SDMS Document

103336

Baseline Ecological Risk Assessment for Sediment (0-6 inches) Mercury Refining Company

Colonie, New York prepared by CDM

July 6, 2007

A Baseline Ecological Risk Assessment (BERA) was conducted during 2004-2005 and the report was issued in May 2005 (CDM 2005). In the BERA report, analytical results of sediment samples collected in 2001 and 2004 from all depths were included in one database and evaluated for potential risks for ecological receptors. Hazard quotients (HQs) calculated based on direct contact and food-chain modeling presented in Tables 5-1 and 5-4, respectively, in the BERA report.

This letter report addresses the potential ecological risks to receptors from exposure to sediment samples collected in 2001 and 2004 from 0 to 6 inches. Thus, the sediment database for this letter report only contains analytical results of sediment collected from 0 to 6 inches and results of samples collected from other depths are excluded for this evaluation. The methodology, ecological receptors, toxicity reference values (TRVs), exposure parameters, and chemicals of concern (COCs) employed in this letter report are the same as those in the BERA report (CDM 2005). The COCs evaluated in the BERA report and this letter report are mercury, methyl mercury, vanadium, Aroclor 1260, benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(k)flouranthene and total poiycyciic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Hazard quotients for direct contact for the seven COCs in sediment collected from 0-6 inches at Rensselaer Lake, Inga's Pond, Background Unnamed Tributary, Background Patroon Creek, Patroon Creek downstream of confluence, 1-90 Pond, and Unnamed Tributary are presented in Table 1. Sediment HQs are derived for both mean and maximum COC concentrations. Table 1 corresponds to Table 5-1 in the BERA report. Yellow highlighted cells in Table 1 indicate concentration changes from those in the BERA report. '-•

As Table 1 shows, most concentration changes occur in Patioon Creek downstream of confluence, 1-90 Pond, and Unnamed Tributary. Consequently, changes in HQs calculated based on the data (0-6 inches) did not impact on the conclusions of the potential risks via direct contact. HQs that were above the threshold of one in the BERA Report are still above the threshold of one in this letter report. For example, at 1-90 Pond, mean and maximum detected concentiation-based HQs of mercury were 4.3 and 14, respectively, in the BERA Report. In this letter report, these HQs are 2.7 and 6, respectively, and still above the threshold of one. The highest HQs for direct contact are still for methyl mercury in sediment regardless the depths.

Estimated risks via food-chain rr\odeling are presented in Table 2 which corresponds to Table C-15 in the 2005 BERA Report. Similar to Table 1 the yellow highlighted cells in Table 2 indicate changes in HQs from the BERA Report. All HQ changes are minor, such as 2.3 to 2.4 or 6.6 to 6.5; thus, the risks based on food-chain model concluded in the BERA Report are unchanged.

In conclusion, estimated risks to ecological receptors from direct contact or food-chain

305652

modeling from sediment at all depths and from sediment at 0 - 6 inches are similar. Minor changes noted in the risk calculation based on results of sediment at 0 - 6 inches do not alter the conclusions made in the BERA Report.

Reference CDM 2005. Final Baseline Ecological Risk Assessment, Mercury Refining Site, Colonie, New York. May 6.

3 0 5 6 5 3

Table 1 (Corresponding to Table 5-1 in the BERA Report)

Hazard Quotients (HQ) for Sediment (0-6 inciies) COCs Mercury Refining Company

Colonie, New York

Sediment COC

Mercury (Total)

Methyl mercury

Vanadium

PCBs (Aroclor-1260)

PCBs (Aroclor-1260)

Benzo(a)pyrene

Benzo(k)flouranttiene Total PAHs

TRV

0.18

0.00001 57

63,000

60

370

423 4,000

Units

mg/kg

mg/kg

mg/kg

//g/kg //g/kg

A/g/kg /^g/kg //g/kg

Rensselaer Lake

mean conc

0.31

0.00146

39.1

mean HQ

1.7

146

0.69

max

conc

0.31

0.00146

39.1

max HQ

1.7

146

0.686

inga's Pond

mean conc

0.33

0.00124

51.4

6600

4800 83560

mean HQ

1.8

124

0.90

18

11 21

max

conc

0.33

0.00124

51.4

6600

4800 83560

max HQ

1.8

124

0.90

44

11 52

Background Unnamed Tributary |

mean

conc

0.06

0.000295

10.5

410 410

895

775

15450

mean HQ

0.33333 29.5

0.18 0.00651

6.9

2.4

1.8 3.9

max

conc

0.09

0.00033

13

410

410

980

1200 15450

max

HQ

0.50

33

0.23

0.0065

6.9

2.6

2.8 3.9

o tn a\ in

Sediment COC

Mercury (Total)

Methyl mercury

Vanadium

PCBs (Aroclor-1260)

PCBs (Aroclor-1260)

