Environmental Geoscience Program

WHAT'S NEW

AGREEMENT TO HELP IMPROVE WATER QUALITY: Wastewater treatment systems serving 25 million homes across the country will be improved, thanks to an agreement among EPA and 14 national organizations. The organizations will work together to improve management of septic wastewater systems by exchanging information and providing technical assistance to their members, states and local municipalities. Contact: Enesta Jones, (202) 564-4355 / jones.enesta@epa.gov . More information on EPA's wastewater treatment system program: http://epa.gov/owm/septic

CURRENT ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROSPECTION ADVANCES FOR NON-DESTRUCTIVE INVESTIGATIONS IN THE 21ST CENTURY will be held May 18-22, 2009, at the National Park Service’s National Center for Preservation Technology and Training, Natchitoches, Louisiana. Lodging will be at the Ramada Inn. The field exercises will take place at the Los Adaes State Historic Site (a Spanish presidio and capital of the Spanish province of Texas between 1719 and 1772). Co-sponsors for the workshop include the National Park Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Adaes State Historic Site, Northwestern State University of Louisiana, and the Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation. This will be the nineteenth year of the workshop dedicated to the use of geophysical, aerial photography, and other remote sensing methods as they apply to the identification, evaluation, conservation, and protection of archaeological resources across this Nation. The workshop will present lectures on the theory of operation, methodology, processing, and interpretation with on-hands use of the equipment in the field. There is a registration charge of $475.00. Application forms are available on the Midwest Archeological Center’s web page at . For further information, please contact Steven L. DeVore, Archeologist, National Park Service, Midwest Archeological Center, Federal Building, Room 474, 100 Centennial Mall North, Lincoln, Nebraska 68508-3873: tel: (402) 437-5392, ext. 141; fax: (402) 437-5098; email: .

CALL FOR DRILLING SITE PROPOSALS: As an outcome of the recently held International Continental Scientific Drilling Program/NSF sponsored workshop "Scientific Drilling for Human Origins: Exploring the Application of Drill Core Records to Understanding Hominin Evolution", proposals are being sought for high priority scientific drilling targets in the East African Rift of relevance to human evolution. Proposed drilling targets should focus on lacustrine or similar deposits with strong potential for providing high resolution paleoclimate and paleoenvironmental information, and should target strata in the 6-0Ma time interval. The highest priority sites will be those that can be drilled with truck-mounted, relatively portable drilling systems and have road access and water (for drilling) availability. Barge, ship or platform-mounted drilling operations on lakes and in the ocean will not be considered at this stage but will form the focus of future drilling planning. Proponents should be prepared to become rapidly involved in subsequent geophysical and logistical site survey proposals and follow-on fieldwork should their sites be selected for detailed consideration in a first round of drilling. Proponents should also be prepared to take the lead in organizing logistics (permitting, transport etc.) for their proposed areas. Priority will be given to proposal teams that include expertise in both earth science and paleoanthropology. Proposals should be 3-5 pages in length, not including references, and may include up to two figures. All proposals should be submitted as .pdf files to Andrew Cohen (cohen@email.arizona.edu), Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721. The deadline for proposal submissions for consideration for inclusion in an upcoming ICDP drilling proposal is 1 March, 2009. Please feel free to contact Andrew Cohen with any questions regarding this project.

CLEANER-BURNING, ENERGY-SAVING WOODSTOVES ARE GETTING A SECOND LOOK: The improvement of wood-burning appliances is a success story right up there with high-efficiency furnaces, solar panels and hybrid cars. Go to this article

CELL PHONE RECYCLING GETS SERIOUS: The newest gold mine has plastic, a circuit board and the digits of that girl you met at the bar last night. Go to this article

STUDENT OPPORTUNITY: The National Council for Science and the Environment seeks a capable undergraduate or graduate student volunteer to help create maps and other media for the Encyclopedia of Earth. If you are interested please email Maggie Surface at msurface@ncseonline.org for more information.

