Perry D. Gerwing, B.S.A., M.Sc.

Phytoremediation of Salt and Petroleum Hydrocarbon Impacted Soil

Based on extensive chemical and biological research, we have successfully developed and implemented plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) enhanced phytoremediation systems (PEPS). The scientifically advanced phytoremediation systems we deploy remove petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs) and salt from soils. PEPS provide large amounts of root biomass in impacted soils, which promotes growth of rhizosphere microorganisms. The root and rhizosphere biomass allow rapid partitioning of contaminants out of the soil, and their subsequent uptake and/or metabolism by microbes and plants. This results in degradation of PHCs in soil and large amounts of biomass for sequestration of salt into plant foliage. We have deployed PEPS at over 35 full‐scale sites in Canada. PEPS, when deployed by our trained scientists, will result in PHC and salt remediation to Tier 1 standards. Not only is this a green solution for remediation of impacted sites, but the costs for PEPS are less than half the costs associated with landfill disposal. Between 2007 and 2012 we have deployed PEPS at more than 25 PHC impacted sites in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Manitoba, the Northwest Territories and Quebec. At all sites we achieved ~ 35 % remediation per year of PHC from soil (mostly F2, F3 and F4). The first 7 sites treated have met Tier 1 standards while 18 other sites are being treated and are on target to reach remedial endpoints within an overall 2 to 3 year treatment period. Beginning in 2009, we initiated full scale deployments of PEPS at 13 salt impacted sites in Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba and the Northwest Territories. PGPR greatly enhanced plant growth on the salt impacted soils, allowing excellent plant growth with soil ECe’s up to 25 dS/cm. Furthermore, the plants (both grasses and cereals) take up sufficient amounts of salt to result in 10 to 20 % remediation per year. Importantly, we have already achieved salt remediation to regulatory targets at 2 of the sites. We have an on‐going research program to improve PEPS. One aspect of this work is to properly maintain the PGPR currently utilized and to isolate new, more active PGPR. We are refining the CCME PHC analytical method to make phytoremediation and other green in situ remediation technologies more efficient. We are also using Tier 2 toxicity end points at a research level to assess when soil becomes non‐toxic during PEPS treatment – results indicate this will occur prior to meeting Tier 1 criteria. Our work with PEPS has shown that it is very effective for treatment of a wide variety of PHC and salt impacted sites (including sites with co‐contaminants).

Jean Paré, P.Eng.

Jean Pare, P.Eng., has a degree in Chemical Engineering from Laval University. He has been involved for the last 18 years in the evaluation, development, design, and promotion of both conventional and innovative environmental technologies. As Vice President with Chemco Inc., his responsibilities include the remediation design, technico-economical analysis and technology supply for chemical oxidation and reduction, soil washing, and enhanced bio-remediation. Last year, he worked with over 300 sites applying its expertise to various types of organic and inorganic contaminants in soil and groundwater. He is also involved with many environmental organizations with the CLRA, CBN, ESAA, OCETA and Reseau-Environnement where he is an active technical committee member and occasional speaker.

Chemical Reduction for In Situ Soluble Metals Remediation

As our society is aiming for a more sustainable lifestyle in respect of a balance between environmental, social and economic factors, the use of efficient and environmentally friendly remediation technologies is now required by the environmental industry including landlords, governments, engineering firms,contractors and suppliers. This is changing the ways we are approaching and developing intervention strategies for contaminated site remediation and rehabilitation.

In Situ and Ex Situ technologies are commonly used for the remediation of organic and inorganic contaminants in soil and groundwater. These technologies are well established and recognized by the specialized environmental firms and the different levels of governments.

This presentation allows to review and better understand the theory, principles and applicability of Chemical Reduction for the remediation of a wide range of contaminants such as chlorinated solvents (ethanes, ethenes, methanes, perchlorate, etc.); organochlorine pesticides and herbicides; energetic compounds (TNT, RDX, etc.); phenolic compounds (PCP, PAHs) and some petroleum hydrocarbons; and dissolved metals. The presentation will also cover the various ways to establish reductive conditions in the soil and/or groundwater through the use of both organic and inorganic amendments. Laboratory data and field case studies will be presented to better understand where and how these remediation technologies canbe successfully applied.

