Independent Environmental Monitoring Program: Deloro closed mine site

Related Links

The Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) is licensed by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) to conduct remediation activities associated with the Young’s Creek Area (YCA) located at the Deloro closed mine site (Deloro site). The Deloro site is an abandoned mine and industrial area located approximately 65 km east of Peterborough, Ontario, adjacent to the former village of Deloro along the banks of the Moira River. The Moira River runs through the Deloro site and flows into Lake Ontario.

The Deloro site began operation as an underground gold mine in the 1860s, and the historical mining, refining, and manufacturing operation closed in 1961. The mining and industrial operations resulted in large volumes of by-products that were deposited on the Deloro site as waste. This waste legacy includes soil, sediment, groundwater and surface water that are contaminated with arsenic, cobalt, copper, nickel and small quantities of low-level radioactive waste. Arsenic is the main contaminant of concern at the Deloro site. Low-level radioactive waste materials containing uranium and its decay products, from historic refining operations in Port Hope, constitute up to 6% of the waste, and coexist with the non-radioactive hazardous wastes. Due to this legacy waste and the ongoing remediation work, public access to the site is prohibited.

The MECP assumed responsibility for the site and the required environmental cleanup when the previous owners abandoned the site. Since 1985, the site has been under the care and control of the MECP, which has implemented measures to control the site’s environmental contamination. These measures include a comprehensive environmental protection program and an ongoing environmental monitoring program. The MECP’s overall cleanup objective for the Deloro site is to achieve a 90% reduction in arsenic discharge to the Moira River, from historical levels, and to ensure appropriate long-term management of the small quantities of low-level radioactive waste.  To meet this cleanup objective, the MECP constructed an arsenic water treatment plant to collect and treat arsenic-contaminated groundwater from the mine site. The arsenic-contaminated water is pumped to the arsenic treatment plant where the arsenic is removed and the treated effluent water is released to the Moira River, under MECP approval. The MECP also constructed two large engineered covers to isolate contaminated materials and an engineered containment cell to securely contain contaminated sediment and waste from the YCA.

The Independent Environmental Monitoring Program (IEMP) results for 2016 and 2018 are consistent with the results from the MECP and indicate that, because of the measures being taken by the MECP, the health and safety of the people and the environment are protected.