Benzo(a)pyrene

Benzo(k)flouranthene

Total PAHs

Sediment COC

Mercury (Total)

Methyl mercury

Vanadium

PCBs (Aroclor-1260)

PCBs (Aroclor-1260)

Benzo(a)pyrene

Benzo(k)flouranthene Total PAHs

TRV

0.18

0.00001

57

63,000

60

370

423 4,000

TRV

0.18

0.00001

57

63,000

60

370

423

4,000

Units

mg/kg

mg/kg

mg/kg

//g/kg

//g/kg

fjgi^g /'g/kg /^g/kg

Units

mg/kg

mg/kg

mg/kg

pg/kg

Mg/kg

Mg/kg

Mg/kg Mg/kg

Back mean

conc

0.05 0.00057

6.35

31.5

203

359

U

mean

conc

1.5

0.00195

11.78

211.4

212.2

3206.5

round Patroon Creek mean

HQ

0.28

57

0.11

0.09

0.480 0.09

nnamed

mean HQ

8.33

195

0.21

0.57

0.502

0.80

max conc

0.07

0.00101

6.7

44

380 587

Tributary max

conc

9

0.0091

18.4

500

710

9733

max HQ

0.389

101

0.118

0.119

0.898 0.147

max HQ

50

910

0.323

1.4

1.7

2.4

Patroon Creek downstream of Confluence mean

conc

0.138

0.0003

10.08

805

642.5 11325

mean

HQ

0.77

30

0.18

2.2

1.5 2.8

max conc

0.32

0.00044

12.4

2000

1200 25300

max HQ

1.8 44

0.2

5 2.8

6

1-90 Pond 1 mean conc

0.49

0.00174

18.1

2,750

2,750

1,823

1,191

13,325

Notes: ^ Blank cells indicate no data or non-detect data

mean

HQ

2.7 174

0.3 0.044

46

5

2.8 3.3

max conc

1.1

0.00478 24

4,400

4,400

3,100

2,000

18,980

^ PCBs (Aroclor-1260) values are based on a total of only three samples of

detections (2 in 190 Pond and 1 in Bkg. Unnamed Tributary)

TRV: Toxicity Reference Value

PAH: Poiycyciic aromatic hydrocartwns

HQ: Hazard Quotient max: maximum

conc: concentration

concentration changec

max HQ

6

478

0.42

0.070 74

8

4.7

5

Page 1 of 1

Mathyl nwrctMy Scanario 1

NOAEL HQ

LOAEL HQ

MaWiyl marcury Scanario 2

NOAEL HQ

LOAEL HQ

Total Marcury Scanarlo 1

NOAEL HO

LOAEL HQ

Total Marcury Scanatto 2

NOAEL HQ

LOAEL HQ

Aroclor 1200 Scanarlo 1

NOAELHQ

LOAEL HQ

Aroclor l i e s Scanario 2

NOAEL HQ

LOAEL HQ

Malli|l marcury Scanarlo 1

NOAEL HQ

LOAEL HQ

Matfiyl marcury Scanario 2

NOAEL HQ

LOAEL HQ

Total Marcury Scanarlo 1

NOAEL HQ

LOAEL HQ

Total Marcury Scanarlo 2

NOAELHQ

LOAEL HQ

Aroclor 1200 Scanario 1

NOAEL HQ

LOAEL HQ

Aroclor 12S0 Scanario 2

NOAEL HQ

LOAEL HQ

lab ia 2

(Conaapondlng to TabIa C-15 In tha BERA Raport)

Summary of Rlaks - Food-Chaln Modaling (HQ I .OThnahoM)

Sadlmant 0 - 6 Incbts

Marcury Raflning Company

Colonia, Naw Yoi l i

M M t

I n g i ' s P a n d

B a c k g r o u t d

U n n a m a d

T r l b i 4 « y T r i bu ta r y

P a t r o o n Creek

C o r « u e n c «

^ W P o n d

R a c c o o n

I n g a ' a P o n d

B a c k g r o u n d

U n n a m a d

T f t t K t a r y

U i m a m e d

T r lbu la ry

P a t r o o n Creek

Con f luanoa

l - M P e r t d

Great B h M Heron |

I n f o ' s P o n d U rvMmed

T r t t H t e y

U n n a m e d

T r lbu la ry C r e e k

ConAusnoe

M O Pond

Based on SFF = Area of site (subarea) / Area Foraging or Home Rar^ge (EPA 1993) - Sediment source = me thy fcne fc i ^ |

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

2.6

<1

1.4

<1

8.0

<1

N M

N M

< i

< i

Based on est imated SFF which considers h a M a l awalsbHty and suitaMity (mink/raccoon = 0 20, G B H » 0.967, kbgTnhaf >= 1.0] - Sediment so i ree = methylmercury |

<1

<1

<1

* 1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

< t

<1

2-4

<1

<1

<1

6.5

<1

N M

N M

1.63

<1

Based on SFF - Area of sNe (subaraa) / Area Forsghg or Home Range (EPA 1903) - Sedimenl source - M a i mercury |

