Designatio Standard Guide for * M E1689: Standard Guide for Devéloping Conceptual Site Models for Contaminated Sites 1689 - 95 (Reapproved 2003)*" Developing Conceptual Site Models for Contaminated Sites’ 1 umd oe mde the fe ln cipal adept oi he re ivi fay 20 1. Scope LL This guide is intended to assist in the development of iceplual sile models 10 be used for the following: (1) integration of technical information from various sources. (2 jan of simple locations for establishing ations of substances, (3) identify dat needs and guide data eolleetion activites: and (4) evaluate th risk (o human health and the environment posed by a contami nated site. This guide generally deseribes the major compo hnents of conceptual site -models, provides an outline for developing models, and presents un example of the parts of @ tnodel. This guide does Hot provide a detailed description of a site-speaific conceptual site madel because conditions at con- tuaminated sites ean vary greatly from one site to another. 1.2 The values sted in either inch-pound oF SI units are to be regarded as the standard, The values given im parentheses are for information only. 1.3 This guide is intended to apply to any contaminated site VA This standard does not purport to address all of the satety concerns, if ans, associated with its use. Mt is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro priate safety and health practices and determine the applica Pity of regulatory limitations prior fo uve 2. Referenced Documents 21 ASTM Standard: 2216 Test Method for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock® 22 EPA Documents Guidance for Data. Uscabilite in Risk Assessment (Part Ay Final, Publication 9288.7-09A, PB 92-963356, April 992 Guidance for Dato Useabilte in Risk Assevsment (Part B). OSWER Dieective 9285'7498, May 1992 « si//www.gedweb.com. br/aplicucao/gedweb/librarynev visualizador-lite-v5/Printer.as} Guitance for Conducting Remedial Investigations and Fes sibiligy Sdiex Under CERCLA, OSWER Die 9355.3-01, October 1988 3. Terminology 31. Definitions AL background concentration, n-—the concentration of substance in ground water, surface water, ai. sediment. oF soil ata source(s) oF nearby reference location. and {o the source(s} uaier consideration. Background samples may be contaminaied, either by naturally oceurrine or manmade soujees, but not by the soureets) sn ah 3.2 eomceptual site: model, n—for the purpose of this ‘guide, a writen or pictorial representation of an environmental system and the biologival, physical, and chemical processes that determine the transport of & {trough environmental media to environmental: receptors within the syste 3.1.3 contaminant, a sny substance, including any radio- logical material, that is potentially hazardous to human health ‘of the environment and is present in the envitonment at concentrations above ils background concentration 3.14 contaminant release, m- movement of a substance froma source into an ens ronmental medium. for example. a feak, spill, volatilization, runoff fugitive dust emission, or leaching 3L.S environmental receptor, —bumans and other living organisms potentially exposed to and adversely affected by contauninants because they ate present atthe sourcets} or along ‘contatninant rnigration pathways, : 3.1.6 envionmental transport, n—movement ofa eheriieal fr physical ageot inthe environment after. it hay been released | from a Source to an- environmental medium, for example.’ ‘movement through the air. surface water, ground water. soil sedinient, oF food chain 34,7 exposure ruute, n—the process by whiel a contami hant of physical agent io the envionment comes into direct ‘contact with the body, tissues, or exchange boundaries of environmental cezeptor organisi, for example, ingestion, i Halations deemal absorption, foot uptake. and gill uptake ot attributable smvinants from sources Pns=1 14262éedatam. Pagina 1d 18/04/20M E1689: Standard Guide for Developing Conceptual Site Modéls for Contaminated Sites Gly E1689 3.18 migration pathway, the course through which jgomtamninants in the environgpent may move away from the souree(s} to poterial environmental receptors 3.1.9 source, nthe Tocation from which a contaminants) hhas entered or may entera physical system. A primary source, such a a location at which drums have leaked onto surface soils, may produce a secondary source, such as contaminated soils; sources may hepce be primary or secondary 4, Summary of 44.1 The six base actvitios associated" with developing @ conceptual