Evaluation of soil lead contamination at former firing ranges on Governors Island, New York
- Daniel, Mann, Johnson and Mendenhall, Arlington, VA (United States)
- Coast Guard, Governors Island, NY (United States)
Hundreds of former firing ranges used to discharge small caliber arms are located at military bases slated for closure throughout the United States. This paper discusses some of the issues and challenges associated with sampling, analysis, and remediation of two US Coast Guard former firing ranges located on Governors Island, New York. The collection of representative and homogeneous soil samples is difficult because of the random distribution of bullets at former firing range sites. Lead concentrations in the soil at Governors Island varied from 10 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) to over 50,000 mg/kg. Impacts to ground water are typically minimal because these metals are not highly mobile in the surficial soils where they accumulate and soil pH concentrations are not acidic enough to induce downward mobility. The evaluation and selection of appropriate remedial alternative(s) and clean-up concentrations should consider the historical and future use of the military base. Decisions on base closure and future land use at Fort Jay should dictate the selection of the appropriate remedial solutions for the former firing ranges. Remedial options evaluated include simple control measures (e.g. fencing, impervious cover), soil stabilization and soil removal.
- OSTI ID:
- 205313
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-951139--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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