New Jersey Administrative Code
Title 7 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Chapter 7 - COASTAL PERMIT PROGRAM RULES
Attachment C - ANALYTICAL PROCEDURES AND ASSOCIATED QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL MEASURES
I. Required Target Analyte Lists and Methodologies:
(a) Target analytes:
Required bulk sediment chemistry, modified elutriate, and leaching tests must include analysis for all target analytes listed in Attachment D, excepting the volatile organic compounds list, which will be required on a case-by-case basis. Typically, volatile organic compound testing will be instituted where known or suspected discharges of such compounds have occurred. Dioxin/furan analysis is required for all projects in Region 1.
The list of target analytes in Attachment D represents the constituents common to both the USEPA Contract Laboratory Program (CLP) analytes and the much larger list of compounds evaluated under the USEPA SW-846 testing program (SW-846). This latter program specifically employs the Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste Physical/Chemical Methods, Publication SW-846. While the SW-846 methods are distinct from the CLP methods, they are considered to be equivalent. Attachment B also details the required quantitation limit for each target analyte. The estimated quantitation limit (EQL) specified is the higher of the quantitation limits associated with the CLP and SW-846 programs. There is no requirement to use either the CLP or SW-846 analytical methodologies; however, the method employed must achieve the required EQL and must be from a standard method from a recognized agency. Alternatively, a method with prior approval by the Department may be employed. The analysis must be done by a Department certified laboratory.
(b) Polychlorinated Biphenyls:
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are required by the USEPA to be reported on an individual congener basis as well as a total PCB value. However, the Department anticipates that upland disposal of dredged material will be the primary type of proposal evaluated. This will increase the potential need to assess human health impacts due to PCBs.
The Department evaluates potential human health impacts of upland management and disposal activities using a Total Aroclor criterion. Therefore, it is acceptable to provide data to the Department using Aroclor based analysis methods (SW-846 Method 8081 or its equivalent) where aquatic species impacts are not anticipated. Where aquatic species impacts are a concern, the Department will require congener specific based analysis for PCBs using the Sloan method, NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS ORCA-71 or its equivalent. This is the same methodology that the USEPA employs. In order to be further consistent with the USEPA and to avoid duplicative analytical costs, the Department will also accept congener specific results if required by the USEPA or if already available. These congener specific results will be converted to a total PCB value by multiplying the sum of the 22 individual congeners by a factor of two as per Sediment quality of the NY/NJ Harbor System (Adams et al 1998) and as per Contaminant Levels in Muscle and Hepatic Tissue of Lobster from the New York Bight Apex (National Marine Fisheries Service 1996). That computed result will then be compared against the Total Aroclor based human health criteria. The recommended MDLs for all individual PCB congeners are one ug/kg dry weight (sediment) and 0.0005 ug/1 (water).
(c) Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxin and Dibenzofurans
When required, analysis will be conducted for all seventeen (17) 2,3,7,8 substituted polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and polychlorinated dibenzofurans using Method 1613 Revision B. While not preferred, Method 8290 is also acceptable. The required congeners and related isotopes used for analysis are shown in Attachment E. The analytical sensitivity should be within five times that which is cited in the method for each matrix type. Testing for these analytes will be required by the Department on a case-by-case basis in Region 1 waters.
All polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and polychlorinated dibenzofuran congener results, in both sediment and water matrices, must be reported in both individual congener concentrations and summarized as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo(p)dioxin toxic equivalents using the Toxic Equivalent Factors, International 1988 Method in Attachment F. For those values reported as Estimated Maximum Possible Concentrations (EMPCs), the full EMPC value should be used.
(d) Grain size analysis:
The grain size analysis must be conducted according to the methods described by Folk 1980.
Results must be reported as percentages within the general size classes:
Sand: equal to or greater than 0.0625 mm diameter.
Silt: less than 0.0625 mm diameter and equal to or greater than 0.0039 mm diameter.
Clay: less than 0.0039 mm diameter.
(e) Total Organic Carbon
Total organic carbon analysis must be conducted according to the USEPA 1986 method, excerpted from the December 1992 regional manual for USEPA Region II and the New York District Corps of Engineers, entitled, "Guidance for Performing Tests on Dredged Material Proposed for Ocean Disposal."
(f) Multiple Extraction Procedure
Testing of sediments which have been modified prior to final placement may be required to undergo testing to evaluate their potential for contaminant leaching. One procedure used to accomplish this task is the Multiple Leaching Procedure (EPA Method 1320).
II. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Guidance and Reporting Requirements
The guidance described below has been drawn from the December 1992 regional manual for USEPA Region II and the USACE New York District, entitled, "Guidance for Performing Tests on Dredged Material Proposed for Ocean Disposal"; the USEPA and the USACE "QA/QC Guidance for Sampling and Analysis of Sediments, Water, and Tissues for Dredged Material Evaluations," (EPA 823-B-95-001, April 1995); and the "Field Sampling Procedures Manual," New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and Energy, 2005.
The following quality control samples or procedures will be required for chemical analysis of both sediment and water matrices:
1. Field blanks: One with every batch of one to 20 samples;
2. Method blanks: One with every batch of one to 20 samples or every 12 hours, whichever is less;
3. Matrix spike and matrix spike duplicate: One set with every batch of one to 20 samples;
4. Surrogate spike recovery: Each sample, organic compounds only;
5. Minimum detection limit verification within last two years for marine sediments and salt water matrices to be submitted to the Department upon request ( 40 CFR 136 Appendix B, Revision 2).
6. Duplicate analyses to be conducted as per method requirements.
All bulk sediment chemistry results must be reported on a dry weight basis. All raw data should be presented along with the appropriate criterion. Exceedances of the criterion must be highlighted in an acceptable fashion.
The need to supply either full or reduced data deliverables will be determined by the Department on a case by case basis. The need for the applicant to obtain the services of a data validation contractor will concurrently be determined by the Department at the pre-application stage.
The data reports submitted to the Department for testing and analysis of material proposed for dredging must include a description of all methods and procedures used in the field and in the laboratory, referencing established protocols or guidance, for the following:
1. Sample collection;
2. Sample preparation (including homogenizing and compositing);
3. Sample preservation methods and holding times (before and after extraction);
4. Chain of custody tracking documents;
5. Sample transport, storage, and disposal;
6. Sample analysis;
7. Data entry and data reduction;
8. Deviations from standard methods or prescribed procedures;
9. QA/QC summary and data; and
10. Narrative of analytical problems, corrective action taken, and effects on data interpretation.
