Site Remediation
Hy-Grade Geoscience, operating as a division of Pinchin LeBlanc Environmental Ltd., utilizes innovative solutions to solve complex environmental assessment and remediation problems. Our clients include major petroleum companies as well as industrial, commercial and residential clients, financial institutions and federal, provincial, and municipal agencies. Our expertise allows us to undertake and complete projects, from remedial planning and implementation through monitoring to compliance testing and closure, on-time and on-budget. We have completed remedial works to address organic and inorganic contaminants including total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), volatile organic compounds (VOC), metals, etc. in soil and groundwater.
Hy-Grade Geoscience has extensive experience developing and implementation of numerous technologies. Our experience provides for site-specific and cost effective solutions, in many cases using a combination of current and/or evolving technologies to achieve the desired results, such as.

• Waste and/or contaminant characterization and/or management

• Excavation, recovery, and off-site disposal of impacted soil and/or building materials

• Free-phase product recovery, transport and off-site disposal

• Containment, encapsulation, immobilization of contaminated soil and groundwater

• Recovery, treatment, discharge and/or recharge of impacted groundwater

• In-situ natural attenuation, enhanced bioremediation

• Ex-situ biopile and bioreactor design and construction

• Soil vapour extraction; soil venting; air sparging

Risk Assessment
In some cases, a site specific risk assessment to identify and evaluate exposure pathways and receptors can eliminate the need for costly excavation or other remedial treatment options. This may result in a significant reduction in disruption to the subject property and any on-going or continuing operations, and therefore, significantly decrease overall project costs.

Quantative Assessment - Risk Based Corrective Action (RBCA)
Quantitative risk assessment can be accomplished using the site assessment data and computer modeling. RBCA, developed specifically to Atlantic Canada, has been accepted by regulators and applied to petroleum-impacted sites. RBCA assessment determines site specific remedial objectives for a site and may limit or reduce the requirement for site disturbance and/or active remediation.

Qualitative Assessment - Risk Evaluation
Qualitative Risk Evaluation investigates and evaluates active exposure pathways and human or ecological receptors. Risk to human health and/or the environment, can be defined as the intersection of contaminant, pathway and receptor. If an active exposure pathways (e.g. potable water supply, dermal exposure, etc.), can be limited or eliminated (e.g. alternate water supply, asphalt or concrete seal on the area of impact, etc.), the degree of risk can be reduced or eliminated. Therefore, a qualitative risk assessment may limit or reduce the requirement for disturbance and/or active remediation.

Certificate of Compliance / Record of Site Condition
On completion of remedial work or implementation of a risk management system, regulatory compliance and closure is documented and submitted to the regulatory agency. The documents must be completed by the Environmental Site Professional (ESP) / Qualified Person (QP) responsible for the project. The documentation varies with the jurisdiction:

• In Nova Scotia, a Certificate of Compliance (COC) is issued to property owners upon completion of remedial work. Specifically for domestic fuel oil spills, the closure document is called a Record of Site Condition (ROSC).

• In New Brunswick, the final closure document is the Record of Site Condition (ROSC), or in the case of small domestic fuel oil spills, the Limited Remedial Action (LRA) Record of Site Condition.

• In Prince Edward Island, the final documentation is a Closure Report.

• In Newfoundland, the final documentation is a Certificate of Compliance.

Hy-Grade Geoscience Professional staff are qualified to undertake assessment, remediation and compliance projects, complete and submit the required documentation, liaise with the regulators and stakeholders, and, if required, provide technical advisory services and expert testimony to ensure that the site closure process is completed in accordance with regulatory requirements, and in a timely and cost effective manner.