Site Description
The Stauffer Chemical/Tarpon Springs Superfund Site is a NPL (National
Priorities List) site. The Superfund site is located in Tarpon Springs, Florida
on the Pinellas side of the border between Pinellas and Pasco Counties.
Anclote Road passes through the site, Anclote Boulevard forms the northern
border. The area is mixed-use light industrial/residential.
Industrial History
The 160 acre industrial site
produced elemental phosphorus from locally mined phosphorus ore beginning in
1947 until its closure in 1981. Prior to 1947 the area was an orange grove.
Since 1981 the plant has been maintained by a skeleton crew of security guards
and groundskeepers.
Natural History
The site has nearly 4,885 feet of frontage
on the Anclote River. The Anclote is a major commercial waterway, recreation
source, and waterfront for homesites. The site's proximity to the Gulf of Mexico
(about 1 mile) results in the area being frequently inundated by high winds and
rains of subtropical storms.
There are three archeological sites on or near the property. The Northern
Slag Processing area was built on top of one archaeological site, Meyer's Mound.
A second historic site is on the property just north and west of the main plant
area. A third site, Meyer's Midden is on the peninsula forming the west side of
Meyer's Cove.
The site is visited by a variety of endangered and threatened species, but
is not a home or territory to any threatened wildlife. Although much of the area
is covered with grass lawns the site does not support significant wildlife. The
only freshwater aquatic habitat on the site is in the former ponds area and can
be described by either "emergent" or "stressed." Generally,
the site is barren of wild species.
Groundwater at this site flows toward the Anclote River. The surficial
aquifer (upper groundwater) begins only 8 feet below the surface and shows a
strong tidal influence. The surficial aquifer is affected by site contamination.
The Floridan Aquifer, the primary source of drinking water in this area, begins
at depths of 17 to 37 feet under the site. This is very shallow and the site
does affect this aquifer. However, there are no wells downgradient from the site
and at this time the dilution effects of the Anclote reduce any potential
toxicity.
Demographics
The area is the one of the most densely populated in Florida and is one of
the highest concentrations of growth in the southeastern U.S.
Much of the local life is centered around the river system. Residences
and an elementary school border the site.
Site Chemicals
There
are two types of piles on the site; slag, a composition primarily of calcium
silicate (calcium and silicon salt), and piles of calcium fluoride dredged from
the waste lagoons. Slag may also contain phosphorous pentoxide, arsenic, uranium
and elemental phosphorus. There are several disposal pits and former settling
ponds. These include the process wastes calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, calcium flourosilicate,
calcium fluoride, calcium hydroxide, phosphate rock, sand, and clay. Arsenic is
the main long-term chemical of concern (COC). Additionally, there are heavy
metals and organic chemicals known to cause cancer. Elemental phosphorus on site
can cause skin burns and other injuries, but this material is of concern
primarily to site workers.
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