A.38 Lower Duwamish, Cold Spring, NY
The Marathon Battery site is a former National Priorities List (NPL) site located in Cold Spring, NY. The site consists of the 70 acre former plant, 11 acres of residential properties, and sections of the Hudson River, coves, ponds, and marshland. The chemicals of concern at the site are heavy metal byproducts of battery production (primarily cadmium; also nickel and cobalt). Some dredging activities were performed in 1972-73, but significant levels of cadmium were still present in the late 1970s. Following USEPA issuing a record of decision (ROD) in 1986, a total of 189,000 tons of contaminated sediment and soils was removed from the site, treated, and disposed of off site. Additionally, natural recovery was selected for 400-plus acres of marsh and open cove area. A long term monitoring program of the site includes monitoring of groundwater, sediments, surface water, and/or biological sampling for the various sub-areas of the site. Long-term groundwater sampling results indicated that the trichloroethylene (TCE) contamination was not responding to natural attenuation as quickly as was expected. Therefore, a pilot study was initiated in 2005 to evaluate potential active remediationThe act or process of abating, cleaning up, containing, or removing a substance (usually hazardous or infectious) from an environment. technologies.
In the 400-plus acres of marsh and open cove area that were selected for natural recovery, there were initial setbacks in restoring native vegetation. Site experience found that geese predation and extreme ice flow conditions hindered the process, but as of 1998 about 60% of the required 85% vegetative coverage had been established and muskrats had been observed (a good indicator). In addition, long-term groundwater sampling indicated that the TCE contamination was not responding to natural attenuation as quickly as was expected. A pilot study was conducted in February 2005 to determine the viability of enhanced reductive de-chlorination to address the TCE contamination. Initial groundwater samples indicated good potential for the technology, but a subsequent injection in October 2006 indicated that the site was not conducive to bioremediation at that time. A vapor intrusion survey was conducted in 2008 due to increasing nationwide concerns regarding vapor intrusion at residential properties located near sites with volatile organic compound contaminated groundwater. It was learned that vapor intrusion was an issue for one residential home in the properties surrounding the Marathon Battery site, and that finding resulted in the installation of a mitigation system.
Publication Date: August 2014