Gordon H. Bures

Gordon Bures is a professional engineer, co-founder and Principal at Frac Rite Environmental Ltd. based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geological Engineering at the University of Manitoba in 1985, and a Master of Environmental Engineering Degree at the University of Alberta in 1993. Gordon is a seasoned practitioner with 25 years experience in the in situ design and implementation of remediation systems at contaminated industrial, commercial, and municipal sites across Canada, the USA, Europe, Asia, and Africa. For the past fifteen years, he helped develop and commercialize in situ remediation technologies and is a co-patent holder of the BIO FRAC™ process with industry colleagues. His current focus is on business development and the implementation of advanced in situ remediation technologies across Canada, the U.S.A, and overseas markets.

Using Environmental Fracturing To Achieve Sustainable Remediation In Difficult Lithologies

The effectiveness of commonly used in situ approaches to site remediation in North America, and indeed much of the world, can be seriously undermined by a site’s inherent lithology. As a result, site remediation practitioners around the world are increasingly turning to environmental fracturing as a means of increasing contaminant recovery rates or emplacing significant masses of treatment amendments into affected soils and bedrock.

This presentation provides an overview of how environmental fracturing technologies overcomes the limitations of in situ remediation in low permeability lithologies, and provides practitioners with a guide to the application of environmental fracturing, based on 17 years of project experience in jurisdictions ranging from across North America to Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Two innovative case studies are presented to showcase the integrated and synergistic use of innovative fracture-enhancement techniques for attaining sustainable and cost-effective remediation for petroleum hydrocarbons and chlorinated solvents. Physical, biological and chemical (reductive and oxidative) treatment technologies are showcased in the context of both subsurface extraction and delivery techniques to optimize contact with contaminants for their conversion to innocuous and natural end products. Examples of remediation technologies in challenging geologic settings and operationally constrained sites are provided to showcase their versatility and small site profile.

Complimentary remedial verification tools are introduced to validate and confirm the effective treatment of subsurface soil and groundwater contaminants to achieve remedial goals. The implications of the application of environmental fracturing within the remediation industry are assessed in the context of cost benefits for site owners, efficacy gains for owners’ engineers, and enhancing environmental sustainability for communities.

Joe A.Ricker

Mr. Ricker is a Principal Engineer for EarthCon Consultants, Inc. and is responsible for managing various environmental investigation, remediation, and property evaluation and redevelopment projects. He was formerly an Environmental Engineer in the CERCLA remediation division for a multi-national Specialty Chemical Corporation. Mr. Ricker has over 19 years of industrial and environmental consulting experience involving the development, implementation and management of complex, interdisciplinary environmental investigation, remediation and construction projects involving past and present environmental liabilities. Mr. Ricker received his M.S. degree from the University of Memphis and his B.S. degree from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.

Innovative Plume Stability Analysis And Remediation System Benefit Analysis (RSBA)

Evaluating the relative stability of a groundwater contaminant plume is generating increasing attention as many state regulatory agencies, EPA and private stakeholders are realizing the applicability of plume stability as part of the environmental evaluation and/or remedial planning process of a site. Specifically, a plume stability evaluation will allow the stakeholder to assess whether a contaminant plume is stable, decreasing or increasing in size. Assessing the stability of a plume will allow the stakeholder to evaluate whether additional remedial action is necessary or whether risk-based closure of a site may be applicable or whether MNA is occurring at a site. There are many other ancillary applications of plume stability evaluations as related to groundwater contamination.

This session presents the Ricker Method for plume stability analysis, which entails the use of innovative techniques to calculate and assess historical trends in contaminant plume area, average concentration, contaminant mass, and center of mass. This session will also present certain aspects of a proprietary analysis tool called Remediation System Benefit Analysis (RSBA). RSBA is an interpretation of the relative benefit of a remediation system based on graphical data outputs created from the Ricker Method of evaluating plume stability and additional data inputs. In effect, what RSBA does is evaluate the efficiency of an active groundwater remediation system that removes contaminant mass from groundwater (e.g., pump and treat). The tool evaluates whether an active system may be considered efficient or inefficient based on an evaluation of contaminant mass removed via the system and the relative stability of a groundwater plume.

The Ricker Method for plume stability analysis was published in Groundwater Monitoring & Remediation (28, no. 4/ Fall 2008/pages 85–94) and has been used at numerous contaminated sites to effectively demonstrate the stability of contaminant plumes comprised of chlorinated solvents, carbon tetrachloride, pentachlorophenol (PCP), creosote, naphthalene, benzene, nickel and sodium, among others.