Management of Contaminated Sites Sameh Elsayed, M.Sc.,M.A.Sc., P.Eng. Senior Environmental Engineer Environmental Management Services Alberta Transportation
Management of Contaminated Sites
Sameh Elsayed, M.Sc.,M.A.Sc., P.Eng.
Senior Environmental Engineer
Environmental Management Services
Alberta Transportation
Contents
Contamination Classification and Transport
Management of Contaminated Sites Contaminants Release & Reporting
Contaminants Classification and Transport
Contaminants Classification
• Metals and Heavy Metals• Non-metal Contaminants• Organic Contaminants• Combustible Materials • Liquids and gases• Asbestos• Bio-hazardous waste• Radioactive Materials
Metals and Heavy Metals
• Arsenic (As)• Boron (B)• Cadmium (Cd)• Chromium (Cr)
(III or VI)• Cobalt (Co)• Copper (Cu)
• Iron (Fe) • Lead (Pb)• Manganese (Mn)• Mercury (Mg• Nickel (Ni)• Selenium (Se)• Zinc (Z)
Non-Metals
• Chloride (Cl)• Cyanides (CNs)• Fluoride (F)• Phosphate (P)• Sulphur (S)
Organic Compounds
• Hydrocarbons (HC)• Poly-aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH)• Halogenated Hydrocarbons• Dioxins• PCB’s• Phenols• Solvents
Combustible Materials
• Cereal dust• Coal dust• Oils
Contaminants Transport
Atmospheric Fallout
Oxide fume emissions from coal power stations.
Hydrocarbon emissions from vehicles and other means of transport.
Acidic precipitation from chemical and petrochemical plant
Transportation by Liquids
• Industrial waste discharges• Spills and leakage of sewage • Spills from Tanks or pipelines.• Waste lagoons release into soil and
groundwater.
Solid Waste Disposal
• Residual solids in mine tailing lagoons.• Sewage sludge transport to settling lagoon.• Chemical and industrial wastes disposal.• Uncontrolled disposal of waste materials
Management of Contaminated Sites
Natural/Pristine Sites
Contaminated Sites
Contaminated Sites
Contaminated Sites Management
A “Three-Phased” developed based on the guidelines stated by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME)
Recognized by Alberta Environment & Sustainable Resources Development (AESRD), and environmental consultants in Alberta.
Phase I, ESA
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment is basically a checklist for project managers to consider when engaging an environmental consultant to conduct a Phase I environmental site assessment.
Phase I, ESA
• Scope of work,
• Definition of terms,
• Principles of the Phase 1 assessment, and
• Roles and responsibilities of both the consultant and the client.
The CSA Z768-01 Standards outlines the generic steps to consider when dealing with a consultant such as:
Phase I, ESA Objectives & Purposes
• Regulatory request, order or direction.• Liability assessment for the proposed
acquisition or potential sale of land.• Due diligence investigation in support of a
sale or financial agreement.• Baseline liability assessment for a tenancy.• Due diligence investigation in compliance
with an existing Environmental Policy.
Phase I, ESA Components
• Records review.
• Site visit.
• Interviews.
• Evaluation of existing information and
reports.
• Recommendations to address identified
issues.
ESA I
It is important to note that the scope of work is not limited by the CSA process.
The purpose of a Phase 1 ESA is usually to determine whether a particular site is or may have been subject to contamination.
In some cases, sufficient information exists to justify proceeding directly with a Phase 2 ESA.
Phase II, ESA
• Confirmatory intrusive testing is
recommended in a Phase 1 ESA.
• Environmental impacts are strongly
suspected from known and historical
activities.
• Delineation of a known contamination is
required to be defined and compared to site
generic criteria.
A decision may be made to proceed with a Phase 2 ESA as a result of the following activities:
Phase II, ESAActivities
• Electromagnetic (EM) Survey.• Development of Site Sampling Protocol.• Monitoring wells and Boreholes.• Sample collection and analyses.• Review of local groundwater records. • Field Survey, if required.
The results of the Phase 2 ESA will determine the need for further activities
EM Survey
EM Survey/Typical Cross-section
Phase II, ESAGeneric Criteria
• Alberta Tier 1 & Tier 2 Soil & Groundwater Remediation Guidelines, December 2010.
• Salt Contamination Assessment and Remediation Guidelines, May 2001.
• Guidelines can be found on AESRD’s website.
Phase II, ESALand Use
CCME Remediation criteria are presented in the context of four types of land use:
• Residential/Parkland
• Agricultural
• Commercial, and
• Industrial.
Phase II, ESAThe CCME criteria
The CCME criteria are considered generally protective of human and
environmental health for specified uses of soil at contaminated sites.
It is important to understand that the intended future land use governs the
decision on the level of remediation performed at a site.
Phase II, ESAThe CCME criteria
Identifying the type of land use will help assess the extent of human and ecological
exposure to contaminants in the soil.
Consideration must be given to adjacent land use to the contaminated site as it might
affect the remediation criteria.
These two factors are essential for planning a practical remediation programs.
AESRD Policy
Pollution prevention
Avoid impairment of or damage to environment, human health, safety or property
Health protection
Action commensurate with risk to human health or environment
Productive use
Encourage remediation to enable productive land use
Contamination Management PrinciplesSource control• Prevent pollution• Identify source if contamination present• Source removalContamination delineation• If contamination present above Tier 1 or 2• Horizontal and vertical extent identified• All applicable exposure pathways and receptors
addressedContamination management, including remediation
Tier 1 and 2 Soil and Groundwater Remediation Guidelines
New guidelines to supersede existing guidelines;• Alberta Tier I Criteria (1994)• Alberta Soil & Water Quality Guidelines for
Hydrocarbons at Upstream Oil and Gas Facilities (2001)
• Risk Management Guidelines for Petroleum Storage Tank Sites (2001)
Remediation Certificate Program
• Voluntary certificate program• Incentive to remediate• Provides certainty for proponent if standards
change• Provides closure of liability after 10 years• Regulations being developed
• Closure based on compliance with Tier 1 or Tier 2 Guidelines
• Cannot use Alberta Soil and Water Quality Guidelines for Hydrocarbons at Upstream Oil and Gas Facilities (2001)
• Certificate issued for remediated area only, not site
• Surveyed coordinates• Depth or zone of remediation• Certificate issued for remediated
substance(s)
Remediation Certificate Program
Phase III, ESA Components
• Risk Management OR Remediation
Action Plan (RMP/RAP) Development.
• RMP Implementation/Site Remediation.
• Monitoring.
RMP/RAP Development
Further study and/or testing may be required to assess the risk to receptors.
Once full delineation is achieved a site specific Risk Management Plan (RMP) or a
Remediation Action Plan acceptable to stakeholders can be developed.
Phase IIIObjectives
1. Conduct sampling to satisfy stakeholders.2. Complete outstanding delineation.3. Define, in details, the site related risks
including receptors and pathways.4. Identify receptors and develop risk
assessment strategies.5. Develop information that support
remedial activities.
Risk Management Approach
• Site-specific objectives developed from a risk
assessment.
• Estimated cost of remediation is
unreasonable.
• Site conditions differ significantly from
criteria.
Site Remediation Approach
• Determine most applicable/feasible technology for the site
• Design selected process components.
• Award Contract
• Implement site remediation
• Final report by consultant
• Regulatory endorsement
Monitoring
Once the RAP/RMP has been implemented and accepted by the stakeholders, monitoring may be required.
Results of monitoring program are evaluated following each event and the frequency of testing is adjusted accordingly, if needed.
Questions ??