It was not that long ago that a smoky haze was across southern Alberta from fires in Washington State. The haze was caused by wildfires and the winds moved the smoke over Alberta. Wildfires seem to be very common lately with the latest one making the news from California. Wildfires can be caused naturally or caused by...
When Should You be Concerned with a Gas Migration Investigation?
An often-overlooked statement in the Energy Resource Conservation Board (ERCB)/Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) suggests procedures for gas migration testing, as outlined in Directive 20, reads: “Testing is to be done only in frost-free months. Periods immediately after a rainfall have to be avoided.”
Measure Twice, Cut Once: How to Save Time & Money on GM Testing
Inconclusive gas migration tests are both costly and frustrating. Many times, completed tests still provide no real answer. Exposing the wellhead remains your only option to identify and fix otherwise unsuspected gas migration (GM). Wouldn’t it be great to get it right the first time?
Social Media Sensationalism Can Frack Up the Truth
Social media chatter regarding a recent Environmental Science & Technology site publication caught my attention. The article covers fracking (a very, very bad word in today’s society), and how polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were high near gas production areas studied by this article. Since I am passionate...
Dioxins and Furans 101
Introduction to ‘Dioxins’
Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are considered some of the most toxic chemicals known to man. We can argue about the apparent toxicity some other time, but personally, I think it might be a little over exaggerated. Nowadays, it is very...
An 'Aha' moment during environmental forensics study
I was working through a report and presentation my company had made on environmental forensics fingerprinting of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from a spill event. I really was enjoying the project because all the data 'made sense'. Nothing makes you feel more confident about results from a big project when...
Sample Collection and Management for Environmental Forensic Investigations (Environmental Forensics for Persistent Organic Pollutants)
This chapter presents an overview of the protocols within which environmental forensics investigations must take place, the documentation required for a robust investigation and advances in the development of electronic data recording and management. Documentation of preparations, activities, and analysis is contained...