UnderstandingEnvironmental

Site Assessments

WebinarBy Claudel Babineau-Boulé

Project OfficerFNQLSDI

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1. To understand what consultants do;

2. To understand the main steps of environmental site assessments(ESAs);

3. To refresh and reinforce current knowledge or personal curiosity.

To whom is this addressed?

Why follow this webinar?

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Webinar Plan

1. Managing Contaminated Sites in Quebec and Canada

2. Contaminants and Sources of Contamination

3. Environmental Site Assessments (Phase I, II, III) and Site Remediation

4. Available Tools and Online Guides

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1Managing Contaminated Sites in Quebec and Canada

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Managing Contaminated Sites in Quebec and Canada

Crown lands and traditional territory: two approaches

VS

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Approaches

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Federal Provincial

1999: Federal approach to contaminated sites (10 steps)

2005-2020: Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP).

Mostly based on the Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines of the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment.

1988: Land Rehabilitation Policy

1998: Soil protection and Contaminated Sites RehabilitationPolicy

2016: Intervention guide on the SoilProtection and Contaminated Sites Rehabilitation Policy

2017-2021: 2017-2021 Action Plan

Mostly based on the generic criteriaof contaminated soils developed by the Ministère Environnement et Lutte contre les changements climatiques

Federal Contaminated Sites Decision-making Framework

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Step 1• Identify Suspect Site

Step 2• Historical Review (Phase I – Environmental Site Assessment (ESA))

Step 3• Initial testing program (Phase II - ESA)

Step 4• Classify contaminated site using the CCME national classification system

Step 5• Detailed testing program (Phase III - ESA)

Step 6• Reclassify the site using CCME national classification system

Step 7• Develop remediation/risk management strategy (remediation/risk management)

Step 8• Implement remediation/risk management strategy (remediation/risk management)

Step 9 • Confirmatory sampling and final report (remediation/risk management)

Step 10• Long-term monitoring (remediation/risk management)

Legal Application

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Federal Provincial

• Canadian EnvironmentalProtection Act, 1999

• Fisheries Act• Canadian Environmental

Assessment Act, 2012• Nuclear Safety and Control Act

(1997)• Mine site reclamation policies• Policy on Management of Real

Property• Storage Tank Systems for

Petroleum Products and Allied Petroleum Products Regulations

• Soil protection and remediation of contaminated land Policy

• ENVIRONMENT QUALITY ACTDivision IV.2.1);

• Land Protection and Rehabilitation Regulation

• Regulation respecting the burial of contaminated soils

• Regulation respecting contaminated soil storage and contaminated soil transfer stations.

2Contaminants and Sources of Contamination

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What are Contaminants?

Radioactive and Other

Uranium

Viruses, bacteria and

other

Inorganic

Metals

Organic

Hydrocarbons

Pesticides

Solvents

And more!

Image de dexystore.com

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Toxic Effects on Humans

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Effects

Human Health

Organics

Carcinogens

Chloracne

Inorganics

Carcinogens

Liver and kidney problemsProblems to the nervous

systemDecrease in bone density

Wildlife

Effects on reproduction, growth, behavior

Bioaccumulation in vital organs (mercury, PCBs)

Mortality

Source: The ABC of Contaminated Sites, Mario Cormier, Environment et Climate Change Canada, July 2018

Contamination Sources and Activities?

Industrial activities;

Commercial activities using chemical products;

Sudden or long-term leakage;

Accidental spillage, fire, etc.;

Disposal of different products;

Migration of contaminants from a neighboring site;

Intentional contaminant release; (illegal dumping)

Etc.

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Case example :Trichloroethylene in ShannonGroundwater contamination

In 2000, after the analysis of the city’sgroundwater, the municipality of Shannon found that it wascontaminated by trichloroethylene. This chemical product was used by the forces on the military base in Valcartier to clean the weaponry.

This contamination would later belinked to an increase in cancer diagnosis in the area all the way to Val-Bélair.

