SDMS Document 
800077 
115622 
2 
Island Chemical Company 
St Croix, U.S. Vir]gin islands 
CERCUS #ViD9806SI095 
I 
Site Exposure Pbtendai 
The Island Chemical Company site occupies 
about 1.2 hectares in south-central St. Crcnx, 
U.S. Virgin Islands (Figure 1), The site is bor-
dered to the northeast and southeast by River 
Gut, an intcnnictcnt stream that originates north 
ofthe site. River Gut flows approxinuitely 240 m 
before merging with Bethlehem Gut, forming 
Fair Plain Gut, which diischatges to the Caribbean 
Sea approximately 1.4 km downstream from the 
site (Figure 1). Flow in River Gut near the site 
generally occurs only dtiring the rainy season 
between September and December, but the gut 
becomes percnnkl before reaching Fair Plain Gut 
(NUS Corporation 1991). 
Charles H. Ste&y, Inc. purchased xht site in 
1968; it is now owned by*the same corporation, 
wiiich dianged its name to CHS Holding Corpo-
ration (CHS) sometime before 1982, Between 
1968 and 1982, the site was leased b\ numerous 
chemical companies and their subsidiahes, indud-
ing Caribe Chemical Company, Pierrel S.p.a., 
Cooper Laboratories, Island Chemical Company, 
Berlex, and the Virgjn Island Chemical Company. 
The plant was doied.in 1982 and is nov.- vacant 
(EPA 1994), 
Chemicals produced and/or disposed ac the site 
indude pyridine, adds,solvents, benzol chloride. 
Coastal Haxardeus Waste Site Review / itland Chemical Company 
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benzyl salicylate, phenacetin, ethoxyquin, qui-
nine, quinidine, and toluene. Table 1 describes 
six areas of potential environmental concem. 
When Island Chemical occupied the fedlity, it 
discovered that hazardous materials had been left 
on-site by the previous tenant. Between 1982 
and 1983, about 100,000 liters of toluene and 
26,000 liters of xylenes were removed from the 
site. In 1985,192 drums of waste were disposed 
off-site by Island Chemical. In addition, con-
taminated soils were excavated and removed near 
the abovc-groimd storage tanks (ASTs), and 
beneath the concrete pad near the ASTs. Ac-
cording to the RI Work Plan^toluene and pyri-
dine represented the largest volume of releases at 
the site, based on previous studies (Harding 
Lawson Assodates 1995). 
The primary pathways of contaminant transport 
from the site are sxirface water runoff into River 
Gut and groundwater migration. All surface 
runoff from the site drains into che gut (Figure 
2). The surface slopes gently across the site to 
the northeast. A berm partially separates the 
ASTs in the western portion ofthe facility from 
the remainder ofthe site. On the western side of 
the berm, nmoff-flows from sonthwek to north-
east. On the eastem portion ofthe site, runoff 
from concrete and paved areas is channeled into 
three storm drains which empty into River Gut 
(Figure 2; Harding Lawson Assodates 1995). 
Groundwater occurs in the suriidal aquifer at 
approximatdy 6 m below ground stirface. 
Groundwater flow near the site is tc the north 
and southeast (Harding Lawson Associates 
1995). Tills alluvid aquifer consists of permeable 
Table 1. Area© of envfronmentai concern at Island Chemical Company. 
Area 
A 
B 
C 
D 
E 
F 
Deftcrlption 
laborMZory ancl werehouoe 
buMnq 
Abovegrouruil etorage tank farm 
Pormar proceae pft 
Loading dock and former lair pit 
6oi1 beriMth comreXe pad n n r 
ASTs 
Concrete eUsrageped 
• 
Cortaminanto of Potential Concem 
BirAronmenUit samples were iwt coWeeted froiti this area. 
&enzot\\i\none, fluorenone. benzophenone, toluene, >^enee, hydroxyfuranocoumarin. 
p-phenctWlne In ASTe. 
