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SDMS Document 800077 115622 2 Island Chemical Company St Croix, U.S. Vir]gin islands CERCUS #ViD9806SI095 I Site Exposure Pbtendai The Island Chemical Company site occupies about 1.2 hectares in south-central St. Crcnx, U.S. Virgin Islands (Figure 1), The site is bor- dered to the northeast and southeast by River Gut, an intcnnictcnt stream that originates north ofthe site. River Gut flows approxinuitely 240 m before merging with Bethlehem Gut, forming Fair Plain Gut, which diischatges to the Caribbean Sea approximately 1.4 km downstream from the site (Figure 1). Flow in River Gut near the site generally occurs only dtiring the rainy season between September and December, but the gut becomes percnnkl before reaching Fair Plain Gut (NUS Corporation 1991). Charles H. Ste&y, Inc. purchased xht site in 1968; it is now owned by*the same corporation, wiiich dianged its name to CHS Holding Corpo- ration (CHS) sometime before 1982, Between 1968 and 1982, the site was leased b\ numerous chemical companies and their subsidiahes, indud- ing Caribe Chemical Company, Pierrel S.p.a., Cooper Laboratories, Island Chemical Company, Berlex, and the Virgjn Island Chemical Company. The plant was doied.in 1982 and is nov.- vacant (EPA 1994), Chemicals produced and/or disposed ac the site indude pyridine, adds,solvents, benzol chloride. Coastal Haxardeus Waste Site Review / itland Chemical Company ' I S Tool SlWXl.as.^fOO SA3 etee ixz sor. YVA r c n r „„.:si<5 ^j\ 800078 14 • Region 2 C J I T ) b i> * * n 5 (S.» ^rcfrei^m\aOSfrtici*lUd.V*fn\i»KM.Si*0O0ia»f«^ Pleural. Th. island Chemical Company elt. in St. Crobc U.S. Virgin lel.«de. ,4 . Coastal H^uardous Waste Site Review/island Chemical Company sooia SiLN[\aiaS.MOO SA3 ei-ee i t s aos xvd 83 = ot 96,'ES/OT 800079 Region 2 • 15 benzyl salicylate, phenacetin, ethoxyquin, qui- nine, quinidine, and toluene. Table 1 describes six areas of potential environmental concem. When Island Chemical occupied the fedlity, it discovered that hazardous materials had been left on-site by the previous tenant. Between 1982 and 1983, about 100,000 liters of toluene and 26,000 liters of xylenes were removed from the site. In 1985,192 drums of waste were disposed off-site by Island Chemical. In addition, con- taminated soils were excavated and removed near the abovc-groimd storage tanks (ASTs), and beneath the concrete pad near the ASTs. Ac- cording to the RI Work Plan^toluene and pyri- dine represented the largest volume of releases at the site, based on previous studies (Harding Lawson Assodates 1995). The primary pathways of contaminant transport from the site are sxirface water runoff into River Gut and groundwater migration. All surface runoff from the site drains into che gut (Figure 2). The surface slopes gently across the site to the northeast. A berm partially separates the ASTs in the western portion ofthe facility from the remainder ofthe site. On the western side of the berm, nmoff-flows from sonthwek to north- east. On the eastem portion ofthe site, runoff from concrete and paved areas is channeled into three storm drains which empty into River Gut (Figure 2; Harding Lawson Assodates 1995). Groundwater occurs in the suriidal aquifer at approximatdy 6 m below ground stirface. Groundwater flow near the site is tc the north and southeast (Harding Lawson Associates 1995). Tills alluvid aquifer consists of permeable Table 1. Area© of envfronmentai concern at Island Chemical Company. Area A B C D E F Deftcrlption laborMZory ancl werehouoe buMnq Abovegrouruil etorage tank farm Pormar proceae pft Loading dock and former lair pit 6oi1 beriMth comreXe pad n n r ASTs Concrete eUsrageped • Cortaminanto of Potential Concem BirAronmenUit samples were iwt coWeeted froiti this area. &enzot\\i\none, fluorenone. benzophenone, toluene, >^enee, hydroxyfuranocoumarin. p-phenctWlne In ASTe. Toluene, ^luinWi'ie fliucowrte, qulnl.ic sulfate, trace etement* (,)ead, copper, and zinc), end mmeraue peeUcidee in eofls. Trace elements In eluclge. Feetlcidee and trace elements {[ead and Tine) In sediment from storm drain leading from the pit. FVriidine, toluene, i^iulnldine gluconate, C{uln\ne sulfate, and trace elements in soils. Five soil samples »«re collected