Science CAPT Embedded Task Review Brownfield Sites
Your Task 2 1.Formulate a question/problem statement about a Brownfield site that can be answered through a scientific experiment/investigation. 2.Design a scientific experiment/investigation that answers your question/problem statement.
Piece of land that was once used for industrial purposes and is now typically abandoned because of suspected contamination. What is a Brownfield Site? Name one Brownfield site in Connecticut? What has this property been used for that led to it being identified as a Brownfield (contaminated) site?
What is a contaminant? A contaminant is a toxic chemical that can harm humans and/or the environment. Contaminants can pollute water, air, and/or soil. MercuryBenzene Arsenic
Contaminants of Major Concern Asbestos – Cause respiratory problems Benzene – Causes cancer Lead and Copper - Neurotoxic Mercury – May cause physical and mental disorders. Greatly affects fish populations.
Where do contaminants come from? ContaminantsPossible source of contamination Heavy metals: arsenic, cadmium chromium, lead, mercury metal finishing/plating shops, manufacturing and foundries, coal burning power plants Gasoline/constituents of gasoline: gasoline, benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, xylene gasoline stations, tank farms, pipelines Petroleum ProductsLeaking undergound storage tanks Solvents: tetrachloroethlyene, trichloroethylene, III-trichloroethane dry cleaners, machine shops, metal finishing/plating shops
Why Redevelop Brownfield Sites? Discounted real estate cost Valuable location Reduce pressure on undeveloped land Preserve historical or architecturally significant buildings Eliminate health and safety hazards Improve community
Detecting Soil and Groundwater Contamination Usually a portable drilling rig is brought to the site A well is installed. Soil is sampled as the well is drilled. Groundwater is sampled and analyzed for the suspected pollutants.
How to make a Brownfield site usable again… Get rid of contaminants (ex. Excavation techniques) Stop the contaminants from spreading
Your Task 10 1.Formulate a question/problem statement about a Brownfield site that can be answered through a scientific experiment/investigation. 2.Design a scientific experiment/investigation that answers your question/problem statement.