The Environmental Diagnosis encompasses several phases of a complex investigation that results in knowledge of the actual environmental conditions of a site. This diagnosis will support decisions and actions to be taken for the remediation of any existing environmental impacts.
The work carried out by SGW Services to obtain an environmental diagnosis includes studies of soil, groundwater, and surface water based on Brazilian legislation and international standards, supported by a highly specialized multidisciplinary team.
Confirmatory Environmental Investigation
In this phase, investigations are carried out based on the Preliminary Environmental Assessment (Phase I) with the objective of proving the existence of environmental impact. These investigations include:
The focus of this investigation is the Suspected Contamination Areas (AS) and Potentially Contaminated Areas (AP) determined in the Preliminary Assessment. The analytical results indicate whether contamination exists or not.
Detailed Environmental Investigation
If the existence of environmental impact is confirmed at the site during the Confirmatory Environmental Investigation, a densification of studies must be carried out for better understanding and delimitation of the extent and severity of contamination.
This work aims to detail the dimensions of the impact precisely, through appropriate techniques such as:
- Sondagens de solo para caracterização geológica e físico-química
- Adensamento da malha de poços de monitoramento para delimitação das plumas de contaminação
- Monitoramento de gases no solo e ar ambiente
- Avaliação geofísica
- Eliminação de fontes de contaminação ativas
- Caracterização e quantificação da massa de contaminantes
- Implementação de ações emergenciais de controle ambiental
Environmental Diagnosis
With the data collected in the investigation phases, SGW Services technicians develop a conceptual environmental model of the site and, through careful data evaluation, define the Local Environmental Diagnosis. This diagnosis serves as a basis to guide the environmental remediation actions to be carried out to contain, reduce, and eliminate existing contamination.
For this, techniques may be used that include the definition of subsurface contaminant migration models, definition of the degree, extent, and nature of any detected contamination, groundwater flow and contaminant transport modeling, associated risk assessment, in-situ testing, and detailed technical analysis to define alternatives for elimination and/or remediation of detected situations and their respective costs.
Mathematical Modeling of Flow and Contaminant Transport
The Mathematical Modeling of Flow and Contaminant Transport performed by SGW Services allows evaluating the migration of potential contaminant plumes and their future behavior, providing data for risk assessment and control/remediation actions.
Toxicological Risk Assessment
Risk Assessment is the process by which risks to human health, the environment, and other assets to be protected are identified, evaluated, and quantified. This stage of contaminated area management is an efficient decision-making tool, determining the need for intervention actions to eliminate identified risks and defining remediation goals when necessary. SGW Services performs Risk Assessment according to protocols established by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and CETESB, in accordance with the Contaminated Areas Management Manual, which includes data evaluation, exposure assessment, toxicological assessment, and risk characterization stages.
SGW Services Expertise
All services are performed according to methodologies recommended by environmental control agencies and technical entities, using the most advanced technologies and equipment suitable for each case, always by teams of specialized professionals.
In this phase of the project, interaction with the environmental agency is extremely important. SGW Services has an excellent reputation with environmental agencies and also performs full case management with these entities, negotiating required actions and goals to be achieved.