Assessment of Water Column datacollected in response to a fly ashrelease on the Delaware RiverDelaware River Basin CommissionJohn R. Yagecic, P.E.June 19, 2006Executive Summary• Ash basin leak at PPL’s Martin’s Creek power plant August 23rd-27th,2005 released ~100 million gallons of ash and water into theDelaware River;• The States of PA & NJ requested that DRBC compile and assesswater column data from agencies and PPL;• The results of this effort are as follows:Arsenic• Some apparent exceedance of PA human health arsenic criteriaimmediately after the release in the vicinity of the release. Theseexceedances are not observed upstream of the release.• Apparent signature of release observable downstream but below PAarsenic criteria.Executive Summary (continued)Lead• Apparent exceedances of PA and NJ lead criteriaimmediately after release in the vicinity of the release.Aluminum• Some short term local exceedance of PA aluminumcriteria from release, but background and high flowsaccount for most of the observed concentration.Manganese• Manganese concentrations appear to be backgroundconcentrations.Executive Summary (continued)Copper• Short term copper exceedances of PA criteria at releaseand downstream.Selenium• Selenium concentrations appear to be backgroundconcentrations.Mercury• Mercury data almost completely below reporting limits.Brief Background• Ash basin leak at PPL’s Martin’s Creek power plant August23rd-27th, 2005 released ~100 million gallons of ash and waterinto the Delaware River;• Agencies and PPL met at DRBC on November 3,2005 toreview data collected up to that point;• DRBC agreed to compile and assess data from agencies andPPL;• Agencies and PPL agreed that DRBC and PPL shouldperform separate but parallel assessments;• Agencies and PPL previewed DRBC draft assessment onMarch 2, 2006. Recommended expansion of the data set andminor changes.• This Document:– Results of DRBC’s assessment;– Narrowly focused on data – not an assessment of regulatoryissues.Post-Release Water ColumnSampling EffortData received by DRBC as of 12/2005OrganizationSamplesCollectedSamplingDaysLocationsAnalyticalParametersPPL>1,700 84 16 60NJDEP47 2 9 28PADEP36 8 16 up to 117NJWSA21 21 1 24DRBC9 2 4-5 30PWD4 14 5USGS2 2 1 10Total>1,819Post-Release Sampling Effort05,00010,00015,00020,00025,00030,00035,00040,00045,000 8/20/2005 8/22/2005 8/24/2005 8/26/2005 8/28/2005 8/30/2005 9/1/2005 9/3/2005 9/5/2005 9/7/2005 9/9/2005 9/11/2005 9/13/2005 9/15/2005 9/17/2005 9/19/2005 9/21/2005 9/23/2005 9/25/2005 9/27/2005 9/29/2005 10/1/2005 10/3/2005 10/5/2005 10/7/2005 10/9/2005 10/11/2005 10/13/2005 10/15/2005 10/17/2005 10/19/2005 10/21/2005 10/23/2005 10/25/2005 10/27/2005 10/29/2005 10/31/2005 11/2/2005 11/4/2005 11/6/2005 11/8/2005 11/10/2005 11/12/2005 11/14/2005 11/16/2005Date

Delaware River Flow at Belvidere (CFS)0.1110100 Number of Samples CollectedDischarge (CFS)DRBCNJDEPNJWSAPADEPPPLPWDUSGSReleaseWide Range of Flows During Sampling1,00010,000100,0001,000,0000% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%Percentage of Time Flow Exceeded

Flow at Trenton (CFS)Flow at Trenton (CFS)High Flow EventsMean Flow August 26th to October 7th, 2005Mean daily flow fromAugust 26th to October7th, 2005.3,070 CFSExceeded 95.3% of time.October 9, 200578,900 CFSExceeded 0.59% of time.October 14, 200549,900Exceeded 2.29% of time.Criteria at the time of release(some criteria have subsequently changed)Pennsylvania• Chapter 16. WaterQuality ToxicsManagement Strategy –Statement of Policy;• CCCs, CMCs, andHuman Health Criteria.• Governing (moststringent) PA criteria;– Human Health for arsenic;– CCC for all others.New Jersey• Surface Water QualityStandards N.J.A.C. 7:9B(June 2005);• For the Delaware River,NJ defers to DRBCcriteria where DRBChave criteria;• Where DRBC doesn’t,use FW2-NT criteria fornon-saline waters.88%75%50%13%0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100% Arsenic Total Lead Total Aluminum Total Manganese Total ‡ Copper Total Barium Total Beryllium Total Chromium Total Cobalt Total Molybdenum Total Nickel Total Vanadium Total Zinc TotalAnalytical Parameter