site mode! (not nccessarily listed in the“order in ‘which they should be addressed) areas follows: (/) neni cation ‘of potential epntaminants; (2) idemification and charae- terization ofthe soutcets) of contaminants: (3) delineation of potential migration pathways through environmental nied. Such as yround water. surface water. oils, sediment bits, and aur; (4) establishment of background areas of contaminants for each contaminated medium: (5) identification and character } cation of potential environmental receptors (human and eco- logical; and (6) determination of the limits of the study area or system boundaries : 442 The complenity of a conceptual site model should be consistent with the complexity of the ste and avaiable daa ‘The development of 3 conceptual site model will usually be iterative. Model development should start as eary ip the ste investigation process a possible. The model shouldbe refined and revised throyghout the site mvestigaion proves to incor porate additional site data, The final model should cont sulcient information to support the development of current and future expos ‘ ‘43 The cancem of ecological is assessment are diferent 4 trom those of humaa-thealh risk assessment, for example J importaot migration pathways, exposure routes, aud environ- mental recepios. These differences are usualy salient 10 warrant separate descriptions and representations of the con- opt sil mode! in the human healt and evologicl risk assessment reports. There wil be elements of the conceptual site mide! that are common to both repreventations, however, 5 and the ssk assessors should develop these togeer to ensure 5 conssteney 5. Significance and Use S.1 The information gained through the site investi J used to characterize the physical, biological. and chemical * Systgms enisting at a site. The processes that determine ‘contaminant releases, conta tal reveptor exposure to contaminants are described and inte {grated in a conceptual site model : 5.2 Development of this model is ertieal for determining potenti exposure routes (for-@xample, mgestion and intala- 1ggesting possible effects ofthe contaminants on fant migration, and environmn- with the conceptual site model need fo he identified clearly so that efforts ean be taken to reduce these uncertaimies 10 -acceplable levels. Early versions af the model, whieh are usually based on limited or incomplete: information, will idemtly and: emphasize-the uncenainties tat should be ad- dressed 2 s:/fwww.gedweb.com. br/aplicacao/gedweb/librarynet/visualizador-lite-v5/Printer.asp ns 15 (2003)*" 53 The conceptual site model is ased 19 inegrate al site information and to determine whether infomation including dha are missing (data gaps) and whether adionalinorma> tion needs 40 he collested atthe se The model is used funhermore (6 fciitate the selection of remedial alterstves and to evalte the efectivenets of remedial action in redue- ing the exposure of environmental receptor to contatinants 5.4 This guide is not mesa replace regulatory requie= ments for conducting environmental site charactrizations a Contaminated (including raolgicallycontarsinate) sites 1 Should supplement existing guidance and promete a uniform anpanach to developing cancerua site models 5.5 This gude 8 meant tobe used by all tose involved in developing concepts site models. This should iealyinlude representatives fm all pases ofthe investigative and reme {ial proces. for example, preliminary assesment. remedial investigation, baclin human health and ecological risk as- sessments, and feasibility sty, The conceptal site model should be wséd wo enable experts fom all disciplines co Communicate effectively with one another, resolve ists onceming teste, and fiat the deeison-making proces. 56 The steps inthe procecre for developing concepal site models include cements sometimes eeered to colietively ts site characterization. Althovgh no within the scope ofthis fui, the conceptual site mdel can be wsed diving site remediation. 