Naturally Occurring Toluene

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Published: February 28, 2017

Has anyone ever heard of naturally occurring toluene?

By: Anna Durante, Hydrogeologist

As we all know, toluene is a highly mobile, water-insoluble, toxic petroleum hydrocarbon compound that can be harmful to the environment/ public, so it’s pretty obvious why toluene can be problematic in even small concentrations (and explains why it has very strict guidelines). However, it is an organic chemical compound and specific ecological niches support the accumulation of biogenic toluene and therefore, can confound remedial investigations of petroleum impacts.

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Women in Science

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Published: February 06, 2017

#WomeninScience - Yes.  There is a hashtag for this, and a day even (February 11).

Thinking about this hashtag (or more appropriately a pound/number sign to us older folks) stirs a lot of emotions.  There is a little bit of anger and disgust, but also appreciation and pride.  Do you feel the same?  #WomeninScience have often been perceived as pioneers, and sometimes oddballs, going it "on their own" with an "anything you can do I can do better" attitude.  However, isn’t that the root of discovery? Taking a risk? Looking at something differently?  Accepting the challenge to "make it better"?  Many of my own role models have shown me that this is the way of science, regardless of your gender.

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New Employee - Justin Zunti

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Published: February 01, 2017

Nichols Environmental (Canada) Ltd. is pleased to have Mr. Justin Zunti join our Head Office in Edmonton, Alberta as an intermediate project manager.  Justin graduated from the University of Alberta with a B.Sc. and has six years of environmental consulting experience.

Contaminant Profile: PAHs

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Published: January 30, 2017

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and for short, PAHs. Do you want the technical description of carbon chains and bonds or perhaps something more relevant? Let’s go with relevant and why they are even something that environmental consultants look for. For starters, PAHs comprise a group of compounds that are probably most commonly associated with the use of creosote as a wood preservative, which is most often seen with treated railroad ties and power poles. However, they are also created through incomplete combustion of petroleum hydrocarbon products (i.e. fires).

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UAV/Drone

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Published: October 07, 2016

Nichols has purchased and is licensed to operate a UAV/Drone for environmental and engineering uses.  Click here to learn more!

Laboratory Submissions

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Published: September 30, 2016

Is your environmental consultant submitting soil/water samples for laboratory analyses following proper protocols?  Items to consider:

1. Place one COC form per cooler to avoid confusion
2. Don't mix samples with different COCs in each cooler
3. Keep soil and water samples separated in different coolers
4. Separate highly impated samples from clean samples
5. Ensure labeling of samples is legible
6. Fill out the entire COC with as much information as possible
7. Keep samples cool using ice packs
8. Submit samples within appropriate holding times