Publication Summary

Ground water and surface water samples were collected on March 13-15, 1990, from the Washington State University Chemical Dump Site in Pullman. Samples were analyzed for volatile and semivolatile organic compounds, priority pollutant metals, chlorinated pesticides, organophosphorus pesticides, herbicides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), cyanide, beta-radiation, and conventional water quality parameters.

Ground water and surface water samples were collected on March 13-15, 1990, from the Washington State University Chemical Dump Site in Pullman, Washington. Samples were analyzed for volatile and semivolatile organic compounds, priority pollutant metals, chlorinated pesticides, organophosphorus pesticides, herbicides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), cyanide, beta-radiation, and conventional water quality parameters.

In general, contaminant concentrations at the site were low, confirming previous ground water sample results. Volatile and semivolatile organics, chlorinated pesticides, and organophosphorus pesticides were detected primarily between the chemical waste cell and the manure disposal area. Herbicides picloram and dinoseb were detected at low concentrations in wells downgradient of the chemical waste cell. At least one priority pollutant metal was detected at low concentrations in most of the wells. PCBs were not detected in ground water or surface water samples. Cyanide was detected in wells downgradient of the manure disposal area and in surface water samples. Beta-radiation was below the detection limits for most of the wells sampled.

The hydrogeologic characterization of the facility is incomplete; areas where additional monitoring wells are needed to define the extent of contamination are identified. The construction of a number of wells is suspect for water quality sampling and should be evaluated to determine if the wells should be rehabilitated or decommissioned.