RTI Document No. 6448-012/005/01F

Technical Update ofGroundwater Contamination Beneath

the FCO Building Cleaning Room Area-....-

General Electric - Wilmington, NCSeptember 8, 1998

Reviewed by:

lj'-ýL 9-4w wki- at-a-Z~er~ Jeff W. Reynolds, P.G.

Research HydrogeologistGeosciences DepartmentRegistered N.C. No. 1075

W. Joseph Alexander, P.G.ManagerGeosciences DepartmentRegistered N.C. No. 1314

Update of Soil and Groundwater Contaminationin the FCO Building Cleaning Room Area

General Electric CompanyWilmington, North Carolina

NC Division of Water Quality - Groundwater Section

August 41998 Meeting

Objective:

0 Provide update of project monitoring and assessment activities

Topics of Discussion:

* Project recap

" Review facility location

" Review hydrogeologic conditions

* Review available data

* Discuss conclusions and next steps

August 27, 1998 Meeting Update of Soil and Groundwater Contaminationin the FCO Building Acid Containment Area

GE - Wilmington, NC

Project Recap

A breach in the FCO cleaning room horizontal acid tank containment was identifiedand repaired in September 1996.

0 Assessment activities were performed and shallow (FB-series) wellpoints installed in

study area from October 1996 to January 1997.

* Routine groundwater monitoring was conducted from January to May 1997.

a Decreasing contamination and increasing pH trends were noted in source wellpoint(FB-1) during initial monitoring period.

a Acid containment was resurfaced with acid-resistant coating (August 1997).

* Dry conditions resulted in the drop of water levels below wellpoints from June toDecember 1997.

a NC DWQ was updated during meeting on September 23, 1997 (RTI document No.6448-012/003/0iF).

0 Water levels recovered beginning January 1998; groundwater monitoring wasresumed.

* Increasing contamination and decreasing pH trends noted in source wellpoint (FB-1);suspected to be a result of remobilization/oscillation of an existing pocket ofcontamination.

* Investigated area for indications of possible continuing sources; no continuingsources identified (March - June 1998).

0 Wellpoints FB-2, FB-3, and FB-4 in cleaning room area were removed and Geoprobeborings were drilled in these boreholes.

* Deeper welpoints were installed at FB-2A, FB-3A, FB-4A.

0 Assessment activities are continuing.

i f K ~ I* C.

0 Sudy Area

0 800

Feet

WasteTrestmnt

Fadlity

E-]

Exhibit 1. Location of Fuel Cone Operation (FCO) BuildngGeneral Bectric -VVlrrington

F f ~ r v

If FB-3/M

eB22 Pipe

5]FlE]11ElF]1:1

HorizontalDryer

Ho I W~tiZHot ate

Vertical Ducts

Plant North

0000

Vertical

000

000

Boring/Wellpoint Locationand ID Number

Containment Breach Location(discovered and repairedSeptember 1996)

s Sump Breach Location(repaired August 1997)

Note: Acid tank containmentwas resurfaced August 1997and reinspected July 1998.

Cod~te

0Tank Area

0000

FCO Cleaning Room Area

Refer to Exhibit I foraa locationwfUthn FCO bufldlng. -: t.JExhibit Z. Locations of Exploratory Bordngs/Wellloints - FCO Clean Room Area

Scale In Feet

0 8 16

RTf Document No. 6448-012/005/01F

Technical Update ofGroundwater Contamination Beneath

the FCO Building Cleaning Room Area

General Electric - Wilmington, NCSeptember 8, 1998

Reviewed by:

P-4 (Ld j - w.A.LJeff W. Reynolds, P.G.Research HydrogeologistGeosciences DepartmentRegistered N.C. No. 1075

W. Joseph Alexander, P.G.ManagerGeosciences DepartmentRegistered N.C. No. 1314

Update of Soil and Groundwater Contaminationin the FCO Building Cleaning Room Area

General Electric CompanyWilmington, North Carolina

NC Division of Water Quality - Groundwater Section

August 4, 1998 Meeting

Objective:

* Provide update of project monitoring and assessment activities

Topics of Discussion:

" Project recap

* Review facility location

" Review hydrogeologic conditions

" Review available data

" Discuss conclusions and next steps

U

August 27, 1998 Meeting Update of Soil and Groundwater Contaminationin the FCO Building Acid Containment Area

GE - Wilmington, NC

Project Recap

A breach in the FCO cleaning room horizontal acid tank containment was identifiedand repaired in September 1996.