% of Results Exceeding Either a PA or NJ CriteriaPrioritization of Analytical Parameters**For prioritization only – not for regulatory purposesTo prioritize the comparison of results to applicable criteria, wefirst compared samples with paired metals and hardness data tothe computed criteria based on the sample specific hardness.This screening showed that arsenic, lead, aluminum,manganese, and copper were potentially the parameters ofinterest. This screening did not differentiate between J-flagged(estimated) results and un-flagged results. In addition, thisscreening did not consider the location (upstream or downstreamof release) of the sample. Finally, only a small subset of resultsincluded paired metals and hardness data. After we identifiedthe parameters of interest using this screening approach, weperformed a more comprehensive comparison to criteria.‡NJ Manganese criteria were not applicable to freshwater, butmanganese was retained as an indicator parameter.At the request of the states, we also assessed selenium results.Hardness Ranges from LowerDelaware Existing Water Quality Study0102030405060708090-20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70Miles Downstream from Fly Ash Release

Hardness (mg/L)25th PercentileMedian75th PercentileWhere PA or NJ criteria were based on hardness, we computed thecriteria using hardness measurements from the Lower Delaware RiverMonitoring Program for establishment of existing water quality. Thesevalues were measured between 2000 and 2004. Over 430 hardnessmeasurements were made within the area of interest during thatmonitoring period. Quartiles of hardness results are shown here.Spatial Grouping of Resultsbased on Arsenic and Aluminum Samples0100200300400500600700 -13.490 -3.640 -1.370 -0.800 -0.130 -0.100 -0.090 -0.020 0.030 0.100 0.200 5.130 5.180 8.900 8.970 9.100 10.380 10.900 19.210 19.400 26.500 29.900 36.860 37.200 37.700 38.800 45.470 45.500 56.800 57.170 59.500 59.860 74.960 75.750 83.960Miles Downstream From Release

No. of Samples CollectedNo of Samples analyzed for Aluminum or ArsenicUpstreamEaston EstuaryNearDownstreamAtReleaseThe data showed that metalsconcentrations were changingin both space and time. Tobetter isolate temporalchanges, we broke the datasets into spatial groups basedon location and the number ofsamples collected in eacharea.Arsenic ResultsArsenic Concentrations Upstream of ReleaseArsenic Water Column Concentrations Measured Upstream of Release0.010.11101008/16/2005 9/5/2005 9/25/2005 10/15/2005 11/4/2005 11/24/2005 12/14/2005 1/3/2006 1/23/2006 2/12/2006Date and Time

Arsenic Total (ug/L)Arsenic Total (ug/L)Arsenic Total J-Flagged (ug/L)Arsenic Non-Detects (ug/L)PA Arsenic Criteria (ug/L)NJ Arsenic Criteria (ug/L)Most results upstream of the release were non-detect.Of the quantified results, all were below the PA arseniccriteria, but all were above the NJ arsenic criteria.Arsenic Concentrations at ReleaseArsenic Water Column Concentrations Measured in the immediate vicinity of the Release0.010.111010010008/16/2005 9/5/2005 9/25/2005 10/15/2005 11/4/2005 11/24/2005 12/14/2005 1/3/2006 1/23/2006 2/12/2006Date and Time

Arsenic Total (ug/L)Arsenic Total (ug/L)Arsenic Total Non-Detects (ug/L)PA Arsenic Criteria (ug/L)NJ Arsenic Criteria (ug/L)In the immediate vicinity of the release, initialconcentrations in excess of the PA arsenic criteria wereobserved, with concentrations falling below the PAcriteria shortly after the release. All quantifiedconcentrations exceeded the NJ arsenic criteria.Arsenic Concentrations near DownstreamArsenic Water Column Concentrations Measured 0.1 to 0.2 milesdownstream from release0.010.11101008/16/2005 9/5/2005 9/25/2005 10/15/2005 11/4/2005 11/24/2005 12/14/2005 1/3/2006 1/23/2006 2/12/2006Date and Time

