The GPro talk series is a weekly webinar allowing attendees to learn about specific topics related to environmental sciences. Each talk is lead by our senior specialists who’ve spent years in the field gathering experience and knowledge.
Make sure you sign up for the webinars, even if you can’t attend the live sessions, the replays are online for 48 hours post webinar!
Past talks are available to purchase individually or through all access memberships.
GeoEnviroPro Talks will be held every Wednesday at 10 am PST. The topics will be announced a week in advance. We have combined experience with every aspect of practice – from the excavator to the courtroom – and have been involved throughout the evolution of the contaminated field science and regulations in BC. Now distilled freely into 30 minute chunks. These sessions are FREE!
After 35+ years of site investigations and cleanup, we’ve seen a few things out there…and it’s time to share!!
Upcoming Talks
Apr 21
GeoPro Talks – Chlorinated Solvents – Tips, tricks and tragedieskeyboard_arrow_down
Investigating chlorinated solvents like they are petroleum hydrocarbons can result in poorly performed investigations, incorrect conclusions, the degradation of site conditions and the potential for increased liability on the consultant. Given the complex ways chlorinated solvents move in the environment, it is not uncommon for contaminant plumes to be missed and for a consultant to report a contaminated site as clean. Far worse, certain commonly applied investigation techniques can drive chlorinated solvents into deeper aquifers that were previously uncontaminated. Thus, the investigation itself can exacerbate the on-site conditions and increase the costs to remediate.This presentation will discuss the key principles that should be used during the development of a chlorinated solvent investigation strategy. The principles discussed will include, drilling methodologies, the placement of monitoring points, the depths of samples, the environmental media sampled, and the materials used to construct groundwater wells. Differences between the principles applicable in a hydrocarbon investigation and a chlorinated solvent investigation will be highlighted, with an explanation of the science behind these differences.
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Tadd Berger , M.Sc., EP, P.Ag., CSAP
Past Talks
Apr 14
GeoPro Talks – Radon Awarenesskeyboard_arrow_down
Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally when the uranium in soil and rock breaks down. It is invisible, odourless and tasteless. The gas moves through the ground and can enter buildings, with the potential to accumulate to levels which pose a risk to the building occupants health. Because there are so many factors, it is not possible to predict the radon level in a building. Therefore, only way to know for sure is to test and the only way to reduce the levels is through mitigation.
AccessAllan Robison (AScT, EP)Apr 7
GeoPro Talks – In situ Salt Remediation of Soilkeyboard_arrow_down
The choices for remediating salt contaminated soil are limited. Often, excavating contaminated soil and placing it into a landfill facility is the only option. Depending on location and the amount of contamination, this is not always practical or economically viable.The presentation will review some of the options available for in situ remediation of salts in soil, including a look at case studies involving Earthmaster’s PEPSystems® bacteria/plant technology as a sustainable method for treating contaminated soil and conserve it. The economics of using various methods to treat soil will be discussed along with the carbon benefits of leaving soil in place and treating it.
AccessElizabeth Murray,Ph.D., P.Biol., R.P.Bio.Mar 31
Smouldering Combustion: Large-scale Operations at the Toronto Waterfront Project and New Advancements for the Treatment of Emerging Contaminantskeyboard_arrow_down
Smouldering combustion is a low-cost, energy efficient thermal technique for the treatment of contaminated soils. This approach is commercially available as the STAR (in situ) and STARx (ex-situ) technologies and has traditionally been used for the treatment of heavy hydrocarbons. For these contaminants, the smouldering reaction propagates in a self-sustaining manner following a short duration, low energy input ‘ignition event’ as the energy released from the reacting contaminants is used to pre-heat and combust contaminants in adjacent areas, provided that a sufficient flux of air is supplied.In 2020, QM Environmental, teaming with Savron, was awarded a contract by the site Construction Manager, Ellis Don, to treat a minimum of 75,000 m3 of hydrocarbon contaminated soils via the largest STARx treatment Plant constructed to date as apart of the Toronto Waterfront revitalization project. The STARx plant consists of four HP-250 Base Systems with a treatment capacity of approximately 1000 m3 per week. Details regarding system design, plant construction and operations to date will be discussed.Savron has also been developing new applications for smouldering combustion, including techniques for the treatment of materials impacted with contaminants of emerging concern. The presentation will highlight these recent advancements, including data from two projects conducted under the US Department of Defense Strategic Environmental Research Program for the smouldering treatment of PFAS-impacted soils.
AccessDave Liefl, P.Eng. (ON)Mar 24
Vancouver’s Rain City Strategy: Using Nature Based Solutions to Improve Water Qualitykeyboard_arrow_down
Green Infrastructure uses a suite of rainwater management tools to protect, restore and mimic the natural water cycle through engineered and nature based solutions, and its implementation is central to the City of Vancouver’s Rain City Strategy.The rainwater that falls on our hard urban surfaces – also known as urban rainwater runoff - collects pollutants found on rooftops, streets, parking lots, and other surfaces. Green infrastructure provides treatment for this urban runoff before the water is infiltrated to the subsurface or joins the sewer system. This presentation highlights the City of Vancouver’s One Water approach to enhance our utility services while improving Vancouver’s water quality and resilience through sustainable water management
AccessHeidi Horlacher, P. Geo.,PMPMar 17
Compendium of Tools and Methods to Support the Optimization and Sustainable Transition of Active Remediation to Natural Attenuationkeyboard_arrow_down
Sustainable remediation, natural attenuation, and “nature-based” remediation have emerged as key considerations in remedial decision making at petroleum release sites impacted by light non-aqueous phase liquids (LNAPL).Within this context, a new compendium of tools and methods to support the selection, optimization and termination of active remediation systems has been developed. It is a systematic, non-prescriptive approach intended to improve remedial decision making. The compendium builds on recent knowledge and toolkits for incorporation of natural attenuation and sustainability in site management process.
AccessIan Hers
Access our entire catalog of past talks
