Evaluation of the Ecological Risks to Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife at a Papermill Sludge Disposal Site. S. Atwood, A. Ayers, R. Drake, S. Ellingson, and J. Joyner, Geraghty & Miller, Inc., 2840 Plaza Place, Suite 350, Raleigh, NC 27612
Over an approximately 3-year period, papermill sludge was disposed of in a remnant borrow pit at a site in the Midwestern United States. During disposal activities, the pit filled with water leaving an approximately one half-acre pond at the disposal area. No surface cover was applied to the sludge. Based on sampling and analysis data, constituents of concern (COCs) potentially associated with the sludge include volatiles, semi-volatiles, inorganics, and dioxins. As a screening mechanism and to focus further investigation at the site, a preliminary assessment of potential ecological risks was conducted by using soil, sediment, and surface water measurements to predict body burdens of COCs in potential receptor species using literature-derived bioaccumulation values. To further evaluate and verify potential risks to aquatic and terrestrial wildlife; biota tissue were collected and analyzed. The comparison of modeled to actual COC concentrations in biota tissue and a discussion of the findings of the study are presented in this paper.