http://www.tceq.texas.gov A collection of photos from the Gulf Metals state Superfund site. daily 1 2011-08-17T01:01:01Z http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/gulfmetals/photo1 Yellow lines trace the perimeter of the Gulf Metals Industries landfill Superfund site at Mykawa and Almeda Genoa Road in northeast Houston. The approximately 16-acre former sand and gravel pit was used from the 1950s through the late 1970s as an open dump for oily sludges, then for metal slag and other foundry debris. No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-23T20:12:42Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/gulfmetals/photo2 In 1973, in response to an order from the Texas Water Quality Board to stop dumping oily sludge in the sand pits, Gulf Metals Industries filled the site to grade with metal slag and other foundry debris in an attempt to stabilize the petrochemical waste. (Photo taken prior to Remedial Action.) No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-23T20:12:43Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/gulfmetals/photo3 The more than 10 years of oily sludge and other hazardous liquid waste oozed up past the metal slag to the surface and formed pools. (Photo taken prior to Remedial Action.) No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-23T20:12:43Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/gulfmetals/photo4 From a few scattered spots of surfacing petrochemical waste, the area has become a nearly three and a half acre sludge pit. (Photo taken prior to Remedial Action.) No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-23T20:12:44Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/gulfmetals/photo5 There are times when the surface dries slightly and gives the false impression that it will support someone standing on it, or walking across it. (Photo taken prior to Remedial Action.) No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-23T20:12:44Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/gulfmetals/photo6 The equipment decontamination area was constructed in the center of the photo. The tanks at the left held the clean water supply. The barrels captured waste water and were to be taken off site for disposal at an approved facility. (Photo taken during the first phase of the Remedial Investigation.) No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-23T20:12:45Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/gulfmetals/photo7 Cores of soil from the well holes were collected for analysis. (Photo taken during the first phase of the Remedial Investigation.) No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-23T20:12:46Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/gulfmetals/photo8 At the six foot depth, trenches in the landfill area would quickly fill with dirty water or oily liquid. (Photo taken during the first phase of the Remedial Investigation.) No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-23T20:12:47Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/gulfmetals/photo9 The backhoe pulled back the ground cover that was hiding the edges of the sludge pits. (Photo taken during the first phase of the Remedial Investigation.) No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-23T20:12:47Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/gulfmetals/photo10 The equipment pulled back groundcover to expose the true perimeter of the sludge pit. (Photo taken during the first phase of the Remedial Investigation.) No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-23T20:12:48Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/gulfmetals/photo11 Samples of stormwater runoff were collected from a ditch adjacent to the west boundary. The samples were tested to see if contaminants were moving off the property in storm runoff. (Photo taken during the first phase of the Remedial Investigation.) No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-23T20:12:48Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/gulfmetals/photo12 Hydraulic pressure from the sludge pit caused oily wastes to gush into a hole that was dug outside the pit perimeter. (Photo taken during the first phase of the Remedial Investigation.) No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-23T20:12:49Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/gulfmetals/photo13 This trench displays a cross section of the metal slag and foundry debris. Water quickly flooded into the hole after it was dug. (Photo taken during the first phase of the Remedial Investigation.) No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-23T20:12:50Z Image