Harvest Scientific Services

Contamination

 

Harvest Scientific Services has assessed numerous sites for contamination during the past 20 years. These have included existing or abandoned service stations, agricultural enterprises and factory sites to name a few.  Contamination assessments are conducted on the basis of guidelines outlined in “Consultants Reporting on Contaminated Sites” (NSW EPA, 1997).

In general terms, sites suspected of contamination require the following approach:

• Phase 1 assessment. This entails a desktop review of previous reports, relevant historical records, published mapping data, a site “walkover” and interviews with existing and previous owners where possible. Some “judgemental” sampling may also be appropriate. Should these investigations indicate Areas of Environmental Concern (AEC) or that potential for contamination exists, a Phase 2 Assessment is conducted.
• Phase 2 assessment. This may entail invasive soil sampling, water sampling (surface or groundwater) and sampling of remnant structures. The sampling regime is dependent upon site conditions as well as the above guidelines which amongst other matters prescribes a specific sampling density.

A Phase 2 assessment may reveal the need for further detailed sampling or indeed remediation in which case a Remediation Action Plan (RAP) will be required. The RAP describes the process by which a site is rehabilitated to an acceptable standard.

Harvest Scientific Services is able to assist clients with regard to any contamination issue by bring to bear its own specific expertise and where necessary, with the aid of other specialist consultants.

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