Soil and Site Remediation

Soil Assessment & Management

Acid sulfate soils (ASS) occur predominantly on coastal lowlands with elevations generally below 5m AHD. The exposure of ASS to oxygen by drainage, excavation or filling results in the production of sulphuric acid and the mobilisation of aluminium, iron and other heavy metals. The acid can corrode concrete and steel infrastructure, whilst the acidic leachate and heavy metals can be highly toxic to aquatic organisms and native vegetation.

Our services include:

• Preliminary investigations to assess general parameters such as earthworks and groundwater issues, and to ascertain the potential for ASS disturbance. Field screening for soil and water indicators, and selection of the appropriate sampling regime.

• Detailed investigations including  the  design  of  soil,  surface  and  groundwater sampling and analytical programs to identify the distribution of potentially Acid Sulphate soils (PASS).

• Soil Management  and Remediation Project Plans for large and small-scale earthwork and construction projects.

• Analysis during excavation, including supervision, sampling and the preparation of remediation reports.

Contaminated Land Assessment & Remediation

Contaminated land refers to land that has been contaminated by hazardous substances and has the potential to present a risk to human health and the environment. Land contamination is typically encountered on site used for historic industrial, commercial and agricultural purposes. Common activities which have the potential to cause land contamination include service stations, fuel and oil storage sites, mechanical workshops, cattle tick dips and spray races, tanneries and wood treatment sites, agricultural chemical use and landfills.

To identify and manage land contamination, HAZCON offers the following range of services:

• Due Diligence investigations for property acquisitions.

• Stage 1 Preliminary Site Investigations to  develop  a site history, identify potential sources of contamination and associated contaminants.

• Stage 2  Detailed  Site  Investigations including  the  design  of  soil,  surface  and groundwater sampling and analytical programs to identify the spatial distribution of contaminants, assessment of potential contaminant migration and exposure pathways.

• Remedial Action Plans and Site Management Plans for submission to local and state governments. HAZCON has experience with a wide range of remedial technologies that can be recommended based on the site conditions, contaminants of concern, remediation goals and economic viability.

• Validation including supervision of all remedial works, validation sampling to confirm post remediation contaminant levels, and the preparation of Site Validation Reports.

• Waste Classification Reports to obtain government approvals and disposal permits for waste materials and contaminated soil.

Sample Recovery Services

HAZCON consultants have extensive knowledge of soil, surface water and groundwater sampling techniques, and are familiar with the sub-surface conditions encountered throughout the eastern states of Australia. Our sample recovery division has been created to assist environmental and engineering consultants, geotechnical drilling companies and government agencies with field-based operations where specialised sampling techniques are required. We offer services to plan and manage the field investigation and sample recovery for your next project. We have the experience and necessary industry contacts to enable us to recover your samples on the most difficult sites. All sampling is undertaken by suitably qualified and experienced Environmental Scientists in accordance with the relevant industry standards and guidelines, ensuring quality assurance and compliance for all projects.

HAZCON offers the following range of sampling services:

• Undisturbed soil and sediment samples using a range of techniques including vibracore, hollow-flight augers, split tube samplers, piston samplers, and hand core sediment samplers.
• Surface water sampling including real-time water quality monitoring and profiling in estuaries, wetlands and lakes. Samples are recovered using a variety of devices including bomb samplers, kemmera bottles and Van Dorn style samplers.  
• Groundwater sampling using dedicated disposable equipment, low-flow sampling, or no purge sampling methods including hydra-sleeves, passive diffusion samplers and discrete interval samplers to obtain representative groundwater samples from below product layers or for profiling wells or boreholes.   
• Ground gas and soil vapour sampling including field monitoring and discrete sample recovery for landfill gas (LFG) and volatile organics using dedicated monitoring wells, soil vapour probes and passivated canisters.
• QA/QC sample recovery to comply with AS 4482.1, AS 4482.2 and the ASC NEPM (2013). 
• Sample analysis (optional) at our preferred National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accredited laboratories. 
• Field reports including soil profile descriptions, sampling methodology, QA procedures and provision of field data summary tables.

If you have any queries or wish to find out more about the services, HAZCON provides or to request a quote please Contact Us.