Remediation of historically polluted sites

Projet terminé

Switzerland is supporting a project aimed at improvement and partial restoration of soil, ground, ground water and surface water quality in the industrial port of Riga (the area of Sarkandaugava).
 

Pays/région Période Budget
Lettonie
11.10.2010 - 31.12.2011
CHF 13'000'000
Contexte

The “Sarkandaugava” site has been used for the transport and storage of petroleum products (diesel, gasoline and in some cases kerosene) when the operator of the territory was the Soviet Union Army. During decades, the pollution was spread in the ground, groundwater, and surface waters. The pollution is close to the Daugava river - a river that discharges into the Baltic Sea - and poses a danger to the nearby population.

Objectifs

The overall goal of the project is to improve the soil, the ground, the groundwater and the surface water in the territory of Sarkandaugava:

  • The migration of underground light and viscous petroleum from the soil and groundwater table to the adjacent tributary of the Daugava river called Sarkandaugava is prevented.
  • The quality of the environment is re-established and improved.
  • Risks to people`s health are reduced.

 

Groupes cibles

Residents of the countries neighbouring the Baltic Sea and inhabitants in the region and in particular the population (10’000 inhabitants) living close to the site will benefit from improvement of their living conditions, a less polluted environment and reduced health risks.
The Municipality of Riga and the Freeport of Riga will benefit from a rehabilitated environment and they will be able to carry out their pollution control more accurately.
 

Activités

There are three sites and the pollution at each site is different. As a result, the remediation methods are not the same.

Remediation works on the first and second site:

  • Remediation of light oil products with the pumping method
  • Remediation of the the remaining pollution (absorbed high viscosity oil products) with a microbiological method

Remediation works on the third site:

  • Elimination of the light and viscous oil product fraction including an asphalt-like layer
  • Installation of a waterproof barrier

 

Résultats

Résultats obtenus:  

  • The pilot phase for the rehabilitation of the first and second site has been successfully completed. 27.2 m3 of the liquid oil layers have been pumped out.
     


Principaux résultats attendus:  

  • Oil products floating above the layer of underground waters, light oil products and the remaining pollution are remediated in an area of eight hectares.
  • On the first and second site 900 tons of oil products are eliminated.
  • On the third site 530 tons of floating oil products and 8180 tons of polluted ground (including 590 tons asphalt-like layer) are eliminated and a waterproof barrier is installed.
  • The pollution of underground water is decreased by 60-70%.
  • The waste generated during the remediation is disposed safely in accordance with EU and national regulations.

 


Direction/office fédéral responsable SECO
Budget Phase en cours Budget de la Suisse CHF   13'000'000 Budget suisse déjà attribué CHF   1'396'331 Budget y compris partenaires de projet CHF   15'300'000
Phases du projet

Phase 1 11.10.2010 - 31.12.2011   (Completed)