<1

< t

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

2,6

<1

1-4

< t

8.2

<1

N M

N M

<1

<1

Based on est imatsd SFF w h c t i considers t i aMa l avalabKty and su la fo i ty (mr t i / racooon = 0 2 0 . G B H = 0 ee7, Idnflfishsr = 1 0 ) - Sedmen t so i ree = lota l m e r o i y |

< t

<1

<1

<1

<1

< l <! <1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

2.4

<1

<1

<1

6.5

<1

N M

N M

1,7

<1

Based on SFF = Area of ake (subarea) / Area Foragng o r Home Range (EPA 1993) |

N M

N M

<1

<1

N M

NM

NM

NM

<1

<1

NM

NM

<1

<1

NM

NM

NM

NM

<1

<1

N M

N M

<1

<1

N M

N M

N M

N M

<1

<1

Based on estvnsted SFF which considers habilat a w i a b * y and su i lab i ty (mink/reccoon = 0 20. GBH <= o 667. kht^ ishsr = t .0) |

N M

N M

< l

<1

NM

NM

NM

NM

<1

< i

NM

NM

<1

<1

NM

NM

NM

NM

<1

<1

N M

N M

<1

<1

N M

N M

N M

N M

<1

<! M a l a r d

k ^ a ' a P o n d

B a d t g r o u n d

U n n a m a d

T r i l x j u r y

U n n a m a d

T r ibu ta ry

P a t r o o n Craal t

C o n l l u a n c a

M O P o n d

B a b d K h i ^ l a h a r |

I n g a ' a P o n d

B a c k g r o u n d

U n n a m a d

TrHMary T r « i u b r y

P a t r o o n Craak

HOPoad

Based on SFF = Area of site (subaraa) / Araa Fofagino or Horns Range (EPA 1993) |

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

9.9

<1

4.0

<1

14.6

1.4

NM

NM

as < i

Based on eeHmated SFF w H c h consda rs hab ta t ava tabMy and su iabMy (mkik/raccoon ' 0.20. G B H = 0.e87. kni^ lsher < 1.0) |

<1

<1

<1

<1

1.8

<1

1.3

<1

<1

<1

9.S

< l

4.0 14.8

<1 1.4

N M

NM

9 5

<1

B e a m on SFF = Area of « e ( a u b a n a ) ( Araa Foraging or Home Range (EPA 1093) |

< t

< t

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

9.9

< 1

4 0 1 4 9

<1 1.4

N M

NM

8.6 1

<1 ]

<1

<1

<1

<1

1.9

<1

1.3

<1

<1

<1

9.0

<1

4 0

<1

1 4 6

1.4

NM

NM

8 9

<1

Basad on SFF = Araa of i t s ( s i i a r a a ) 1 Araa Fo ra^ng or Home Range (EPA 1993) |

N M

N M

<1

<1

N M

N M

N M

N M

<1

<1

NM

NM

<1

<1

NM

NM

N M

NM

<1

<1

Based on esUmated SFF wti ich considers habilat asaHabWy and suitabiiity (minityraccoon = 0.20, G B H = 0.667, k jn f fn l ier » 1.0)

N M

N M

<1

<1

NM

N M

. NM

NM

<1

<1

NM

NM

<1

<1

NM

NM

NM

NM

<1

<1

rOct tma W» H Q chvigad Irwn 9m BERA R^nrt (COM 2006} but HQ n Mil afaOM tvMhcM of urtly

= not mod«*»a (irpJi data muMclent or H nui'i JalKl)

d 2 •• bM«d on dlTweH at iunpsort t ngmt ing Site Fanpf ig Fwckr* (SFFs)

rcury arxj matryt mvcury nth — U i f i is t ran J W antes in sadsnant rrwmay

concm^rabcm ( toU vs matiyl) In bat) caaas tha dgse-basad TRV> mm beiad en matiyl m v c u y

fiJlL JittSi

MrtBiusHsn

UaHard

Baited Kk^ l shs r

No Risk - A l COCs/ScarwUs

No Risk - Al COCs/Scarwtas

Graat Bius Hsfon nsk f c r Hgor4y(MwHQ >B.1, HQs « UT>tf>H«>BkglJT)

UaHard S h ^ rtsk (HQ nsar or illBhVy wcMds 10) tar Hg only (Max HQ = 1.9. HQ at UT>PCdsConr >Bk0UT>1-gO)

r No Risk Aroclor 1260

Rsk Ibr Hg. htghast of al racsptcrs (Max HO = 14.7. HQ at UT>IP>l-90>6kgUT)

Tha fhra HQ ctianpaa (yalow cala) ara vary minor artd do not changa tha rtsk sianmsry mada

In tha 2 0 U BERA Raport.

OJ o cn

Ul Ul