Legend

[ ] Guideline/Reference Level

Deloro closed mine site

Sample Type Sample Description Parameter 2016 2018 Guideline/
Reference Level		 Expected Health Impact (Yes/No) Sample Code
Water Surface Water Uranium 0.16 µg/L 0.22 µg/L 15 µg/L No DM01-W01
Water Surface Water pH 7.87 7.9 6.5-9.0 No DM01-W01
Water Surface Water Gross Alpha <0.10 Bq/L <0.08 Bq/L 0.5 Bq/L No DM01-W01
Water Surface Water Gross Beta <0.12 Bq/L N/A 0.5 Bq/L No DM01-W01
Water Surface Water Gross Beta N/A <0.09 Bq/L 1 Bq/L No DM01-W01
Water Surface Water Copper 1.24 µg/L 1.28 µg/L 2 - 4 µg/L No DM01-W01
Water Surface Water Lead <0.10 µg/L 0.17 µg/L 1 - 7 µg/L No DM01-W01
Water Surface Water Nickel 0.79 µg/L 1.29 µg/L 25 - 150 µg/L No DM01-W01
Water Surface Water Zinc 0.57 µg/L 5.14 µg/L 30 µg/L No DM01-W01
Water Surface Water Arsenic 2.56 µg/L 1.60 µg/L 5 µg/L No DM01-W01
Water Surface Water Total Dissolved Solids 201 mg/L N/A 500 mg/L No DM01-W01
Water Surface Water Radium-226 <0.010 Bq/L <0.030 Bq/L 0.5 Bq/L No DM01-W01
Water Surface Water Selenium 0.06 µg/L 0.13 µg/L 1 µg/L No DM01-W01
Water Surface Water Molybdenum 0.39 µg/L 0.18 µg/L 73 µg/L No DM01-W01
Water Surface Water Inorganic Carbon 23.5 mg/L N/A N/A No DM01-W01
Water Surface Water Total Organic Carbon 22.68 mg/L N/A N/A No DM01-W01
Water Surface Water Total Carbon 46.18 mg/L N/A N/A No DM01-W01
Water Surface Water Total Suspended Solids 3.8 mg/L <2.5 mg/L N/A No DM01-W01
Water Surface Water Cobalt 0.20 µg/L 0.44 µg/L N/A No DM01-W01
Sediment 0-5 cm Uranium 1.5 mg/kg dry weight N/A 104 - 5874 mg/kg dry weight No DM02-S02
Sediment 0-5 cm Uranium N/A 1.57 mg/kg dry weight 23 mg/kg dry weight No DM02-S02
Sediment 0-5 cm Copper 48 mg/kg dry weight 67.8 mg/kg dry weight 16 - 110 mg/kg dry weight No DM02-S02
Sediment 0-5 cm Lead 27 mg/kg dry weight 24.4 mg/kg dry weight 35 - 91.3 mg/kg dry weight No DM02-S02
Sediment 0-5 cm Nickel 217 mg/kg dry weight 226 mg/kg dry weight 16 - 75 mg/kg dry weight No DM02-S02
Sediment 0-5 cm Zinc 112 mg/kg dry weight 123 mg/kg dry weight 123 - 315 mg/kg dry weight No DM02-S02
Sediment 0-5 cm Arsenic 427 mg/kg dry weight 354 mg/kg dry weight 5.9 - 17 mg/kg dry weight No DM02-S02
Sediment 0-5 cm Radium-226 28 Bq/kg dry weight 27.8 Bq/kg dry weight 4852 Bq/kg dry weight No DM02-S02
Sediment 0-5 cm Selenium 0.42 mg/kg dry weight 0.83 mg/kg dry weight 1.9 - 16.1 mg/kg dry weight No DM02-S02
Sediment 0-5 cm Molybdenum 0.93 mg/kg dry weight 1.06 mg/kg dry weight 13.8 - 1238 mg/kg dry weight No DM02-S02
Sediment 0-5 cm Inorganic Carbon 2170 mg/L N/A N/A No DM02-S02
Sediment 0-5 cm Total Organic Carbon 25030 mg/L N/A N/A No DM02-S02
Sediment 0-5 cm Total Carbon 27200 mg/L N/A N/A No DM02-S02
Sediment 0-5 cm Cobalt 165 mg/kg dry weight 187 mg/kg dry weight N/A No DM02-S02
Water Surface Water Uranium 0.29 µg/L 0.32 µg/L 15 µg/L No DM02-W02
Water Surface Water pH 7.89 8.0 6.5-9.0 No DM02-W02
Water Surface Water Gross Alpha <0.10 Bq/L 0.086 Bq/L 0.5 Bq/L No DM02-W02
Water Surface Water Gross Beta <0.12 Bq/L N/A 0.5 Bq/L No DM02-W02
Water Surface Water Gross Beta N/A 0.105 Bq/L 1 Bq/L No DM02-W02
Water Surface Water Copper 1.41 µg/L 0.86 µg/L 2 - 4 µg/L No DM02-W02
Water Surface Water Lead <0.10 µg/L 0.07 µg/L 1 - 7 µg/L No DM02-W02
Water Surface Water Nickel 2.78 µg/L 2.31 µg/L 25 - 150 µg/L No DM02-W02
Water Surface Water Zinc <0.50 µg/L 0.38 µg/L 30 µg/L No DM02-W02
Water Surface Water Arsenic 95.1 µg/L 14.9 µg/L 5 µg/L No DM02-W02
Water Surface Water Total Dissolved Solids 180 mg/L N/A 500 mg/L No DM02-W02
Water Surface Water Radium-226 <0.010 Bq/L <0.030 Bq/L 0.5 Bq/L No DM02-W02
Water Surface Water Selenium 0.05 µg/L 0.13 µg/L 1 µg/L No DM02-W02
Water Surface Water Molybdenum 0.53 µg/L 0.25 µg/L 73 µg/L No DM02-W02
Water Surface Water Inorganic Carbon 20.03 mg/L N/A N/A No DM02-W02