Toluene, ^luinWi'ie fliucowrte, qulnl.ic sulfate, trace etement* (,)ead, copper, and zinc), 
end mmeraue peeUcidee in eofls. 
Trace elements In eluclge. 
Feetlcidee and trace elements {[ead and Tine) In sediment from storm drain leading 
from the pit. 
FVriidine, toluene, i^iulnldine gluconate, C{uln\ne sulfate, and trace elements in soils. 
Five soil samples »«re collected in 1954 ard analyzed for toluene, pyridine, quinidine 
gluconate, and quinine sulfate. These substances were not tf^tected. 
Environmental samples have not been collected from this area. This pad was used 
for storage of drums of raw materials wheii the f a c i % was In operation. 
Coastal Haxardous Waste Site Review / Island Chemical Company • IS 
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Figure 2. Detail of Island Chemical e\te. 
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layers of sand and gravd, ranging from 0.3 to 
2.4 m thick, intermixed with low-permcabiiity 
day, "Hie interconnection Ixtwecn the permeable 
layers is not known, but is believed to be isolated 
and limited. During a pumping test, ponded 
water in River Gut exhibited no elevation change, 
indicating that water in the gut may be perched 
above groundwater (NUS Corporation 1S>91). 
I 
NOAA Trust Habitats and Species 
Region 2 • 17 
reported numerous fish in the gut. The guts are 
usually hyperhaline (saltier than the occanj Adams 
1995). Red, black and white mangroves 
(RJnzophoru mangle, Aricfinniii^erminafu, and 
Lasuncularia racfmem respectively), buttonwood 
(Conocarpusereettu), and shrubs (Actuiaus) 
provide dense cover along the shoreline of both 
guts (Department of Planning and Natural 
Resources 1990). Information on depth, width, 
and substrate of both River and Fair Plain Guts 
was not available, but a high nutrient content is 
assumed in Fair Plain Gut due to sewage dis-
charges (Department of Planning and Natural 
Resources 1987 and 1990). 
Prindpal habitats of concem to NOAA are the 
sur&ce waters and bottom substrates assodated 
with River Gut and Fair Plain Gut. The estuarine 
waters and reef habitats of Manning Bay are also 
a concern because of their high species abun-
dance and diversity. 
River Gut receives terrestrial runoff from a 
watershed of 2,700 hectares. The gut is at least 
partially submerged throughout the year and 
supports healthy red mangrove (RJneophora 
manjrle) communities. There is a natural buildup 
of sand deposits at the mouth of Fair Plain Gut 
due to longshore currents, wind, and wave 
energy. The berm is approximately 0.9 m high 
and 6 m wide. This bemi is broken only during 
periods of heavy rains, high seas, or sewage 
overflows and otherwise blockis the flow of water 
from Fair Plain Gut to Manning Bay (Depart-
ment of Planning and Natural Resources 1990; 
Adams 1995), In spite ofthe berm, biologists 
The nearest reef visible from the shoreline is 
approximately 1J km oflfehore. Manning Bay is a 
high-salinity environment with a predominantiy 
sandy substrate. There are sea grasses and scat-
tered rubble towards the reef and habitat condi-
tions appear to support complex fish and inverte-
brate communities. Hie tidal range averages 
O.I ma day, with an aimual range of 6 m. 
EPA is negotiating with the St, Croix Port 
regarding mitigation for the destruction of 
mangrove habitat near the Alexander Hamilton 
Airport: Approximatdy 0^ hectares of man-
groves were Imlldozed, induding 107 m along 
Fair Plain Gut. 
A great variety of NOAA trust species use Fair 
Plain Gut and Manning Bay (Table 2). Man-
groves provide vital habitat for juvenile marine 
fishes and juvenile sea turties because the inter-
connecting root systems and shaUow water 
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Table 2. Primary fish and Invertebrate species that use Fair Piain Gut and Manning Bay. 
