Soil Sampling Report

Completed By: Travis Bico, Steve Forster & Meagan Tungate

Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 1
2.0 Study Objectives ....................................................................................................................... 1
3.0 Description of Study Area ........................................................................................................ 1
4.0 Methodology ............................................................................................................................. 2
4.1 QA/QC .................................................................................................................................. 2
5.0 Results ....................................................................................................................................... 3
6.0 Discussion ................................................................................................................................. 4
7.0 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 5
8.0 References ................................................................................................................................. 6
9.0 Appendices ................................................................................................................................ 7
Appendix A: Figures & Maps ..................................................................................................... 7
Appendix B: Hazard Assessment for Soil Sampling ................................................................ 13
Appendix C: Copy of Chains of Custody ................................................................................. 20

1.0 Introduction
This lab will investigate if a soil sample collected within a designated area of the Niagara
College, Niagara-On-The-Lake campus meets the Ontario soil quality standards. The sample will
be sent to a local lab and results will be compared to the Soil, Ground Water and Sediment
Standards in the Environmental Protection Act.

2.0 Study Objectives

Collect a soil sample within the designated study area

Identify the parent material, classification and physical properties of the soil
Identify the current and historic land use of the study area on the Niagara College,
Niagara-On-the-Lake campus
Determine if the soil sample meets or exceeds the contaminate regulation for Ontario

3.0 Description of Study Area

The soil sample was taken along the southeast end of the Niagara College campus, in a forested
area, just east of the water retention lagoons as seen in the figure below.

Figure 1: Study area outlined in red. Soil sample site location shown with a yellow star.
The soil sample was taken from a flat section of ground with a small creek located to the east and
south. A small layer of organic forest floor material was removed from the sampling area to gain
access to the underlying soil. Pictures of the soil sampling area can be observed in Figure 2 of
Appendix A. A summary of the site conditions can be found in the table below.

Table 1: Conditions, location and site characteristics for location of soil sample.
Weather
Georeference
Slope Position
Rockiness
Stoniness
Conditions
(UTM)
Sunny, clear
X: 649656.83
Level
Non-Rocky*
Non-Stoney*
Y: 4779290.89
*Difficult to determine exact appearance, as leaves covered the ground and would not be observable without further
disturbing the environment.

The current collection site is located within a forested area and records show that it has not been
disturbed since 1934. At that time, the area surrounding the forest was used for agriculture
(Figure 3). In 1978, an aerial photograph shows the existence of two lagoons to the west (Figure
4) and that the main road to the north has become a major highway with on ramps. The Niagara
College Campus was constructed in 1998. In 2013, an aerial photograph shows the school, and
business north and north-west of the site (Figure 5) as well as the lagoons to the west and
forested areas to the south. The area remains the same in 2015.

4.0 Methodology
The site record for sampling can be found in Appendix A. On November 16th, 2015, a soil
sample was taken at 2:47pm by Travis Bico, Steve Forster and Meagan Tungate. The sample was
taken with a Dutch auger at the location outlined in Figure 1, off the path to avoid compaction
issues from the nearby, public trail. A HASP is included in Appendix B of this lab report. A site
sketch can be found in Appendix C. Dutch augers were cleaned with Alconox solution before use
to avoid any contamination. The condition of the site can be found in Table 1 and the
approximate location can be seen in Figure 1. The sample was taken through a judgemental
sampling approach. The site area consisted of many trees, so the borehole was taken in a more
open spot within the area to avoid tree roots. Furthermore, a less vegetative area was chosen with
the assumption that contamination may be stunting the growth.

4.1 QA/QC
After sample is taken, it was brought back to Niagara College and analyzed. While wearing
nitrile gloves, the organic layer was removed and a portion of the bottom of the sample was
extracted for chemical property identification. Chemical properties were determined by
dissociating the soil components in distilled water and assessing the pH and conductivity with
probes. To determine the physical soil properties of the soil sample, soil texture, structure,
consistence and Munsell Colour observations were obtained. Findings can be found in Tables 3
and 4. Texture was determined using the Texture by Feel method, the Munsell Colour using the
Munsell Colour chart and visual judgemental to determine soil structure and consistence.
As previously mentioned, for quality assurance, the Dutch auger was cleaned with Alconox prior
to use and the sample was handled using nitrile gloves. Furthermore, the soil knife used to
separate portions of the soil core was cleaned before use. The sample rested on kraft paper to
prevent contamination with materials that may have been present on the lab bench. The sample
was collected well away from the walking path to minimize the chance of any recreational
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human activity altering the soil condition and composition. The probe for conductivity and pH
was rinsed with distilled water before use. Lab results were sent to EXOVA in glass sampling
jars.

