SC 307 - Environmental Site Assessment

3 Credits

1. Use AbaData and related software for desktop review of a site
2. Plan and execute a Phase I site assessment for both an upstream oil & gas setting and a commercial/industrial setting.
3. Develop a conceptual site model of a site
4. Develop a sampling plan and sample water from a groundwater monitoring well
5. Delineate a contaminated site and take soil samples for characterization
6. Understand how and when to use Tier I and Tier II guidelines
7. Plan and execute a Phase II site assessment for an upstream oil & gas setting and a commercial/industrial setting.

Alberta Environment. June 2024. Alberta Tier, I soil and groundwater remediation guidelines.

Alberta Environment, Edmonton, AB.

Alberta Environment. June 2024. Alberta Tier II soil and groundwater remediation guidelines.

Alberta Environment, Edmonton, AB.

Alberta Environment and Parks. May 2016. Alberta environmental site assessment standard.

Government of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.

Government of Alberta, Alberta Labour & Immigration. 2020. Hazard assessment and control:

a handbook for Alberta employers and workers. Government of Alberta, Labour and

Immigration, Edmonton, AB.

Alberta Environment, Environmental Sciences Division. May 2001. Salt contamination

assessment & remediation guidelines. Alberta Environment, Environmental Service,

Environmental Sciences Division, Edmonton, AB.

Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment. 1999. Canadian environmental quality

guidelines. Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment, Winnipeg, MB.

Sanders, L. 1998. A manual of Field Hydrogeology. Prentice Hall Inc. 381 pgs.

Schwartz, F., and H. Zhang. 2003. Fundamentals of groundwater. John Wiley and Sons. 583 pgs.

Required Field Trip Supplies:

Field Trips - the student must supply their own CSA approved safety glasses or prescription glasses with side shields and steel toe boots. (Hard hats and fire resistant Nomex coveralls are provided for you; however, you may wish to have your own.) 

Optional Resource Materials:
None

Conduct of Course:

This course is delivered through lectures, labs and occasional field trips. Students are encouraged to ask questions and participate in discussions and labs throughout the course.

As per Lakeland College policy class attendance is vital to the learning process and as significant to the students’ evaluation as examinations and reports, therefore absenteeism is recorded. Class attendance is vital to the learning process and as significant to the students’ evaluation as examinations and reports, therefore absenteeism is recorded.

1. Students having a combination of excused and/or unexcused absence of 20 percent or higher for the scheduled course hours can be required to withdraw and would then automatically receive a “RW” (required withdrawal) for the course, regardless of any other evaluation results. (RW is a failing grade).
2. An excused absence is one that is verified with your instructor. Verification should be prior to the absence or the next class day following the absence. Verification of the absence may take the form of a note from your doctor/College nurse regarding illness, or a note from another instructor regarding a field trip or other activity, or authorization by your instructor following an in-person meeting. Be sure to contact your instructor and ask what they will require from you as verification for each absence. An unexcused absence is anything NOT verified by the instructor prior to the absence or the next class day following the absence.

It is the students’ responsibility to know their own absentee record.

Normal hours are 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with potential for evening courses, or exams. Students are expected to be available for classes during these times.

Content of Course:
Lecture Modules

1. Introduction to environmental site assessment
2. Phase I environmental site assessment for upstream oil & gas sites and commercial/industrial settings.
3. Phase II environmental site assessment for upstream oil & gas sites and commercial/industrial settings
4. Tier I and Tier II guidelines
5. Principles of groundwater monitoring and flow
6. Measuring groundwater levels

Lab Modules

Lab content is dependent on the availability of materials and the conditions outside, below is a list of possible lab topics

1. Introduction to environmental site assessment consulting
2. Desktop review and air photo assessment for phase I environmental site assessment using AbaData software
3. Use of lab permeameters to measure vertical hydraulic conductivity
4. Contaminant delineation and soil sampling for phase II site assessment
5. Phase II Information review and result interpretation (Tier I and Tier II)
6. Monitoring network surveying and groundwater flow maps
7. Well purging and development and groundwater sampling
8. Drilling mud calculations

• Individual presentation and peer-evaluation
• Quizzes and exams assessing understanding of concepts covered in class
• Homework assignments involving case studies, and problem-solving
• Lab reports and data collection

The final mark consists of:

Assignment and Lab due dates are discussed in class. Penalties for late assignments will be discussed in the syllabus.

Course Pass Requirements:
A minimum grade of D (50%) (1.00) is required to pass this course. Students must maintain a cumulative grade of C (GPA - Grade Point Average of 2.00) in order to qualify to graduate.