The scope of
works involved in a
Contaminated Land
Investigation may range
from simple desktop
studies through to
complex,
multi-disciplined
assessments which
require a raft of
investigative
techniques.
The investigative
methodologies employed
by NCES typically follow
those prescribed within:
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- The National
Environment
Protection
(Assessment of
Site
Contamination)
Measure 1999
- The Draft
Guidelines for
the Assessment
and Management
of Contaminated
Land in
Queensland 1998
- Australian
Standard AS
4482.1—2005
Guide to the
investigation
and sampling of
sites with
potentially
contaminated
soil
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NCES has
prepared numerous
Site Contamination
Assessments for
various sites within
the Sunshine Coast
and throughout
Queensland and
northern New South
Wales. We are able
to offer our
clientele including
industry groups,
planning
authorities,
property developers
and property owners,
specialist advice
regarding the
identification,
management and
remediation of
contaminated land.
In accordance with
the above
methodologies our
assessments
generally include
the following
investigative
methods:
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-
Background/history
review,
including aerial
photos,
geological/topographic
maps, site
records, council
records,
databases (e.g.
groundwater
databases)
- Site
inspection
- Soil
drilling and/or
excavation,
sample retrieval
and soil data
logging
- Groundwater
piezometer
installation and
sample retrieval
- Laboratory
analysis
- Results
interpretation
- Risk
assessment
- Liability
notification
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Without the
appropriate
technical advice and
management that only
a contaminated land
specialist can
offer, the
acquisition and/or
potential
development of
potentially
contaminated land
and groundwater can
pose significant
development
constraints to
property owners and
developers as well
as obvious risks to
the environment and
public health. |
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Acid Sulfate
Soils Investigation |
Acid Sulfate Soils
(ASS) are naturally
occuring soils
containing iron
sulfides, commonly
pyrite. ASS is
typically found
within marine or
estuarine deposits
in low-lying coastal
areas below 5m AHD
or in areas which
were once inundated
by sea water.
Iron sulfides
oxidise when exposed
to air during events
such as earthworks
or lowering of
groundwater levels,
resulting in the
generation of
sulfuric acid. The
release of hydrogen
and sulphuric based
acid plumes often
results in
significant lowering
of pH conditions
which in turn can
result in the
release of toxic
quantities of iron,
aluminium and heavy
metals previously
adsorbed to the soil
matrix. Impacts
associated with ASS
disturbance are not
just related to
potential ecological
impacts but may also
result in economic
impacts related to
corrosion of
infrastructure
including building
foundations, service
pipes and support
structures such as
bridge pilons.
Consequently
unmanaged
disturbances to ASS
can potentially
cause significant
environmental damage
and economic impost
to land owners and
developers.
NCES can
provide high level
technical
investigations of
development sites in
areas potentially
affected by ASS. We
have undertaken
numerous
investigations
throughout SEQ and
can offer expert
advice regarding:
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- Development
project
regulatory
compliance
- Soil
management
requirements
during ASS
excavation,
transport and
stockpiling
operations
- ASS
monitoring and
validation
programs
- ASS
Management Plans
& other
reporting
strategies and
obligations
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