Arsenic Total (ug/L)Arsenic Total (ug/L)Arsenic Total Non-Detects (ug/L)PA Arsenic Criteria (ug/L)NJ Arsenic Criteria (ug/L)Arsenic Water Column ConcentrationsMeasured 5.13 to 5.18 miles downstream from release0.010.11101008/16/2005 9/5/2005 9/25/2005 10/15/2005 11/4/2005 11/24/2005 12/14/2005 1/3/2006 1/23/2006 2/12/2006Date and Time

Arsenic Total (ug/L)Arsenic Total (ug/L)Arsenic Total Non-Detects (ug/L)PA Arsenic Criteria (ug/L)NJ Arsenic Criteria (ug/L)A comparison of time series arsenic measurements at two downstream ranges shows that most results were below thePA arsenic criteria, but all quantified results exceeded the NJ arsenic criteria. Both plots suggest resuspension of settledarsenic during the mid-October storm events.Arsenic Concentrations near EastonArsenic Water Column Concentrations Measured between RM 8 and 11 (Easton)0.010.11101008/16/2005 9/5/2005 9/25/2005 10/15/2005 11/4/2005 11/24/2005 12/14/2005 1/3/2006 1/23/2006 2/12/2006Date and Time

Arsenic Total (ug/L)Arsenic Total (ug/L)Arsenic Total J-Flagged (ug/L)Arsenic Total Non-Detect (ug/L)PA Arsenic Criteria (ug/L)NJ Arsenic Criteria (ug/L)Near Easton, all results were below the PA arsenic criteria, but all quantified resultsexceeded the NJ arsenic criteria. Again, some apparent resuspension is observedduring the mid-October storm events.Arsenic Concentrations in EstuaryArsenic Water Column Concentrations Measured in the Estuary0.010.111010010/8/2005 10/9/2005 10/10/2005 10/11/2005 10/12/2005 10/13/2005 10/14/2005 10/15/2005 10/16/2005 10/17/2005 10/18/2005Date

Arsenic Total (ug/L)Arsenic Total (ug/L)Arsenic Total Non-Detects (ug/L)PA Arsenic Criteria (ug/L)NJ Arsenic Criteria (ug/L)DRBC Arsenic Criteria (ug/L)Some arsenic results were collected in the estuary during mid-October (note thechange in the X-axis). DRBC also has an arsenic criteria that applies to theestuary only. All results were below the PA and DRBC arsenic criteria, but allquantified results exceeded the NJ arsenic criteria. Since results were collected inmid-October only, no comparison can be made to the period immediately after therelease.Arsenic Concentrations by Distancefrom Release, August 26, 2005Arsenic Water Column Concentrations on August 26, 20050.010.101.0010.00100.001,000.00-10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70Miles Downstream from Release

Arsenic Total (ug/L)PPLPPL Non-DetectsDRBCDRBC Non-DetectsNJDEPNJWSAPADEPPADEP Non-DetectsPWDPA Arsenic CriteriaNJ Arsenic CriteriaWe plotted all resultscollected on August 26, 2005by river mile. This plot showsgood agreement betweenresults collected by differentagencies, and demonstratesa decrease in arsenicconcentration moving fromthe release site downstream.Arsenic Concentrations by Distancefrom Release, August 27, 2005Arsenic Water Column Concentrations on August 27, 20050.010.101.0010.00100.001,000.00-10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70Miles Downstream from Release

Arsenic Total (ug/L)PPLNJDEPNJWSAUSGSPA Arsenic CriteriaNJ Arsenic CriteriaA similar plot for the followingday (August 27, 2005)suggests that the peakarsenic concentration hasshifted downstream. Allresults are below the PAarsenic criteria, but allquantifiable results exceedthe NJ arsenic criteria.Percentiles of Arsenic MeasurementsPercentiles of Water Column Arsenic Measurements from 5 Location Ranges0.010.111010010000.5 0.55 0.6 0.65 0.7 0.75 0.8 0.85 0.9 0.95 1Percentiles

