The survey is conducted in response to the observation of oil residues washed up on the north coast of Curaçao and Klein Curaçao, most likely from an oil leakage at Trinidad Oil Refinery. The work was carried out in close cooperation with the other government organizations involved, namely: the Ministry of Traffic, Transportation & Spatial Planning (VVRP), Maritime Authority Curaçao (MAC) and RAC-REMPEITC Caribe.
The activities of CEGE consisted of sampling of the oil residues, sand and seawater at the defined coastal locations; sample coordination and preparation for the samples transport from Curaçao to the Netherlands, Trinidad and Venezuela; report on the performed activities. The sampling was carried out based on the Rijkswaterstaat protocol: “Guidelines for the Exchange of Oil Samples / Results between countries, and on Oil Spill Identification”, Volume 3, Chapter 32, Oil Spill Identification.
Based on the research carried out, the human and environmental risks resulting from the oil pollution were estimated. Recommendations have been made regarding follow-up research, monitoring and remediation methods.
Commissioned by FCB, CEGE performed an asbestos inventory of the distribution area, in response to a fire in one of the houses. The actual and potential risks were determined by taking air and adhesive samples at the heart of the fire and in the surrounding area. The implementation and reporting of the asbestos inventory was based on the Dutch certification scheme for the Asbestos Inventory and Asbestos Abatement works, as included in Annex XIIIa of the Dutch Working Conditions Regulation. The assessment resulted in risk classification for the asbestos sources present and an advice on the appropriate cleanup methods.
The soil survey was carried out in response to and in accordance with the conditions set out in the company Environmental permit. The objective of the survey was to gain insight into the soil quality on the site, both of potentially suspect terrain and the overall environmental hygiene soil quality. The location is situated on the first limestone terrace. The soil structure at the site consists of a top layer of diabase clay with limestone rock below. To reach a depth up to 2.5 m – ground level a mechanical drill has been deployed (auger drill). The research showed, among other things, that the diabase soil, as expected, contains elevated levels of heavy metals. Such heavy metal contents are often found in soils of volcanic origin on Leeward Islands and should be related to natural background concentrations. These concentrations can not therefore be compared directly with existing Dutch Environmental soil quality standards.
The soil survey was carried out in accordance with the Dutch fieldwork protocols in collaboration with our parent company BK Ingenieurs. The chemical analyzes were performed in accredited ALcontrol laboratories.
The inventory included almost all structures on the CD-site, as well as an inspection of the ground surface. Both the constructions and the ground surface have been inspected to gain insight into quantity, type and condition of the asbestos-containing materials present. Based on the findings, risks were determined and advice was given regarding the disposal method and the abatement priority of asbestos-containing materials. The inventory was performed by an expert Asbestos inspector (DIA) based on the Dutch protocols for asbestos inventories.
In August 2016 NuCuraçao Windparken began the expansion of the wind farm Tera Kora with five new wind turbines with a total capacity of 16.5 MW. The total capacity of wind Curacao after completion of the project, 46.5 MW, which accounts for 35% of what is consumed by the local population. CEGE has been closely involved in the construction of foundations.
Works carried out:
• concrete quality control on the site including the execution of ca. 150 compressive strength testing in the own lab;
• monitoring of a temperature gradient in the poured concrete using a thermal computer;
• carrying out more than 300 ground density measurements;
• assistance in testing and assembly of the anchoring.
After the outbreak of a fierce fire in the empty building of Sentro Pro Arte at the Schouwburgweg, it was quickly established that there is a chance of asbestos fibers being released. This due to the asbestos inventory that was carried out by CEGE Caribbean earlier this year. CEGE was directly approached by an Emergency Response Team with a request to carry out a risk assessment for the surrounding offices as soon as possible. In order to determine the level of hazard an air survey has been carried out and bulk and adhesive samples have been taken. By being able to analyze the samples in our own asbestos laboratory in Willemstad the first results were available within 24 hours after the fire outbreak.
The Asphalt Lake on Curaçao represents an environmentally unfriendly legacy of the Second World War. During the war years the Curaçao refinery produced large quantities of gasoline and aviation fuel for the Allied forces. The heavy ‘asphalt’ residue was left behind in the form of the Asphalt Lake. In 2011, excavation works and asphalt processing have been started. The final goal is to give the area a different destination. Following the intended development of the site, an indicative soil survey was carried out by CEGE on an already excavated part of the lake. The soil structure of the pit bottom was described and soil and groundwater samples were analyzed for oil components. Based on the research findings, the extent of the residual contamination and its risks were determined and the advice was given regarding remediation options.
The inspection involved the interior and exterior of an edifice build in 1965. In the years 1960 to 1970, asbestos was commonly used in the constructions because of its useful properties: fire resistance, wear resistance, electrical and thermal insulation.
Flooding occurs on the site during periods of heavy rainfall. The following work was carried out in order to gain insight into the drainage problems and to indicate potential solutions:
- Height measurements on the site and adjoining plots
- Implementation of in-situ permeability measurements (k-value) of ground layers using double ring infiltrometer method
- Drafting of drainage proposal including water balance, cause analysis and formulated solutions to flooding, taking into account the future development of the site
Following the laying of new asphalt surfacing on various roads in Curaçao CEGE undertook an survey of the quality of the asphalt. Core drill borings were made in various road sections and the asphalt cores were subsequently analyzed in our laboratory.
Work carried out:
- Erection of road barriers including traffic control
- Collection of approximately 70 asphalt cores spread across 15 road sections
- Laboratory analysis of the cores: determination of layer thickness, extraction to determine the composition (% bitumen, % hollow voids, compaction level)