Water Surface Water Total Organic Carbon 18.74 mg/L N/A N/A No DM02-W02
Water Surface Water Total Carbon 38.77 mg/L N/A N/A No DM02-W02
Water Surface Water Total Suspended Solids 6.8 mg/L <2.5 mg/L N/A No DM02-W02
Water Surface Water Cobalt 0.95 µg/L 1.24 µg/L N/A No DM02-W02
Sediment 0-5 cm Uranium 1.4 mg/kg dry weight N/A 104 - 5874 mg/kg dry weight No DM03-S03
Sediment 0-5 cm Copper 65 mg/kg dry weight N/A 16 - 110 mg/kg dry weight No DM03-S03
Sediment 0-5 cm Lead 31 mg/kg dry weight N/A 35 - 91.3 mg/kg dry weight No DM03-S03
Sediment 0-5 cm Nickel 554 mg/kg dry weight N/A 16 - 75 mg/kg dry weight No DM03-S03
Sediment 0-5 cm Zinc 118 mg/kg dry weight N/A 123 - 315 mg/kg dry weight No DM03-S03
Sediment 0-5 cm Arsenic 1131 mg/kg dry weight N/A 5.9 - 17 mg/kg dry weight No DM03-S03
Sediment 0-5 cm Radium-226 27 Bq/kg dry weight N/A 4852 Bq/kg dry weight No DM03-S03
Sediment 0-5 cm Selenium 0.48 mg/kg dry weight N/A 1.9 - 16.1 mg/kg dry weight No DM03-S03
Sediment 0-5 cm Molybdenum 0.64 mg/kg dry weight N/A 13.8 - 1238 mg/kg dry weight No DM03-S03
Sediment 0-5 cm Inorganic Carbon 62 mg/L N/A N/A No DM03-S03
Sediment 0-5 cm Total Organic Carbon 17781 mg/L N/A N/A No DM03-S03
Sediment 0-5 cm Total Carbon 17843 mg/L N/A N/A No DM03-S03
Sediment 0-5 cm Cobalt 337 mg/kg dry weight N/A N/A No DM03-S03
Water Surface Water Uranium 1.97 µg/L 0.20 µg/L 15 µg/L No DM03-W03
Water Surface Water pH 8.10 8.10 6.5-9.0 No DM03-W03
Water Surface Water Gross Alpha <0.10 Bq/L 0.092 Bq/L 0.5 Bq/L No DM03-W03
Water Surface Water Gross Beta <0.12 Bq/L N/A 0.5 Bq/L No DM03-W03
Water Surface Water Gross Beta N/A 0.099 Bq/L 1 Bq/L No DM03-W03
Water Surface Water Copper 2.25 µg/L 0.86 µg/L 2 - 4 µg/L No DM03-W03
Water Surface Water Lead 0.13 µg/L 0.10 µg/L 1 - 7 µg/L No DM03-W03
Water Surface Water Nickel 2.79 µg/L 1.62 µg/L 25 - 150 µg/L No DM03-W03
Water Surface Water Zinc <0.50 µg/L 1.72 µg/L 30 µg/L No DM03-W03
Water Surface Water Arsenic 90.6 µg/L 14.7 µg/L 5 µg/L No DM03-W03
Water Surface Water Total Dissolved Solids 179 mg/L N/A 500 mg/L No DM03-W03
Water Surface Water Radium-226 <0.010 Bq/L <0.030 Bq/L 0.5 Bq/L No DM03-W03
Water Surface Water Selenium 0.07 µg/L 0.13 µg/L 1 µg/L No DM03-W03
Water Surface Water Molybdenum 0.38 µg/L 0.22 µg/L 73 µg/L No DM03-W03
Water Surface Water Inorganic Carbon 20.90 mg/L N/A N/A No DM03-W03
Water Surface Water Total Organic Carbon 19.33 mg/L N/A N/A No DM03-W03
Water Surface Water Total Carbon 40.23 mg/L N/A N/A No DM03-W03
Water Surface Water Total Suspended Solids 2.2 mg/L <2.5 mg/L N/A No DM03-W03
Water Surface Water Cobalt 1.21 µg/L 1.08 µg/L N/A No DM03-W03
Sediment 0-5 cm Uranium 11 mg/kg dry weight N/A 104 - 5874 mg/kg dry weight No DM04-S04
Sediment 0-5 cm Uranium N/A 22.3 mg/kg dry weight 23 mg/kg dry weight No DM04-S04
Sediment 0-5 cm Copper 1069 mg/kg dry weight 1975 mg/kg dry weight 16 - 110 mg/kg dry weight No DM04-S04
Sediment 0-5 cm Lead 36 mg/kg dry weight 53.4 mg/kg dry weight 35 - 91.3 mg/kg dry weight No DM04-S04
Sediment 0-5 cm Nickel 389 mg/kg dry weight 621 mg/kg dry weight 16 - 75 mg/kg dry weight No DM04-S04
Sediment 0-5 cm Zinc 144 mg/kg dry weight 161 mg/kg dry weight 123 - 315 mg/kg dry weight No DM04-S04
Sediment 0-5 cm Arsenic 1304 mg/kg dry weight 1278 mg/kg dry weight 5.9 - 17 mg/kg dry weight No DM04-S04
Sediment 0-5 cm Radium-226 285 Bq/kg dry weight 655.0 Bq/kg dry weight 4852 Bq/kg dry weight No DM04-S04
Sediment 0-5 cm Selenium 0.99 mg/kg dry weight 2.77 mg/kg dry weight 1.9 - 16.1 mg/kg dry weight No DM04-S04
Sediment 0-5 cm Molybdenum 2.4 mg/kg dry weight 4.10 mg/kg dry weight 13.8 - 1238 mg/kg dry weight No DM04-S04
Sediment 0-5 cm Inorganic Carbon 4813 mg/L N/A N/A No DM04-S04
Sediment 0-5 cm Total Organic Carbon 51596 mg/L N/A N/A No DM04-S04
Sediment 0-5 cm Total Carbon 56409 mg/L N/A N/A No DM04-S04
