Diesel Contamination Remediation at a Remote Site in a Cold Climate

Abstract

Petroleum hydrocarbon soil contamination is currently one of the most prevalent types of contamination encountered in sites undergoing evaluation and remediation. Both in-situ and ex-situ bioremediation with varying levels of sophistication have been used extensively for the remediation of these sites. This paper presents a case history for the use of this technology in the form of ex-situ landfarming at a Purkatawagan, Manitoba, Canada diesel spill site with unique characteristics: short remediation season due to climate (approximately at the 56th parallel); remoteness (accessible only by train, air, or winter road); public-relations requirements (located on First Nation land); and desire to benefit the community through use of a local construction company. For the project, cleanup criteria were developed and agreed upon by Manitoba Environment and the investigation and remediation phases of the project were conducted to meet these criteria by removing contaminated soils at the spill site and by treating these soils at a remotely located landfarm.