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SFPUC June 10, 2020 Page 2 <br /> assessing and cleaning up abandoned mine sites. McCord Environmental is subcontracted for <br /> this work to Baseline Environmental Consulting. <br /> Scope of Work <br /> The overall project objectives are to ensure regulatory compliance and to protect the <br /> environment. Specific project goals are to: (1) analyze UV lamp break conditions, (2) compare <br /> mercury levels in discharge water to various regulatory thresholds, and(3) evaluate and suggest <br /> improvements to the Interception Plan previously developed and implemented by SFPUC <br /> (discussed in more detail below). The work performed to produce this memorandum included the <br /> following key tasks. <br /> • Compile and review available reports and datasets. <br /> • Visit the facility and interview key staff to understand site-specific conditions. <br /> • Estimate relevant concentrations and loads of mercury emanating from a UV lamp break. <br /> • Evaluate mercury conditions relative to regulatory thresholds. <br /> • Evaluate current practices to contain mercury-contaminated waters. <br /> • Determine if mitigation is necessary based on mercury levels in the discharge water. <br /> • Recommend changes/improvements for managing mercury from UV lamp breaks. <br /> Background Information <br /> This section provides relevant information about mercury chemistry and regulatory thresholds <br /> considered in this memorandum's assessment and recommendations. <br /> Basic Mercury Forms and Characteristics <br /> Important characteristics determining mercury fate in the environment under the Tesla Facility's <br /> conditions depend on its form. The three general forms of mercury(Hg) are described as follows. <br /> • Elemental mercury(Hg0) remains in liquid form at normal ambient temperatures, which <br /> is unusual for metalloids. It is extremely dense (more than 13.5 times denser than water), <br /> yet it volatilizes even at room temperature. It has an octanol—water partition coefficient of <br /> log Kota-6, meaning at equilibrium Hg is one million-fold more concentrated on lipids <br /> (representing organic material) than dissolved in water(i.e., Hg0 tends to adhere to <br /> particles much more than it tends to dissolve in water). This is the form used in UV <br /> lamps, as well as in thermometers, dental amalgam fillings, batteries, and other electrical <br /> switches. It is released into the atmosphere globally from volatilization, fossil fuel <br /> burning, forest fires, and volcanoes. <br /> • Inorganic or ionic mercury(HgII) compounds occur when Hg0 oxidizes to HgII. Being <br /> highly reactive, it combines with elements such as chlorine, sulfur, or oxygen. It has been <br /> used as a fungicide, skin-lightening cream, and antibacterial. Hg0 can be oxidized by <br /> sunlight, thus emissions of Hg0 tend to be deposited wet(in rain) and dry(in dust) as <br /> HgII complexes. <br /> • Organic or methylmercury(CH3Hg+, or McHa) is formed primarily as a byproduct of <br /> bacterial respiration, reducing iron and sulfur compounds. Environmental conditions that <br />