Sediment 0-5 cm Cobalt 732 mg/kg dry weight 904 mg/kg dry weight N/A No DM04-S04
Water Surface Water Uranium 1.66 µg/L 1.43 µg/L 15 µg/L No DM04-W04
Water Surface Water pH 7.44 7.5 6.5-9.0 No DM04-W04
Water Surface Water Gross Alpha <0.10 Bq/L <0.077 Bq/L 0.5 Bq/L No DM04-W04
Water Surface Water Gross Beta <0.12 Bq/L N/A 0.5 Bq/L No DM04-W04
Water Surface Water Gross Beta N/A <0.090 Bq/L 1 Bq/L No DM04-W04
Water Surface Water Copper 12.4 µg/L 6.02 µg/L 2 - 4 µg/L No DM04-W04
Water Surface Water Lead <0.10 µg/L 0.06 µg/L 1 - 7 µg/L No DM04-W04
Water Surface Water Nickel 16.2 µg/L 13.0 µg/L 25 - 150 µg/L No DM04-W04
Water Surface Water Zinc <0.50 µg/L 1.26 µg/L 30 µg/L No DM04-W04
Water Surface Water Arsenic 552 µg/L 533 µg/L 5 µg/L No DM04-W04
Water Surface Water Total Dissolved Solids 254 mg/L N/A 500 mg/L No DM04-W04
Water Surface Water Radium-226 <0.010 Bq/L <0.030 Bq/L 0.5 Bq/L No DM04-W04
Water Surface Water Selenium 0.14 µg/L 0.17 µg/L 1 µg/L No DM04-W04
Water Surface Water Molybdenum 10.1 µg/L 6.36 µg/L 73 µg/L No DM04-W04
Water Surface Water Inorganic Carbon 12.35 mg/L N/A N/A No DM04-W04
Water Surface Water Total Organic Carbon 16.21 mg/L N/A N/A No DM04-W04
Water Surface Water Total Carbon 28.56 mg/L N/A N/A No DM04-W04
Water Surface Water Total Suspended Solids 8.4 mg/L <2.5 mg/L N/A No DM04-W04
Water Surface Water Cobalt 3.00 µg/L 4.83 µg/L N/A No DM04-W04
Sediment 0-5 cm Uranium 6.9 mg/kg dry weight N/A 104 - 5874 mg/kg dry weight No DM05-S05
Sediment 0-5 cm Uranium N/A 11.2 mg/kg dry weight 23 mg/kg dry weight No DM05-S05
Sediment 0-5 cm Copper 463 mg/kg dry weight 716 mg/kg dry weight 16 - 110 mg/kg dry weight No DM05-S05
Sediment 0-5 cm Lead 25 mg/kg dry weight 32.9 mg/kg dry weight 35 - 91.3 mg/kg dry weight No DM05-S05
Sediment 0-5 cm Nickel 292 mg/kg dry weight 363 mg/kg dry weight 16 - 75 mg/kg dry weight No DM05-S05
Sediment 0-5 cm Zinc 158 mg/kg dry weight 192 mg/kg dry weight 123 - 315 mg/kg dry weight No DM05-S05
Sediment 0-5 cm Arsenic 747 mg/kg dry weight 1057 mg/kg dry weight 5.9 - 17 mg/kg dry weight No DM05-S05
Sediment 0-5 cm Radium-226 141 Bq/kg dry weight 259.0 Bq/kg dry weight 4852 Bq/kg dry weight No DM05-S05
Sediment 0-5 cm Selenium 0.78 mg/kg dry weight 2.46 mg/kg dry weight 1.9 - 16.1 mg/kg dry weight No DM05-S05
Sediment 0-5 cm Molybdenum 2.0 mg/kg dry weight 4.30 mg/kg dry weight 13.8 - 1238 mg/kg dry weight No DM05-S05
Sediment 0-5 cm Inorganic Carbon 20 mg/L N/A N/A No DM05-S05
Sediment 0-5 cm Total Organic Carbon 67343 mg/L N/A N/A No DM05-S05
Sediment 0-5 cm Total Carbon 67363 mg/L N/A N/A No DM05-S05
Sediment 0-5 cm Cobalt 727 mg/kg dry weight 926 mg/kg dry weight N/A No DM05-S05
Water Surface Water Uranium 0.25 µg/L 0.73 µg/L 15 µg/L No DM05-W05
Water Surface Water pH 7.15 7.6 6.5-9.0 No DM05-W05
Water Surface Water Gross Alpha <0.10 Bq/L <0.077 Bq/L 0.5 Bq/L No DM05-W05
Water Surface Water Gross Beta <0.12 Bq/L N/A 0.5 Bq/L No DM05-W05
Water Surface Water Gross Beta N/A <0.090 Bq/L 1 Bq/L No DM05-W05
Water Surface Water Copper 5.42 µg/L 4.87 µg/L 2 - 4 µg/L No DM05-W05
Water Surface Water Lead 0.10 µg/L 0.22 µg/L 1 - 7 µg/L No DM05-W05
Water Surface Water Nickel 15.6 µg/L 21.3 µg/L 25 - 150 µg/L No DM05-W05
Water Surface Water Zinc <0.50 µg/L 3.76 µg/L 30 µg/L No DM05-W05
Water Surface Water Arsenic 151 µg/L 187 µg/L 5 µg/L No DM05-W05
Water Surface Water Total Dissolved Solids 147 mg/L N/A 500 mg/L No DM05-W05
Water Surface Water Radium-226 <0.010 Bq/L <0.030 Bq/L 0.5 Bq/L No DM05-W05
Water Surface Water Selenium 0.08 µg/L 0.13 µg/L 1 µg/L No DM05-W05
Water Surface Water Molybdenum 2.55 µg/L 2.86 µg/L 73 µg/L No DM05-W05
Water Surface Water Inorganic Carbon 12.73 mg/L N/A N/A No DM05-W05
Water Surface Water Total Organic Carbon 16.34 mg/L N/A N/A No DM05-W05
Water Surface Water Total Carbon 29.07 mg/L N/A N/A No DM05-W05
