Thesis on "Deloro Mine Remediation Evaluation of Remediation Technologies"

Thesis 10 pages (2898 words) Sources: 1+

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Deloro Mine Remediation

Evaluation of Remediation Technologies for Arsenic contamination at Deloro Mine Eastern Ontario Canada

Site

Deloro is a small town of 180 people located in eastern Ontario. For many years, the residents of this town were unknowingly breathing arsenic contaminated air and drinking contaminated water. Recent legal actions have brought this tiny town to the forefront. The pollution stemmed from a 280-hectare mine located on the eastern edge of town. Sampling sites from 18 sites around the village averaged an arsenic level of 723 ppm, with one location as high as 5,500 ppm (McAndrew).

Two likely sources of contamination have been sited as potential culprits. The first is arsenic dust emitted from refinery smoke stack the settled on the soil. However, the refinery closed in 1961. The second potential source of contamination is from piles of mine waste, known as "tailings." These tailings piles are now covered with rocks to prevent dust from blowing into the town and continuing to increase the contamination levels (McAndrew). Arsenic is a by-product of the mining industry.

Background

The Deloro Mine Site has an industrial history that dates back to 1867. The mine produced gold and arsenical pesticides, cobalt, silver, metal, nickel, and satellite (Ministry of the Environment, 2005). The mine was abandoned in 1961, leaving behind nearly 100 years of hazardous by-products and residues. These include heavy metals and low-level radioactive wastes. Of these, arsenic compounds are the primary concern. One must also remember that until recently, regulations and procedures for dealing with hazardous materials were not as stringent as they are today.

The problem of arsenic at the Deloro site is complex due to the many different sources of contamination. Arsenic is in the soil, sediment, surface water and groundwater. The coexistence of these various mediums creates a number of complex systems for entrainment and cross-contamination. There are old mines on the property, many of which are unknown, creating an extra hazard for remediation crews. The Deloro site is complex from many standpoints. The original owner of the mine was unable to clean up the site.. The Ontario Ministry of the Environment took over the site and has thus far spent close to $20.5 million on the clean up project (Ministry of the Environment, 2005).

Remediation at the Deloro site is different from other hazardous sites due to the volume of the contaminated wastes. At a typical hazardous site, the waste is bagged or drummed and taken to a landfill that is licensed to accept those types of waste. However, this was not feasible at Deloro due to the many different types of substrates and the volume that one would have to remove. The abatement of an arsenic mine is different from projects where arsenic was brought in for some type of manufacturing process. The difference is the volume involved and the nature of arsenic to become entrained in the airstream and traveling for some distance. Arsenic is one of the most difficult compounds to abate for these reasons.

The first step of any remediation project is to eliminate any continuing sources of contamination, including sources of cross contamination. This may mean isolating sources that cannot be eliminated altogether. This was the approach taken with the Deloro Site. Arsenic mines were capped and sealed so that no further arsenic contamination could occur. After primary sources of contamination are controlled, sources of cross-contamination must be identified, isolated, and remediated in an appropriate manner.

Aside from the inability to eliminate the primary source of contamination, the mine itself and acres of tailings, the Deloro Site is complex from a cross-contamination standpoint as well. It is estimated that the Deloro Site contains approximately 650,000 cubic meters of waste (Ministry of the Environment, 2005). Contamination at the site and in the surrounding community are so extensive that almost anything could be considered a contaminated substrate. Some examples of potential cross contamination are:

1.contaminated soil erodes and enters a waterway

2. Airborne arsenic falls on a waterway, which in turn seeps into the ground water

3. Wind disperses airborne arsenic into almost every building in the immediate vicinity

4. People walking on contaminated soil pick up arsenic on their shoes and track it into their homes.

These are only examples of various methods of cross contamination that could exist at Deloro, but there are many other potential mechanisms.