5.0 Results
Soil information maps were provided from Brock University and Niagara College to assess the
soil properties of the sample area. They can be viewed in Figures 7-9 in Appendix A. The
physical and chemical properties have been summarized in the tables below.
Table 2: Soil properties and geological features of the sample soil area.
Parent Material
Soil Series
Drainage
Slope Type
40-100cm
Lacustrine Silty
Clay Over Clay
Loam Till

Cashel Soil CSH

1

Moderately Well

Table 3: Physical properties of soil for soil sample.

Soil Texture
Munsell Colour
Silty Clay
Dark Portion: 10yr 2/2
Yellow Portion: 10yr
5/4
Table 4: Chemical properties of soil sample.
Soil pH
7.49

D: Gentle slopes
5-9%

Soil Structure
Blocky

Taxonomic
Classification
Glaciolacustrine,
Deeper water,
clay and silt

Soil Consistence
Moist

Soil Conductivity (s/cm)

47.9

In order to determine if soil contamination was present, values found from EXOVA
Environmental Ontario were compared to regulation standards for soils set in Table 3 of the
regulation. A comparison can be seen in the table below. A full printout of the EXOVA results
can be found in Figure 6 in Appendix A.
Table 5: Comparison of contaminate regulation limits for subsurface soil listed in Table 3 of Soil,
Ground Water and Sediment Standards for Use Under Part XV.1 of the Environmental
Protection Act for parkland use, with lab analysis results from EXOVA Environmental.
Contaminate
Regulation Limits (g/g)
Lab Results (g/g)
Barium
390
80
Beryllium
5
<1
Cadmium
1.2
<0.5
Chromium Total
160
18
Cobalt
22
10
Copper
180
14
Lead
120
24
Nickel
130
19
Silver
25
<0.2
3

Vanadium
Zinc
Molybdenum
Thallium

86
340
6.9
1

28
76
<1
<1

6.0 Discussion
Soil analysis results were compared with Table 3 of the Soil, Ground Water and Sediment
Standards for use under Part XV.1 of the Environmental Protection Act for parkland use (which
will hereby be referred to as the provincial standard). This table is intended to be used for full
depth generic site condition standards in a non-potable water condition. Table 3 was selected for
soil sampling comparison because of the following:
a) There were no active drinking water wells located within 250m of the sampling site.
b) Stratified or generic sampling conditions were not utilized.
c) Soil property classification revealed that parent material at the sampling site was deeper
than 2 metres.
d) Sampling site was located over 30m away from the water retention lagoons.
The soil analysis results revealed that none of the tested parameters exceeded the provincial
standards (see Table 5). In fact, all of the tested parameters were significantly lower than the
provincial standard. Beryllium, cadmium, vanadium, molybdenum and thallium all registered
soil levels of less than 1 microgram per gram. Aluminium and iron were found to have the
highest concentrations in the soil at 17700 and 26600 g/g respectively. These metals, however
along with strontium, were omitted from the provincial standard as they are readily available in
soil and are not considered contaminants. The lack of provincial standard exceedances can be
explained through a look at historical aerial photographs of the sampling location. As per Figures
3-5 in Appendix A, historic aerial photographs show that the sampling site has consisted of an
undisturbed forested area since at least 1934, suggesting that no contaminants would have been
introduced due to human activity.
Due to the small scale nature of the soil sampling study, there are a number of associated
limitations. As a result of only collecting a single sample, this makes it impossible to generalize
that the result is indicative of the soil composition of the entire general area. Since the Dutch
Auger was utilized as the sampling method and only a surficial soil sample was collected,
contaminants at the soil surface may have been lost to deeper soil horizons due to the process of
eluviation. The soil sample was also taken from a flat portion of the land which was slightly
elevated compared to its surroundings, allowing for the possibility that water runoff had leached
contaminants out of the soil.
Despite quality assurance and quality control protocols, data uncertainty and sources of error are
always a possibility. Some of the potential sources of error for the data collection and analysis
are as follows:
-

Lack of blank or control sample taken from the sampling location.

4

Small shards of metal may have been transferred from the auger to the soil sample during
the sampling process.
The sample was not immediately transferred over to the sampling jar, exposing the
sample to contaminants for an extended period of time.
There were no preservatives added to the soil sample.
Human and mechanical error is always a possibility during soil analysis at EXOVA
Laboratories.

