Soilfix has successfully completed a programme of Environmental Restoration Works over a 17-week period at an Industrial Site in Northern Ireland, working for Jacobs on behalf of a private industrial client.
Improvement works were required across a portion of the Lagoon to provide a robust capping system over basal sediments and across two berms, that were historically impacted by naphthalene tars.
Working off a floating pontoon using specialist marine plant and equipment supplied by Land & Water Plant Ltd, Soilfix installed a series of Reactive Core Mats with organoclay across a 6,000m2 area of basal sediments (sitting about 6ft below water level) and the two berms. The organoclay mats were overlapped, anchored in place and capped with a consistent layer of ballast, whilst the perimeters were capped with organo-clay Aquablok pellets to form a robust seal around all edges of the mats.
Verification of the ‘as built’ capping system was implemented using a combination of submerged camera surveying, GPS-enabled plant and bathymetric survey techniques to confirm satisfactory placement of the rolls / pellets and a consistent thickness of ballast to the satisfaction of Jacobs. The original design concept was developed by Jacobs and further developed into a detailed construction methodology and sequencing arrangement by Soilfix.
The lagoon forms part of a Wider Natural Treatment System and works were designed and carried out so as not to impact wider water quality, with mitigation measures and if required, contingent emergency response measures in place. Continual monitoring carried out during and after works completion demonstrated that works were successfully completed with no impact on the Wider Natural Treatment system.
All works were completed to programme (despite numerous storms passing over from the Atlantic!), with no lost time, accidents, or environmental incidents; both key performance indicators required by the Jacobs and the client,
The completed works to the capped lagoon have provided an opportunity for further biodiversity enhancement on the wider Natural Treatment System at the site, which is situated adjacent to two areas categorised as Areas of Special Scientific Interest, Special Protection Area and Ramsar sites.
Steve Jackson, Sales & Marketing Director at Soilfix, said: “We are delighted to have delivered such an innovative solution to a highly challenging problem. This was a fantastic team effort, with proactive communication and co-operation over the past nine months between contractor, consultant and client. Environmental Restoration & Biodiversity Enhancement Works of this nature form a key part of our diversification from carrying out more traditional brownfield remediation.”