The debate is ongoing…

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Source: Reportages Enquête– Radio-Canada : 2009 and 2017: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6qkdq0rpuI

https://ici.radio-canada.ca/tele/enquete/site/episodes/395880/enquete-shannon-eau-contamination-recherche

Most Common ContaminantsPetroleum Hydrocarbons

Heating Oil Gasoline, Diesel(La presse.ca)

Used OilsIncomplete Combustion

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Most Common ContaminantsOrganochlorines (solvents)

Salesforce.com Journal de Montréal

Use of perchloroethylene in dry-cleaning circuits

Old transformer withPolychloronated Byphenils(PCBs)

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Most Common Contaminants Metals

Naturascience.comLead in car batteries

Lead paint

Electronic appliances and their components

Metal processed by the industry 16

Case study (heating oil contamination) :Green quadruplex, OpitciwanGroundwater contamination

The community is supplied by two wells that are respectively, 60 and 170 metres from the contamination 2008: Abnormally low level in reservoir testifies to a spill estimated at 8000 L = dismantling of the reservoir and piping 2008: Environmental characterization of soils and groundwater = 615 m³ of contaminated soil to a depth of 6 metres = closure of well 1-85 2009: Attempt to relocate the drinking water well = inconclusive.

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Case study:SuiteGroundwater contamination

Fall 2010: Groundwater sampling = downstream migration of contamination, contaminated soils estimated at 1,875 m³ and 8 m depth Fall 2011: Environmental remediation = relocation of the quadruplex Spring 2014: Installation of a charcoal filtration system on well 1–85 (trace amounts of benzene) since well 1–96 is no longer sufficient by itself 2011 to 2014: Biannual monitoring of groundwater quality = concentration levels well below the recommended criteria

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3Environmental Site Assessments(ESA)

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Environmental Site Assesment

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What is environmental site assessment?

“A systematic process with which an assessor investigates if there is a risk of potentiel or actual contamination on a property.

The assessor analyses the past and current activities which have occurred at the site in order to measure if thoses activities have an environmental impact on the site.

When needed, the environmental assessor will sample the soil, the groundwaterand other elements (such as air, isolating material, etc.) in order to conclude if the site and/or the building is contaminated or not.

The ESA consists of four steps: phase I, phase II, phase III et remediation.”

Free translation from the Association québécoise de vérification environnementale (AQVE)

Phase I - ESA: Historial Review

Goal: Detecting signs of actual or potential site pollution.

Based on the CSA—Z768-01 (R2016)

Components:1. Study and historical review;2. Site visit;3. Interview;4. Data analysis and report.

To determine if there is an activity at the site or around the site thatrepresents a risk of contamination to the property under study.

To target the area potentially contaminated and the different sourcesof contamination.

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Phase I - ESA: Historical ReviewStudy and historical review

Researching the following:

• Title deeds to establish a list of previous owners or tenants

• Aerial photographs• Request for access to information from various

Ministries• Inventory of Contaminated Sites, Inventory of Soil

and Industrial Waste Disposal Sites, and FederalContaminated Site Inventory

• Urgency-Environnement Response Registry• Groundwater Information System (SIH)• Regie du bâtiment du Quebec (RBQ)• Fire insurance plans• Previous reports• Topographic, geological, hydrogeological and soil

maps

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Phase I – ESA : Historical ReviewSite investigation and interview

The interview and site inspection are conducted with someone familiarwith the site;

What is looked at: Specific products on site (chemical, hazardous, etc.); Storage on or near the site; Spots on the floor; Heating and cooling systems, current or former; Drains and sumps; The nature of activities on the site as well as neighboring sites; The presence of backfill and the topography of the site and

surrounding area; Any other element that might indicate the presence of potential or

actual contamination.

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Some indicators during the visit…

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Spots on the floor;

No concrete slab; Vent and filling

pipes; Two holes on the

wall; Backfill; Etc.

Phase I - ESA: Historical ReviewData analysis and report

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The Canadian Standard Association (CSA) recommends the followingsections in the report:

Table of content Introduction Description of the site File review Site visit Interview Results Assessment of the results Conclusion

Conclusion Recommendations

1. The study has revealed no evidence of potential and/or actual risks of contamination in connection with the site under study.

no further environmental studyis recommended at this time.

2. The study has revealed evidence of potential and/or actual risks of contamination.

A phase II – ESA isrecommended

Phase II - ESA: Preliminary Caracterization(Initial testing program)

Goal: Determine the presence and degree of contamination in the environment; follows the ESA—Phase I

Based on CSA—Z769-F00 (C2013)

Components: 1. Planning the sampling program;2. Field work;3. Analyzing samples;4. Data interpretation and reporting.