ASSIGNING GROUNDWATER ASSESSMENT CRITERIA FOR POLLUTANT INPUTS (2008). This guidance describes how prevent and limit requirements of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) 2000/60/EC should be applied to assess potentially polluting high risk point source inputs to groundwater. For example: large discharges to soakaway of sewage or trade effluents; the percolation of leachate from land contamination or through the basal liner of landfills; where a quantitative assessment is being carried out. Use of this guidance to regulate inputs to groundwater will enable most of the groundwater quality objectives of both the Groundwater and the Water Framework Directives to be achieved. View or download at http://www.sepa.org.uk/about_us/idoc.ashx?docid=5a0b6e42-1f7a-42ea-a2b2-c173d2ff842d&version=-1.

EUGRIS: New Documents on EUGRIS, the platform for European contaminated soil and water information. More than 46 resources, events projects and news items were added to EUGRIS 1 - 24 November, 2008. These can be viewed at http://www.eugris.info/whatsnew.asp .

EVALUATING GROUND-WATER/SURFACE-WATER TRANSITION ZONES IN ECOLOGICAL RISK ASSESSMENTS (EPA 540-R-06-072). This document highlights the need to treat the discharge of groundwater to surface-water not as a two-dimensional area with static boundary conditions, but as three-dimensional volumes with dynamic transition zones. This ECO Update applies equally to recharge zones and can be used to evaluate advancing plumes that have not yet reached the transition zone. This document encourages project managers, ecological risk assessors, and hydrogeologists to expand their focus beyond shoreline wells and surface sediments and define and characterize the actual fate of contaminants as they move from a strictly ground-water environment (i.e., the commonly used "upland monitoring well nearest the shoreline") through the transition zone and into a wholly surface-water environment. The approach is presented to help users identify and evaluate potential exposures and effects to relevant ecological receptors within the zone where ground-water and surface-water mix. The transition zone data collected for the ERA may also supplement data collected for the evaluation of potential human health risks associated with the discharge of contaminated ground-water. Should ground-water remediation be warranted (as a result of the risk assessment), the locational, geochemical, and biological aspects of the transition zone can be considered when identifying and evaluating remedial options (July 2008, 30 pages). View or download at http://www.epa.gov/oswer/riskassessment/ecoup/pdf/eco_update_08.pdf .

INTERNET SEMINAR: AN OVERVIEW OF DIRECT-PUSH WELL TECHNOLOGY FOR LONG-TERM GROUNDWATER MONITORING - December 11, 11:00AM-1:15PM EST (16:00-18:15 GMT). Direct-push wells have been used for temporary groundwater monitoring purposes for many years but are generally prohibited for use as long-term groundwater monitoring wells. Recent research indicates that direct-push wells are as well suited for long-term environmental groundwater monitoring purposes as conventionally constructed wells. This training introduces ITRC's The Use of Direct-push Well Technology for Long-term Environmental Monitoring in Groundwater Investigations (SCM-2, 2006), provides a background in the principles of direct-push wells, and presents the state of the art regarding recent research. For more information and to register, see http://www.itrcweb.org or http://clu-in.org/studio .

GRANT ANNOUNCEMENT: The DoD Strategic Environmental Research and Demonstration Program (SERDP) released its annual SERDP Exploratory Development (SEED) solicitation for FY 2010 on November 6. Both federal and non-federal organizations may participate. The SEED Solicitation is designed to provide limited funding for high technical risk and/or high payoff projects. SEED proposals are, by definition, limited to a maximum of $150K and a period of performance of one year. SERDP has three areas in its SON, which include: munitions management, sustainable infrastructure, and weapons systems and platforms. All SEED proposals are due by March 12, 2008. SONs and detailed instructions for federal and non-federal sector proposers are available at http://www.serdp.org/funding/ .

