Former Coal Tar Processing Facility

GEI completed an MCP Phase II Comprehensive Site Assessment, including a Human Health and Environmental Risk Assessment for a former coal tar processing facility in Everett, Massachusetts.

Work was performed under an administrative consent order between the Massachusetts DEP and three PRPs. The remedial investigation included evaluation of the nature and extent of coal tar, PAH, and VOC contamination in the 8-acre upland area and an adjacent 30-acre estuary.

Upland area investigations included installation of monitoring wells and test pits, and soil and groundwater sampling and analyses. Estuarine investigations included collection of more than 100 surface sediment samples, 20 vibratory sediment cores, and surface water samples.

Surface water salinity, temperature, and depth measurements were recorded at 10 stations. Surface sediment samples were analyzed for site contaminants, with selected samples submitted for benthic assays.

A bathymetric survey was performed. Data from an electronic depth sounder and a shore-based differential Global Positioning System (GPS) station were simultaneously stored on a multi-channel data-logger, and converted to a 3-D AutoCad file, used as the base plan. Depth-sounder signals were further analyzed to assess sub-bottom sediment characteristics. Sediment and surface water sampling locations were recorded using GPS and placed on the project plan.

Information from the sub-bottom profiling, surface sediment sampling, vibratory core sediment sampling, and the 3-D AutoCad files are used to assess contaminated sediment volume.

GEI’s services for the project included the design and implementation of two Remedial Response Actions to reduce the release of contaminated ground water to adjacent estuarine surface water, and to remove tar deposits from a beach. GEI obtained all the permits required for RRA implementation, including a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 permit and Water Quality Certification, and Coastal Zone Management Federal Consistency Determination.