SOIL SAMPLING PLAN

2012 FIVE-YEAR REVIEW

O’CONNOR COMPANY SUPERFUND SITE

AUGUSTA, MAINE

June 8, 2012

41 Hutchins Drive

Portland, ME 04102

(800) 426-4262

www.woodardcurran.com
CMP O’Connor Co. Superfund Site (225545.00) 2 Woodard & Curran

2012 Soil Sampling Plan - DRAFT June 8, 2012

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this Soil Sampling Plan is to describe the soil sampling program proposed for the

O’Connor Company Superfund Site, to comply with the Remedial Design/Remedial Action 2003

Statement of Work (SOW) which is Appendix II to the Amendment to Consent Decree, September 2003.

This Appendix II supersedes Appendix II of the September 3, 1991 Consent Decree, as amended in the

1994 revised SOW (1994 RSOW) following the July 11, 1994 Explanation of Significant Differences

(ESD).

To comply with the 2003 SOW, the objective of the soil sampling program will be to demonstrate the

integrity of the soil cover on the designated area (DA) at five year intervals coincident with each five-year

site review. As established in the 1994 ESD, the DA is a portion of the Site that was used to consolidate

soil and sediment containing levels between one and ten ppm of PCBs and/or cPAHs, during the Source

Control Remedial Action (SCRA). As stated in the September 1998 Final SCRA Report, following the

regrading of the site with clean backfill (containing less than or equal to 1 ppm PCBs, 1 ppm cPAHs and

248 ppm lead), the DA was covered with an additional 12 inches of clean fill.

In accordance with the 2003 SOW, the boundaries of the DA have been simplified to the 10-sided shape

shown in the attached Figure 1. Surveyed permanent markers have been placed at the turning points of

the 10-sided DA.

SAMPLE COLLECTION METHODS

In accordance with the 2003 SOW, a total of ten composite soil samples will be collected from randomly

selected sample points. A random number generator was used to select 10 sampling locations from a total

of 183 grid points that fall within the 10-sided DA and within the area where cover soil was applied in

1997. The locations of the 10 randomly selected soil sampling points are shown in the attached Figure 1.

Just prior to collection, the ten randomly selected sample points will be located in the field using a digital

global positioning system (DGPS) unit. The sample points will be marked using survey tape or pin flags.

If a selected sample location was sampled previously (i.e. during the 2007 five-year review), the sample

will be collected at a 2-3 foot offset from the surveyed location (starting in a northerly direction on the

grid line and working clockwise to the next grid line if necessary in subsequent years) so as not to sample

the exact same location.

After the sample locations have been located and marked, collection of the soil samples will proceed

using a hand auger, and stainless steel bowls and spoons as sampling equipment. At each sample point,

the hand auger and a stainless steel spoon will be used to collect soil from a depth of eight to twelve

inches below ground surface. Additional soil will also be collected at depth from four points located

within six inches of the original sample point. The soil from all locations around the sample point will be

placed in a mixing bowl and thoroughly homogenized using a stainless steel spoon to create one

composite sample. A portion of the homogenized composite sample volume will be used to fill a labeled

four ounce glass soil jar. A composite soil sample will be collected for each of the sample points

resulting in a total of ten samples. All samples will be stored on ice in a cooler during sampling activities

and transport to the off-site laboratory. After sample collection, the bowls and spoons will be

decontaminated using soap and deionized water.

The same identification convention that was used during the SCRA to identify the soil sample locations

will be implemented for the 2012 sampling effort. For example, using this system the sample 1066.12
CMP O’Connor Co. Superfund Site (225545.00) 3 Woodard & Curran

2012 Soil Sampling Plan - DRAFT June 8, 2012

would indicate a soil sample collected from sample point 1066 in 2012. The suffix “12” differentiates the

results from those associated with other samples collected from the same sample point in previous years.

QUALITY CONTROL SAMPLES

Quality control samples will be collected to identify potential interferences and biases to the reported

results. Field quality control samples will include one field duplicate, one matrix spike sample and an

equipment blank.

The concentrations of the duplicate and the sample will be compared to determine variability and

analytical precision. A field duplicate will be identified with a “.51” extension after the sample

identification. For example, a field duplicate collected at sample point 1066 would be designated as

1006.12.51.

A matrix spike sample will be collected to identify potential biases in the soil matrix that could affect

sample concentrations. Matrix spike will be identified with a “.52” after the sample identification.

An equipment blank will be collected by pouring deionized water across one of the spoons and into one of

the bowls used for homogenizing the sample. The water will then be poured into a one liter glass sample

bottle. The blank will be analyzed for PCBs to determine the potential for carry over concentrations from

one sample location to the next. The identification of the equipment blank will be EB-100.12.

ANALYTICAL METHODS/REPORTING LIMITS

All soil samples will be submitted to an off-site laboratory for analysis of PCBs using EPA Method 8082.

The following Aroclors will be identified during analysis: 1016, 1221, 1232, 1242, 1248, 1254 and 1260.

A practical quantitation limit of approximately 0.017 milligrams/kilogram (mg/kg) per Aroclor will be

used to ensure consistency with data quality objectives and historic reporting limits. All concentrations

will be adjusted for percent solids for a dry weight final concentration.

REPORTING OF SAMPLE RESULTS

The results of the 2012 soil sampling program will be presented as a section in the Five-Year Review

Report. The report will identify the sample locations determined in the random selection process, present

the final dry weight concentration of total PCBs and compare the PCB concentrations to the SCRA

remedial goal of 1 mg/kg.
WOODARD

CURRAN

COMMITMENT & INTEGRITY DRIVE RESULTS

| www.woodardcurran.com

41 HUTCHINS DRIVE

PORTLAND, MAINE 04102

800.426.4262