• 
1 Common Nama 
gclenttfie Name 
FISHES 
Sur0eonfl»he» 
AcantHuridae 
Car<lin«IFi»has 
Apoeenldae 
Uatheijackote 
MIetidae 
Jacks 
Ctran^Ume 
&Mok 
Centropomue 
uruteclmalle 
Butterftyflshes 
Chaatodonildae 
I F^tng gurnard 
Pttet^opterue volttanp 
j Cubt^u 
Eijfjetua aeuminatue 
J«ckknife-fieh 
Ecfuetue lancealigUie 
Spotted <lrum 
Ecfuetua punetatue 
Mo0<^unofieh 
Gambuaia afflniB 
Mojarraa 
Oerreidae 
Grunta 
Haomulidme 
&((ulrrelfiehe» 
Heloeantrtdae 
Wrasses 
Labridae 
Snappers 
LiAjanldae 
Sand tflefleh 
Malacarrthue plumleri 
1 Tarpon 
Megalope a-tiantlca 
Gofltflehse 
Mufffdae 
Moraye 
Muraeni^^ae 
Giarden eel 
Nyetactiehthya Halle 
Angelflshas 
Pomacarrbhidae 
Damaelflahes 
Fomaeentridae 
Greater eoapfieh 
^yptlcua eaponaceus 
Sea basses 
Serranldae 
forQ\e» 
Sparidae 
Parrfitfiehee 
&parieoma ep 
Scaroe ep 
Barracudas 
Sphyaanldae 
Tiiapia 
TUpiaap 
INVERTEBRATIS 
Blue cr«b 
CaWlnectee eapidua 
Spiny lobster 
Fanullrue ar^ua 
Quesfi coneli 
StromlruB gigae 
REPTILES 
Green oea turtle* 
Chehnia mydaa 
Hawtoblll eea t«rtle' 
Ertmoche.jyg (mprlcata 
Habitat 
Spawning 
Mating 
Adult 
Nesting 
Nurserv 
Forage 
1 
Fisheries 
Comm, 
l^eer. 
' • 
• 
« 
• 
• 
• 
«
• 
• 
« 
• 
• • 
• 
4 
. • 
* 
• " 
• 
• 
• 
• ' 
» 
• 
• 
• 
i 
• 
• 
1 
* 
• 4 
« 
1 'Federalli' listed Endangered Species 
\ 
provide extensive cover. Tilapia occur in large 
barracuda, sea bass, butterflyfish, mojarra, mos-
numbers and are considered ubiquitous. Other 
quitofish, grunt, and wrasse (Adams 1995). 
dominant fish specif indude snapper, jack. 
18 • Coastal (iazardous Waste Site Review/Island Chemical Company 
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All primary spedes listed in Table 2 use reef 
habiuts for spawning, nursery, and adult forage 
(Adams 1995). Turtle grass (D!f«/<i«w 
teaudinum) colonizes the flat sandy substrates 
(Adey et al. 1977). Other sea grasses indude 
Vtilacia, SyrangoiiuHii, Halimeda, and PeniciUus. 
Sea grasses provide l?oth forage and protective 
cover for sea turdes and nursery habitat for other 
marine ^^cdes, induding spiny lobster and queen 
conch (Adams 1995). 
Of particular concern to NOAA are two federally 
endangered spedes of sea turtie, which are 
known to forage in Manning Bay and surround-
ing coastal waters. Turtle surveys have not been 
cohduaed near the site, but it is likely that turties 
nest along the shoreline in Manning Bay because 
nesting is extremely common throughout St. 
Croix (Adams 1995). 
Commerdal fisheries are considered artisinal and 
subsistence In nature. Fishes and invertebrates 
that are harvested botii commerdaiiy and 
recreationally indude grunt, snapper, jack, 
surgeonfish,leatherjackei, barracuda, sea bass, 
butterflyfish, goatfish, mojarra, cardinalfish, 
porgy, moray, and wrasse, blue crab, spiny 
lobster, and queen conch (Adams 1995). 