The remediation plan of the Deloro Site was based on dividing the site into zones according to the types of contaminants present. A plan was developed for each of the zones, leading to the ultimate closure of that area. A set of criteria was drawn up for site closure. Plans were submitted and the one that satisfied the most conditions was chosen. The area will necessitate ongoing monitoring to make certain that closed areas do not become capable to re-entraining arsenic into the environment. Remediation of the Deloro site is a long-term commitment.

Scope of the Project

Removal of arsenic contaminated compounds was not feasible. Therefore, the Ontario Ministry of the environment built an Arsenic treatment plant to treat contaminated ground water. This plant is capable of removing 99.5% of the arsenic from the contaminated water that it treats (Ministry of the Environment, 2005). In addition, they have instituted an aggressive water monitoring project and associated laboratory to conduct on-site testing and analysis.

Remediation of the Deloro Mine site has been a multi=phased project. Decontaminating the old arsenic mines was not feasible. Therefore, they simply closed off the entrances in such as manner that arsenic would not continue to be entrained in the airstream, causing continued contamination. They demolished buildings and disposed of them in hazardous landfills. They capped eight hectares of tailings by placing 1/2 meter of limestone on top of them. This would help prevent arsenic contained in them from becoming entrained in the airstream or eroding and entering the water stream. The entire site has been fenced to prevent trespassers from entering the site and carrying hazardous wastes away on their clothing (Ministry of the Environment, 2005).

Groundwater and surface water will be diverted away from contaminated materials through the use of a passive interceptor well network (Ministry of the Environment, 2005). This waster will flow through a groundwater collection and treatment facility already in existence. The treatment plant is planned to operate indefinitely (Ministry of the Environment, 2005).

Contamination of the Moira River remains a key concern in terms of reducing threats to humans. The Moira River flows through the center of the site, presenting one of the most dangerous threats to human health. Arsenic enters the Moira River through erosion of contaminated soil, or from airborne sources. The river then carries the arsenic downstream and deposits it. The River empties into the Bay of Quinte at Belleville. Contamination of the Moira River pollutes major lakes along the way. Efforts at remediation of the Moira River have succeeded in reducing the arsenic in the river by 80% (Ministry of the Environment, 2005).

However, when one considers the extent of the contamination, this waterway still represents a considerable risk to humans.

Another area of major concern is the Young's Creek Area, which is part of a significant wetlands. This is a low-water flow wetlands where arsenic compounds are deposited in the sediment. Arsenic levels in this area affect local plants and animals, in addition to the human risks associated with contact with the waterway. Remediation in this area involves evacuating the water from the area and removing contaminated sediments. These sediments will be stored permanently in a containment vessel. Sediments will be replaced with clean fill and a wetland recovery project will be initiated.

Geology/Hydrogeology of the Deloro Site

The Complex geology of the Deloro area accounts for is development as a successful mining endeavor. It also contributes to the difficulties associated with the remediation process. In general, the surface of the ground slopes to the South and to the East towards the Moira River. This slope is largely responsible for the erosion of contaminated soils flowing into the Moira River. Elevations range from 210 meter above sea level to 185 meters about sea level (CH2MHILL, p. 3-2). The Moira River represents the low-lying area of the river. Mining activities have significantly altered the topography of the area, increasing the rate and are of run-off into the Moira River.

The Deloro Site contains two different forms of bedrock. Precambrian metasedimentary and metavolcanic rock comprise a majority of the bedrock under the site. However, there is a small area of Peleozoic Limestone and Shale along the eastern edge of the property (CH2MHILL, p. 3-2). Young's Creek lies in a depression in the bedrock that is flanked by outcroppings and exposed bedrock. Much of the exposed bedrock lies on the north end of the Moira River (CH2MHILL, p. 3-2). Exposed bedrock demonstrates excessive weathering. Much of the exposed bedrock is pink granite of medium grain (CH2MHILL, p. 3-2).

Bedrock at the Deloro Site is overburdened by both natural and man-made components. Overburden includes clay fill, building… READ MORE

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