7.0 Conclusion
Through sampling and soil lab analysis, it was determined that the soil sampled is free of
contaminates tested for, in comparison with regulations. The values summarized in Table 6,
show very little concern for contamination in the area samples. Only one sample was taken, so
there still lies the potential of localized contamination in other locations throughout the site area.
Further sampling would need to be done to confirm this, however, there were no visual concerns
observed while sampling. Based off the results and historical review, it is likely the site area has
little potential for areas of contamination, but more extensive sampling should be completed to
confirm this possibility.

8.0 References
Niagara Navigator (2013) Niagara-On-The-Lake. Retrieved Nov 16th 2015: https://mapsbeta.niagararegion.ca/Navigator/
Niagara Navigator (1934) Niagara-On-The-Lake. Retrieved Nov 16th 2015: https://mapsbeta.niagararegion.ca/Navigator/
Ontario Geological Survey. 1991. Bedrock geology of Ontario, Southern Sheet, Ontario
Geological Survey, Map # 2544. Accessed from:
http://www.geologyontario.mndmf.gov.on.ca/mndmfiles/pub/data/imaging/M2544/M2544.pdf
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Niagara airphoto. Scale 1:10,000. Roll 3041. Photo
152.64. Toronto, Ontario, 1978.
Ministry of the Environment (2011). Soil, Ground Water and Sediment Standards for Use under
Part XV.1 of the Environmental Protection Act. PIBS # 7382e01.

9.0 Appendices
Appendix A: Figures & Maps

Figure 2: Pictures taken from the soil sampling site at 2:47pm on 11/16/15. Picture (A) shows the
actual borehole, Picture (B) displays the surrounding area to the south of the borehole, Picture
(C) displays the surrounding area to the west of the borehole, Picture (D) displays the
surrounding area to the east of the borehole and Picture (E) displays the surrounding area to the
north of the borehole.

Figure 3: Site Area: 1934 (Niagara Navigator)

Figure 4: Site Area: 1978 (Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources)

Figure 5: Site Area: 2013 (Niagara Navigator)

Figure 6: Results for soil sample from EXOVA Environmental Ontario highlighted in red.

Figure 7: Soil classification map displaying the soil classification of the soil sampling site and
the surrounding area.

10

Figure 8: Parent material map displaying the parent material of the soil sampling site and the
surrounding areas.

Figure 9: Topographic map displaying the topography of the soil sampling site and the
surrounding areas.

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Site Sketch

12

Appendix B: Hazard Assessment for Soil Sampling

Field Location:
Niagara College, eastern side of first
lagoon

Date: November 16th, 2015

Crew: Travis Bico, Steve Forster, Meagan

Tungate

Cell Phone: 905-380-3099

Coordinator/Supervisor: Annie Michaud

Name and Number: Annie Michaud
Ext. 4476
Niagara College 135 Taylor Road,
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
906-641-2252
Alternate Contact: Meagan Tungate, 289839-0030

Emergency: 911
Ambulance: 905-688-2191
NiagaraCollege Security: ext. 4444

First Aid Kit packed? Yes

On November 16th, soil samples will be taken between 2:30pm and 4:30pm at the eastern side of
the northern lagoon at Niagara College, Niagara-on-the-Lake campus. The sample will be taken
using Dutch auger. We will be leaving from the East Wing of the main campus building, traverse
parking lot B and follow the walking path to the Lagoon then turning east and following the
cleared-foliage path to the site location as highlighted in Figure 1.

13

Figure 10: Site map of Niagara College (outlined in green) taken from Niagara Navigator. Site
for soil sampling has been highlighted in red.
Activity
Traveling to Site

Hazards and
Conditions
Traffic
- Walking across a
parking lot
- Shared, public path
to location

Controls
- Be aware of
surroundings
- Make it clear what
direction you are
headed
- Check
surroundings before
making any change in
direction
- Look both ways
when crossing car
lanes

Personal Protective
Equipment
- Bright, reflective
vests

14

Tripping & Falling

Hazards
- Roots on walking
trail
- Rocks on walking
trail
- Uneven and sloped
terrain
- Slippery terrain if
wet
- Mud formation if
wet

Adverse Weather
- Heat exposure
- Possible rain or
thunderstorms
- Sun exposure
- High winds
- Cold exposure

