Figure 1: Spill sites and Disposal Sites in Air Force Plant 85
Figure 1 depicts the spill sites and disposal sites on the Air Force plant. These maps and date were collected from interviews with workers and institutional personnel associated with this plant. In addition, construction records and disposal research further reveal spill and disposal sites (Installation Restoration Program 15).
Figure 2: Location map of Air Force Plant 85 in Central Ohio
Figure 2 shows the location of Air Force Plant 85 in Ohio. The plant is about six miles from downtown Columbus. Specifically, the plant is close to Whitehall and Gahanna, which are local suburbs of Columbus (Installation Restoration Program 24).
Figure 3: Site Map of Air Force Plant 85
Figure 3 depicts the detailed site map of the Air Force plant. In particular, each building, storage unit, and plant have been identified. In addition, the local waterways have also been depicted (Installation Restoration Program 32) .
Figure 4: Soils Map of Air Force Plant 85
Figure 4 depicts the different types of soils surrounding the plant. As a result, research into the drainage and hydrology of the area can be conducted. This allows the researchers and scientists to better understand how the chemicals drained, and where they drained to (Installation Restoration Program 47).
Figure 5: Abandoned Water Wells at Air Force Plant 85
Figure 5 depicts the abandoned water wells at the plant. This map allows researchers to test the water, especially the hardness of the water. In addition, a report suggests that some of the wells have the ability to be a water supply source in the future (Installation Restoration Program 56).
Figure 6: Recommended Sampling Sites
Figure 6 shows the recommended sampling sites for Air Force Plant 85. These sampling sites create distinct areas for researchers to monitor the plant, it the effects the chemicals have had over an extended period of time (Installation Restoration Program 19).
While each of the maps locating testing sites, spill sites, and water wells, are mostly concentrated on the boundaries of Air Force Plant 85, the contamination also affected some surrounding communities. In particular, the coal pile and storage pads outlined in the site map (Installation Restoration Program 32) were the main sites of chemical contamination in the soil and surrounding groundwater. Moreover, due to their close vicinity to Mason’s Run and Turkey Run, two subsidiary streams that feed into Big Walnut Creek, the safety of the water was severely impacted. Beyond the boundaries of the plant, figure 2 identifies nearby local communities such as Whitehall, Bexley and Gahanna, thus they faced fear of contamination from either the contaminated water, or even the contaminated groundwater soil (Installation Restoration Program 24). Moreover, these suburbs of Columbus are more affluent, with a predominantly white demographic, and a higher income level. Despite the threats to local communities, much of the contamination studied was within the plant, and few studies were conducted around the surrounding communities.