Established in 2003, the SABCS develops independent science-based tools to benefit professionals working in contaminated sites management in British Columbia.
As well as providing strategic advice, the event looks at emerging trends, current scientific and technical information, and best practices. Over the past 12 years, it’s brought together industry, government, and academia.
As part of the 13th edition, which took place between September 27 and 28 at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver and online, Elizabeth Haack led a workshop on why microbial characterization matters in nature-based solutions for remediation. To support the workshop, she presented case studies from across Canada.
Key highlights from the event included how important NBS are to sustainable remediation, with an emphasis on addressing societal challenges while providing biodiversity and benefits to human wellbeing.
It also raised questions around monitoring needs for NBS and stressed that monitoring approaches need to be adaptive and reflect a level of certainty in conceptual site models. Several solar-powered semi-passive approaches were also discussed, such as using microblowers for bioventing and submersible pumps to bring groundwater to the surface for phytoremediation.