NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: South Slave Region

Tags: contaminants, mining impacts, soil, metals, hydrocarbon

Objective(s): The objective of this research is to investigate metals levels, particularly lead and zinc, and hydrocarbons in soils near the old CN railbed to Pine Point mine, and Highway 5 to the Tamerlane R-190 advanced exploration site.

Project Description: The objective of this research is to investigate metals levels, particularly lead and zinc, and hydrocarbons in soils near the old CN rail bed to Pine Point mine, and Highway 5 to the Tamerlane R-190 advanced exploration site. Specific objectives are to 1) Determine levels of metals, particularly lead and zinc, and hydrocarbons on and adjacent to the old CN railbed; 2) Establish levels of metals, particularly lead and zinc, in soils adjacent to Highway 5; 3) Compare levels of metals in soils near the old CN rail bed and Highway 5 with background concentrations of metals in the region. Sampling sites will be evenly spaced along the transportation corridors, and relatively easy to access. Potential sites will be discussed with community members, and site reconnaissance will occur before sampling. A minimum of 10 sites will be sampled along the old CN rail bed, and 3 sites along Highway 5. More sites may be sampled in 2010. Background sampling sites will be located upwind, and well away from the transportation corridors and the Pine Point mine. At the old CN rail bed sites, transects will be established following the predominant wind direction as dust is distributed by wind. Small (~500 g) surface (0-5 cm) soil samples will be collected using a trowel on the rail bed, and at near (<10 m), mid (20 m), and far (100 m) stations along the transects. Core samples will be taken with a 1” diameter soil corer at the near (<10 m) stations at 3 depths (0-10, 10-20, 20-30 cm) to investigate the vertical distribution of metals in the soil profile. Similar methods will be used at the Highway 5 and background sites, except samples will not be obtained from the surface of the highway since it is paved. The researchers estimate that sample collection could take up to 3 days, and that they will be working at each transect for about an hour. Laboratory analysis of the samples will include metals, hydrocarbons, soil texture, and soil moisture. Before sampling, they would like to meet with community members to discuss the project and potential sampling locations. They will take a local person in the field with them to help with sample collection. They are available to provide talks and discuss their work with community members. Once they have the results, they would like to meet with community members to discuss them. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted between August 1 and August 31, 2010, along the ~85 km Old Canadian National Rail bed extending from the West Limit at 60 45' N, 115 48' W to the East Limit at 60 52' N, 114 25' W; and along the Highway 5 corridor extending from the West Limit to the Tamerlane R-190 site at 60 43' N, 115 07' W.