Lower Fair Plain Gut recdvcs any overflow from 
the nearby sewage lift station. Documented fish 
kills relating to these events have been reported 
in 1981,1985,1987,1988, and 1990. No 
health advisories have been documented Srom the 
sewage overflow events (Department of Planning 
and Namral Resources 1990). 
I 
Site-Related Contamination 
Data coUeaed during previous investigations 
indicate that groundwater, soils, sludge, sinrm 
drains, and sediment in Rjver Gut contain ele-
vated concentrations of site-related contaminants 
(Harding Lawson Assodates 1994,1995). Table 
3 summarizes the contaminants found during 
previous investigations. The primary contami-
nants of concem to NOAA at the Island Chemical 
site are trace elements, organic compounds, and 
pesriddes. 
Trace elements, organic compounds, and pesri-
ddes have been detected in on-site soils (Table 3; 
Harding Lawson Assodates 1995). Sludge 
samples taken from the fonner processing pit 
contained high concentrations of trace elements 
and toluene. No other contaminants were re-
ported firom the sludge samples, but complete 
analytical results were not available (Harding 
Lavreon Assodates 1995). 
VOCs and SVOCs were detected in groundwater 
sampled during the RI, but at concentrations that 
would not threaten NOAA trust resoiuces. Of 
the 15 Target Compound List (TCL) pcstiddes 
detected ih groundwater, only gamma-chlardane 
and 4,4'-DDE were detected during both sam-
pling events. Altiiough organic compounds were 
detected in soils, there were no dau to indicate 
whether thej' were measured or detected in 
groundwater. Trace dements vi^rc detected in 20 
filtered groundwater samples and 21 unfiltered 
groundwater samples. Chromium, copper, lead, 
and zinc were detected in filtered samples fix>m all 
1! 
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Table 3. Maximum concentrationg of contaminants (mg/k^) detected in envtponmerrtal media collected from 
the Island Chemical efte during Investigations conducted from 1954 to 1991. 
Twee ElgwMWUi 
ATMHIC 
Cadmltfn 
Oiromlum 
Copper 
lead 
Mercuty 
Nickel 
Zinc 
pyWlne 
Quinidine gluconate 
Quinine eutfate 
Toluene 
fggtleUgfl 
Aldrin 
aipha-Chiordane 
gamma-Chionlane 
p,p'-DOE 
Heptaehler epoxide 
Source Areas 
Av«. Earth'e 
'Soil 
Sludge' 
Crust^ 
9.1 
40 
S 
NR 
2S , 
0.06 
49 
S90 
100 
100 
5S0 
50 
520 
690 
10 
NR 
2.7 
0.0i 
54 
130 
40 
590 
5.600 
50 
5.000 
NR 
N/A 
»,Z0O 
NR 
N/A 
2.600 
Nl? 
N/A 
15.900 
1,600 
N/A 
30 
NR 
N/A 
10 
NR 
N/A 
5.8 
NR 
N/A 
75 
NR 
N/A 
4 
NR 
N/A 
1: Thie sludge sample IMS collected from the former process pit. 
2: EfAOSeS). 
3t Effects rangeHow, Lor^ and MacDonald (1992). 
4: .Effects ran^e-medlan. Lon^ and MacDonald (1992). 
J'ath^.ys 
j 
Storm 
Owlne 
5.5 
4.5 
110 
570 
470 
NR 
4« 
1^00 
NR 
NR 
NR 
5.600 
0.02 
NR 
0.024 
0,016 
NR 
RlwGut 
Sediment 
ERL' 
4.1 
& 2 
2A 
1.2 
41 
61 
7 0 ' 
54 
46 
47 
NR 
0.15 
52 
21 
670 
150 
NR 
NA 
NR 
NA 
NR 
NA 
NR 
NA 
NR 
NA 
NR 
0.0005 
NR 
0.00(B 
NR 
0.002 
NR 
NA 
NA: Not available. 