Arsenic Total (ug/L)UpstreamAt ReleaseNear DownstreamNear EastonEstuaryPA Arsenic Criteria (ug/L)NJ Arsenic Criteria (ug/L)Comparison to Pre-Release Arsenic Data(1992-Present) found in NWIS and STORETComparison of Pre- and Post-Release Arsenic Concentrations0.11101000 10 20 30 40 50 60 70Miles Downstream from Release

Arsenic Total (ug/L)Arsenic Total Post Release (ug/L)Arsenic Total Post-Release Non-Detect (ug/L)Arsenic Total Trenton Range Pre-Release (ug/L)Arsenic Total Riegelsville Range Pre-Release (ug/L)36 Data Points34 of which were Non-Detectat concentrations ranging from1 to 3 ug/L.9 Data Points8 of which were Non-Detect at1 ug/L.Comparison of post-release results tohistorical arsenic ranges atRiegelsville and Trenton indicatehigher concentrations measured afterthe release.Lead ResultsLead Concentrations Upstream of ReleaseLead Water Column Concentrations Measured Upstream of Release0.11101008/16/2005 9/5/2005 9/25/2005 10/15/2005 11/4/2005 11/24/2005 12/14/2005 1/3/2006 1/23/2006 2/12/2006Date and Time

Lead Total (ug/L)Lead Total (ug/L)Lead Total Non-Detects (ug/L)PA Lead Criteria (25th Percentile Hardness) (ug/L)PA Lead Criteria (75th Percentile Hardness) (ug/L)NJ Lead Criteria (ug/L)Results from most lead samples collected upstreamof the release were non-detect. Any quantifiableconcentrations exceeded the PA hardness basedlead criteria. Most results were below the NJ leadcriteria. In mid-September, PPL exceeded thecapacity of their contract analytical laboratory andchanged to a new laboratory, resulting in a changeto the lead reporting limits and diminishing theresolution of the lead data. It should be noted thatthe new lab provided slightly better reporting limitsfor arsenic, the primary parameter of interest. ByDecember 2006, PPL returned to the original laband the lower lead reporting limits.LeadConcentrationsat ReleaseLead Water Column Concentrations Measured in the immediate vicinity of the Release0.11101008/16/2005 9/5/2005 9/25/2005 10/15/2005 11/4/2005 11/24/2005 12/14/2005 1/3/2006 1/23/2006 2/12/2006Date

Lead Total (ug/L)Lead Total (ug/L)Lead Total Non-Detects (ug/L)PA Lead Criteria (25th Percentile Hardness) (ug/L)PA Lead Criteria (75th Percentile Hardness) (ug/L)NJ Lead Criteria (ug/L)Lead samples collected at the release show a fewvalues that exceed the NJ lead criteria immediatelyafter the release, with concentrations decreasingover time. All quantifiable concentrations appear toexceed the PA criteria. Again, the change inreporting limits in mid-September makescomparison to criteria impossible for non-detectdata.Lead Concentrations near DownstreamLead Water Column Concentrations Measured 0.1 to 0.2 miles downstream from release0.11101008/16/2005 9/5/2005 9/25/2005 10/15/2005 11/4/2005 11/24/2005 12/14/2005 1/3/2006 1/23/2006 2/12/2006Date and Time

Lead Total (ug/L)Lead Total (ug/L)Lead Total Non-Detects (ug/L)PA Lead Criteria (25th Percentile Hardness) (ug/L)PA Lead Criteria (75th Percentile Hardness) (ug/L)NJ Lead Criteria (ug/L)Lead Water Column Concentrations Measured 5.13 to 5.18 miles downstream from release0.11101008/16/2005 9/5/2005 9/25/2005 10/15/2005 11/4/2005 11/24/2005 12/14/2005 1/3/2006 1/23/2006 2/12/2006Date and Time

Lead Total (ug/L)Lead Total (ug/L)Lead Total J-Flagged (ug/L)Lead Total Non-Detects (ug/L)PA Lead Criteria (25th Percentile Hardness) (ug/L)PA Lead Criteria (75th Percentile Hardness) (ug/L)NJ Lead Criteria (ug/L)Lead samples collected downstream of the release are mostly below the NJ lead criteria. All quantifiableconcentrations appear to exceed the PA criteria. Again, the change in reporting limits in mid-September makescomparison to criteria impossible for non-detect data.Lead Concentrations near EastonLead Water Column Concentrations Measured between RM 8 and 11 (Easton)0.010.11101008/16/2005 9/5/2005 9/25/2005 10/15/2005 11/4/2005 11/24/2005 12/14/2005 1/3/2006 1/23/2006 2/12/2006Date and Time

