Field sampling design and method of statistical analysis to define the areal extent of PCB contamination in low-level waste pond sediments

This study demonstrates a cost-effective, site-specific field sampling program and statistical analysis scheme to estimate the areal extent of organic chemical contamination in low-level chemical and radioactive waste pond sediments. This approach was used to estimate the distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's) in a Hanford area low-level waste pond. Using the statistical technique of kriging, a contour map of PCB concentrations in the pond was developed. The kriging analysis produced variance estimates about the contours, allowing evaluation of the estimated PCB concentrations and the ability to optimize placement of further sampling effort. Results of the study indicated that PCB concentrations in the pond sediments were generally less than 100 ppB