Enclosure (1) TO COMDTINST 16478.12
limited to drinking contaminated water, consuming a contaiminated organism
(such as fish or shellfish), or absorbing a contaminant through the skin while
diving. Many terrestrial AtoNs are located in or near recreational areas,
such as game preserves or state or national parks, increasing the likelihood
of human exposure to mercury released from discarded batteries. Of particular
concern is the possibility of exposure to mercury vapor, since discarded
batteries may be piled above ground at some of these locations. Therefore,
the possibility of harmful effects from mercury vapor was studied at the
terrestrial sites.
The study program for each terrestrial AtoN had the following agenda:
Monitor air quality near battery piles for mercury vapor.
Collect and analyze soil samples outside the observed battery
perimeter to use as background concentrations.
Collect and analyze soil samples adjacent to and/or beneath broken and
unbroken batteries.
Collect and analyze soil samples at increasing distances from battery
groups.
Collect and analyze groundwater and surface water if it is adjacent to
batteries.
Describe physical attributes of the AtoN and surrounding area.
Locate, describe, and count batteries at each AtoN.
Summary
The site investigations were designed to assess contamination from metals
released from batteries found at AtoNs. Initial site investigations revealed
that the only contaminants of concern were mercury and zinc (the components of
primary batteries) since few secondary batteries were found at any AtoN. Of
the two contaminants, mercury is considered the more potentially harmful to
humans and biota, however, the investigations continued to assess both zinc
and mercury levels since both metals were present in primary batteries.
The sampling program was conducted in locations that represented the variety
of the water depths, bottom types, currents and salinities of most AtoNs. The
program followed a typical approach to site investigation used at Superfund
sites, including a high sampling density near the "hot spots" of
contamination. Uncertainties exhibited at AtoNs, such as expected contaminant
dispersal and concentration warranted sampling density at AtoNs an order of
magnitude higher than at most Superfund site investigations. Sampling
stratification was implemented to address potential variability in contaminant
dispersal due to battery movement.
The biological sampling conducted at prototype sites was, by necessity, site-
specific. Variability among locations chosen for study sometimes required
that
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