LARGE VOLUME WATER COLUMN NARRATIVE
The following information summarizes the collected samples and requested analyses for
the Lower Passaic River Restoration Project Large Volume Water Column Program.
This water column program is also described in Section 6.0 of the Field Sampling Plan
(FSP) Volume 1 (Malcolm Pirnie, Inc., January 2006) with specific procedures outlined
in Standard Operating Procedure #16 “Infiltrex® 300 Trace Organic Sampling.”
SUMMARY OF LARGE VOLUME WATER COLUMN PROGRAM
To meet the data needs and objectives described in FSP Volume 1, the following steps
were implemented to conduct the large volume water column program:
• Evaluate available hydrodynamic data, including the mooring deployed by Rutgers
University (2004-2005) and moorings deployed by Malcolm Pirnie, Inc. to support
the 2004-2006 United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)
hydrodynamic sampling program.
• Evaluate technologies capable of separating dissolved-phase and suspended-phase
hydrophobic organic chemicals from the water column, including Trace Organic
Platform Sampler (TOPS) and Infiltrex® technologies. (The Infiltrex® is a
commercially available system similar to the TOPS, sponsored by Axys Analytical
Services, British Columbia, Canada.)
• Design a pilot study to compare the efficiency and utility of the TOPS and the
Infiltrex®. As part of this study, three types of large volume water column samples
were collected in the field:
o Infiltrex® large volume dissolved-phase samples were collected on an XAD-2
resin column. The suspended-phase samples were collected by pre-filtering the
water samples through a 0.5 micrometer (µm) cartridge filter followed by 0.7 µm
flat filter prior to entering the XAD-2 resin column.
o TOPS large volume suspended-phase samples were collected on a 0.5 µm
cartridge filter followed 0.7 µm flat filters. The remaining filterate was stored in
a 20-liter stainless steel “pop can,” or Ball Keg, representing the dissolved-phase
sample.
o A whole water sample was collected in a 20-liter stainless steel “pop can” filtered
by the laboratory for comparison purposes.
• Samples were shipped immediately to Axys Analytical Services and Severn Trent
Laboratory for analyses.
Field work was conducted in accordance with the Lower Passaic River Restoration
Project Work Plan (Malcolm Pirnie, Inc., January 2006) and the Lower Passaic River
Restoration Project Quality Assurance Project Plan (Malcolm Pirnie, Inc., August 2005)
and accompanying addendums.
DETAILS OF THE LARGE VOLUME WATER COLUMN PROGRAM
As part of the 2004-2006 USEPA hydrodynamic sampling program, Malcolm Pirnie, Inc.
collected large volume water column samples from river mile (RM) 2.5 on October 6,
2005 and RM10.5 on October 5, 2005. Samples were collected one meter below the
water surface to represent freshwater above the salt wedge at RM2.5 and freshwater at
RM10.5 (uninfluenced by the salt wedge). Sampling locations were designed to
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correspond to other water column samples that were collected during the 2004-2006
USEPA hydrodynamic sampling program, including the small volume water column
samples and semi-permeable membrane devices (SPMD) deployments (Table 1). Field
samples were collected at RM2.5 and RM10.5; however, only the samples collected at
RM2.5 were analyzed.
Table 1: Sampling Locations for the Large Volume Water Column Program
River Mile
Sampling Date
Location ID
X-Coordinate
RM2.5
October 6, 2005
LPRP-00117
595378
RM10.5
October 5, 2005
LPRP-00096
592271
Y-Coordinate
695631
721904
The large volume water column program was designed as a pilot study to compare the
efficiency and utility of the TOPS and the Infiltrex® equipment. Consequently, experts
in the operation of the specific samplers were present during the program. These experts
included Jeanette Bedard of Axys Analytical Services, who operated the Infiltrex®
sampler, and Tsan-Liang Su of Stevens Institute of Technology (Hoboken, New Jersey),
who operated the TOPS. Both experts were responsible for training Malcolm Pirnie, Inc.
field crew on proper handling and operation of the samplers. Figure 1 and Figure 2
contain flow diagrams of the dissolved-phase and suspended-phase samples collected by
the Infiltrex® and TOPS samplers, corresponding field photos are presented in Figure 3
and Figure 4. Note that while the Infiltrex® flow diagram (Figure 1) and the TOPS flow
diagram (Figure 2) are presented on different figures, the two systems are connected
because the intake lines for the TOPS and Infiltrex® were tied together to create a single
sampling location. Moreover, a portion of the river water on the TOPS line was diverted
to a 20-liter stainless steel “pop can” and three 1-liter containers to represent a whole
water sample for laboratory-filtration and physical parameter. The three 1-liter
containers represented a time-weighed sample during the collection of the 20-liter whole
water sample. Table 2 summarizes the large volume water column program and
supplements the flow diagrams in Figure 1 and Figure 2.
Table 2: Summary of the Large Volume Water Column Program
20-liters sent to Axys
Analytical Services
Whole Water Samples
Intake lines for the TOPS
and Infiltrex®
TOPS
Infiltrex®
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Three 1-liter containers
sent to Severn Trent
Laboratories
79.6 liter suspended-phase
sample
20 liter aliquot dissolvedphase sample
83 liter suspended-phase
sample
83 liter XAD-2 dissolvedphase sample
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Laboratory-filtered
suspended-phase sample
Laboratory-filtered
dissolved-phase sample
Physical Parameters
Laboratory analyzed
suspended-phase sample
Laboratory analyzed
dissolved phase sample
Laboratory analyzed
suspended-phase sample
Laboratory analyzed
dissolved phase sample
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Field work on October 5, 2005 at RM10.5 was intended to function as a trial-run to test
the equipment. During sampling, the Infiltrex® was equipped with a 1.0 µm glasswound cartridge filter, which was designed to collect suspended matter and prevent
clogging of the XAD-2 resin column (or the dissolved-phase sample). In contrast, the
TOPS was equipped with a 0.5 µm glass-wound cartridge filter and had the option of
operating with a 0.7 µm glass fiber flat filter (142 millimeters in diameter), if desired.
The field crew operated the two instruments following manufacturer procedures and
recommended filter sizes (i.e., TOPS with the 0.5 µm cartridge filter and the Infiltrex®
with the 1.0 µm cartridge filter). However, since the water column program was
designed to compare the analytical results obtained from the Infiltrex® and the TOPS, it
was decided that similar cartridge sizes were needed on the two samplers. Consequently,
the TOPS and the Infiltrex® were modified to include a 0.5 µm cartridge filter plus an
additional 0.7 µm flat filter, which was intended to trap any solids that escaped the
cartridge filter. Samples collected on October 5, 2005 were not analyzed because of the
different filter sizes installed in the equipment. However, the field and rinse blanks
collected on October 5, 2005 were processed and shipped.
On October 6, 2005, field sampling continued at RM2.5 with both samplers having the
same filtering configuration. The TOPS suspended-phase sample was collected on the
0.5 µm cartridge filter and two 0.7 µm flat filters. A total of 79.6 liters of river water was
filtered through the TOPS. A 20-liter aliquot, representing the dissolved-phase sample
was shipped to the laboratory for analysis. Axys Analytical Services was directed to
analyze this sample on an XAD-2 resin column. In addition, one 20-liter whole-water
sample was also collected from the TOPS intake line (Figure 2) for comparison analyses.
Axys Analytical Services was directed to filter the 20-liter whole-water sample through
the Infiltrex® system, representing a laboratory-filtered sample as opposed to a fieldfiltered sample. Finally, three 1-liter whole-water samples were shipped to Severn Trent
Laboratory for physical parameter analyses. These three 1-liter containers represented a
time-weighed sample during the collection of the 20-liter whole-water sample.