* Assessment activities were performed and shallow (FB-series) wellpoints installed instudy area from October 1996 to January 1997.

0 Routine groundwater monitoring was conducted from January to May 1997.

* Decreasing contamination and increasing pH trends were noted in source wellpoint(FB- 1) during initial monitoring period.

a Acid containment was resurfaced with acid-resistant coating (August 1997).

0 Dry conditions resulted in the drop of water levels below wellpoints from June toDecember 1997.

* NC DWQ was updated during meeting on September 23, 1997 (RTI document No.6448-012/003/0iF).

* Water levels recovered beginning January 1998; groundwater monitoring wasresumed.

0 Increasing contamination and decreasing pH trends noted in source wellpoint (FB-11);suspected to be a result of remobilization/oscillation of an existing pocket ofcontamination.

0 Investigated area for. indications of possible continuing sources; no continuingsources identified (March - June 1998).

* Wellpoints FB-2, FB-3, and FB-4 in cleaning room area were removed and Geoprobeborings were drilled in these boreholes.

a Deeper wellpoints were installed at FB-2A, FB-3A, FB-4A.

* Assessment activities are continuing.

Exhibit 1. Location of Fuel Conponents Operation (FCCO) BuildingGenera Electric -Wilnigton

F- r -- i*-- l, -- -- I -, F *, -- E--- 8-* F I - F- I- V F [ F V

FB-212A

Vertical Ducts

Plant North

( Bodng/Wellpoint Locationand ID Number

Containment Breach Location(discovered and repairedSeptember 1996)

0 Sump Breach Location(repaired August 1997)

Note: Acid tank containmentwas resurfaced August 1997and reinspected July 1998.

i

FCO Cleaning Room AreaScale In Feet-l

0 8 18Rifer to Extiblt 1 forarea lcatio

vl~n FCO buIMdhm. Exhibit 2. Locations, otExploratory BoringsWellpoints - FCO Clean Room Area0 a 16

A

Exhibit 3.Configuration of Surficial

Aquifer Water TableMWOE15004

GE - WdMington, NC Site

Explanation

°B-1ANL)* Well location %Nith kleritifier

FAlA and vaer leve in &d3Z2 abo~ve mean sea level,

- I~rL of w tableelevatio n ftee

* F-1A32.22

NO3=N) < 0.2

pH = 4.8

DLocationof FCOclearing mon narea.

Samples firn F-IA, 2A, and 3Acotlectd 8/17-18 1998.The Samples hv. analyzed byCLEý chaent laboratory.

Note Waer-table cntours preparedusing arnual interpolationmethod.Alternate interpretations are possible.

* Well F-2A is screened in the loversuwficial aquifer and wvas not includedin the evaluation.

-D FCOF-22

Scale:I inch = 300 feet

0 150 300

Feet

E15"NM80

E170000

Plant North

36.0

35.5

35.0 q\ -~-

(0

2U

34.5

34.0

33.5

33.0

32-5

32.0

- - -0- - *FB-1

0 oo G 0oo0 o 0 CIo 00 . :0, , i,,... -/-• -

0 '0 0 0 00

* Replacement (deepeni g)of wellpoints FB-2,

0 0 FB-3, and FB-4

(6/23/98)

Note: 1. The depth of FB-3 was measured on 2/5/98 to be 0.43 feet shallowerthan the depth measured When.installed..2. Open symbols indicate water-table elevation is below bottom of wellpoint:symbol is plotted at the elevation of the wellpoint bottom.