GRANT ANNOUNCEMENT: The DoD Strategic Environmental Research and Demonstration Program (SERDP) released its annual Core solicitation for FY 2010 on November 6. Both federal and non-federal organizations may participate. The Core Solicitation provides funding opportunities for projects that vary in cost and duration. SERDP has four areas in its Statements of Need (SON), which include: environmental restoration, munitions management, sustainable infrastructure, and weapons systems and platforms. For the CORE solicitation, pre-proposals from the non-federal sector are due by January 8, 2009. Proposals from the federal sector are due by March 12, 2009. SONs and detailed instructions for federal and non-federal sector proposers are available at http://www.serdp.org/funding/ .

11TH INTERNATIONAL PALEOLIMNOLOGY SYMPOSIUM is now circulating the second circular and is pleased to inform that on-line registration is now available. We encourage all the paleolimnology community to check the symposum´s web page (http://www.geofisica.unam.mx/paleolimnologia/ ) for further information in relation with special sessions, registration fees and deadlines, abstract format, hotel reservation and visa requirements into Mexico.

AGENCIES REVISE GUIDANCE TO PROTECT WETLANDS AND STREAMS: (Washington, D.C. - Dec. 3, 2008) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army are issuing revised guidance to ensure America's wetlands, streams and other waters are better protected under the Clean Water Act (CWA). The guidance clarifies the geographic scope of jurisdiction under the CWA. The revised guidance replaces previous policy issued in June 2007 and clarifies a June 2006 Supreme Court decision in Rapanos v. United States regarding the scope of the agencies’ jurisdiction under the CWA. The guidance follows the agencies' evaluation of more than 18,000 jurisdictional determinations and review of more than 66,000 comments. EPA Contact: Enesta Jones, (202) 564-7873 or 4355 / jones.enesta@epa.gov Army Contacts: Doug Garman, (202) 761-1807 or Gene Pawlik, (202) 761-7690 More information on the guidance: http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/guidance/CWAwaters.html

EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS – The National Institute of Standards and Technology gives notice of an open meeting of the Advisory Committee on Earthquake Hazards Reduction Meeting on December 17 and 18, 2008, at the John A Martin Conference Room 542, Davis Hall, University of California, Berkeley. The primary purpose of this meeting is to have an overview of the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research (PEER) Center and have roundtable discussions on social sciences and lifelines. The final agenda will be posted on the NEHRP Web site at http://nehrp.gov/. On December 18, 2008, approximately one-half hour will be reserved near the conclusion of the meeting for public comments. Preregistration by December 10 is required. For more information contact Dr. Jack Hayes, NEHRP Director, at jack.hayes@nist.gov or 301-975-5640. [Federal Register: November 28, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 230)]

CO2 SEQUESTRATION: – The Environmental Protection Agency has extended the public comment period to December 24, 2008 for proposed regulations for the underground injection of carbon dioxide (CO2) for geologic sequestration under the authority of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2008-0390: on-line at http://www.regulations.gov: or by mail to Water Docket, Environmental Protection Agency, Mailcode: 2822T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20460. [Federal Register: November 21, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 226)]

NPDES - The Environmental Protection Agency is revising the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting requirements and Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards (ELGs) for concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act), in response to the order issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in Waterkeeper Alliance et al. v. EPA, 399 F.3d 486 (2d Cir. 2005). These final regulations are effective December 22, 2008. The record is available via EPA Dockets at http://www.regulations.gov under docket number OW-2005-0037. The rule and key supporting documents are also available electronically on the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/npdes/caforule . [Federal Register: November 20, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 225)]

LEAD AND AIR QUALITY: Based on its review of the air quality criteria and national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for lead (Pb), the Environmental Protection Agency is making revisions to the primary and secondary NAAQS for Pb to provide requisite protection of public health and welfare, respectively. Revisions include changing the level of the primary standard to 0.15 [mu]g/m3, revising data handling procedures, and revising emissions inventory reporting requirements. This final rule is effective on January 12, 2009. Publicly available docket (ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2006-0735) materials are available electronically through www.regulations.gov. For more information contact Dr. Deirdre Murphy, Health and Environmental Impacts Division, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, EOA at 919-541-0729 or Murphy.deirdre@epa.gov. [Federal Register: November 12, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 219)]

