Toronto Speaker Presentations

Harry Dahme, Gowlings
Environmental Legal Framework within Ontario
Harry Dahme Bio Abstract Presentation

Tom Grimminck, Dillon Consulting Limited
TCE-DNAPL Remediation Using Electrical Resistive Heating at the OMC Canada Site in Peterborough, Ontario
Tom Grimminck Bio Abstract

Tom Grimminck

Tom is an Associate with Dillon and has 17 years’ experience as an environmental consultant and environmental contractor in the fields of detailed contaminant delineation, remediation of contaminated sites, implementation of risk management measures, landfill design and construction, and long term monitoring of contaminated sites and/or landfills. His experience includes the design and commissioning of impacted groundwater extraction and treatment systems, environmental planning and implementation of large-scale impacted soil and hazardous soil excavations, capping and encapsulation of contaminant source zones and the in situ treatment of both soil and groundwater impacts. Tom has worked on sites impacted with hydrocarbons (i.e., gasoline, diesel, lubricants), solvents (i.e., degreasing agents, dry cleaning fluids), heavy metals, pesticides, PCBs and wood preservatives (i.e., creosote, coal tar and pentachlorophenol) for a variety of sectors including transportation, real estate, manufacturing, property management and governments throughout Canada and internationally. In addition to being a licensed engineer in Ontario, Tom is registered as a qualified person for environmental site assessments (QPESA) with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment. In 2009, Mr. Grimminck also obtained his LEED AP certification with the Canada Green Building Council. A summary of Tom’s roles and responsibilities includes the development and implementation of risk management plans and remedial action plans to support site development; design and commissioning of soil and groundwater remedial programs (excavations, pump and treat systems, in situ chemical treatments, capping and lining of impacted materials, and hazardous waste management); preparation of specifications and tender packages for environmental rehabilitation projects and evaluation of bids, selection of contractors and contract negotiation; preparation of feasibility and cost studies related to remedial options evaluation; project management and contract management of large remediation projects involving numerous sub-contractors; and preparation of site specific health and safety plans and environmental management plans for environmental remediation sites.

Bruce Tunnicliffe, Vertex Environmental Inc.
Combining Remedial Approaches to Enhance PHC Remediation – Three Case Studies and Lessons Learned
Bruce Tunnicliffe Bio Abstract Presentation

Joe A. Ricker, EarthCon Consultants, Inc.
Plume Stability Analysis and LNAPL Removal Benefit Analysis (LRBA)
Joe A. Ricker Bio Abstract

Plume Stability Analysis and LNAPL Removal Benefit Analysis (LRBA)

Evaluating the relative stability of a dissolved 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 natural attenuation 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 analytical tool called LNAPL Removal Benefit Analysis (LRBA). LRBA is useful for evaluating the relative benefit of removing LNAPL from a site that has LNAPL and a related dissolved phase groundwater plume. LRBA involves the evaluation of up to eight metrics listed below. The metrics to be evaluated include: 1) evaluation of dissolved plume stability using the Ricker Method® plume stability analysis, 2) evaluation of potential asymptotic LNAPL recovery curve, 3) evaluation of relative cost trend, 4) evaluation of cost-benefit indicator of cost per unit volume of LNAPL removed, 5) evaluation of relative sustainability, 6) evaluation of LNAPL transmissivity, 7) evaluation of a comparison of the relative LNAPL center of mass movement compared to the dissolved plume center of mass movement, and 8) evaluation of the estimate of LNAPL mass loss through the measurement of CO2 off-gassing when applicable (i.e., natural source zone depletion, or NSZD). The outcome of the LRBA will guide the stakeholder in making the decision as to whether it makes sense to remove LNAPL from a site that has LNAPL and a related dissolved phase 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.

Jean Paré, Chemco Inc.
Common Mistakes to Avoid when Treating Soil and Groundwater In-Situ
Jean Paré Bio Abstract Presentation

Phil Dennis, SiREM
Optimizing In-Situ Bioremediation of Chlorinated Ethenes in Ontario’s Groundwater
Phil Dennis Bio Abstract Presentation

Optimizing In-Situ Bioremediation of Chlorinated Ethenes in Ontario’s Groundwater

Cleanup of perchloroethene (PCE) and trichloroethene (TCE) in groundwater through enhanced in situ bioremediation (EISB) includes the addition of electron donors (biostimulation) and the addition of beneficial dechlorinating microorganisms (bioaugmentation). EISB is a proven and cost effective remedial approach which is now being widely implemented at Canadian chlorinated solvent sites due to:

The availability of bioaugmentation cultures and related testing;
Federal and provincial regulatory approvals for bioaugmentation culture;
Demonstrated success of bioremediation at Canadian sites; and
Novel approaches for amendment distribution in low permeability matrices.

A Canadian bioaugmentation culture (KB-1®) containing Dehalococcoides (Dhc) can be used to enhance bioremediation at sites where these dechlorinating microorganisms are absent or poorly distributed. In addition, locally available remediation treatability studies and groundwater testing for Dhc, allows better selection of remediation amendments and strategies to confirm success after implementation.
The KB-1® culture has been available for use in Canada since 2008 upon receiving regulatory approvals obtained through Environment Canada’s New Substances Notification program.  The Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE) also granted approval for KB-1® through a Mobile Certificate of Approval, which is applicable to most sites in Ontario. As a result, KB-1® is being applied at a growing number of locations in Ontario, including sites in the Greater Toronto Area and Ottawa regions. A case study highlighting an Ontario site will be presented to illustrate how successful enhanced bioremediation was implemented.

Geologies where EISB is being implemented include fractured rock as well as low permeability clay and glacial till. Low permeability strata are common in some of the most highly industrialized areas in Canada, notably in Southern Ontario and Quebec. Originally conceived as an oil and gas extraction technology, hydraulic fracturing can be used to improve distribution of bioremediation amendments, thereby improving bioremediation outcomes. Electrokinetic (EK) bioremediation is a novel approach that uses an electrical current to move amendments in the subsurface. Examples of successful implementation of hydraulic fracturing and EK- enhanced bioremediation to improve amendment distribution in clay strata will be discussed.

January 30, 2014 Thank you to the attendees, presenters and sponsors for making the SMART Remediation Toronto Technical Learning Seminar a great success! We received very positive feedback from all attendees. We hope you enjoyed the presentations in addition to the great opportunity to network with peers and colleagues. Feel free to check back for updates on upcoming seminars and the presentations uploaded in PDF format.

SMART TO 2014

2014 SMART Remediation Toronto – January 30, 2014

Toronto Speaker Presentations

Harry Dahme

Environmental Legal Framework within Ontario

Tom Grimminck

TCE-DNAPL Remediation Using Electrical Resistive Heating at the OMC Canada Site in Peterborough, Ontario

Bruce Tunnicliffe

Combining Remedial Approaches to Enhance PHC Remediation – Three Case Studies and Lessons Learned

Joe A. Ricker

Plume Stability Analysis and LNAPL Removal Benefit Analysis (LRBA)

Jean Paré

Common Mistakes to Avoid when Treating Soil and Groundwater In-Situ

Phil Dennis

Optimizing In-Situ Bioremediation of Chlorinated Ethenes in Ontario’s Groundwater

Speakers