-4 - Fa-2/2A

-A-- - M."/3

-a Fa14/AA

10/27/96 1/25/97 4/25/97 7/24/97 10/22/97 1'20/98 4/20/98 7/19/98

Exhibit 4.. Groundwater Elevations in the FCO Cleaning Room Area

Exhibit 5Groundwater Sample Analytical Results

FCO Cleaning Area Wellpoint FB-1

7

6

5

4

3

21'

01 0/2

pH

E

0

25

20

15

10

5

IP

27/960 1E - 1 1- 1-

10/27196 1127197 4/29/97 7/30/97 10/30197 1/30/98 5/2/981/27/97 4/29/97 7130197 10/30/97 1/30/98 5/2/98

LZTI

C

0

100000

10000

1000

100

10

E

0

4540-- - _

353025 -____ - - Chromium20 .. . I - Fluorde15 T•10• •-k-n5

0 =

10/27/96 1/27/97 4/29/97 7/30/97 10/30/97 1/30/98107

10127/96 1/27/97 4/29197 5/2/98*7rInIl* n~InjnIf7 41In~fnfl CrinlOI

Notes: 1.

2.

3.

4.

Open symbols represent non-detect result with concentration plotted as one-half the reporting limit.

For duplicate samples and analyses, the plotted value is the average of the reported concentrations.

Analyses were performed by RTI Center for Environmental Measurements and Quality Assurance laboratories.

Wellpoint dry from 8/97 to 12/97, no samples collected.

FB 1 tUugh 4 Conc.tntn Plotsat.s

E F F F F U If V F V If I I F

11

10.5 - _

10 N o/-*

9.5

9

10/27196 1127197 4/29/97

Exhibit 6Groundwater Sample Analytical Results

FCO Cleaning Area Wellpoint FB-2/FB-2A

pH 4.54

3.5

C .-

E1.5 . .

)

10/27/96 1/27/97 4/29/97 7/30/97/30/97 10/30/97 1/30/98 512/98 1

-- Zirconium-U--Fluoride -

10/30/97 1130/98 5/2/98

Nirt7 (sN

Nitrate (as N)700

"600

E500

0400300

o 200C

1000 s 7 4129197

10/27/96 1/27/97 4/29/97

0.12

F0.1

00.02

0

10/27198

-Chromium--- .

-Copper

1/27197 4/29/97 7M30W97 10/30/97 1/30/98 5/2/987/30/97 10/30/97 1/30198 5/2/98

Notes: 1. Open symbols represent non-detect result with concentration plotted as one-half the reporting limit.

2. Analyses were performed by RTI Center for Environmental Measurements and Quality Assurance laboratories.

3. Wellpoint dry from 6/97 to 1/98, no samples collected.

4. Wellpoint FB-2 was replaced with FB-2A on 6/22/98.

FB I Uvough 4 CcncmtatIn Pns, x

F F~ r-~ i-v I F F F F I F F~ F~ V 1

Exhibit 7Groundwater Sample Analytical ResultsFCO Cleaning Area Wellpoint FB-31FB-3A

10

8

6

4

2

010/

300

200

150

100

50

L 01or

pH- Fluoride7

a 4 ---- ---

00

/27/96 1/27/97 4/29/97 7/30/97 10/30/97 1/30/98 5/2/98 10127/96 1/27/97 4/29/97 7/30/97 10/30197 1/30/98 5/2/98

Nitrate (as N) 0.6-0.5_-4-Chromium

...... - -U--Zirconium0.4 ..... ---. *a--Copper

- ~ 0.3 - -

.-- 1o 0.1 _

27/96 1/27/97 4/29/97 7/30/97 10/30/97 1/30/98 5/2/98 10/27/96 1/27197 4/29197 7/30/97 10/30/97 1/30/98 5/2/98

Notes: 1. Open symbols represent non-detect result with concentration plotted as one-half the reporting limit.

