Solstice Canada Corp.
June 2017
Abstract
Solstice Canada Corp. (Solstice) investigated the influence of clay pads on toluene biogeneration in peatlands for The Petroleum Technology Alliance of Canada (PTAC). This investigation was motivated by elevated levels of toluene under clay pads that support petroleum extraction infrastructure and evidence that toluene can be produced through microbial processes. The results of an in-depth statistical analysis of past field level assessments showed that the clay caps significantly altered toluene levels. Through a comprehensive review of the scientific literature, the potential chemical and biological processes that encompass the toluene cycle were identified and documented as a comprehensive process. The synthesis of the statistical results and literature review revealed that toluene levels are dependent on site characteristics and suggested that toluene remediation criteria might best be established as benchmark comparisons to ‘background’. Solstice provides several Best Practices and toluene remediation recommendations informed by the knowledge gained. Additionally, recommendations for the experimental design of future research are provided.
# 16-SGRC-06