Lead Total (ug/L)Lead Total (ug/L)Lead Total J-FlaggedLead Total Non-Detects (ug/L)PA Lead Criteria (25th Percentile Hardness) (ug/L)PA Lead Criteria (75th Percentile Hardness) (ug/L)NJ Lead Criteria (ug/L)Lead samples collected near Easton show a few values that exceed the NJ leadcriteria immediately after the release. All quantifiable concentrations appear toexceed the PA criteria. Again, the change in reporting limits in mid-Septembermakes comparison to criteria impossible for non-detect data.Lead Concentrations by Distance fromRelease, August 26, 2005Lead Water Column Concentrations on August 26, 20050.010.1110100-20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70Miles Downstream from Release

Lead Total (ug/L)Lead Total (ug/L)Lead Total J-Flagged (ug/L)Lead Total Non-Detects (ug/L)PA Lead Total Criteria (25th Percentile Hardness) (ug/L)PA Lead Total Criteria (Median Hardness) (ug/L)PA Lead Total Criteria (75th Percentile Hardness) (ug/L)NJ Lead Total Criteria (ug/L)Lead results collected on August 26, 2005plotted by River Mile show a decrease in leadconcentration moving from the release sitedownstream. Some concentrations exceedingboth the PA and NJ lead criteria are apparent atthe release site, with lower concentrationsdownstream.Lead Concentrations by Distance fromRelease, August 26 and 27, 2005Lead Water Column Concentrations on August 26, 20050.010.1110100-20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70Miles Downstream from Release

Lead Total (ug/L)Lead Total (ug/L)Lead Total J-Flagged (ug/L)Lead Total Non-Detects (ug/L)PA Lead Total Criteria (25th Percentile Hardness) (ug/L)PA Lead Total Criteria (Median Hardness) (ug/L)PA Lead Total Criteria (75th Percentile Hardness) (ug/L)NJ Lead Total Criteria (ug/L)Lead Water Column Concentrations on August 27, 20050.010.1110100-20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70Miles Downstream from Release

Lead Total (ug/L)Lead Total (ug/L)Lead Total J-Flagged (ug/L)Lead Total Non-Detects (ug/L)PA Lead Total Criteria (25th Percentile Hardness) (ug/L)PA Lead Total Criteria (Median Hardness) (ug/L)PA Lead Total Criteria (75th Percentile Hardness) (ug/L)NJ Lead Total Criteria (ug/L)A side-by-side comparison of lead samples collected on August 26 and 27, 2005 plotted by River Mile indicates adecrease in concentration at the release site. Unlike arsenic, there is no apparent downstream movement of aconcentration peak.Comparison to Pre-Release Lead Data(1992-Present) found in NWIS and STORETComparison of Pre- and Post-Release Lead Concentrations0.010.1110100-20 0 20 40 60 80 100Miles Downstream from Release

Lead Total (ug/L)Lead Total Post-Release (ug/L)Lead Total J-Flagged (ug/L)Lead Total Non-Detect Post-Release (ug/L)Trenton Pre-Release Range (ug/L)Riegelsville Pre-Release Range (ug/L)44 Data Points21 of which wereNon-Detect at 1 ug/L9 Data Points7 of which wereNon-Detect at 1ug/LComparison of post-release results tohistorical lead ranges at Riegelsvilleand Trenton indicate results thatappear to be fairly consistent with thehistoric range. The lower limit ofeach historic range is bounded by thedetection limits. Therefore, J-flaggeddata which appears to be below therange is consistent with the range. Ateach site, one quantifiablemeasurement above the historicrange was observed.Aluminum ResultsAluminum Concentrations Upstream of ReleaseAluminum Water Column Concentrations Measured Upstream of Release1101001,00010,0008/16/2005 9/5/2005 9/25/2005 10/15/2005 11/4/2005 11/24/2005 12/14/2005 1/3/2006 1/23/2006 2/12/2006Date and Time