2. Analyses were performed by RTI Center for Environmental Measurements and Quality Assurance laboratories.

3. Wellpoint dry from 8/97 to 1/98, no samples collected.

4. Wellpoint FB-3 was replaced with FB-3A on 6/23198.

FS I thMgh 4 CoýCenWabW PlolMsA

F - Fr r- F - --. i- - . F.-I.V - C- - C .. V.- U * F , F - F V F*

Exhibit 8Groundwater Sample Analytical ResultsFCO Cleaning Area Wellpoint FB-41FB-4A

pH

8

6

2 ,1

0

10127196 1/27/97 4/29/97 7/30/97 10/30197 1130/98 5/2/98

E

V

C

0.14

0.12

0.1

0.08

0.06

0.04

0.02

0 -10/27/95 98 5/2/981/27/97 4/29197 7/30/97 10/30/97 1/30/1

10.

I

80.70_

60 -

so~ -4+--Nitrate (as N)F50o - [- "-Fluoride

40

30

20

10. -

Zirconium10

0i016o

10/27/96 1/27/97 4129/97 7/30/97 10/30/97 1/30/98 5/2/98

I

01127/97 4/29197 7/30=97 10/3097 1/3019 52i1

Notes: 1.

2.3.

4.

Open symbols represent non-detect result with concentration plotted as one-half the reporting limit.

Analyses were performed by RTI Center for Environmental Measurements and Quality Assurance laboratories.

Wellpoint dry from 8/97 to 12/97, no samples collected.

Wellpoint FB-4 was replaced with FB-4A on 6/23198.

Fe I Ih8mah 4 CoMMccMM Plo aIf

50---

Q)

Ca

WT

45---`

40--H

35---

30---

FB-2A

8PH= 10.4NO, =<10(PH =8.1NO, = <10*PH 9,3

Iniialater..a- pe 7/115/98

pH = 9.7 (field measured)Nitrate (N) = 9.5 mg/LFluoride = 1.35 mg/LChromium =0.113 mgILZirconium =0.441 mg/LCopper = 0.052 mgJLNickel = 0.051 mg/LTin = <03.0305 mgIL

* I

I

H-HH-H

FB-3A FB-4A

- pH = 10.1NO, = <10

pH = 9.2NO, = <10

pH = 7.40 NO, = <10

O pH = 6.6NO, - 25

Q pH = 3.0NO, - 25

pH = 1.7NO3 >500

Latest tAMerSample,(7/15/9)pH =0.1 (field measured)Nitrate (N) = 17,040 mgILFluoride = 1.12 mglLChromium = 24.8 mg/LZirconium = 2,013 mgfLCopper = 19.3 mg/LNickel = 12.8 mg/LTin = 13.1 mg/L

FCO Floor SlabElevation = 46 ' MSL

FB-1

Explanation

25

[77ýGray-brown to tan fine slightly silty sand

Dark-gray soft, pliable, fine sandy clay

Screened interval for PVC FB-wellpoints

Screened interval for former FB-wellpoints

Initial Water Sample (7/15_98JpH = 8.7 (field measured)Nitrate (N) = 4.06 mg/LFluoride = 4.30 mg/LChromium = 0.079 mg/LZirconium = 0.352 mg/LCopper = 0.064 mg/LNickel = <0.05 mg/LTin = <0.005 mgfL

In-itial VWter Sample (7/15/98)pH = 6.6 (field measured)Nitrate (N) = 50.6 mg/LFluoride = 20.0 mg/LChromium = 0.03 mg/LZirconium = 0.733 mg/LCopper = 0.038 mg/LNickel = <0.05 mg/LTin = 0.010 mg/L

-Water table elevationV (measured August-5, 1998)

Location of soil samples field-screened for pH and nitrate. Strip-

@ measured nitrate levels shown "(ppm as NO,). Field analyses byRTI using test strips.

Note: All water samples analyzed by RTI's Center for

Environmental Measurements and Quality Assurance

Exhibit 9. Results of FB-Exploratory Borings - FCO:Cleaning Room Area,':

August 27, 1998 Meeting Update of Soil and Groundwater Contaminationin the FCO Building Acid Containment Area

GE - Wilmington, NC

Conclusions and Next Steps

Conclusions:

" Changes in groundwater quality beneath the FCO cleaning room were observed sincerecovery of the water levels beneath the building.