Water Surface Water Total Suspended Solids 3.1 mg/L 3.3 mg/L N/A No DM05-W05
Water Surface Water Cobalt 7.63 µg/L 11.8 µg/L N/A No DM05-W05
Sediment 0-5 cm Uranium 4.0 mg/kg dry weight N/A 104 - 5874 mg/kg dry weight No DM06-S06
Sediment 0-5 cm Uranium N/A 10.7 mg/kg 23 mg/kg dry weight No DM06-S06
Sediment 0-5 cm Copper 259 mg/kg dry weight 662 mg/kg 16 - 110 mg/kg dry weight No DM06-S06
Sediment 0-5 cm Lead 24 mg/kg dry weight 27.1 mg/kg 35 - 91.3 mg/kg dry weight No DM06-S06
Sediment 0-5 cm Nickel 346 mg/kg dry weight 364 mg/kg 16 - 75 mg/kg dry weight No DM06-S06
Sediment 0-5 cm Zinc 147 mg/kg dry weight 175 mg/kg 123 - 315 mg/kg dry weight No DM06-S06
Sediment 0-5 cm Arsenic 601 mg/kg dry weight 943 mg/kg 5.9 - 17 mg/kg dry weight No DM06-S06
Sediment 0-5 cm Radium-226 99 Bq/kg dry weight 209.0 Bq/kg dry weight 4852 Bq/kg dry weight No DM06-S06
Sediment 0-5 cm Selenium 0.57 mg/kg dry weight 2.09 mg/kg 1.9 - 16.1 mg/kg dry weight No DM06-S06
Sediment 0-5 cm Molybdenum 1.1 mg/kg dry weight 2.56 mg/kg 13.8 - 1238 mg/kg dry weight No DM06-S06
Sediment 0-5 cm Inorganic Carbon 22 mg/L N/A N/A No DM06-S06
Sediment 0-5 cm Total Organic Carbon 54051 mg/L N/A N/A No DM06-S06
Sediment 0-5 cm Total Carbon 54073 mg/L N/A N/A No DM06-S06
Sediment 0-5 cm Cobalt 766 mg/kg dry weight 1040 mg/kg dry weight N/A No DM06-S06
Water Surface Water Uranium 0.18 µg/L 0.34 µg/L 15 µg/L No DM06-W06
Water Surface Water pH 7.59 7.6 6.5-9.0 No DM06-W06
Water Surface Water Gross Alpha <0.10 Bq/L <0.077 Bq/L 0.5 Bq/L No DM06-W06
Water Surface Water Gross Beta <0.12 Bq/L N/A 0.5 Bq/L No DM06-W06
Water Surface Water Gross Beta N/A <0.090 Bq/L 1 Bq/L No DM06-W06
Water Surface Water Copper 3.87 µg/L 5.59 µg/L 2 - 4 µg/L No DM06-W06
Water Surface Water Lead <0.10 µg/L 0.13 µg/L 1 - 7 µg/L No DM06-W06
Water Surface Water Nickel 7.34 µg/L 16.4 µg/L 25 - 150 µg/L No DM06-W06
Water Surface Water Zinc <0.50 µg/L 1.65 µg/L 30 µg/L No DM06-W06
Water Surface Water Arsenic 110 µg/L 189 µg/L 5 µg/L No DM06-W06
Water Surface Water Total Dissolved Solids 169 mg/L N/A 500 mg/L No DM06-W06
Water Surface Water Radium-226 <0.010 Bq/L <0.030 Bq/L 0.5 Bq/L No DM06-W06
Water Surface Water Selenium 0.07 µg/L 0.13 µg/L 1 µg/L No DM06-W06
Water Surface Water Molybdenum 1.08 µg/L 2.89 µg/L 73 µg/L No DM06-W06
Water Surface Water Inorganic Carbon 17.87 mg/L N/A N/A No DM06-W06
Water Surface Water Total Organic Carbon 17.29 mg/L N/A N/A No DM06-W06
Water Surface Water Total Carbon 35.16 mg/L N/A N/A No DM06-W06
Water Surface Water Total Suspended Solids 1.2 mg/L 3.9 mg/L N/A No DM06-W06
Water Surface Water Cobalt 0.82 µg/L 5.53 µg/L N/A No DM06-W06
Sediment 0-5 cm Uranium 1.5 mg/kg dry weight N/A 104 - 5874 mg/kg dry weight No DM07-S07
Sediment 0-5 cm Uranium N/A 1.52 mg/kg 23 mg/kg dry weight No DM07-S07
Sediment 0-5 cm Copper 58 mg/kg dry weight 57.6 mg/kg 16 - 110 mg/kg dry weight No DM07-S07
Sediment 0-5 cm Lead 0.58 mg/kg dry weight 29.0 mg/kg 35 - 91.3 mg/kg dry weight No DM07-S07
Sediment 0-5 cm Nickel 309 mg/kg dry weight 316 mg/kg 16 - 75 mg/kg dry weight No DM07-S07
Sediment 0-5 cm Zinc 174 mg/kg dry weight 170 mg/kg 123 - 315 mg/kg dry weight No DM07-S07
Sediment 0-5 cm Arsenic 748 mg/kg dry weight 563 mg/kg 5.9 - 17 mg/kg dry weight No DM07-S07
Sediment 0-5 cm Radium-226 62 Bq/kg dry weight 59.7 Bq/kg dry weight 4852 Bq/kg dry weight No DM07-S07
Sediment 0-5 cm Selenium 0.96 mg/kg dry weight 1.43 mg/kg 1.9 - 16.1 mg/kg dry weight No DM07-S07
Sediment 0-5 cm Molybdenum 0.58 mg/kg dry weight 0.86 mg/kg 13.8 - 1238 mg/kg dry weight No DM07-S07
Sediment 0-5 cm Inorganic Carbon 114 mg/L N/A N/A No DM07-S07
Sediment 0-5 cm Total Organic Carbon 137403 mg/L N/A N/A No DM07-S07
Sediment 0-5 cm Total Carbon 137517 mg/L N/A N/A No DM07-S07
Sediment 0-5 cm Cobalt 539 mg/kg dry weight 449 mg/kg N/A No DM07-S07