For the Infiltrex®, backpressure developed on the sampler after 17 liters of pumping and
the flow dropped significantly from the original 2.7 liter per minute rate. After an
inspection of the system and removal of the cartridge filter, it was determined that the 0.7
µm flat filter had clogged. A new cartridge filter was installed, and the flat filters were
replaced. (Both the cartridge and the clogged filter, which represented the suspendedphase after filtering 17 liter of water, were considered compromised and were discarded.)
A total of 100 liters of river water was filtered through the Infiltrex® and the XAD-2
resin column, which represented the dissolved-phase sample. The corresponding
suspended-phase sample (representing 83 liter of filter water) was collected on one
cartridge filter and six flat filters (Figure 1).
SAMPLES FROM THE LARGE VOLUME WATER COLUMN PROGRAM
For the large volume water column program, samples listed in Table 3 were collected at
RM2.5 with the Infiltrex® and TOPS equipment. The table lists the sample identification
number and corresponding container identification number, a description of the sample,
the status of the sample (either shipped or collected but not analyzed), and the designated
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analyses. Samples shipped to Axys Analytical Services were analyzed for
polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, polychlorodibenzodioxin/furan (PCDD/F)
congeners, and pesticides. Samples shipped to Severn Trent Laboratory were analyzed
for total suspended solids (TSS), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and particulate
organic carbon (POC). This table supplements the flow diagrams presented in Figure 1
and Figure 2. Table 4 lists the field blanks collected on October 5, 2005 – no water
column samples from RM10.5 were analyzed.
Table 3: Samples Collected at RM2.5 with the Infiltrex® and TOPS equipment
Sample and Container ID
Description
Status
LPRP-HSMV-PSR-000039
Infiltrex® 0.7 µm flat filter representing Not analyzed
(C0002042)
the suspended-phase after filtering 17
liters of river water.
LPRP-HSMV-PSR-000029
Infiltrex® 0.5 µm cartridge filter
Shipped
(C0002018)
representing the suspended-phase after
filtering 83 liters of river water.
LPRP-HSMV-PSR-000033
Infiltrex® six 0.7 µm flat filters the
Shipped
(C0002043)
suspended-phase after filtering 83 liters
of river water.
LPRP-HSMV-PSR-000019
Infiltrex® XAD-2 resin column,
Shipped
(C0002017)
representing the dissolved-phase after
filtering 100 liters of river water.
LPRP-HSMV-PSR-000032D One 20-liter whole water sample
Shipped
LPRP-HSMV-PSR-000032S collected from the TOPS intake line.
(C0002022)
Shipped to Axys Analytical Services for
a laboratory-filtered Infiltrex® sample
(both dissolved-phase and suspendedphase analyses).
LPRP-HSMV-PSR-000036
1-liter whole water sample collected
Shipped
(C0002014)
from the TOPS intake line. Shipped to
Severn Trent Analytical for physical
parameters.
LPRP-HSMV-PSR-000036
1-liter whole water sample collected
Shipped
(C0002015)
from the TOPS intake line. Shipped to
Severn Trent Analytical for physical
parameters.
LPRP-HSMV-PSR-000036
1-liter whole water sample collected
Shipped
(C0002016)
from the TOPS intake line. Shipped to
Severn Trent Analytical for physical
parameters.
LPRP-HSMV-PSR-000030
TOPS 0.5 µm cartridge filter
Shipped
(C0002020)
representing the suspended-phase after
filtering 79.6 liters of river water.
LPRP-HSMV-PSR-000037
TOPS 0.5 µm cartridge filter chamber Not analyzed
(C0002019)
water
LPRP-HSMV-PSR-000038
TOPS two 0.7 µm flat filters
Not analyzed
(C0002041)
representing the suspended-phase after
filtering 79.6 liters of river water.
LPRP-HSMV-PSR-000031
TOPS 20-liter dissolved-phase sample. Shipped
(C0002021)
Shipped to Axys Analytical Services for
extraction with a XAD-2 resin column.