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Developing a sampling program Determining which parameters to analyze Choosing sampling and quality assurance techniques

Phase II - ESA: Preliminary CaracterizationPlanning the sampling program

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Phase II - ESA: Preliminary CaracterizationField work

Locating potential underground infrastructures

Sampling and identification according to recommendedmethodology

Cleaning of the instruments Recording notes and taking photos

Source: Beconflluence.com

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Phase II - ESA: Preliminary CaracterizationAnalyzing samples

Choosing an accreditedlaboratory;

Sending the chosensamples.

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Assessing the results Reporting Conclusions

Three potential conclusions:

No contamination found Complementary Phase III recommended Remediation-Risk Management

Phase II - ESA: Preliminary caracterizationData interpretation and reporting

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Goal: Obtaining more information in order to complete information missing in phase II

The study enables to better define the nature, extent and specificlocation of the contamination in order to establish the potential cost of remediation/Risk Management.

Components: Similar to a phase II — ESA

1. Planning the sampling program;2. Field work;3. Analyzing samples;4. Data interpretation and reporting.

Phase III- ESA(Detailed testing program)

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Goal: Reducing the risks related to contaminationRespecting the applicable regulations and recommendations.

Remediating, confining and/or stabilizing the contamination.

Components:

1 Defining the goals of the remediation;2 Selecting a technique;3 Obtaining authorization if required;4 Remediation, follow-up and reporting.

RemediationRemediation or risk management

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Remediation

Techniques

in situ intervention ex situ interventionoff-site

management

Source: Wikipedia.org

Source: Akifer.com

Solneuf.com

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Chemical/Physical: Represents the most diverse group of remediationtechnologies, includes soil vapor extraction, solidification/stabilization,oxidation, soil flushing, and electrokinetic separation.

Thermal: Thermal treatment generally involves the destruction or removalof contaminants through exposure to high temperature in treatment cells,combustion chambers or other means used to contain the contaminatedmedia during the remediation process. (source: Clu-in.org)

Biological: Bioremediation uses microorganisms to degrade organiccontaminants in soil, groundwater, sludge, and solids. The microorganismsbreak down contaminants by using them as an energy source orcometabolizing them with an energy source.

(source: Clu-in.org)

RemediationDifferent methods of treatment

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Goal: Removing exposure to contamination!

What are the receptors (human, wildlifeetc.)? Will they be impacted? Toxicological and Ecotoxicological study.

When: -Prohibitive remediation costs-Special exposure conditions-Technical constraints to site remediation

Why?Allowing the use of the soil at the site;Recovering contaminated sites.

Risk ManagementAn Alternative

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Last Century

Today

4Available Tools and Online Guides

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Available Tools and Online Guides

CCME Documents – GUIDANCE MANUAL FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SITE CHARACTERIZATION IN SUPPORT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND HUMAN HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT

https://www.ccme.ca/en/resources/contaminated_site_management/assessment.html

Guide de caractérisation des terrains, Publications du Québec, 2003http://www.environnement.gouv.qc.ca/sol/terrains/guide/guidecaracterisation.pdf

Guide d'échantillonnage à des fins d'analyses environnementales, Centre d'expertise en analyse environnementale du Québec, Gouvernement du Québec

http://www.ceaeq.gouv.qc.ca/documents/publications/echantillonnage.htm

Guide d’intervention – Protection des sols et réhabilitation des terrains contaminéshttp://www.environnement.gouv.qc.ca/sol/terrains/guide-intervention/guide-intervention-protection-rehab.pdf

The CSA standards are available online, at a cost of approximately 100$.

https://store.csagroup.org/?cclcl=en_US

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Available Tools and Other Guides

Federal Contaminated Sites Inventory;

https://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/fcsi-rscf/home-accueil-eng.aspx

Répertoire des terrains contaminés (provincial);

http://www.environnement.gouv.qc.ca/sol/terrains/terrains-contamines/recherche.asp

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Claudel Babineau-BouléProject Officer - EnvironmentFNQLSDI250, Place Chef Michel-Laveau, suite 201Wendake (Québec) G0A 4V0T : 418 843-9999 F : 418 843-3625Cbabineau-boule@iddpnql.cawww.iddpnql.ca

Questions?

Made possible thanks to the financial contribution of Indigenous Services Canada

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