" The changes in water quality may be a result of remobilization/oscillation of an existingpocket of contamination.

" Three of the FB-series wellp.ýints have been deepened so that monitoring beneath theFCO cleaning room area can continue during dry periods.

* The surficial aquifer beneath the cleaning room area has a saturated thickness ofapproximately 5 feet.

* The presence of a clayey semiconfining unit has been confirmed beneath the FCOcleaning room area, therefore impact to the principal aquifer is not expected.

" Groundwater is expected to eventually flow from beneath the FCO building north-northeast toward effluent channel.

* There is little to no apparent risk to human health associated with the FCOgroundwater conditions.

Next Steps:

Continue evaluation of potential sources of groundwater contamination in cleaningroom area.

Continue monitoring of indicator parameters in FB-series wellpoints and F-series wells.

Conduct short-term pumping tests of well FB-4A.

Assessment activities are continuing.

APPENDIXAnalytical Results, FCO Wellpoint Series

units are mg/L

Wellpoint FB-IDate pH Nitrate (as N) Fluoride Cr Zr Cu Ni Sn

10/27196 1.5 11,500 0.17 9.4 367 1.94 3.54 0.18411/4196 0.9 8,079 0.06 6.11 193 2 2.74 0.1121113(97 2.5 625 10.4 0.101 10.6 0.029 -Q 2>.• OO2•2/12/97 4.3 385 11.7 0.099 12 0.091 0.098 0,133/10/97 2.6 314 6.88 0.123 12.8 0.135 0.099 0.1364/14/97 3.7 352 8.36 1f;ofOVK 13.4 0.175/15/97 6.3 122 4.34 0.183 15 0.135 0.088 0.1287/21/97 - 235 8.39 - - - - -1/28/98 1.4 1,650 6.33 3.21 162 0.76 1.73 OAOl2/11/98 1 4,428 30 13.9 2219 3.49 5.88 1.122/23/98 0.6 16,000 4.49 31.8 2721 5.1 12.8 0.059

3/9/98 0.4 17,660 3.65 40 3411 5.21 13.2 28.93/24/98 0.9 13,030 7.5 36.4 3556 4.98 11.2 18.34/20/98 0.6 7,200 2 23.4 1984 4.47 8.55 2.415/26/98 0.9 23,500 15.3 21.7 1665 3.52 8.37 196/15/98, 0.7 12,400 6.98 21.8 1845 6.69 10.21 12.537/15/98 0.1 17,040 1.12 24.8 2013 19.3 12.8 13.1

Wellpoint FB-2Date pH Nitrate (as N) Fluoride Cr Zr Cu Ni Sn

11/1/96 - - 1.72 TI 0.33111/4/96 9.4 3.64 4.26 /GtO07: 0.337 O•O.7 .1/13/97 9.0 10.7 1.18 0.045 0.933 -: Q:': M..'M.M2/12/97 10.5 2.7 1 0.052 0.78 0.015 0.1583/10/97 10.3 2.29 1.25 0.05 0.81 0.032 ,.O:• . .'- '4/14/97 10.0 2.88 1.86 0.04 1.12 0.013 O "O.•D255/15/97 10.3 3.81 1.23 0.06 1.13 0.019 ..........2/398I101Q3 242 nA flflJ Afll7R 6 t~l- 'E ~tffvv

3/9/98 10.3 41.8 2.093/24/98 10.2 37.5 1.54/20/98 - 10.2 646 1.256/15/98 9.9 6.62 1.96

0.014 - .n mq44 0.05 K01.02WU.U~JU UAJII

V :A]U2

0.207 0.023 .

7/15/98 9.7 9.50 1, 1 0.113 1 0.441 1 0,052 1 0.051 Ii~OiOO2S>

. not detected, value plotted is one-half detection limit

- = not measuredFor duplicate samples and analyses, the displayed value is the average of the reported concentrations.