Water Surface Water Uranium <0.10 µg/L 0.17 µg/L 15 µg/L No DM07-W07
Water Surface Water pH 8.14 8.2 6.5-9.0 No DM07-W07
Water Surface Water Gross Alpha <0.10 Bq/L <0.077 Bq/L 0.5 Bq/L No DM07-W07
Water Surface Water Gross Beta <0.12 Bq/L N/A 0.5 Bq/L No DM07-W07
Water Surface Water Gross Beta N/A <0.090 Bq/L 1 Bq/L No DM07-W07
Water Surface Water Copper 2.08 µg/L 0.95 µg/L 2 - 4 µg/L No DM07-W07
Water Surface Water Lead 0.18 µg/L 0.04 µg/L 1 - 7 µg/L No DM07-W07
Water Surface Water Nickel 5.59 µg/L 3.16 µg/L 25 - 150 µg/L No DM07-W07
Water Surface Water Zinc <0.50 µg/L 0.71 µg/L 30 µg/L No DM07-W07
Water Surface Water Arsenic 85.3 µg/L 26.0 µg/L 5 µg/L No DM07-W07
Water Surface Water Total Dissolved Solids 186 mg/L N/A 500 mg/L No DM07-W07
Water Surface Water Radium-226 <0.010 Bq/L <0.030 Bq/L 0.5 Bq/L No DM07-W07
Water Surface Water Selenium 0.08 µg/L 0.13 µg/L 1 µg/L No DM07-W07
Water Surface Water Molybdenum 0.45 µg/L 0.23 µg/L 73 µg/L No DM07-W07
Water Surface Water Inorganic Carbon 21.23 mg/L N/A N/A No DM07-W07
Water Surface Water Total Organic Carbon 19.72 mg/L N/A N/A No DM07-W07
Water Surface Water Total Carbon 40.95 mg/L N/A N/A No DM07-W07
Water Surface Water Total Suspended Solids 2.6 mg/L <2.5 mg/L N/A No DM07-W07
Water Surface Water Cobalt 0.83 µg/L 0.86 µg/L N/A No DM07-W07
Sediment 0-5 cm Uranium N/A 1.52 mg/kg 23 mg/kg dry weight No DM08-S08
Sediment 0-5 cm Copper N/A 110 mg/kg 16 - 110 mg/kg dry weight No DM08-S08
Sediment 0-5 cm Lead N/A 50.8 mg/kg 35 - 91.3 mg/kg dry weight No DM08-S08
Sediment 0-5 cm Nickel N/A 614 mg/kg 16 - 75 mg/kg dry weight No DM08-S08
Sediment 0-5 cm Zinc N/A 174 mg/kg 123 - 315 mg/kg dry weight No DM08-S08
Sediment 0-5 cm Arsenic N/A 100 mg/kg 5.9 - 17 mg/kg dry weight No DM08-S08
Sediment 0-5 cm Radium-226 N/A 34.0 Bq/kg dry weight 4852 Bq/kg dry weight No DM08-S08
Sediment 0-5 cm Selenium N/A 1.72 mg/kg 1.9 - 16.1 mg/kg dry weight No DM08-S08
Sediment 0-5 cm Molybdenum N/A 1.07 mg/kg 13.8 - 1238 mg/kg dry weight No DM08-S08
Sediment 0-5 cm Cobalt N/A 379 mg/kg N/A No DM08-S08
Water Surface Water Uranium <0.10 µg/L 0.19 µg/L 15 µg/L No DM08-W08
Water Surface Water pH 7.82 8.2 6.5-9.0 No DM08-W08
Water Surface Water Gross Alpha <0.10 Bq/L <0.077 Bq/L 0.5 Bq/L No DM08-W08
Water Surface Water Gross Beta <0.12 Bq/L N/A 0.5 Bq/L No DM08-W08
Water Surface Water Gross Beta N/A <0.090 Bq/L 1 Bq/L No DM08-W08
Water Surface Water Copper 2.19 µg/L 0.94 µg/L 2 - 4 µg/L No DM08-W08
Water Surface Water Lead <0.10 µg/L 0.04 µg/L 1 - 7 µg/L No DM08-W08
Water Surface Water Nickel 4.38 µg/L 3.39 µg/L 25 - 150 µg/L No DM08-W08
Water Surface Water Zinc <0.50 µg/L 0.12 µg/L 30 µg/L No DM08-W08
Water Surface Water Arsenic 67.8 µg/L 24.7 µg/L 5 µg/L No DM08-W08
Water Surface Water Total Dissolved Solids 192 mg/L N/A 500 mg/L No DM08-W08
Water Surface Water Radium-226 <0.010 Bq/L <0.030 Bq/L 0.5 Bq/L No DM08-W08
Water Surface Water Selenium 0.09 µg/L 0.13 µg/L 1 µg/L No DM08-W08
Water Surface Water Molybdenum 0.31 µg/L 0.23 µg/L 73 µg/L No DM08-W08
Water Surface Water Inorganic Carbon 22.63 mg/L N/A N/A No DM08-W08
Water Surface Water Total Organic Carbon 20.61 mg/L N/A N/A No DM08-W08
Water Surface Water Total Carbon 43.24 mg/L N/A N/A No DM08-W08
Water Surface Water Total Suspended Solids 1.2 mg/L <2.5 mg/L N/A No DM08-W08
Water Surface Water Cobalt 0.68 µg/L 0.81 µg/L N/A No DM08-W08
Water Surface Water Uranium <0.10 µg/L 0.18 µg/L 15 µg/L No DM09-W09
Water Surface Water pH 8.27 8.4 6.5-9.0 No DM09-W09
Water Surface Water Gross Alpha <0.10 Bq/L <0.077 Bq/L 0.5 Bq/L No DM09-W09
Water Surface Water Gross Beta <0.12 Bq/L N/A 0.5 Bq/L No DM09-W09
Water Surface Water Gross Beta N/A <0.090 Bq/L 1 Bq/L No DM09-W09
Water Surface Water Copper 1.06 µg/L 1.09 µg/L 2 - 4 µg/L No DM09-W09
Water Surface Water Lead <0.10 µg/L 0.07 µg/L 1 - 7 µg/L No DM09-W09