in 1954 ard analyzed for toluene, pyridine, quinidine gluconate, and quinine sulfate. These substances were not tf^tected. Environmental samples have not been collected from this area. This pad was used for storage of drums of raw materials wheii the f a c i % was In operation. Coastal Haxardous Waste Site Review / Island Chemical Company • IS EOO® SXNVnaSMOD SA3 etee i i z 902 xvd to at ge/es/oT 800080 • 16 • Region 2 Figure 2. Detail of Island Chemical e\te. 16 • Coastal Hazardous Waste Site Review/island Chemical Company tOOg] siNvnnsNoa SAH etee i i z gos n-j scat gc^-cs/oT 8 0 0 0 8 1 layers of sand and gravd, ranging from 0.3 to 2.4 m thick, intermixed with low-permcabiiity day, "Hie interconnection Ixtwecn the permeable layers is not known, but is believed to be isolated and limited. During a pumping test, ponded water in River Gut exhibited no elevation change, indicating that water in the gut may be perched above groundwater (NUS Corporation 1S>91). I NOAA Trust Habitats and Species Region 2 • 17 reported numerous fish in the gut. The guts are usually hyperhaline (saltier than the occanj Adams 1995). Red, black and white mangroves (RJnzophoru mangle, Aricfinniii^erminafu, and Lasuncularia racfmem respectively), buttonwood (Conocarpusereettu), and shrubs (Actuiaus) provide dense cover along the shoreline of both guts (Department of Planning and Natural Resources 1990). Information on depth, width, and substrate of both River and Fair Plain Guts was not available, but a high nutrient content is assumed in Fair Plain Gut due to sewage dis- charges (Department of Planning and Natural Resources 1987 and 1990). Prindpal habitats of concem to NOAA are the sur&ce waters and bottom substrates assodated with River Gut and Fair Plain Gut. The estuarine waters and reef habitats of Manning Bay are also a concern because of their high species abun- dance and diversity. River Gut receives terrestrial runoff from a watershed of 2,700 hectares. The gut is at least partially submerged throughout the year and supports healthy red mangrove (RJneophora manjrle) communities. There is a natural buildup of sand deposits at the mouth of Fair Plain Gut due to longshore currents, wind, and wave energy. The berm is approximately 0.9 m high and 6 m wide. This bemi is broken only during periods of heavy rains, high seas, or sewage overflows and otherwise blockis the flow of water from Fair Plain Gut to Manning Bay (Depart- ment of Planning and Natural Resources 1990; Adams 1995), In spite ofthe berm, biologists The nearest reef visible from the shoreline is approximately 1J km oflfehore. Manning Bay is a high-salinity environment with a predominantiy sandy substrate. There are sea grasses and scat- tered rubble towards the reef and habitat condi- tions appear to support complex fish and inverte- brate communities. Hie tidal range averages O.I ma day, with an aimual range of 6 m. EPA is negotiating with the St, Croix Port regarding mitigation for the destruction of mangrove habitat near the Alexander Hamilton Airport: Approximatdy 0^ hectares of man- groves were Imlldozed, induding 107 m along Fair Plain Gut. A great variety of NOAA trust species use Fair Plain Gut and Manning Bay (Table 2). Man- groves provide vital habitat for juvenile marine fishes and juvenile sea turties because the inter- connecting root systems and shaUow water Coastal Hazardous Waste Site Review / Island Chemical Company • 17 sooia SXKVnnSN'OD SA3 e^ee iiz goz rvd iroat 96/C5/OT 800082 18 • Region 2 Table 2. Primary fish and Invertebrate species that use Fair Piain Gut and Manning Bay. • 1 Common Nama gclenttfie Name FISHES Sur0eonfl»he» AcantHuridae Car<lin«IFi»has Apoeenldae Uatheijackote MIetidae Jacks Ctran^Ume &Mok Centropomue uruteclmalle Butterftyflshes Chaatodonildae I F^tng gurnard Pttet^opterue volttanp j Cubt^u Eijfjetua aeuminatue J«ckknife-fieh Ecfuetue lancealigUie Spotted <lrum Ecfuetua punetatue Mo0<^unofieh Gambuaia afflniB Mojarraa Oerreidae Grunta Haomulidme &((ulrrelfiehe» Heloeantrtdae Wrasses Labridae Snappers LiAjanldae Sand tflefleh Malacarrthue plumleri 1 Tarpon Megalope a-tiantlca Gofltflehse Mufffdae Moraye Muraeni^^ae Giarden eel Nyetactiehthya Halle Angelflshas Pomacarrbhidae Damaelflahes Fomaeentridae Greater eoapfieh ^yptlcua eaponaceus Sea basses Serranldae forQ\e» Sparidae Parrfitfiehee &parieoma ep Scaroe ep Barracudas Sphyaanldae Tiiapia TUpiaap INVERTEBRATIS Blue cr«b CaWlnectee eapidua Spiny lobster Fanullrue ar^ua Quesfi coneli StromlruB gigae REPTILES Green oea turtle* Chehnia mydaa Hawtoblll eea t«rtle' Ertmoche.jyg (mprlcata Habitat Spawning Mating Adult Nesting Nurserv Forage 1 Fisheries Comm, l^eer. ' • • « • • • « • • « • • • • 4 . • * • " • • • • ' » • • • i • • 1 * • 4 « 1 'Federalli' listed Endangered Species \ provide extensive cover. Tilapia occur in large barracuda, sea bass, butterflyfish, mojarra, mos- numbers and are considered ubiquitous. Other quitofish, grunt, and wrasse (Adams 1995). dominant fish specif indude snapper, jack. 18 • Coastal (iazardous Waste Site Review/Island Chemical Company soolg sxNvnnsNoo SA3 e^ee i i z 9os xvd SO:TI ge.^es/or 800083 Region 2 • 19 All primary spedes listed in Table 2 use reef habiuts for spawning, nursery, and adult forage (Adams 1995). Turtle grass (D!f«/<i«w teaudinum) colonizes the flat sandy substrates (Adey et al. 1977). Other sea grasses indude Vtilacia, SyrangoiiuHii, Halimeda, and PeniciUus. Sea grasses provide l?oth forage and protective cover for sea turdes and nursery habitat for other marine ^^cdes, induding spiny lobster and queen conch (Adams 1995). Of particular concern to NOAA are two federally endangered spedes of sea turtie, which are known to forage in Manning Bay and surround- ing coastal waters. Turtle surveys have not been cohduaed near the site, but it is likely that turties nest along the shoreline in Manning Bay because nesting is extremely common throughout St. Croix (Adams 1995). Commerdal fisheries are considered artisinal and subsistence In nature. Fishes and invertebrates that are harvested botii commerdaiiy and recreationally indude grunt, snapper, jack, surgeonfish,leatherjackei, barracuda, sea bass, butterflyfish, goatfish, mojarra, cardinalfish, porgy, moray, and wrasse, blue crab, spiny lobster, and queen conch (Adams 1995). Lower Fair Plain Gut recdvcs any overflow from the nearby sewage lift station. Documented fish kills relating to these events have been reported in 1981,1985,1987,1988, and 1990. No health advisories have been documented Srom the sewage overflow events (Department of Planning and Namral Resources 1990). I Site-Related Contamination Data coUeaed during previous investigations indicate that groundwater, soils, sludge, sinrm drains, and sediment in Rjver Gut contain ele- vated concentrations of site-related contaminants (Harding Lawson Assodates 1994,1995). Table 3 summarizes the contaminants found during previous investigations. The primary contami- nants of concem to NOAA at the Island Chemical site are trace elements, organic compounds, and pesriddes. Trace elements, organic compounds, and pesri- ddes have been detected in on-site soils (Table 3; Harding Lawson Assodates 1995). Sludge samples taken from the fonner processing pit contained high concentrations of trace elements and toluene. No other contaminants were re- ported firom the sludge samples, but complete analytical results were not available (Harding Lavreon Assodates 1995). VOCs and SVOCs were detected in groundwater sampled during the RI, but at concentrations that would not threaten NOAA trust resoiuces. Of the 15 Target Compound List (TCL) pcstiddes detected ih groundwater, only gamma-chlardane and 4,4'-DDE were detected during both sam- pling events. Altiiough organic compounds were detected in soils, there were no dau to indicate whether thej' were measured or detected in groundwater. Trace dements vi^rc detected in 20 filtered groundwater samples and 21 unfiltered groundwater samples. Chromium, copper, lead, and zinc were detected in filtered samples fix>m all 1! Coastal Hazardous Waste Site Review / Island Chemical Company • 19 zoolg sx.wnasN'oo SA3 SfeO ITZ 902 XVd SO:TT 96/52/01 800084 20 • Re^oh 2 Table 3. Maximum concentrationg of contaminants (mg/k^) detected in envtponmerrtal media collected from the Island Chemical efte during Investigations conducted from 1954 to 1991. Twee ElgwMWUi ATMHIC Cadmltfn Oiromlum Copper lead Mercuty Nickel Zinc pyWlne Quinidine gluconate Quinine eutfate Toluene fggtleUgfl Aldrin aipha-Chiordane gamma-Chionlane p,p'-DOE Heptaehler epoxide Source Areas Av«. Earth'e 'Soil Sludge' Crust^ 9.1 40 S NR 2S , 0.06 49 S90 100 100 5S0 50 520 690 10 NR 2.7 0.0i 54 130 40 590 5.600 50 5.000 NR N/A »,Z0O NR N/A 2.600 Nl? N/A 15.900 1,600 N/A 30 NR N/A 10 NR N/A 5.8 NR N/A 75 NR N/A 4 NR N/A 1: Thie sludge sample IMS collected from the former process pit. 2: EfAOSeS). 