Publications

Ambient air monitoring performance specification standards : continuous analyzers

Description

Performance specification standards have been developed as part of the revision and update of the Alberta Air Monitoring Directive. The specification standard sheets were designed to provide a... More ≫

Description

Performance specification standards have been developed as part of the revision and update of the Alberta Air Monitoring Directive. The specification standard sheets were designed to provide a reference for approved methods and minimum performance specifications to assure the consistency and reliability of continuous ambient air quality measurement in the province. Each specification standard sheet includes the following categories: field of application; air monitoring objectives; operational methods; minimum specifications; operational requirements; calibration requirements; reporting requirements; and additional information.

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Study of ambient hydrocarbon concentrations in Three Creeks, Alberta

Description

Analysis for continuous hydrocarbon monitoring and meteorological data at the two stations in the Three Creeks area showed that elevated hydrocarbon concentrations were associated with low wind... More ≫

Description

Analysis for continuous hydrocarbon monitoring and meteorological data at the two stations in the Three Creeks area showed that elevated hydrocarbon concentrations were associated with low wind speed, likely promoted by nocturnal gravitational drainage flow. In addition with higher concentrations of THC may be promoted by lower mixing height, elevated NMHC concentrations were more likely to be measured during the warmer months, when evaporation losses are more likely.

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Final report on Canada Creosote Site - 2014 North Bow supplementary subsurface investigation and vapour intrusion assessment

Description

The objectives of the 2014 investigation and monitoring program were to: Evaluate the potential for vapour migration in residences in the area; Assess exposure and risk to residents in the... More ≫

Description

The objectives of the 2014 investigation and monitoring program were to: Evaluate the potential for vapour migration in residences in the area; Assess exposure and risk to residents in the vicinity through direct measurement of indoor air; Investigate the effects of seasonality on potential vapour intrusion, soil vapour concentrations and presents of NAPL; Evaluate if attenuation and if possible biodegradation is occurring between the source and residents; and where possible, delineate the extent of NAPL in the vicinity of monitoring well MW10-6 and further characterize soil and groundwater conditions in this area.

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Report on Canada Creosote site - North Bow screening level risk assessment update

Description

This follow-up investigation and screening level HHRA update was completed to address data gaps and recommendations outlined in the HHRA previously conducted by Golder in 2010 and 201.... More ≫

Description

This follow-up investigation and screening level HHRA update was completed to address data gaps and recommendations outlined in the HHRA previously conducted by Golder in 2010 and 201. Specifically, the objective of this investigation was to collect additional seasonal groundwater and soil vapour data at the site, and to update the previous HHRA based on this new data. The soil vapour sampling events carried out as part of this investigation targeted times of year when groundwater levels were expected to be at their approximate lowest and the vapour risk was assumed to be at its approximate highest.

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Assessment of recent changes in water quality of the Bow River downstream of the Canada Creosote site in Calgary

Description

These sampling results provide no evidence that the target compounds occur regularly in river water along the left bank (facing downstream), on the north side of the river. Contaminant movement... More ≫

Description

These sampling results provide no evidence that the target compounds occur regularly in river water along the left bank (facing downstream), on the north side of the river. Contaminant movement from the remaining pool of DNAPL in the river bed close to the right bank (facing downstream) remains the likely source of compounds detected on that side of the river downstream from the Canada Creosote site.

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Three Creeks odour issue : a report on air quality monitoring conducted between February and May 2010

Description

Odour complaints from the Three Creeks area were received by the Energy Resources Conservation Board and Alberta Environment. Odours were noted when the wind speed was low, and it is likely that... More ≫

Description

Odour complaints from the Three Creeks area were received by the Energy Resources Conservation Board and Alberta Environment. Odours were noted when the wind speed was low, and it is likely that this meteorological condition contributed to the accumulation of emitted compounds in the area. The odours in the area were identified as "hydrocarbon type" and air samples were collected at various locations within the affected area, at the potential source locations, and also at background (reference) sites. These samples were taken to a laboratory and analyzed for volatile organic compounds (also known as hydrocarbons).

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Air quality monitoring : in the vicinity of heavy oil cold flow tanks near Bonnyville : fall 2007 and spring 2008 : final report

Description

Alberta Environment conducted two air sampling surveys in the vicinity of heavy oil cold flow tanks near Bonnyville, Alberta. The surveys were initiated by public concern with odours and potential... More ≫

Description

Alberta Environment conducted two air sampling surveys in the vicinity of heavy oil cold flow tanks near Bonnyville, Alberta. The surveys were initiated by public concern with odours and potential health effects. Heavy oil extracted using the cold-flow technique is heated in onsite storage tanks to reduce viscosity. Lowering the viscosity of the oil allows the product to be pumped from the onsite storage to tank trucks for treating and upgrading. The onsite storage tanks may not have vapour recovery systems installed and water vapour and volatalized hydrocarbons can be released from the theif hatch at the top of the tank. These tanks are 7-10 meters in height.

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Evaluation of computer models for predicting the fate and transport of hydrocarbons in soil and groundwater

Description

This report was prepared to document Phase I through Phase III of a project to research computer codes for predicting the fate and transport of hydrocarbons in soil and groundwater. The project... More ≫

Description

This report was prepared to document Phase I through Phase III of a project to research computer codes for predicting the fate and transport of hydrocarbons in soil and groundwater. The project evaluates a wide range of existing computer codes for their ability to predict the shallow movement of hydrocarbons in soil and groundwater.

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Alberta Environment's interpretation of the reference method for the Canada-wide standard for petroleum hydrocarbons in soil validation of performance-based alternative methods

Description

This validation procedure is intended to ensure that modifications to the Canada-wide standards for petroleum hydrocarbons in soil (PHC-CWS) reference method are as accurate and precise or more... More ≫

Description

This validation procedure is intended to ensure that modifications to the Canada-wide standards for petroleum hydrocarbons in soil (PHC-CWS) reference method are as accurate and precise or more accurate and precise than the original published method using benchmark procedures.

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PHC CWS analytical methods workshop II 2002 : participants' report

Description

The Canadian Ministers of the Environment endorsed the Canada-Wide standard for petroleum hydrocarbons in soil (PHC CWS) on May 1, 2001, allowing jurisdictions to begin their implementation... More ≫

Description

The Canadian Ministers of the Environment endorsed the Canada-Wide standard for petroleum hydrocarbons in soil (PHC CWS) on May 1, 2001, allowing jurisdictions to begin their implementation activities. Workshops were held to gain input on implementation options for Alberta. This report is intended to capture the input from the participants and provide input for Alberta Environment's consideration when making implementation decisions related to the method.

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