http://www.tceq.texas.gov A collection of photos from the Jerrell B. Thompson Battery state Superfund site. daily 1 2011-08-22T15:51:43Z http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/jbt/photo1 Under this green lawn, hazardous levels of lead contamination were found. Leaching from the former battery recycling operation had penetrated the soil to depths that ranged from a few inches in the front to as much as 15 feet near the liquid collection pits. No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-25T14:02:36Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/jbt/photo2 All of this area was excavated from a few inches to four feet to clear out soil that had been contaminated with lead from the battery recycling operation. No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-25T14:02:37Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/jbt/photo3 To track all contamination, it was necessary to excavate a larger area on the west side of the residence. No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-25T14:02:37Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/jbt/photo4 The removed soil included the septic system evaporation field, which was restored with clean fill. No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-25T14:02:38Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/jbt/photo5 Air monitoring instruments checked for any blowing dust. If the air monitor alarm sounded, work was halted while the excavation was wet down. No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-25T14:02:38Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/jbt/photo6 A computerized pugmill was used to blend the exact portions of Portland cement and water to bond the lead-contaminated soil into inert granules that could be safely disposed of. No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-25T14:02:39Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/jbt/photo7 After being bonded to cement in the pugmill, treated soil no longer posed a leaching danger. These piles are awaiting transport off site to an approved landfill. No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-25T14:02:39Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/jbt/photo8 As part of the cleanup, the owner's fish were safely removed from the pond before it was drained. Workers were lowered to the water in a bucket to net the fish and then move them to a nearby pond. No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-25T14:02:40Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/jbt/photo9 A concrete apron was poured around the main work area to avoid possible leaching from rainfall and water runoff. No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-25T14:02:41Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/jbt/photo10 Soil was excavated as deep as 15 feet in the area of the pits that were used to hold treated liquid from the batteries. The pit in this photograph was 4 feet deep. No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-25T14:02:42Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/jbt/photo11 Even though the battery acid was neutralized and allowed to settle in a concrete pit before it was run into the pond, tests of the sediment showed high levels of lead. Fish were removed before the sediment was excavated. No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-25T14:02:42Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/jbt/photo12 After the contaminated sediment had been removed, the pond was allowed to re-fill, and the banks were coated with seed mulch. No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-25T14:02:43Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/jbt/photo13 Backfilled excavations that had been re-seeded, were irrigated until the grass was able to exist on its own. No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-25T14:02:43Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/jbt/photo14 Seed mulch was sprayed on the graded, backfilled areas. The seeded areas were then irrigated until the seed had started to sprout. No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-25T14:02:44Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/jbt/photo15 With contamination excavated and new soil in place, the potential for lead contamination from this site has been neutralized. No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-25T14:02:44Z Image