Use of Remedial Action Levels and Cleanup Levels with Contaminated Sediment Management
Sponsored by: U.S. EPA, Region 10
Archived: Thursday, January 6, 2022
The purpose of this talk is to understand what Remedial Action Levels (RALs) are and how they are used at contaminated sediment sites. The presentation will also discuss how RALs differ from cleanup levels, and how both are used in the cleanup process. RALs represent concentrations that trigger active construction for sediment cleanup. This can consist of different combinations of dredging, capping, enhanced natural recovery, and monitored natural recovery to address contaminated material at Superfund Sediment Sites and reduce contaminant exposure to human health and the environment. Cleanup levels typically are concentrations that would not pose unacceptable risks to human health and the environment.
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Presenter:
Karl Gustavson, Ph.D., U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (gustavson.karl@epa.gov or 703-603-8753)
Karl Gustavson is the contaminated sediments team lead and chair of the Contaminated Sediments Technical Advisory Group (CSTAG) in the Superfund program at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). He previously worked for the Army Engineer Research and Development Center where he was stationed at EPA Superfund headquarters advising on contaminated sediment management. At EPA, he specializes in national and site-specific issues regarding contaminated sediment characterization, effects assessment, monitoring, and remediation, and provides technical support at multiple Superfund sites and Great Lakes Areas of Concern. The CSTAG provides formalized review of decisions at a subset of the largest, most complex, and controversial contaminated sediment sites. Dr. Gustavson is involved in several research efforts including on the development of procedures for documenting remedial effectiveness, novel methods to monitor contaminant bioaccumulation, and developing new approaches to reduce contaminant bioaccumulation in fish. Previously, he was a Senior Program Officer for the National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academy of Sciences where he served as the Study Director on reports reviewing Superfund site decision making, assessing the effectiveness of sediment remediation, and evaluating methods to improve chemical risk assessments. His Ph.D. is in Environmental Toxicology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Moderator:
Jean Balent, U.S. EPA Technology Innovation and Field Services Division (balent.jean@epa.gov or 202-566-0832)
Ms Balent is on the staff of the EPA's Technology Innovation and Field Services Division where she has worked to collect and disseminate hazardous waste remediation and characterization information since 2003. Ms Balent manages the Clean Up Information Network website and actively supports online communication and collaboration resources available to EPA. She formerly worked with the US Army Corps of Engineers Environmental Engineering Division in the Buffalo District. Ms Balent was also a member of the SUNY-Buffalo Groundwater Research Group where she constructed and tested large scale models of groundwater flow. Ms Balent has also conducted research relating to the Great Lakes, environmental remediation, and brownfields re-development. She holds a Bachelor's degree in environmental engineering from SUNY-Buffalo and a Master's degree in Information Technology from AIU.
Webinar Slides and References:
Webinar Slides and References:
Additional Resources:
- These materials will be available by Thursday, January 6, 2022
If you have a suggested topic or idea for a future CLU-IN internet seminar, please contact:
Technology Integration and Information Branch
PH: 202-566-0832 | Email: balent.jean@epa.gov
Technology Integration and Information Branch
PH: 202-566-0875 | Email: adam.michael@epa.gov
