Description: The environmental industry has experienced steady evolution since the “good old days” of “dig and dump” as advances in science, technology, regulation and broader societal trends, like sustainability, have taken place. The author’s experience from over 30 years of environmental consulting and remediation contracting will provide insights into the dramatic evolution that has occurred over this period by discussing advances in the understanding and characterization of site conditions; better-engineered remedial amendments; advances in application technologies; and more. Upon review of the past, it is hoped environmental practitioners and stakeholders will gain a more thorough understanding of the current state of remediation in Canada, what is possible, what is not, and potentially what the future of our essential sector may hold.

Presenter: Kevin French

Description: Risk assessments (RAs) are commonly used to address environmental impacts, but in some cases can identify that risk management measures (RMMs) are required. This can comprise something as simple as a protective hard or soft cover over impacted soils, but in other cases restrictions on land use may be warranted unless more sophisticated RMMs are implemented. Other RMMs may be required from a legal liability, as opposed to a human health, perspective. In these instances, there are a variety of RMMs that can be implemented at impacted sites to facilitate their transaction, closure, or redevelopment. Some of the more common RMMs that will be discuss in this webinar include: soil vapour intrusion mitigation; permeable reactive barriers (PRBs); and means to address mobile light, non-aqueous phase liquid (LNAPL). Case studies and examples of each of these common RMMs will be presented and discussed to illustrate their effectiveness in satisfying the requirements of RAs and allowing project objectives to be achieved.

Presenters: Nathan Lichti and Farouk Abu-Hijleh

Description: Two of the earliest and fundamental remediation technologies still commonly used in environmental settings include in-situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) and in-situ chemical reduction (ISCR). These technologies have been used for over twenty years and are applicable to a wide range of organic and inorganic contaminants, such as petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs), chlorinated solvents (CVOCs) and heavy metals, among others. But what exactly are ISCO and ISCR, how do they work, what are they applicable to, and what, if any, are their limitations? This webinar will answer these questions and provide insights through recent, real-world case studies where ISCO and ISCR have successfully been used to remediate contaminated sites.

Presenter: Bruce Tunnicliffe

Description: In-situ remediation of fractured bedrock aquifers used to be considered nearly impossible. However, environmental practitioners are curious and creative, and as our industry evolves, what was once close to impossible is now almost routine. In the past, bedrock remediation failed for a variety of reasons, including variable and indeterminant groundwater flow pathways and velocities, significant contaminant back diffusion from the porous rock matrix into groundwater, and a lack of economical remedial amendments and delivery techniques. By addressing these key restrictions, the environmental industry has been able to successfully remediate contaminated bedrock sites. This talk will present an overview of bedrock remediation challenges, before demonstrating the evolution of bedrock site remediation technologies through recent and varied bedrock sites impacted by petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs), chlorinated solvents (tetrachloroethene or PCE) and heavy metals (specifically hexavalent chromium).

Presenter: Daniel Brenner