Water Surface Water Nickel 2.93 µg/L 4.86 µg/L 25 - 150 µg/L No DM09-W09
Water Surface Water Zinc <0.50 µg/L 0.99 µg/L 30 µg/L No DM09-W09
Water Surface Water Arsenic 19.5 µg/L 14.1 µg/L 5 µg/L No DM09-W09
Water Surface Water Total Dissolved Solids 197 mg/L N/A 500 mg/L No DM09-W09
Water Surface Water Radium-226 <0.010 Bq/L <0.030 Bq/L 0.5 Bq/L No DM09-W09
Water Surface Water Selenium 0.05 µg/L 0.12 µg/L 1 µg/L No DM09-W09
Water Surface Water Molybdenum 0.19 µg/L 0.23 µg/L 73 µg/L No DM09-W09
Water Surface Water Inorganic Carbon 21.29 mg/L N/A N/A No DM09-W09
Water Surface Water Total Organic Carbon 19.79 mg/L N/A N/A No DM09-W09
Water Surface Water Total Carbon 41.08 mg/L N/A N/A No DM09-W09
Water Surface Water Total Suspended Solids 0.4 mg/L <2.5 mg/L N/A No DM09-W09
Water Surface Water Cobalt 0.30 µg/L 0.41 µg/L N/A No DM09-W09
Water Surface Water Uranium <0.10 µg/L 0.16 µg/L 15 µg/L No DM10-W10
Water Surface Water pH 8.04 8.6 6.5-9.0 No DM10-W10
Water Surface Water Gross Alpha <0.10 Bq/L <0.077 Bq/L 0.5 Bq/L No DM10-W10
Water Surface Water Gross Beta <0.12 Bq/L N/A 0.5 Bq/L No DM10-W10
Water Surface Water Gross Beta N/A <0.090 Bq/L 1 Bq/L No DM10-W10
Water Surface Water Copper 3.43 µg/L 0.78 µg/L 2 - 4 µg/L No DM10-W10
Water Surface Water Lead 0.19 µg/L 0.02 µg/L 1 - 7 µg/L No DM10-W10
Water Surface Water Nickel 2.34 µg/L 2.76 µg/L 25 - 150 µg/L No DM10-W10
Water Surface Water Zinc <0.50 µg/L <0.11 µg/L 30 µg/L No DM10-W10
Water Surface Water Arsenic 12.5 µg/L 9.35 µg/L 5 µg/L No DM10-W10
Water Surface Water Total Dissolved Solids 155 mg/L N/A 500 mg/L No DM10-W10
Water Surface Water Radium-226 <0.010 Bq/L <0.030 Bq/L 0.5 Bq/L No DM10-W10
Water Surface Water Selenium 0.05 µg/L 0.09 µg/L 1 µg/L No DM10-W10
Water Surface Water Molybdenum 0.17 µg/L 0.21 µg/L 73 µg/L No DM10-W10
Water Surface Water Inorganic Carbon 16.8 mg/L N/A N/A No DM10-W10
Water Surface Water Total Organic Carbon 15.95 mg/L N/A N/A No DM10-W10
Water Surface Water Total Carbon 32.75 mg/L N/A N/A No DM10-W10
Water Surface Water Total Suspended Solids 0.4 mg/L <2.5 mg/L N/A No DM10-W10
Water Surface Water Cobalt 0.29 µg/L 0.36 µg/L N/A No DM10-W10
Sediment 0-5 cm Uranium N/A 2.83 mg/kg 23 mg/kg dry weight No DM11-S11
Sediment 0-5 cm Copper N/A 17.1 mg/kg 16 - 110 mg/kg dry weight No DM11-S11
Sediment 0-5 cm Lead N/A 15.2 mg/kg 35 - 91.3 mg/kg dry weight No DM11-S11
Sediment 0-5 cm Nickel N/A 25.5 mg/kg 16 - 75 mg/kg dry weight No DM11-S11
Sediment 0-5 cm Zinc N/A 112 mg/kg 123 - 315 mg/kg dry weight No DM11-S11
Sediment 0-5 cm Arsenic N/A 6.44 mg/kg 5.9 - 17 mg/kg dry weight No DM11-S11
Sediment 0-5 cm Radium-226 N/A 21.4 Bq/kg dry weight 4852 Bq/kg dry weight No DM11-S11
Sediment 0-5 cm Selenium N/A 0.98 mg/kg 1.9 - 16.1 mg/kg dry weight No DM11-S11
Sediment 0-5 cm Molybdenum N/A 0.78 mg/kg 13.8 - 1238 mg/kg dry weight No DM11-S11
Sediment 0-5 cm Cobalt N/A 15.5 mg/kg N/A No DM11-S11
Water Surface Water Uranium N/A 0.17 µg/L 15 µg/L No DM11-W11
Water Surface Water pH N/A 8.0 6.5-9.0 No DM11-W11
Water Surface Water Gross Alpha N/A <0.077 Bq/L 0.5 Bq/L No DM11-W11
Water Surface Water Gross Beta N/A <0.090 Bq/L 1 Bq/L No DM11-W11
Water Surface Water Copper N/A 0.66 µg/L 2 - 4 µg/L No DM11-W11
Water Surface Water Lead N/A 0.03 µg/L 1 - 7 µg/L No DM11-W11
Water Surface Water Nickel N/A 0.41 µg/L 25 - 150 µg/L No DM11-W11
Water Surface Water Zinc N/A 0.20 µg/L 30 µg/L No DM11-W11
Water Surface Water Arsenic N/A 1.61 µg/L 5 µg/L No DM11-W11
Water Surface Water Radium-226 N/A <0.030 Bq/L 0.5 Bq/L No DM11-W11
Water Surface Water Selenium N/A 0.14 µg/L 1 µg/L No DM11-W11
Water Surface Water Molybdenum N/A 0.19 µg/L 73 µg/L No DM11-W11
Water Surface Water Total Suspended Solids N/A <2.5 mg/L N/A No DM11-W11
Water Surface Water Cobalt N/A 0.13 µg/L N/A No DM11-W11

