TRAINING.

Overview

After participating in the course, you will be able to:

• Plan and implement a sampling program for the assessment of contaminated sites
• Apply the correct statistical sampling and analyses methodologies
• Prepare your sampling strategies and data collection methodologies
• Benefit from practical information that will save you time, effort and money

Description

There are thousands of contaminated sites across Canada with widely varying characteristics for geologic and hydrogeologic settings, contamination types, contamination medium and transport pathways. One of the first stages to assess any potentially contaminated site is to perform a site investigation and collect and analyze some samples. Sampling strategies differ based on the sampling objectives (e.g., site characterization, remediation verification, target criteria and standards, waste characterization, etc.), variability of contaminants in the media being sampled, knowledge of the distribution of hazardous substances on the property, and costs. This workshop provides an overview of sampling strategies, field investigation techniques, and data analysis methods for assessing contaminated sites.

Objectives

The main objective of this workshop is to introduce attendees to the guiding principles and existing methods for preparing a sampling plan, current sampling methods, and data analysis methods for interpreting the collected data in the context of Environmental Site Assessment.

The specific objectives are to provide the following:

• A general understanding of the framework for Environmental Site Assessment.
• Overview of the common contaminants in soil and water, their characteristics, and pathways.
• Review site investigation methods, soil and groundwater sampling, and analysis procedures.
• Overview of conceptual models for site assessment
• A detailed review of sampling strategies and interpretation of collected data

Course Outline

• Introduction and Overview
• Statistical Data Analyses
• Soil and Groundwater Sampling Methods
• Conceptual Site Model
• Sampling Strategies and Data Analyses
• Questions and Answers
• Concluding Remarks and Final Adjournment

Who Should Attend:

Those involved in soil and groundwater sample collection, analysis and monitoring programs, including Environmental Engineers • Environmental Consultants • Environmental Technologists and Technicians.

Please note: You can check other time zones here.

Syllabus

Introduction and overview

• Background and Purpose
• Review of Regulatory Context and Legislation

Statistical Data Analyses

• Statistical Distributions
• Methods of Determining Statistical Distributions
• Identification and Treatment of Outliers
• Statistical Analysis Methods

Soil & Groundwater Sampling Methods

• CCME Suggested Operating Procedures
• Test Pits / Auger / Boreholes / Split Spoon
• Surface Water Monitoring
• Groundwater Monitoring Wells
• Soil Vapour/ Indoor Air Sampling for Vapor Intrusion

Conceptual Site Model

• Contaminants Characterization 
• Site Characterization
• Contaminated Area & Background

Sampling Strategies and Data Analyses

• Preparation of a Sampling Plan / Sampling Design Strategies
• Sampling Grids for Determining “HOT SPOTS”
• Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC)
• Sample Handling and Storage Requirements
• Analysis Methods
• Validation and Interpretation of Data
• Comparison of Criteria and Standards
• Comparison of Site Data to Site Specific Background Concentrations

Questions and Answers

Concluding Remarks and Final Adjournment

Instructor

Majid Sartaj, Ph.D., P.Eng.

Majid Sartaj is a registered Professional Engineer and a faculty member at Civil Engineering Department of the University of Ottawa. He holds a BSc degree in Civil Eng., and a MSc and PhD degree in Environmental Eng. Dr. Sartaj has more than 20 years of experience in academia as well as consulting in Environmental Engineering and Waste Management. During this time, he has taught courses on the design of water & wastewater treatment, solid waste management, environmental impact assessment, environmental site assessment, and site and field investigation. His research areas include sustainable solid waste management (SWM) technologies, with the main focus on Bioreactor Landfilling and biogas/renewable natural gas (NRG) production, remediation of contaminated soils, the application of adsorption and Ion-Exchange processes for removal of contaminants, and modeling their fate and transport in the environment. Dr. Sartaj is the author or co-author of around 100 research publications in peer-reviewed journals and conferences. He has supervised or co-supervised more than 40 graduate students. Dr. Sartaj has been an active participant and organizer of several national and international conferences.