TSUNAMI HAZARD ASSESSMENT AT NUCLEAR POWER PLANT SITES IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, (NUREG/CR-6966; ADAMS Accession No. ML082810348). This draft report describes the tsunami phenomenon with the focus on its relevance for hazard assessment at nuclear power plant sites. Any interested party may submit comments, relevant information, or supporting data for consideration by the NRC staff. Comments must be filed on or before close of business on December 5, 2008 to Chief, Rulemaking, Directives and Editing Branch, Office of Administration, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, or via e-mail at Goutam.Bagchi@nrc.gov. For more information contact Mr. Nilesh Chokshi, Deputy Director of the Division of Site and Environmental Reviews in the Office of the New Reactors at the NRC at 301-415-1634 or Nilesh.Chokshi@nrc.gov. [Federal Register: November 10, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 218)]

PERIDOTITE SEQUESTERS CARBON: Geoscientists Peter Kelemen and Juerg Matter, both at Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, have shown that the Omani peridotite is naturally absorbing 10,000 to 100,000 tons of carbon per year in a paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. This is far more carbon absorption than previously estimated and the geoscientists suggest the process may be accelerated by boring into the rock and injecting carbon dioxide-rich hot water. The results may prove valuable for carbon capture and sequestration related to climate change mitigation and the state-run oil company, Petroleum Development Oman, is interested in pursuing a CCS pilot project. See Kelemen et al. In situ carbonation of peridotite for CO2 storage. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2008; DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0805794105.

GREAT SHAKEOUT SHAKES UP SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: At 10 a.m. local time on November 13, more than 5 million people “dropped, covered and held on” as a hypothetical 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked southern California. Had the quake been real, it would have caused around 2,000 deaths, 50,000 injuries, $200 billion in damage and other losses, and severe, long-lasting disruption. The Great ShakeOut drill was just one part of a larger effort to increase southern Californian communities’ resiliency to earthquake disasters. Experts report that the probability of a magnitude-6.7 or higher quake striking somewhere in California in the next 20 years is 99.7%. Visit the Great ShakeOut website at http://www.shakeout.org/

FOREST SERVICE ANNOUNCES CLIMATE CHANGE PLANS: The U.S. Forest Service, on November 11, 2008, announced a new plan to help forests adapt to warmer and drier conditions due to climate change. The plan also includes purchasing alternative fuel vehicles to reduce the agency’s carbon footprint. Although Forest Service chief Gail Kimbell provided few details about how the agency would carry out its woodland adaptations to changing climate, she did note the need to deal with potentially more intense wildfires and potentially more potent insect attacks that could threaten forest health, wildlife habitat and human development at the woodland-urban interface.

INTERIOR ANNOUNCES CLIMATE CHANGE EVALUATION: The Department of the Interior (DOI) released a set of three reports on December 3, 2008, which assess the challenges DOI faces as a result of climate change. The reports address separately land and water management issues, legal and policy issues, and the science and information needed to address the consequences of climate change. Each report includes a list of specific and agency-wide options for review by the new Administration. A consistent theme in all three reports is that there is a need for comprehensive high level policies. Policy regarding greenhouse gas emissions should come from Congress or the Executive Branch, and should not be left to regulation by the DOI under the Endangered Species Act. Other options mentioned include biologic and geologic carbon sequestration projects, renewable energy development, and management changes to the agency's vehicle fleet and facilities. Mining and land claims regulations may need to be reevaluated. The reports were created by the DOI Climate Change Task Force, which was formed in May 2007 and is chaired by DOI Deputy Secretary Lynn Scarlett. Although the DOI claims that the reports were written primarily by career staff with no editing by senior agency or Executive Branch officials, a nearly year-long delay in release suggests that extensive review was a part of the process. Whereas the reports are not part of any formal rulemaking process, the DOI invites public comment through January 18, 2009. To view the reports and to submit comments, visit http://www.usgs.gov/global_change/doi_taskforce.asp.