6, Procedure 6.1 assembling Information Assemble historical and eut- ten! site-elated information from maps, aval images, toss sections, environmental data, records, reports. studies, and ‘ther information soutces. A visits) to the site by those preparing tho conceptual site node! is recommended highly The quality of the information being. assembled should be evaluated, preferably including quantitative methods, and the decision to use the information should be based onthe datas meeting objective qualitative and quantitaive criteria, For tore information on assessing the quality and aceuraey of dota, See Guidance for Duta Uscabiliy in Risk Assessment (Part aad Guidance for Dara Useabili in Risk Assessment (Part 8), Methods use foe obtaining analytical data should be described. and sources of inforpatio should be referenced. A onceplual site model shouldbe developed forever site unless there are muliple sites in pronity to one another such that i {st possible a determine the individual source or sources of coitanipation Sites may” be aggregated “in that” case, A conceptual model should then be developed for the ageregate 6.2 Moning Contaminann—Lenify contaminants ithe round water, surface water. sis, sediments, biota and air. I ho cotminants are found, the concepial site mode shoold be sed to help document this finding 63 Establishing Buchyround Concentrations Contaminanis—Background Samples serve theee major fune- tions: (io establish the range of concentrations of an analyte auribuable to vara vecurrence atthe site (2) 10 establish the ange of eoncestrations of an analyte atibutabl to source cher tha the suroe(s) under consideration: and (3) 10 help establish the extent to whieh contamination exezeds baek round levels : 14262&data* 18/04/20, Pagina 2M E1689: Standard Guide for Developing Conceptual Site Models for Contaminated Sites ify e 1689 - 95 (2003) 16.3.1 The ennceptua site awodel should include the natueally ‘occurring concentrations of all contaminants found at the ste The number and cation of samples needed 10 establish background coneentations in each mediue will vary. with site conditions and requirements. The model should ient background samples to distinguish contami- nation attributable to the source(s) under consideration from naturally ovcurring oF nearby anthropogenic contamination The procedures mentioned -in 6.2 and 6.3 are sometimes ‘grouped under the goneral heading of contaminant assessment and may be performed as a separate activity prior to the development of a conceptual site mode +, 64 Characterising Sources—At a minimum. the following Source characteristics should be measured or estimated for a site [4.1 Source location(s), boundaries, and volume(s). Sources should be located accurately on site maps. Maps Should include; seale and direction indicator (for example north arrow), They should furthermore show where the source(s) is located in relationship to the property boundaries. 642 The potentially hazardous constituents and their eon 1 media at the source duration, and cate of contami- sant fleas from the source. 65 Mentising Migration Plthwuys—Potental migration pathways though ground water surface wate. ai, soils. Sediments, and biota should be iemifed for each source Complete exposure pathways should be identified and disin- euished from incomplete pathways. An exposure pathway is incomplete sf any of the folowing clements are missing: (1) a snchanism of contaminant release fron primary or secondary Sources. (2) 8 transport medium if potential environmental receptors ate not oeated at the source, and (3) @ point of potential contact af ensionmental receptors withthe eontam- hated medium. The potential for both current and future feleases and migration ofthe contaminanis along the complete pathways tthe environmental receptors shouldbe doterminéd ‘A diagram (similar to that in ig, X14) of exposure pathways for all source (ypes at site should be consirueted. This tables in the exposure assessment section of an expose or tsk J} assessment, Tracking sontatsinant migration fem sources tvironmental receptors ane of the most portant Uses OF the conceptual site model 65.1 Ground Water Parhwa—This. pathway should be considered when hazardous solids or liquids have or may have {come ino contact with the surface or subsurface soil oF ryek ‘The following should be considered further in that case vertical distance 1o the saturated zone: subsurface Now rate presence and proximity of downgradient sseps. springs. oF ‘eaves: faeiures or other preferred flow paths; artesian cou tions: presence of wells, especially those for ination or drinking water: and, in general, the underlying geology and hydrology of the sit. Other fate and transport phenomena that should be considered include hydrodynamic dispersion, inter phase transfers of contamiaants, and retardation. Movement through the vadose zone should be considered. s://www.gedweb.com.br/aplicacao/gedweb/librarynet visualizador-lite-v5/Printer.asp?ns=1 14262édata=. information should be consistent sith the narative portion