- Be aware of
vehicles leaving
parking spaces
- Make your
presence known
when vehicles are
approaching
- Travel with
partners
- Have charged
cellphone
- Hiking/Safety boots
- Be aware of
surroundings
- Wear proper
footwear
- Find alternate paths
if possible
- Avoid stepping on
rocks
- Walk around mud,
if no other hazards
surrounding
- Travel with
partners
- Have charged
cellphone
- Do not stray from
path
No special equipment
- Check weather
needed
patterns for the date
and time of travel
- Carry rainproof
apparel if raining
- Leave immediately
if thunder is heard or
lightning is visible
- Bring enough water
for hydration
- Wear sunscreen
- Wear clothing to
stay at a comfortable
temperature
- Be aware of any
overhead hazards if
windy

15

Equipment
Hazards
- Carrying Dutch
augers

Overhead Hazards
- Tree branches
- Acorns
- Trees

Natural Hazards
- Poison Ivy
- Ticks
- Mosquitoes

- Be aware of any
potential water
systems along path
that may flood after
rainfall
- Travel with partners
- Have charged
cellphone
- Have additional dry
clothing if clothing
becomes wet
- Be aware of
surroundings
- Avoid any sudden
movements or
rotations
- Do not have sharp
end pointed towards
anyone at any time
- Keep equipment
carried on side of you
away from the path
and people
- Be aware of
surroundings
vegetation
- Avoid areas where
objects are falling
- If cannot be
avoided, cover head
and neck to cushion
impacts
- Be aware of any
cracking or creaking
sounds
- Travel with partners
- Have charged
cellphone
- Be aware of
surroundings foliage
- Wear pants and
long sleeves, tuck
pants into socks
- Wear brighter
colours to better see
ticks

No special equipment
needed

No special equipment
needed

No special equipment
needed

16

Punctures and
Abrasions
- Thorn plants
- Trees branches
- Dutch augers
- Sticks and twigs on
ground

Soil Sampling

Tripping & Falling

Hazards
- Roots around site
- Rocks around site
- Uneven and sloped
terrain around or at
site
- Slippery terrain if
wet
- Mud formation if
wet
- Covered
depressions from
leaves
Adverse Weather
- Heat exposure
- Possible rain or
thunderstorms
- Sun exposure
- High winds
- Cold exposure

- Wear bug spray

- Avoid walking
through vegetation
when possible
- Avoid disrupting
vegetation whenever
possible
- Be aware of
surroundings
- Avoid walking
through vegetation
when possible
- Travel with partners
- Have charged
cellphone
- Stay on path when
possible
- Be aware of
surroundings
- Wear proper
footwear
- Avoid stepping on
rocks
- Walk around mud,
if no other hazards
surrounding
- Be careful when
stepping onto leafy
terrain
- Work with partners
- Have charged
cellphone
- Check weather
patterns for the date
and time of travel
- Carry rainproof
apparel if raining
- Leave immediately
if thunder is heard or
lightning is visible
- Bring enough water
for hydration
- Wear sunscreen
- Wear clothing to
stay at a comfortable
temperature

No special equipment
needed

- Hiking/Safety
boots

No special equipment
needed

17

Equipment
Hazards
- Carrying Dutch
auger
- Working with
Dutch auger

Overhead Hazards
- Tree branches
- Acorns
- Trees

Natural Hazards
- Poison Ivy
- Ticks

- Be aware of any
overhead hazards if
windy
- Be aware of any
potential water
systems near site that
may overflow
- Work with partners
- Have charged
cellphone
- Pack food and
snacks
- Have dry clothing
ready in case clothing
becomes wet
- Be aware of
No special equipment
surroundings
needed
- Avoid any sudden
movements or
rotations
- Do not have sharp
end pointed towards
anyone at any time
- Be conscious of
where it is placed
- Be careful of
subsurface rocks
- Be aware of
surroundings
vegetation
- Avoid areas where
objects are falling
- If cannot be
avoided, cover head
and neck to cushion
impacts
- Be aware of any
cracking or creaking
sounds
- Work with partners
- Have charged
cellphone
- Be aware of
surroundings foliage

No special equipment
needed

No special equipment
needed

18

- Mosquitoes

Punctures and
Abrasions
- Thorn plants
- Trees branches
- Dutch augers
- Sticks and twigs on
ground

- Wear pants and

long sleeves, tuck
pants into socks
- Wear brighter
colours to better see
ticks
- Wear bug spray
- Avoid walking
through vegetation
when possible
- Avoid disrupting
vegetation whenever
possible
- Be aware of
surroundings
- Avoid walking
through vegetation
when possible
- Work with partners
- Have charged
cellphone

No special equipment
needed

19

Appendix C: Copy of Chains of Custody

20