Background Perchlorate Source Identification Technical Guidance
Abstract
The objective of this document is to outline the approach, tools, and methods to quantify and distinguish the relative levels of naturally occurring perchlorate from those derived from anthropogenic sources. This will provide site managers for ranges and facilities with holistic source evaluation and identification of background perchlorate using scientifically defensible forensic approaches and methodologies. This effort brings together the current understanding of natural perchlorate characteristics and behaviors to provide a process for selecting appropriate analytical approaches developed within the environmental forensics community. While perchlorate is not federally regulated in the natural environment, it will be facing increased regulatory pressure for future assessments and clean-up. Currently, perchlorate evaluation is part of range condition assessments and monitoring strategies per current Department of Defense (DoD) policy. Range assessments in particular have a direct impact on continued range use for training and testing/operational readiness. Quantifying natural and anthropogenic sources of perchlorate will provide an appropriate baseline for mitigating cleanup efforts and costs (above background levels). Without an understanding of the extent to which background perchlorate sources may be present at or surrounding a site and potentially impacting the site, inaccurate assessments/management decisions will result, ultimately leading to unnecessary cleanup actions at greater expense to the Navy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA611416
Entities
People
- Arne Olsen
- Cheryl A. Cooke
- Robert George
- Stacey Curtis
Organizations
- Naval Information Warfare Systems Command