and” 65.2 Surlace Water aye Seliment Pathway—This pathway should always be investigated inthe following situations: (/) a perennial hody' of water (river, lake, continuous stream, drain age ditch, ofc.) is in direct contact with, or is potentially contaminated by 2 souree or contaminated area. (2) an unin terrupted pathway exists from a source or coptaminated area to the surface water. (J) sampling and analysis of the surface water body or sediments indicate contaminant concentrations substantially above background, (4) contarninated ground war {er or surface water runoff is known or suspected to discharge to. surface water body, and (5) under arid conditions in which ephemeral drainage may convey contaminants to downstream points of exposure 6.5.3 aie Pathycay—Comaminant transport through the air pathway should be evaluated for contaminants in the surface soil, subsurface soil, surface water. or other media capable of releasing gasses or particulate matter to the air. The migration ‘of contaminants (rom ai 1 other environmental compartments should be considered, for example, deposition of particulates fesulting ftom incineration onto surface waters and soi. 65.4 Soil Contact Pathwas—Contarninated soils that may ‘come into direet comtaet with human or ecological receptors should be investigated. This includes direct contact. with chemicals through dermal absorption and direct exposure 10 ‘gamma radiation from radioactively contaminated soil, There ts a potential for human and geological receptors to be exposed {o contaminants at diferent soil depths (for example. humans tay be exposed to only surface and subsurface soils, whereas plants ang animals may encounter contanninants tha are buried tore deeply), This should be considered when contaminated soils are being evaluated. 6388 Biotic Patheay—Bioconcemtration and bioaccumuli- nisms and the resulting potential for transfer and biomagnificatiog along food chains and environmental trans- ‘port by avimal movements should be considered. For exampt, ‘maay organic, lipophilic contaminants found in soils oc sedi- ‘ments can bioaccumulate and bioconcentrate in organisms suck as plankton, worms, or herbivores and biomagnily in organ- isms such as carnivorous fish and mammals or birds. The of contaminated biota can transport contaminants 6.6 Menifving Envirunmental Receptors—Identify envieon- mental receptors currently or potentially exposed to site ‘contaminants. This includes bunmans and other organisms that ‘are in direct contact with the source of contamination, poten- tially present along the migration pathways, oF tocared fm the vieinity of the site. It is advisabfe 10 compile a list of taxa fepreseniative ofthe major groups of species present athe site It will rarely be possible or desieable 10 adentfy all sp present at # site, I is recommended that the conceptual site imiodel include species or guilds representative of major trophic levels. The complexity and iteraiv’ nature of the conceptual site model has already been mentioned in 4.2 6.6.1. Human Receprors—The conceptual site model should include 1 map oF maps indicating the physical boundaries of areas within which environmental eeceptors are potentially of currently exposed (0 the source(s) or migration pathisays: separate maps may be prepared (o illustrate specific conta ants of groups of contaminants. In audition, the human Pagina 3 d 18/04/20M E1689: Standard Guide for. Developing Conceptual Site Models for Contaminated Sites recepiots shoilld be represented iw figure similar to Fig. X14 which is based on Guidance for Conducting Remedial inves tigations and Feasibility Studies Under CERCLA. Fig. X14 shows the potentially exposed pojiulations, sources, and expo- sure routes. It represents a clear and concise method of displaying exposuee informatio 662 Ecological Receptors—The conceptual site model should include a map or maps identifying and locating terres- trial and aquatic habitats for plants and animals within and ‘around the study area or associated with the source(s) or ‘migration pathways, Consult local and slate officials, U.S. “ XI OUTLINE FOR A CONCEPTUAL S X11 The conceptual site mode! should include a narrative and set of maps, figures. and lables to support the narrative. An culling oF the narrative sections, along with an example for ‘each section, is given below. The example is based ion an hypothetical landfill site at which only preliminary sampling data ate available, The land! site example is imensionalty » simplified and is for illustrative