MR: Data not reported. 
N/A Notapplica'bie. 
ERM* 
70 
9.6 
S70 
270 . 
220 
0.71 
52 
410 
NA 
NA 
NA. 
NA 
NA 
NA 
• NA 
0.27 
NA 
four monitoring wells during the 1995 sampling 
events, but data were not presented (Harding 
Lawson Assodates IS>95). It could not t^e deter-
mined from the available data whether sur&ce 
water samples have t>ecn collected fix>m storm 
drains or River Gut 
Sediments from storm drains MWch lead to BJver 
Gut were contaminated with trace dements, 
pestiddes, and organic compounds, primarily 
toluene. Copper and lead concentrations in the 
storm drains exceeded ERL guidelines by an 
order of magnitude. Concentrations pf cad-
mium, copper, nickel, and zinc in sediments from 
River Gut exceeded ERL guidelines, and zinc 
exceeded ERM guidelines as well (Harding 
Lawson Assodates 1995). No data were available 
for organic compounds. 
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I 
Summary 
Results fix>m site investigations indicate that 
former activities at the Island Chenucal site have 
contaminated soil, sediment, and groundwater. 
All sur&ce runofiffrom the site is channeled 
tiirough storm drains to River Gut, which fiovtrs 
into Fair Piain Gut and dischar^ to the Carilv 
bean Sea approxiraately 1.4 km downstrean> 
fix>m the site. Primary aiid secondary habitats 
dose to the site support spedes of concern to 
NOAA, including two spedes of sea turtie that 
are federally listed endangered species. 
Region 2 • 21 
Department of Planning and Natural Resources. 
1987. Memoranda re sewerage overflows. 
Frederiksted, St. Croix, VS. Virgin Islands. 
Department of Planning and Natural Resources. 
1990. Memoranda re sewerage overflows. 
Frederiksted, St. CKMX, U.S. Virgin Islands 
Harding Lawson Assodates. 1994. Draft 
Remedial Investigation Work Plan. St. Croix, 
Virgin Islands: Island Chemical Company. 
Harding Lawson Assodates. 1995. Remedial 
Investigation Draft Data Sununary Report. St. 
Croix, Virgm Islands: Island Chemical Com-
pany. 
( (r 
I 
References 
Adams, A., Fisheries Biologist, Division of Fish 
and Wildlife, Department of Planning and Natu-
ral Resources, Frederiksted, St. Croix, U.S. 
Vugin Islands, personal communications Febru-
ary 2, April 4, and May 17,1995. 
Adey, W. etal. 1977. Field guidebook to the 
recfe and reef communities of St. Crobc, Virgin 
Islands. Third Iniemational Symposium tm Coral 
Reefil977. 
Long, E.R-, and D.D. MacDonald. 1992. 
National Status and Trends Piwgram approach. 
In: Sediment ClasHfktition Methods Compen-
dium. EPA 823-R-92-006. Washington, D.C: 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of 
Water (WH-556). 
NUS Corporation. 1991. Final Draft Inspection 
Report for Island Chemical Corporation, Virgin 
Island Chemical Site. St. Croix, U.S. Virgin 
Islands: Island Chenucal Corporation/Virgin 
Island Chemical. 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 
1983. Hazardous waste land treatment. EPA/ 
530/SW-83/874. Cincinnati: Munidpal Envi-
ronmental Research Laboratory. 702 pp. 
Coastal Hazardous Waste Site Review / Island Chemical Company • 
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22 • Region 2 
U5 Enviromnental Protection Agency (EPA). 
1994. Administrative order on con^nt for 
Remedial Investigation/FeasibOity smdy u i ^ 
L e t of theVlrgin Island Chemical si«. New 
York: US. Environmental Protection Agency, 
Rc^on2. 
„ 
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