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Standard Guide for Developing Representative Background Concentrations at Sediment Sites—Selection of Background Reference Areas
1.1 This guide focuses on the selection of sediment background reference areas from aquatic environments for the purpose of developing representative background concentrations for sediment at sediment sites. These concentrations are typically used in contaminated sediment corrective actions performed under various regulatory programs, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Although many of the references cited in this guide are CERCLA-oriented, the guide is applicable to remedial actions performed under local, state, tribal, federal, and international cleanup programs. However, this guide does not provide a detailed description of the existing background requirements or guidance for each jurisdiction. The requirements for the regulatory entity under which the corrective action is being performed should be reviewed to confirm compliance.
1.1.1 The sediment background reference areas chosen using this guide will need to be approved by the regulatory agency having jurisdiction (or they should take no exception to the areas chosen), especially if the representative background concentrations for sediment developed will potentially be used to set sediment remedial criteria.
1.2 This guide provides a framework to select appropriate sediment background reference areas for the collection of sediment data in the development of representative background concentrations for sediment at sediment sites. It is intended to inform, complement, and support (but not supersede) the requirements or guidelines established by local, state, tribal, federal, or international agencies.
1.2.1 This guide is designed to apply to contaminated sediment sites where sediment data have been collected and are readily available. Additionally, it assumes that risk assessments have been performed, so that the potential contaminants of concern (PCOCs) that exceed risk-based thresholds for sediment have been identified. This guide can be applied at multiple points within the project life cycle (such as site assessment and remedial design).
1.2.2 Furthermore, this guide presumes that the identified risk-based thresholds for sediment are low enough to pose corrective action implementation challenges or that the sediment site is subject to recontamination from ongoing anthropogenic or naturally occurring sources (or both) that are not controlled. In either case, representative background concentrations for sediment are useful for determining the extent of corrective remedial actions (when used as remedial goals), evaluating risks posed by these representative background concentrations, and establishing appropriate post-remedial monitoring plans.
1.2.3 A case study for selecting a background reference area using a tiered decision analysis approach is presented in Appendix X1. It compares various characteristics of a hypothetical sediment site associated with a former upland manufactured gas plant (MGP) facility to three candidate background reference areas and identifies the background reference area that best satisfies the decision analysis objectives in the choice of a single background reference area.
1.3 Related ASTM Standards—This guide is related several other guides. Guide E3382 provides the overarching framework for the development of representative background concentrations for sediment at contaminated sediment sites, including Conceptual Site Model (CSM) considerations. Guide E3242 describes how to evaluate candidate background data sets (including the use of statistical, geochemical, and chemical forensic methodologies) to obtain representative background data sets and then how to use these data sets to develop representative background concentrations for sediment. Guide E3164 covers the sampling methodologies used in the field to obtain sediment samples (whether from the sediment site or background reference areas), and Guide E3163 discusses appropriate laboratory methodologies to use for the chemical analysis of PCOCs in sediment samples. Guide D4823, which concerns sediment core sampling, is also related to this guide.
1.3.1 Specifically, this guide is intended to be used under the overarching framework of Guide E3382, in conjunction with the detailed framework to evaluate data and develop representative background concentrations for sediment outlined in Guide E3242, to help ensure appropriate background reference areas are chosen for use in representative background concentration development.
1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. No other units of measurement are included in this guide.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
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