Page 1 ,of 2 FB 1 through 4 Concentration Plots.xts

APPENDIX (continued)Analytical Results, FCO Wellpoint Series

units are mg/L

Wellpoint FB-3Datel pH I Nitrate (as N) Fluoride I Cr I Zr ICu Ni

4.24 M•if 0.52 1•!•1~ i11/1/961 -- I -t --

1114196! 7.8 2.81 4.2- , -i-

S1/13/971 7 6.63 2.68-- 1 .~- 1-~~ 12/121971 1.9 4.29 2.8

3/10/97 7.8 4.09 3.94 0.043 0.445 0.0524/14/97 7.6 6.45 1.23 0.026 0.194 0.0175115197[ 7.8 4.34 1.5 0.025 0.29 1 0.0236/23/97 5.9 - I -7/21197 7.6 3.51 1 I 0.125 0.032/11/98 6.3 6.19 5.29 0.067 0,271 0.0972/23/98 8.5 10.6 5.76 0.030 0.141 0.022

319/98 8.7 13.4 6.56 0.038 0.19 0.0323/24/98 8.5 9.53 4 0.049 0.151 0.0374/20/98 9.1 264 3.2 0.029 0.127 0.0275/26/98 9 7.96 3.5 0.028 0.121 0.0216/15/98 9.1 5.36 3.33 0.023 0.102 0.028

Wellipoint FB-3A7/15/981 8.7 4.06 1 4.30 1 0.079 1 0.352 1 0.064 I. O.•26 '.GAO.26

Wellpoint FB-4_Date pH Nitrate (as N) Fluoride Cr Zr Cu Ni Sn

1113197 7 7.01 34.7 0.115 8.77 0.09 0.05 0.0252/11/97 7 19.1 36.1 Ai 2.46 0.02 .25..

3-/10/97 .6.9 .. 26.3 - 9 0.021 2.09 0.017 ?O . _...

4/14/97 6.8 29.4 27.3 O• 3.3 o oin*i _____0.007

5/15/97 6.9 24.9 27.2 0.026 4.04 0.02 0.iO2 0,0116/23/97 5.2 ..- -.7/21/97 6.6 11.01 21.75 2.69 0.03 ... 0.009:M * :" 1 ' ...• :. =..; ., : . 6 90 . 3 i ii.i t ! ! 0 . 0

1/28/98 7.1 14.9 23.2 D<! 1.4 0.024 ,O.JJ2G• 0.0072/11/98 6.8 13.3 24.9 0.032 1.37 0.069 : 0.0122/23/98 6.7 22.0 19.0 0.009 0.957 vo.GG6 : •A2: 0.0. 93/9/98 6.7 26.1 17.3 0.026 1.31 0.019 .:1 0.010

3/24/98 7 26.3 18 0.024 0.954 0.01 0.033 0.0094/20/98 6.9 66.8 20 0.01 0.501 0.01 0.025 0.0035/26/98 7.1 61.8 22.6 P•l: 1.055 0.014 .!2& 0.0065

Wellpoint FB-4A7/1 98 1 6.6 1 50.6 1 20.0 0.030 1 0.(13 U-031:1~ ~ UU1

o not detected, value plotted is one-half detection limit- = not measured

For duplicate samples and analyses, the displayed value is the average of the reported concentrations.

Page 2 of 2 FB 1 through 4 ConcentratIon Plots.xls

RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE M

Copy 7 of 7 Report No. 6448/002/021/01 F

June 15, 1998

Fourth Quarter 1997 Groundwater Monitoring Reportfor the FMO/FMOX Building Area

Prepared for

Nuclear Fuel and Components ManufacturingGeneral Electric Company

Wilmington, North Carolina

Prepared by

S.A. Guthrie

J.M. Lloyd

G. T. ConradC. A. Salmons

Geosciences DepartmentCenter for Environmental Measurements and Quality Assurance

3040 Cornwallis Road • Post Oflice Box 12194 ° Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709-2194 USA