Ashland is committed to combining conservation and corporate sustainability goals with remediation efforts and was recognized in 2021 by WHC and the local community for conservation at two Hercules remediation sites in Brunswick, Georgia. The annual report including the 2021 activities at the former Brunswick facility and the 009 Landfill may be viewed here.
June 2021 Groundwater Monitoring Report
Click here for new report posted to HerculesBrunswick.com library.
The purpose of the groundwater monitoring report is to provide EPD with (i) the results of the semi-annual groundwater monitoring event that took place in June 2021, (ii) an update regarding activities related to groundwater conditions that have been undertaken since the previous semi-annual groundwater monitoring event was completed in December 2020, and (iii) a summary of upcoming planned activities related to groundwater conditions. The June 2021 report includes a new report titled “Tidal Evaluation and Groundwater Chemistry Data Summary” that evaluates the influence of tidal fluctuations on groundwater conditions in the upper surficial aquifer underlying the Brunswick facility.
Interim Corrective Measure Work Plans
In August 2021, Hercules submitted an interim corrective measure (ICM) work plan for the shallow zone of the upper surficial aquifer for the Stillhouse Control Room Area of the Brunswick facility. The purpose of this ICM is to reduce the mass of selected contaminants of potential concern (“COPCs”) in groundwater in the shallow zone of the upper surficial aquifer underlying the southern production area of the Brunswick facility near a building designated as the Stillhouse Control Room.
The ICM will utilize in situ chemical oxidation (“ISCO”) to achieve mass reduction of COPCs in groundwater and is one of multiple ICMs for groundwater being implemented at the Brunswick facility. ISCO involves destruction of organic contaminants by injecting an oxidant into the groundwater treatment zone through injection wells or probes. The oxidant then destroys organic contaminants through oxidizing those contaminants that come into contact with the oxidant. Effective use of ISCO in groundwater requires direct contact between organic contaminants and the oxidant for a complete oxidation reaction to occur. Oxidants that are commonly used for remediation of groundwater include permanganate, persulfate (often combined with activators), ozone, percarbonate, and peroxide (e.g., Fenton’s reagent and calcium peroxide). Certain oxidants can also be combined for enhanced effects.
In September 2021, Hercules submitted an ICM work plan for the deep zone of the upper surficial aquifer at the Brunswick facility. The purpose this ICM is to reduce the mass flux and concentrations of selected COPCs that are detected in elevated concentrations in groundwater in the deep zone of the upper surficial aquifer underlying the southeastern portion of main operational area of the Brunswick facility along west side of the U.S. Highway 17 corridor.
The ICM will utilize in situ bioremediation in the form of a biologically active permeable reactive barrier (referred to as a “biobarrier”) to achieve mass flux reductions of COPCs in groundwater. This ICM will specifically target methylene chloride and chloroform in the treatment area because these two COPCs represent the majority of the volatile organic compounds (“VOCs”) that have been detected in groundwater in the area of the proposed biobarrier. The biobarrier is one of multiple ICMs for groundwater being implemented at the Brunswick facility.
Vapor Intrusion Mitigation System Installed
This Construction Completion Report describes the installation of sub-slab depressurization (“SSD”) systems at two buildings at an industrial facility located at the Brunswick facility. The two buildings are commonly referred to as the Stillhouse Control Room and the Chemical Plant Control Room and Laboratory. Hercules is undertaking various environmental activities at the Brunswick facility pursuant to the corrective action program under the Resources Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”) as administered by EPD, including assessing the potential for historical releases of volatile organic compounds (“VOCs”) to enter buildings that are determined to be potentially susceptible to vapor intrusion. Based on the results of extensive investigation activities that have been conducted in a phased manner, Hercules elected to undertake preemptive mitigation steps as a precaution to address potential vapor intrusion at the Stillhouse Control Room and the Chemical Plant Control Room and Laboratory. Both SSD systems are now fully operational. This CCR describes the work that was performed to construct and install the SSD systems, and to place those systems into operation.
December 2020 Groundwater Monitoring Report
Click here for new report posted to HerculesBrunswick.com library.
The purpose of the groundwater monitoring report is to provide EPD with (i) the results of the semi-annual groundwater monitoring event that took place in December 2020, (ii) an update regarding activities related to groundwater conditions that have been undertaken since the previous semi-annual groundwater monitoring event was completed in June 2020, and (iii) a summary of upcoming planned activities related to groundwater conditions.
Cleanup earns conservation certification
March 27, 2021 article in the Brunswick News reports
“Two Hercules sites in Brunswick are recognized as meeting the strict requirements of WHC Conservation Certification,” said Margaret O’Gorman, president, WHC. “Companies achieving WHC Conservation Certification, like Hercules, are environmental leaders, voluntarily managing their lands to support sustainable ecosystems and the communities that surround them.”
Wildlife Habitat Council promotes and certifies habitat conservation and management on corporate lands through partnerships and education.