Dames & Moore, 1999 - USDA Forest Service

December 1 1, 1998
Sediment Data, Fall 1998, Holden Mine
Page 2
The following comments refer to ARl's performance in meeting quality control specifications
described in the EPA documents "EPA Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, SW-846", January
1995, 'Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes", March 1983, and "USEPA Contract
Laboratory Program (CLP) National Functional Guidelines for Inorganic Data Review', February 1994.
AVS, TOC, and grain size data were evaluated using guidance referenced in methods published in the
following sources: "Determination of Acid Volatile Sulfides and Simultaneously Extractable Metals in
Sediment", EPA, April 1991, PSEP guidelines, and Plumb 1981. Data were also reviewed in reference
to the Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) prepared for the Phase Ill Remedial Investigation
referenced in addendum (August 28, 1998) to the Sampling and Analysis Plan.
Metals
The ,report is divided into subsections based on type of analyses performed.
Samples were prepared in the laboratory using EPA Methods 3010, 3050, and 200.8 as
appropriate. Samples were analyzed by ICP (EPA Method. 6010A) and ICP MS (EPA Method 200.8
Modified) methods.
1. Holding Time - Acceptable
2. Tunes (ICP MS analysis only) - Acceptable
3. Initial Calibration - Acceptable
4. Continuing calibration - Acceptable
5. Blanks
Aluminum (21.3 uglL) was detected in the continuing calibration blank (CCB) analyzed prior to
samples STE-SED-101698-4, LUC-SED-101698-2-2, LUC-SED-101698-1-2, LUC-SED-101598-3.5-2,
LUC-SED-101598-3-1A, LUC-SED-101598-1-1, LUC-SED-101598-3-2, LUC-SED-101598-3.5-1,
LUC-SED-101598-3-1 C, and LUC-SED-101598-3-1 B. As the concentration of aluminum in the samples
was several orders of magnitude above the CCB concentration, the data were not affected. Data
qualifiers were not assigned.
Aluminum (7 mglkg) was detected in the method blank associated with the sediment samples in
this sample group. The concentration of aluminum detected, in the samples was greater than 10X the
concentration detected in the method blank. Data were not qualified.
Aluminum (0.03 mg/L) was detected in the method blank associated with samples Rinse
10/1 5/98 and Rinse 10116198. The following metals were detected in the rinsate blanks:
Rinse I011 5/98 Rinse 10/1 6/98
Aluminum 0.17 mg/L Aluminum 0.10 mg/L
Manganese 0.0003 mglL Iron 0.03 mg/L
Zinc 0.203 mg/L Manganese 0.0006 mg/L
Zinc 0.007 mg/L
The aluminum results were qualified as not detected in the rinsate samples due to CCB results.
The concentration of manganese, iron, and zinc in the associated sediment samples were orders of
magnitude higher than the rinsate blanks. The sample data were not affected. Data were not qualified.
DAMES & MOORE