Aluminum Total (ug/L)Aluminum Total (ug/L)Aluminum Total Non-Detects (ug/L)PA Aluminum Criteria (ug/L)EPA Criteria (ug/L)Upstream of the release, aluminum water column concentrations in excess of boththe PA aluminum criteria and the EPA recommended aluminum criteria are observedcoincident with the mid-October storm events, suggesting resuspension of bottommaterial as a likely contributor to water column aluminum.Aluminum Concentrations at ReleaseAluminum Water Column Concentrations Measured at Release1101001,00010,000100,0008/16/2005 9/5/2005 9/25/2005 10/15/2005 11/4/2005 11/24/2005 12/14/2005 1/3/2006 1/23/2006 2/12/2006Date and Time

Aluminum Total (ug/L)Aluminum Total (ug/L)Aluminum Total Non-Detects (ug/L)PA Aluminum Criteria (ug/L)EPA Criteria (ug/L)In the vicinity of the release, higher aluminum concentrations in excess of the PA andEPA recommended aluminum criteria are observed immediately after the release.Higher concentrations are observed again during the mid-October storm events,consistent with the upstream sites.Aluminum Concentrationsupstream and at releaseAluminum Water Column Concentrations Measured at Release1101001,00010,000100,0008/16/2005 9/5/2005 9/25/2005 10/15/2005 11/4/2005 11/24/2005 12/14/2005 1/3/2006 1/23/2006 2/12/2006Date and Time

Aluminum Total (ug/L)Aluminum Total (ug/L)Aluminum Total Non-Detects (ug/L)PA Aluminum Criteria (ug/L)EPA Criteria (ug/L)Aluminum Water Column Concentrations Measured Upstream of Release1101001,00010,000100,0008/16/2005 9/5/2005 9/25/2005 10/15/2005 11/4/2005 11/24/2005 12/14/2005 1/3/2006 1/23/2006 2/12/2006Date and Time

Aluminum Total (ug/L)Aluminum Total (ug/L)Aluminum Total Non-Detects (ug/L)PA Aluminum Criteria (ug/L)EPA Criteria (ug/L)A side-by-side comparison of the upstream and release site plots suggests an initial increase in water columnaluminum at the release site, followed by a storm related increase that is consistent with the upstream sites.Aluminum Concentrations at neardownstream locationsAluminum Water Column Concentrations Measured 0.1 to 0.2 milesdownstream from release101001,00010,0008/16/2005 9/5/2005 9/25/2005 10/15/2005 11/4/2005 11/24/2005 12/14/2005 1/3/2006 1/23/2006 2/12/2006Date and Time

Aluminum Total (ug/L)Aluminum Total (ug/L)Aluminum Total Non-Detects (ug/L)PA Aluminum Criteria (ug/L)EPA Criteria (ug/L)Aluminum Water Column Concentrations Measured 5.13 to 5.18 milesdownstream from release101001,00010,0008/16/2005 9/5/2005 9/25/2005 10/15/2005 11/4/2005 11/24/2005 12/14/2005 1/3/2006 1/23/2006 2/12/2006Date and Time

Aluminum Total (ug/L)Aluminum Total (ug/L)Aluminum Total Non-Detects (ug/L)PA Aluminum Criteria (ug/L)EPA Criteria (ug/L)One measurement(11,300 ug/L)off the scaleA side-by-side comparison of plots for the 2 near downstream ranges shows an initial increase in water columnaluminum concentration after the release, followed by storm related increases in mid October. The structure of theinitial concentration increase is more apparent at the second downstream range, even though that range is further fromthe initial release site. We observed this difference in structure for other analytical parameters as well. One possibleexplanation is that the second downstream range is shallower and has a higher velocity, keeping more material insuspension. By contrast, the first downstream range is more of a pool and may tend to dampen the signal of therelease. As with lead, a change to a higher aluminum reporting limit interferes with direct comparison to the EPArecommended criteria for non-detect data.Regression of Paired AluminumConcentrationsRegression of Paired Aluminum Observations Upstream and At Releasey = 0.8253x + 140R2= 0.689905001,0001,5002,0002,5003,0003,5004,0000 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500 4,000Aluminum Upstream of Release (ug/L)

