Incorporating resilient solutions for managing contaminated sites
Climate change is transforming Canada’s Arctic and changing environmental conditions at an unprecedented pace. In Nunavut, the Long-Range Radar site on Brevoort Island needed a resilient remediation strategy to address contamination caused by historical operations. During the development of the remediation and risk management strategy, Canada’s Department of National Defence retained us to complete the climate change risk assessment (CCRA) to identify future climate risks and develop adaptation recommendations.
In completing the study, our team subdivided the site into four main areas, each with unique physical characteristics, to assess for changes to contaminant transport and exposure due to projected climate change hazards. These include permafrost melt, increased coastal flooding and erosion, hot days, and precipitation as well as reduced snow and ice cover. We developed adaptation recommendations that were incorporated into the remedial action plan. We also recommended targeted excavation and on-site treatment using a resilient biopile design (remediation technique that relies on biological processes) to lower the potential for exposure of contaminated soil in areas under current and future climate conditions.
With recommendations in hand, our client has a resilient strategy to help manage historical contamination as the climate changes in Canada’s North.
At a Glance
- Offices
- Client
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- Public Services and Procurement
- Canada, Department of
- National Defence
- Partners
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- McGill University
Tom MacNeil, Senior Associate, Business Center Practice Leader, Environmental Services
I strive to bring practical solutions to projects as a trusted partner. Success is a happy repeat client.
Dylan Hemmings, Vice President, Regional Leader, Ontario
My communities span the natural and built environments, from benthic invertebrate populations to creating new spaces on remediated lands.
Norman Shippee, Climate Scientist
I enjoy building more resilient communities by bridging the gap between science and real-world initiatives.
Leslie Egan, Environmental Site Assessor
I’m passionate about working with multidisciplinary teams and growing my knowledge of site assessment and remediation.
Tania Noble, Senior Principal, Technical Discipline Leader, Health Sciences (Canada)
The work you enjoy the most is also where you are most likely to succeed.
Loren Knopper, Senior Principal, Senior Technical Advisor for Research, Environmental Services
My focus is to take complex issues and distill them into something understandable.
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