the site cleanup and will learn how to incorporate this local environmental issue into their curricula using hands-on materials and activities.

This workshop is sponsored by Lake Crabtree County Park and the UNC Superfund Basic Research Program.

Registration Deadline is Friday July 25, 2008 http://www.wakegov.com/parks/lakecrabtree/Educator+Workshops.htm For more information call 919-460-2723 or email Colleen.Bockhahn@co.wake.nc.us

This workshop is geared towards both informal and formal science and civics educators who work with middle and/or high school students. Participants can receive 10 hours CEU credit or Criteria II or III for EE Certification program (8 contact hours and 2 hours of homework).

Superfund Basic Research ProgramSuperfund Basic Research Program

University of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

www.uncsbrp.orgwww.uncsbrp.org

Dana Haine, Science EducatorDana Haine, Science Educator

(919) 843-5735(919) 843-5735

dhaine@unc.edudhaine@unc.edu

Contact InformationContact Information