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Analysis
Not analyzed
PCDD/F, PCB,
and pesticides
PCDD/F, PCB,
and pesticides
PCDD/F, PCB,
and pesticides
PCDD/F, PCB,
and pesticides
TSS
DOC
POC
PCDD/F, PCB,
and pesticides
Not analyzed
Not analyzed
PCDD/F, PCB,
and pesticides
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Table 4: Field Blanks Collected at RM10.5 with the Infiltrex and TOPS equipment
Sample and Container ID
Description
Status
LPRP-HSMV-PSR-000021
Field blank: XAD-2 resin column
Shipped
(C0002005)
exposed to air for 5 minutes.
LPRP-HSMV-PSR-000022
Rinse blank: Circulate 4-liters of rinsate Shipped
(C0002006)
water through XAD-2 resin column for
5 mintues.
LPRP-HSMV-PSR-000027
Rinse blank: Rinse 0.5 µm cartridge
Shipped
(C0002050)
filter with rinsate water.
LPRP-HSMV-PSR-000034
Rinse blank: Rinse 0.7 µm flat filter
Shipped
(C0002051)
with rinsate water.
Analysis
PCDD/F, PCB,
and pesticides
PCDD/F, PCB,
and pesticides
PCDD/F, PCB,
and pesticides
PCDD/F, PCB,
and pesticides
The large volume water column data are available on the project database following the
sample identification numbers listed in Table 3 and Table 4. They are also listed under
survey number 794. The comments that are listed in Table 3 and Table 4 are provided in
the “Comments” field in the dbo_Samples table.
FIELD PARAMETERS
During the large volume water column program, the field crew also collected water
quality parameters using a Horiba probe. These parameters consisted of conductivity,
turbidity, dissolved oxygen, temperature, salinity, oxidation potential, and pH values.
Field measurements are provided in Attachment 1.
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Compromised
Cartridge Filter
Cartridge Filter
(0.5 um)
17 liters
Pump
Compromised
Flat Filter
83 liters
Six Flat Filters
(0.7 um)
100 liters
Boat & Intake Line
XAD-2 Resin Media
(Dissolved-phase sample)
XAD-2 Resin Sent to Laboratory
for Analysis
Flow Diagram for Infiltrex System at River Mile 2.5
Lower Passaic River Restoration Project
Figure 1
April 2008
79.6 liters
Cartridge Filter
(0.5 um)
Pump
Two Flat Filters
(0.7 um)
Three 1-liter Containers
(Whole Water)
Boat & Intake Line
20-liter Stainless Steel
“Pop Can”
(Whole Water)
Pop Can Sent to Laboratory
for Infiltrex Processing
Containers Sent
to Laboratory
for physical parameters
59.6 liter Effluent
(Dissolved Phase
20-liter Stainless Steel
“Pop Can”
(Dissolved Phase)
Discarded
Pop Can Sent to Laboratory
for Analysis
Flow Diagram for TOPS System at River Mile 2.5
Lower Passaic River Restoration Project
Figure 2
April 2008
Infiltrex® Sampler
TOPS Sampler connected
to Pop-Can
Field Photos of Infiltrex and TOPS Samplers
Lower Passaic River Restoration Project
Figure 3
April 2008
Field Photos of 0.7 µm Flat Filters
Lower Passaic River Restoration Project
Figure 4
April 2008
Attachment 1: Field Parameters
for the Large Volume Water Column Program
(October 5 and 6, 2005)
Date
October 6, 2005
River Mile
RM 2.5
Time
15:00
Conductivity
(mS/cm)
NA
Turbidity
(NTU)
1 foot***
Dissolved Oxygen
(mg/L)
NA
Temperature
(degree C)
NA
Salinity
(percent)
NA
Redox
(mV)
NA
pH value
NA
October 5, 2005
RM10.5**
13:30
1.54
NA
13.08
19.90
0.07
148.00
8.09
** = Samples collected from 1 meter below water surface but not analyzed. Only field blank and rinse blank sent for analysis.
*** = Secchi reading using a 7-inch black and white quadrand disc.
NA = Not Available