Aluminum at Release (ug/L)At ReleaseMatch (1:1)Linear (At Release)Regression of Paired Aluminum Observations Upstream and Near Eastony = 0.9229x + 177.73R2= 0.454601,0002,0003,0004,0005,0006,0007,0008,0000 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 7,000 8,000Aluminum Total Upstream of Release (ug/L)

Aluminum Total Near Easton (ug/L)Near EastonMatch (1:1)Linear (Near Easton)Bivariate plots of aluminum concentrations at the release site and at Easton versus the upstream concentrations,suggests that portion of the variability in the downstream concentrations is explained by the upstream concentration. Ateach location, however, a subset of values not following this relationship is apparent.Our interpretation is that the initial peaks are associated with the release, but subsequent peaks strongly follow theupstream storm related pattern.ManganeseManganese Concentrations Upstreamof ReleaseA plot of manganese water column concentrationsupstream of the release shows a strong response tomid-October storms, including concentrations inexcess of the NJ manganese criteria.Manganese Water Column Concentrations Upstream of the Release11010010008/16/2005 9/5/2005 9/25/2005 10/15/2005 11/4/2005 11/24/2005 12/14/2005 1/3/2006 1/23/2006 2/12/2006Date and Time

Manganese Total (ug/L)Manganese Total (ug/L)Manganese Total Non-Detects (ug/L)Manganese ConcentrationsUpstream of and at ReleaseA side-by-side comparison of plots of manganese water column concentrations upstream and at the release indicates thatboth sites show a strong response to mid-October storm events, including concentrations in excess of the NJ manganesecriteria. There are no apparent elevated concentrations of manganese at the release site relative to the upstream sites. Infact the range of concentrations for the upstream sites is slightly higher than for the release site.Manganese Water Column Concentrations Upstream of the Release11010010008/16/2005 9/5/2005 9/25/2005 10/15/2005 11/4/2005 11/24/2005 12/14/2005 1/3/2006 1/23/2006 2/12/2006Date and Time

Manganese Total (ug/L)Manganese Total (ug/L)Manganese Total Non-Detects (ug/L)Manganese Concentrations at Release11010010008/16/2005 9/5/2005 9/25/2005 10/15/2005 11/4/2005 11/24/2005 12/14/2005 1/3/2006 1/23/2006 2/12/2006Date and Time

Manganese Total (ug/L)Manganese Total (ug/L)Manganese Total Non-Detects (ug/L)Percentiles of Manganese ConcentrationsUpstream of and At ReleasePercentiles of Manganese Concentrations Upstream of at At Release11010010000.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1Percentiles

Manganese Total (ug/L)UpstreamAt ReleaseA comparison of the percentiles of measured manganese water columnconcentrations further confirms that concentrations at the release are nothigher than upstream concentrations throughout the range of measuredconcentrations.Copper ResultsCopper Concentrations UpstreamCopper Water Column Concentrations Measured Upstream of Release1101008/16/2005 9/5/2005 9/25/2005 10/15/2005 11/4/2005 11/24/2005 12/14/2005 1/3/2006 1/23/2006 2/12/2006Date and Time

Copper Total (ug/L)Copper Total (ug/L)Copper Total Non-Detects (ug/L)PA Copper Criteria (25th Percentile Hardness) (ug/L)PA Copper Criteria (75th Percentile Hardness) (ug/L)A review of water column copper concentrations upstream of the releaseindicates a handful of quantifiable concentrations, including a few apparentlyexceeding PA copper criteria. Again, a change in reporting limits diminishesthe resolution of the measurements after mid-September, and makesmeaningful comparison to the PA criteria impossible for non-detects.Copper at ReleaseCopper Water Column Concentrations Measured at the Release1101008/16/2005 9/5/2005 9/25/2005 10/15/2005 11/4/2005 11/24/2005 12/14/2005 1/3/2006 1/23/2006 2/12/2006Date and Time

Copper Total (ug/L)Copper Total (ug/L)Copper Total Non-Detects (ug/L)PA Copper Criteria (25th Percentile Hardness) (ug/L)PA Copper Criteria (75th Percentile Hardness) (ug/L)At the release, copper concentrations may be decreasing immediately afterthe release. This trend, however, is no longer discernable after the change inreporting limits.Copper Near EastonCopper Water Column Concentrations Measured between RM 8 and 11 (Easton)1101008/16/2005 9/5/2005 9/25/2005 10/15/2005 11/4/2005 11/24/2005 12/14/2005 1/3/2006 1/23/2006 2/12/2006Date and Time