purposes ont: Conceprual site imavtels may contain considerable: mare detail than provided in this example XID Brief Site Sunmayy—Summarize the information available for the site as this information relates to the site F contaminants, source(s) of the contaminants, migration path= ways, dnd potential environmental recepiors. A brief desenip- tion of the current conditions atthe site (photographs optional) should be included. The inclusion ofa standard 7.5-min United Slates Geological Survey topographic quadrangle map or ‘geologic quadrangle map. or both, that shows the tocation of, the site is recommended. All maps should contain directional information (for example, north afrow) and a seal Example—Geophysical surveys. arial photographs, and subsurface exploration at Landfill No. 1 (LF-1) reveal the presence of al-least one northeast southwest tending waste trenel The trench is 300-f (91-1) long and 100-11 (30-m) wide, Maximum depth of the trench indicated by. the soil borings is 22 (7m). As determined from the soit boring progrim, the waste material samples indicated that metal ‘concentrations were at oF below background concentrations, ‘with the exception aF eadatium aad manganese in one sample However, solvents (methylene chloride and tfichloroethene (TCE) and pesticides (DDE, DDT, and DDD) were found st concentrations above background in soil boring samples, Soil simples taken from beneath the fll indicate that Uowoward migration of contaminants has occurred. The sulticial aquifer (ABC Formation) contains naturally high dissolved. solids ©2000 mg/L) with yields of less than 4 gpm. Ground water Now in the surficial aquifer is toward the southeast ata rate of approximately 15 1 (S m) per year. The terrain is flat with s://www.gedweb.com. br/aplicacao/gedwebilibrarynet/visualizador-| 4 fp € 1689-95 (2003)"" Environmental Proweetion Agency regional specialists, and Natural Resource Trustees to Jetermine whether any of the treas identlied are eitcal habitats for Federal- or state-isted threatened or endangered species or sensitive « entiy all dominant importa, declis gered, or rare species that ether inhabit (permanent! ally, or temporarily) or migrate through the study area, 7. Keywords 7.1 conceptual site model; ecological; hazardous waste site: human health: risk assessment; site characterization APPENDIX. sdatory taformation) \ODEL, FOR CONTAMINATED SITES seeded and natural grasses ard small (15-f1 (S-m)), widely spaced loblolly pine tress covering the site. The ste is Fenced and unused currently XU1.2 Historical Information Concerning the Sie X1.1.2.1 Site Description—Deseribe the history ofthe site, paying particular alentioa ta information affecting the present ‘environmental condition of the site. Example —LF-1. operated fiom 1960 to 1968. This tench- type landfill was reportedly used for the disposal of construc- tion rubble and debris, packing material, paper, paints, thine ners. unfinsed pesticide containers, oils, solvents, and contaminated fuels. Most of ne trenches for waste disposal were reportedly oriented east-west and were 75-f1(23-m) wide, 350-11 (107-m) long, and an esinated 20-f (6m) deep. A few empty containers presumably buried in the landéill have ‘worked their way to the surface and are partially exposed atthe site, The site was partly covered by an unpaved industoal haulage road. The site was Fenced in 1985 and has been unased XI.1.22 Source Characterication—Present site-speciic i+ formation to identify and define the location. size, and eondi- tio ofthe souree(s) of eontarrination at the site Example Four sil horings were used to characterize the siaste disposal units at LF-1, Fig. X11 llsates the soi boring ications. The depth ofthe oil borings were SBOS = 2% (3 m SBO6 = 30-8 (9 m), SBO7 ~ 30 f (9 mand SOR - 30 £100 my below ground surfs. Two of the borings. SBO7 and $08, encountered refne!vaste material. In SBOM, the refuse ‘was encountered from approximately ‘8 w 22 f (2 to 7m) below. ground surfage, The material as noted to be burnt debris, pls. and organic mater. A much dryer and thinner waste ane was encountered at $07, The ase of the exeavas tion at ths location was appreximately 10 ft (3 m)-Materia that appeared to be burnt trash was note inthe back. The reniaining 180 borings, SBOS and SBOE, did not encounter vase. One sample was collsted om each ofthese borings (SBS and -06). These samples were used as background samples. Additional samples neve collected from S807 and lite-v5/Printerasp?ns=1 142628data... 18/04/20 Pagina 4 u