1 The < symbol indicates that a result is below the provided laboratory analytical detection limit.

2 N/A – not available

Background

Under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (NSCA), licensees of nuclear facilities are required to implement an environmental monitoring program to demonstrate that the public and the environment are protected from emissions related to their facilities’ nuclear activities. The results of these monitoring programs are submitted to the CNSC to ensure compliance with applicable guidelines and limits, as set out in the regulations that oversee Canada's nuclear industry.

The CNSC has implemented its IEMP to verify that the public and the environment around licensed nuclear facilities are protected. It is separate from, but complementary to, the CNSC's ongoing compliance verification program. The IEMP involves taking samples from publicly accessible areas around facilities, and measuring and analyzing the amount of radioactive and hazardous substances in those samples. CNSC staff collect the samples and send them to the CNSC's independent laboratory for testing and analysis. Since the IEMP’s implementation, the area outside of the Deloro site perimeter has been sampled twice: once in 2016 and once in 2018.

2016 and 2018 results

The 2016 and 2018 IEMP sampling plan for the Deloro site focused on both radioactive and hazardous contaminants. A site-specific sampling plan was developed based on the MECP's environmental monitoring program and the CNSC’s regulatory experience with the site. In 2016 and 2018, CNSC staff collected sediment and water samples in publicly accessible areas outside the site perimeter, taking into account the known dispersion pathways. This included sampling locations along Young's Creek offsite and the Moira River downstream from the site.

The results of the radioactive analysis in sediment and water samples were below available guidelines and CNSC screening levels. CNSC screening levels are based on conservative assumptions about the exposure that would result in a dose of 0.1 mSv/year. No health impacts are expected at this dose level.

The results of the hazardous analysis showed elevated concentrations of copper and arsenic in some surface water samples and elevated concentrations of nickel, copper, and arsenic in some sediment samples. These water and sediment samples exceed CCME guidelines; however, these heavy metals are contaminants from historical industrial processes at the Deloro site. The concentrations of arsenic in water and sediments of the Moira River system near the Deloro site also exceed CCME guidelines. For some parameters, such as aluminum, cobalt and total organic carbon in sediment, there are no guidelines or CNSC screening values available. The results are consistent and within the range of the MECP’s results and the environmental assessment (EA) conducted as part of the CNSC licensing process for this provincial remediation project. Arsenic at the Deloro site has been significantly reduced further as a result of remediation activities performed by the licensee. Additional planned remediation activities are expected to further reduce arsenic concentrations; however, as the arsenic concentrations are elevated, there is a water consumption advisory downstream of the Deloro site. View detailed sampling data.

Conclusions

The MECP has committed to the ongoing remediation and long-term monitoring and maintenance of the Deloro site. Remediation activities put in place by the MECP have and will continue to ensure that this historic contamination is controlled and managed and that the public is protected. The IEMP results are consistent with those submitted by the MECP, demonstrating that the licensee's environmental protection program protects the health and safety of people and the environment.

To obtain the full technical IEMP reports, contact us at cnsc.info.ccsn@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca or call 613-995-5894 or 1-800-668-5284 (in Canada). Please provide the name of the facility and the report year.

Date modified: