Impact/Purpose:

The pilot in situ capping project was conducted by EPA Region 9 as part of the ongoing evaluation of capping as a cleanup option for contaminated sediments at the Palos Verdes Shelf.

Description:

The Palos Verdes Shelf Pilot Capping Project will evaluate the short-term results of capping the DDT- and PCB-contaminated sediment with clean sediment. It will also determine how these results are affected by variables such as cap material, placement method and water depth. The results from the pilot project, along with other relevant information, will be used by the EPA in deciding whether or not to propose full-scale capping as a cleanup action for the site. Specific objectives to be addressed in the pilot project include: 1) evaluating cap construction methodologies using two different cap materials; 2) evaluating related short-term impacts on the marine environment; 3) determining the effects of cap material, bottom slope, water depth, and placement method (e.g., conventional versus spreading) on displacement and/or resuspension of the contaminated sediment; and 4) demonstrating the ability to monitor operations and assess cap placement impacts. The initial report on the pilot project was released in September 2002 and is available via the web at . Start date: May 2000 - Start of field work (collecting baseline samples/data) Finish date: Nov 2002: EPA will issue supplement that reflects data obtained in final field sampling.

Record Details: