compared to Alpha Range but the concentrations were of the same order of
magnitude. The metals in Shaver River Range that had high concentrations and were
of concern, such as cadmium, are similar to the metals of concern encountered in
Jimmy Lake but at lower concentrations. Problematic metals seem to be found in
different types of weapons. For example, cadmium is not only part of the rocket
painting, but can also be part of bomb painting as pointed out by Boggs [29].
The vegetation analyses revealed that some metals are phytoremediated from the
soils, since direct relations between soil and vegetation concentrations were identified
in almost all of the ranges. The metals phytoaccumulated did not always correspond
to the metals with high concentrations in soils. Furthermore, not all the metals were
phytoaccumulated, which may be the result of selective adsorption. Considering the
results obtained during Phase II, the quality of the vegetation is excellent and
compares well with the concentrations of the background samples. Therefore,
vegetation concentrations do not represent a risk to wildlife.
Surface water and sediment were sampled during Phase II to assess the quality of
Primerose Lake and Jimmy Lake. Many sediment samples were collected in both
lakes using a manual grabber. Results indicated that these sediment were not
contaminated with only a few exceptions. Surface water sample results also revealed
that the metal concentrations were quite low and no explosives were found. In
general, neither the sediment nor the surface water was contaminated in Primerose
Lake and in Jimmy Lake.
For the energetic materials analyses, our efforts were concentrated mainly on Jimmy
Lake and Shaver River ranges during Phase II, since explosive concentrations
determined in Alpha and in Bravo ranges during Phase I revealed low ppm levels. In
Jimmy Lake Range, in the circular samples, mainly propellant residues were found,
such as nitroglycerine which was found in all samples. This indicates that rockets are
often used at this site. In Shaver River Range, the situation was the opposite; very
little propellant residues were found, but explosives such as TNT were found in
almost all samples. This indicates that bombs are mainly used at this site. The metals
that showed problems in Shave River Range are the same than in Jimmy Lake Range,
but at lower concentrations. Little information about weapon compositions is
available that can explain all of these results. The most probable explanation is that
the problem metals are found in both rocket and bomb paintings. The maximum TNT
concentration obtained during Phase II was lower than the concentration obtained
during Phase I. This can be the result of site tilling.
In general, except in Jimmy Lake, the soil, the vegetation, the surface water, and the
sediment are of excellent quality. No action is required on any site except to continue
to clean and manage the sites as currently. Metal concentrations in the bombing area
of Jimmy Lake Range, are especially high. Although, most of them did not exceed the
ISQG criteria, many of the results are higher than the ASQG. As already mentioned,
legally, no action is required, since the site will not be used for agriculture, but will
continue to be used for target practice. The most important results will come from the
hydrogeological study. Nevertheless, to exercise due diligence, removing soil from
the bombing area and send it to a secure landfill will solve this problem for a very
long time.
23
DRDC Valcartier TR 2004-204
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