Copper Total (ug/L)Copper Total (ug/L)Copper Total J-Flagged (ug/L)Copper Total Non-Detects (ug/L)PA Copper Criteria (25th Percentile Hardness) (ug/L)PA Copper Criteria (75th Percentile Hardness) (ug/L)Near Easton, water column copper concentrations appear to be falling afterthe initial release, but the change in reporting limits obscures the trend. Afew samples exceeded the PA copper criteria.Copper by Miles from Release onAugust 26thand 27th, 2005Copper Concentrations by Distance downstream from Release on August 26, 2005110100-20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70Miles Downstream from Release

Copper Total (ug/L)Copper Total (ug/L)Copper Total J-Flagged (ug/L)Copper Total Non-Detects (ug/L)PA Copper Criteria (25th Percentile Hardness) (ug/L)PA Copper Criteria (Median Hardness) (ug/L)PA Copper Criteria (75th Percentile Hardness) (ug/L)Copper Concentrations by Distance downstream from Release on August 27, 2005110100-20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70Miles Downstream from Release

Copper Total (ug/L)Copper Total (ug/L)Copper Total J-Flagged (ug/L)Copper Total Non-Detects (ug/L)PA Copper Criteria (25th Percentile Hardness) (ug/L)PA Copper Criteria (Median Hardness) (ug/L)PA Copper Criteria (75th Percentile Hardness) (ug/L)A side-by-side comparison of copper concentration measured on August 26 and 27, 2005 plotted by River Mile suggeststhat higher concentrations observed near the release on August 26thhave decreased by August 27th. Unlike arsenic,there is no apparent downstream movement of a concentration peak.Selenium ResultsSelenium Concentrations Upstreamof and at the ReleaseSelenium Water Column Concentrations Upstream of the Release1101008/16/2005 9/5/2005 9/25/2005 10/15/2005 11/4/2005 11/24/2005 12/14/2005 1/3/2006 1/23/2006 2/12/2006Date and Time

Selenium Total (ug/L)Selenium Total (ug/L)Selenium Non-Detects (ug/L)PA Selenium Criteria (ug/L)NJ Selenium Criteria (ug/L)Selenium Water Column Concentrations Upstream of the Release1101008/16/2005 9/5/2005 9/25/2005 10/15/2005 11/4/2005 11/24/2005 12/14/2005 1/3/2006 1/23/2006 2/12/2006Date and Time

Selenium Total (ug/L)Selenium Total (ug/L)Selenium Non-Detects (ug/L)PA Selenium Criteria (ug/L)NJ Selenium Criteria (ug/L)A side-by-side comparison of water column selenium concentrations measured upstream of and at the release arenearly identical, suggesting that the release did not contribute to water column selenium concentrations.Mercury• All mercury measurements (1,805) werenon-detect except for one samplecollected 0.2 miles downstream of therelease on 10/13/05;• About 65% of the samples had a reportinglimit of 0.2 ug/L and about 35% of thesamples had a reporting limit of 0.5 ug/L.ConclusionsArsenic• Some apparent exceedance of PA arseniccriteria immediately after the release in thevicinity of the release. These exceedances arenot observed upstream.• Apparent signature of release observabledownstream but below PA arsenic criteria.• Any quantifiable concentration of arsenicexceeds NJ criteria (both upstream anddownstream).Conclusions (continued)Lead• Apparent exceedances of PA and NJ leadcriteria immediately after release in the vicinity ofthe release.• Most quantifiable lead concentrations exceed PAcriteria (including upstream).Aluminum• Some short term local exceedance of PAaluminum criteria from release, but backgroundand high flows account for most of the observedconcentration.Conclusions (continued)Manganese• Manganese concentrations appear to bebackground concentrations.Copper• Short term copper exceedances of PAcriteria at release and downstream.Conclusions (continued)Selenium• Selenium concentrations appear to bebackground concentrations.Mercury• Mercury data almost completely belowreporting limits.Assessment of Water Column datacollected in response to a fly ashrelease on the Delaware RiverDelaware River Basin CommissionJohn R. Yagecic, P.E.June 19, 2006