Novel Aspects of the Remediation of PCB-Contaminated Soils in the Canadian Arctic: Excavation and PRB Technology

North American military defense system established in the 1950s and became heavily contaminated with PCBs during its operational years. Remediation of this soil will be completed by the end of 2005. The scale of contamination coupled with fractured bedrock, topography, extreme weather conditions and remoteness of the site heighten the challenges of an effective remediation. Remediation through excavation of the PCB contaminated soil at Resolution Island began in 1999 and at its completion almost 5 tonnes of pure PCBs in approximately 25, 000 m3 of soil will have been remediated. Remediation strategies were based on both quantity of soil and level of contamination in the soil. Soils with PCB concentrations greater than 50 ppm were shipped off site to be incinerated at a licensed facility. Soil with concentrations of PCB between 5 and 50 ppm and 1 and 5 ppm were landfilled on site. The former were placed in a lined facility with sufficient top cover to permanently freeze the contents of the landfill while the latter were placed in an unlined facility. Inevitably some PCB contamination will remain in rock crevices and in inaccessible areas of the site. In addition, the excavation of the surface material will leave a smal