Midterm

Question 0

What are Tier guidelines?

Answer 0

A list of acceptable levels for a series of potentially toxic materials in Alberta.

Question 1

Define Remediation

Answer 1

Removal or neutralization of all chemical substances from the surface or subsurface.

Question 2

Define Reclamation.

Answer 2

Stabilization, contouring, maintenance, reconstruction and revegetation of the surface of the land.

Question 3

Define Decommissioning

Answer 3

Permanent closure of a facility followed by the dismantling of equipment, buildings and structure plus reclamation.

Question 4

What are the benefits in conducting an Environmental Site Assessment prior to selling?

Answer 4

• Increased resale value
• You know what your responsible for
• Contaminants can be cleaned up
• Buyer is informed before buying, including liabilities
• Protect the company’s image
• Ensure compliance with laws and regulations

Question 5

How many Phases are there in a full Environmental Site Assessment?

Answer 5

Five

Question 7

What is involved in a Phase I ESA?

Answer 7

• Collection of existing information
• Evaluate site’s current and historical land use.
• Estimate the likelihood that contamination is present

Question 8

Explain a Phase I ESA

Answer 8

The preliminary step involved with an ESA. It is always done, even if it is not written as it’s own stand alone report. It is a non-intrusive report.

Question 9

Explain Phase II in an ESA

Answer 9

The next step if Phase I proves worth continuing. The intrusive level of data collection.

Question 10

What does Phase II in an ESA attempt to determine?

Answer 10

• The types of contaminants
• How much contamination there is
• Source of contamination
• Lateral and Vertical extent of the contamination

Question 11

Explain a Phase III ESA.

Answer 11

The “solution phase”. Develop an remedation plan, set goals, create an action plan, implement and monitor.

Question 12

Explain a Phase IV ESA.

Answer 12

“Regulatory Closure”. Regulator agrees that the site can be returned to its future or former land use. (Reclamation Certificate)

Question 13

What is a Reclamation Certificate?

Answer 13

A certificate from the regulator stating that this site can now be returned to its future or former land use.

Question 14

Explain a Phase V ESA.

Answer 14

Follow up and on-going monitoring.

Question 15

What are the 4 sections to a Phase I ESA?

Answer 15

1. Records Review
2. Site Visit
3. Interviews
4. Reporting/Evaluation

Question 16

What are Saline Soils?

Answer 16

Soils that contain enough soluble salts to adversely impact plant growth.

Question 17

What’s the problem with Saline Soils.

Answer 17

Plants allow water into thin roots accross a semi-permeable membrane. This process relies on a concentration gradient between the fluid inside the root and in the soil water. If the concentration of salt in the soil in the soil is too high, water and nutrients cannot move into the plant roots.

Question 18

What are Sodic Soils?

Answer 18

Soils that contain exchangeable sodium which does not bind as closely to the clay particles. the clay particles disperse because they retain their net negative charge. Exchangeable sodium is the main ion that causes this.

Question 19

What are some results from clay dispersal related to sodic soils?

Answer 19

• makes soils less permeable
• Fewer and smaller spaces for soil gases
• water movement is restricted
• surface soils can become dry and crusty
• water availability for plants is reduced

Question 20

What is meant by Saline-Sodic Soils?

Answer 20

Soils with a high concentration of exchangeable Na but also high concentrations of other ion types. Saline conditions counteract the impact of Na on soil and clay particle do not disperse. However, there is not enough salt to adversely impact plant growth.

Question 21

What are some field observations that would indicate salt contamination?

Answer 21

• White, crusty surface
• Dead, stressed, missing vegetation
• Healthy adult vegetation but no seedlings because they cannot push through the crust.

Question 22

What does SAR refer to?

Answer 22

Sodium Adsorption Ratio

Question 23

What are the indicated classifications of soils after calculating the SAR?

Answer 23

Soil EC SAR
Normal 4 13
Saline-Sodic >4 >13

Question 24

What are the options for dealing with salt contamination?

Answer 24

• Leave the system alone and allow Natural precipitate to leech the salts from the soil.
• Flush the soil with irrigation water to accelerate the leaching of salts from the rooting zone.
• Flush the soils with irrigation water and capture the leachate.
• Add an amendment to supply Ca to the soil to displace Na. (gypsum, Calcium Nitrate, or sulphuric acid)

Question 25

What is Equivalent Land Capability?

Answer 25

The ability of the land to support uses after reclamation similar to the ability prior to development.

Question 26

What are the 5 land types found in Alberta?

Answer 26

1. Agricultural 2. Residential/Parkland 3. Natural 4. Industrial 5. Commercial

Question 27

What is Decommissioning?

Answer 27

The permanent closure of a facility followed by the dismantling of equipment, buildings and structures plus reclamation.

Question 28

What are Tier I guidelines?

Answer 28

Acceptable levels for a series of potentially toxic materials.

Question 29

What are Tier II guidelines?

Answer 29

When the assumption at the site do not match the assumptions that were used to develop the tier I guidelines. Adjustments are made to the tier I guidelines based on specific conditions at the site. the acceptable limits could become more or less restrictive.

Question 30

What are Tier III Guidelines?

Answer 30

Site specific risk assessment

Question 31

What are the soil particle size classifications according the to Tiered Approach?

Answer 31

``` Fine = less then or equal to 75um Coarse = greater than 75um ```

Question 32

What are the main types of contaminated sites that can be encountered?

Answer 32

- Agricultural - Thermal facilities and Incinerators - Automotive repair and maintenance - Dry cleaning - Landfills - Oil and Gas - Snow storage - Nuclear

Question 33

What are the main types of contamination from chemicals that can be found in Alberta?

Answer 33

1. Soil contamination | 2. Groundwater contamination

Question 34

List and briefly describe the potential impacts to people as a result of contamination.

Answer 34

- Mortality - Death - Cancer and Mutation - Neurological and Behavioral - Delayed Effects from Toxin Exposure

Question 35

What are the liabilities that corporations are exposed to as a result of the site contamination?

Answer 35

- Clean-up costs - Fines - Negative Publicity

Question 36

Why might some find the liabilities might be unjustified?

Answer 36

- Unforeseen Effects - Transfer of Ownership - Followed local Regulations

Question 37

What are the sections included in a Phase I Report?

Answer 37

- Title Page - Executive Summary - Table of Contents - Introduction - Site Description - Records Review - Site Visit - Interviews - Findings - Conclusion and Recommendations - Limitations - References - Signature of Professional and Qualifications - Appendices

Question 38

What are some sources of Salt contamination in Alberta?

Answer 38

- Geological formations - Transportation - Naturally Saline Soils - Manufacturing processes

Question 39

List the information required to develop remediation options for a site contaminated by salts.

Answer 39

- Background control information - Information about groundwater - Information about soils - Landscape

Question 40

Define Ecological Restoration.

Answer 40

A more general term used to describe the process of bringing the ecological system back to its former or original state.