3t Effects rangeHow, Lor^ and MacDonald (1992). 4: .Effects ran^e-medlan. Lon^ and MacDonald (1992). J'ath^.ys j Storm Owlne 5.5 4.5 110 570 470 NR 4« 1^00 NR NR NR 5.600 0.02 NR 0.024 0,016 NR RlwGut Sediment ERL' 4.1 & 2 2A 1.2 41 61 7 0 ' 54 46 47 NR 0.15 52 21 670 150 NR NA NR NA NR NA NR NA NR NA NR 0.0005 NR 0.00(B NR 0.002 NR NA NA: Not available. MR: Data not reported. N/A Notapplica'bie. ERM* 70 9.6 S70 270 . 220 0.71 52 410 NA NA NA. NA NA NA • NA 0.27 NA four monitoring wells during the 1995 sampling events, but data were not presented (Harding Lawson Assodates IS>95). It could not t^e deter- mined from the available data whether sur&ce water samples have t>ecn collected fix>m storm drains or River Gut Sediments from storm drains MWch lead to BJver Gut were contaminated with trace dements, pestiddes, and organic compounds, primarily toluene. Copper and lead concentrations in the storm drains exceeded ERL guidelines by an order of magnitude. Concentrations pf cad- mium, copper, nickel, and zinc in sediments from River Gut exceeded ERL guidelines, and zinc exceeded ERM guidelines as well (Harding Lawson Assodates 1995). No data were available for organic compounds. 20 • Coastal Hazardous Waste Site Review /island Chemical Company tfOOigl siNivnasNoo SAH 8^86 i i z 90Z YVd LO-XT 9Q/EZ/0T 8 0 0 0 8 5 I Summary Results fix>m site investigations indicate that former activities at the Island Chenucal site have contaminated soil, sediment, and groundwater. All sur&ce runofiffrom the site is channeled tiirough storm drains to River Gut, which fiovtrs into Fair Piain Gut and dischar^ to the Carilv bean Sea approxiraately 1.4 km downstrean> fix>m the site. Primary aiid secondary habitats dose to the site support spedes of concern to NOAA, including two spedes of sea turtie that are federally listed endangered species. Region 2 • 21 Department of Planning and Natural Resources. 1987. Memoranda re sewerage overflows. Frederiksted, St. Croix, VS. Virgin Islands. Department of Planning and Natural Resources. 1990. Memoranda re sewerage overflows. Frederiksted, St. CKMX, U.S. Virgin Islands Harding Lawson Assodates. 1994. Draft Remedial Investigation Work Plan. St. Croix, Virgin Islands: Island Chemical Company. Harding Lawson Assodates. 1995. Remedial Investigation Draft Data Sununary Report. St. Croix, Virgm Islands: Island Chemical Com- pany. ( (r I References Adams, A., Fisheries Biologist, Division of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Planning and Natu- ral Resources, Frederiksted, St. Croix, U.S. Vugin Islands, personal communications Febru- ary 2, April 4, and May 17,1995. Adey, W. etal. 1977. Field guidebook to the recfe and reef communities of St. Crobc, Virgin Islands. Third Iniemational Symposium tm Coral Reefil977. Long, E.R-, and D.D. MacDonald. 1992. National Status and Trends Piwgram approach. In: Sediment ClasHfktition Methods Compen- dium. EPA 823-R-92-006. Washington, D.C: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water (WH-556). NUS Corporation. 1991. Final Draft Inspection Report for Island Chemical Corporation, Virgin Island Chemical Site. St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands: Island Chenucal Corporation/Virgin Island Chemical. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 1983. Hazardous waste land treatment. EPA/ 530/SW-83/874. Cincinnati: Munidpal Envi- ronmental Research Laboratory. 702 pp. Coastal Hazardous Waste Site Review / Island Chemical Company • 21 OOOIgj SiNfVXlJlSMOO SA3 e^80 LIZ 902 xVd , o : T r < , „ . o , . . . 8 0 0 0 8 6 22 • Region 2 U5 Enviromnental Protection Agency (EPA). 1994. Administrative order on con^nt for Remedial Investigation/FeasibOity smdy u i ^ L e t of theVlrgin Island Chemical si«. New York: US. Environmental Protection Agency, Rc^on2. „ . C«sU.H.«ra.«sW„uSK.R.vi..«»-CH..lc-C.m,», 0^0 ll sjjJvnnsMOD SAa e^ee iiz soz xvd 8O:TT 96/ej/OT