WMRC Perspective on Brownfields Solutions

Gary D. MillerAssistant Director

April 17, 2002

Overview of Services

• Research – Laboratory• Funding for Research Projects – related past

studies on historical hazards and database development

• Information Services – publications• Industrial Technical Assistance

Industrial Technical Assistance

• Help over 200 companies each year (voluntary)

• Have helped well over 2000• Provide confidential compliance assistance• Focus on pollution prevention, improved

efficiency and economic viability (cost savings)

• Brownfields prevention!

A Unique Illinois’ Resource

• Locations in Champaign, Springfield, and Chicago, Peoria and Brighton

• Addressing serious environmental issues and problems across Illinois

• Singular combination of expertise and resources

Databases & GIS Examples

• Combine databases from USEPA & IEPA, base coverages and some historical ones developed for/by us

• Supports technical assistance efforts• Used for some regional studies and

evaluating sites for possible acquisition by IDNR

5-12-00

5/12/00 water from rain

6-5-00

10-3-00

No pronounced effect of sediment on growth of tomato . . .

Ag soil Sediment

The tomatoesare flowering

Nickel Distribution in Lake Peoria Core RM 169

0 50 100 150

1913192219311939194819571965197419831991

App

roxi

mat

e Ye

ar o

f D

epos

ition

Nickel (ppm)

Lead Distribution in Lake Peoria Core at RM 169

0 50 100 150 200

1913

1935

1957

1978A

ppro

xim

ate

Year

of

Dep

ositi

on

Lead (ppm)

Metal Contents (mg kg-1) of Soil and Sediments Used in the Greenhouse Experiment

293543643614Woodford

241403843483Spindler

6018222029< 1Drummer-Flanagan

ZnPbNiCuCrCdMaterial

Conclusions

• Sediments have high pH and natural fertility• Sediments have high soil moisture storage

capacity• Sediments have somewhat elevated levels

of metals in some cases• Plants grown in sediments do not have

significantly elevated metal levels• After dewatering and weathering, sediments

should make productive agricultural soils