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1 - Contamination, regulation, and remediation: an introduction to bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons in cold regions
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- By Ian Snape, Contaminants Geochemist Working for the Australian Antarctic Division in Tasmania, Larry Acomb, Geosphere Inc., 3055 Seawind Drive, Anchorage AK 99516, USA, David L. Barnes, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alaska Fairbanks, PO Box 755900, Fairbanks AK 99775, USA, Steve Bainbridge, Contaminated Sites Program, Division of Spill Prevention and Response, Department of Environmental Conservation, 610 University Avenue, Fairbanks AK 99709–3643, USA, Robert Eno, Department of Sustainable Development, Government of Nunavut, PO Box 1000, Stn 1195, Iqaluit NU X0A 0H0, Canada, Dennis M. Filler, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alaska Fairbanks, PO Box 755900, Fairbanks AK 99775, USA, Natalie Plato, Department of Sustainable Development, Government of Nunavut, PO Box 1000, Stn 1195, Iqaluit NU X0A 0H0, Canada, John S. Poland, Analytical Services Unit, Queens University, Kingston ON K7L 3N6, Canada, Tania C. Raymond, Environmental Protection and Change Program, Australian Antarctic Division, Channel Highway, Kingston, Tasmania 7050, Australia, John L. Rayner, Environmental Protection and Change Program, Australian Antarctic Division, Channel Highway, Kingston, Tasmania 7050, Australia, Martin J. Riddle, Environmental Protection and Change Program, Australian Antarctic Division, Channel Highway, Kingston, Tasmania 7050, Australia, Anne G. Rike, Dept. of Environmental Technology, Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, PO Box 3930, Ullevaal Stadion, N-0806 Oslo, Norway, Allison Rutter, Analytical Services Unit, Queens University, Kingston ON K7L 3N6, Canada, Alexis N. Schafer, University of Saskatchewan, 51 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Canada S7N 5A8, Steven D. Siciliano, University of Saskatchewan, 51 Campus Drive, Saskatoon SK S7N 5A8, Canada, James L. Walworth, Dept. of Soil Water and Environmental Science, University of Arizona, 429 Shantz Bldg. #38, Tucson AZ 85721, USA
- Edited by Dennis M. Filler, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Ian Snape, David L. Barnes, University of Alaska, Fairbanks
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- Book:
- Bioremediation of Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Cold Regions
- Published online:
- 22 August 2009
- Print publication:
- 21 February 2008, pp 1-37
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Summary
Introduction
Oil and fuel spills are among the most extensive and environmentally damaging pollution problems in cold regions and are recognized as potential threats to human and ecosystem health. It is generally thought that spills are more damaging in cold regions, and that ecosystem recovery is slower than in warmer climates (AMAP 1998; Det Norske Veritas 2003). Slow natural attenuation rates mean that petroleum concentrations remain high for many years, and site managers are therefore often forced to select among a range of more active remediation options, each of which involves a trade-off between cost and treatment time (Figure 11). The acceptable treatment timeline is usually dictated by financial circumstance, perceived risks, regulatory pressure, or transfer of land ownership.
In situations where remediation and site closure are not urgent, natural attenuation is often considered an option. However, for many cold region sites, contaminants rapidly migrate off-site (Gore et al. 1999; Snape et al. 2006a). In seasonally frozen ground, especially in wetlands, a pulse of contamination is often released with each summer thaw (AMAP 1998; Snape et al. 2002). In these circumstances natural attenuation is likely not a satisfactory option. Simply excavating contaminants and removing them for off-site treatment may not be viable either, because the costs are often prohibitive and the environmental consequences of bulk extraction can equal or exceed the damage caused by the initial spill (Filler et al. 2006; Riser-Roberts 1998).
9 - Landfarming
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- By James L. Walworth, Dept. of Soil Water and Environmental Science, University of Arizona, 429 Shantz Bldg. #38, Tucson AZ 85721, USA, C. Mike Reynolds, US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, 72 Lyme Road, Hanover NH 03755, USA, Allison Rutter, Analytical Services Unit, Queens University, Kingston ON K7L 3N6, Canada, Ian Snape, Environmental Protection and Change Program, Australian Antarctic Division, Channel Highway, Kingston, Tasmania 7050, Australia
- Edited by Dennis M. Filler, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Ian Snape, David L. Barnes, University of Alaska, Fairbanks
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- Book:
- Bioremediation of Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Cold Regions
- Published online:
- 22 August 2009
- Print publication:
- 21 February 2008, pp 170-189
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Summary
Introduction
Landfarming has been described as “a simple technique in which contaminated soil is excavated and spread over a prepared bed and periodically tilled until pollutants are degraded” (Vidali 2001) but, in practice, it can be either an ex situ or in situ technique. Landfarming generally uses a combination of volatilization and biodegradation to reduce hydrocarbon concentrations. For biodegradation to be effective, stimulating aerobic soil microorganisms is essential; this is commonly accomplished by adding nutrients and mixing the soil to increase aeration. Aerating the soil in this way also increases the loss of hydrocarbon contaminants to the atmosphere via volatilization. Volatilization of diesel and lighter hydrocarbons greatly assists the remediation process but it is less effective for heavier molecular weight hydrocarbons such as crude oil.
For in situ landfarming it is possible to treat only relatively shallow layers of soil where reasonable oxygenation can be maintained. In ex situ landfarming, excavated contaminated soil is spread as a thin layer in a treatment bed that is often lined with an impermeable layer to control leaching and runoff. Ex situ landfarming can be as simple as soil spread in a cleared area or it can be a major construction with contouring or drainage systems or both for removal of excess water. Plumbing can also be used for the application of water, either alone or in combination with nutrients or other amendments, to the landfarm surface.
Conducting environmental analyses at remote sites in cold climates
- Allison Rutter, Graham Cairns, Natalie Plato, John S. Poland
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- Journal:
- Polar Record / Volume 39 / Issue 4 / October 2003
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 16 October 2003, pp. 339-346
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Clean-up sites in cold climates present unique challenges for the analytical chemist, primarily because of transportation constraints and limited infrastructure. Excavation of chemically contaminated soils and dumps requires a quick turnaround for analytical results. This is mainly due to the cost factors involved in having expensive heavy equipment idle and the short working seasons, but also because of melting of exposed permafrost during excavation. Three options are available for conducting analyses at remote polar sites. These are off-site determinations, the use of on-site test kits (or simple procedures), and the deployment of a mobile laboratory. This paper discusses these options and provides details of available on-site techniques as well as specific examples of their application in remote northern sites. The design and operation of a mobile laboratory at Resolution Island, Nunavut, is described, and available test kits are compiled and reviewed.