Lebanon Post-Conflict Environmental Assessment - UNEP

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LEBANONPOST-CONFLICT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTThe airport fuel storage tanks before the conflictMetres0 20 40 60 80 10017/06/2005 © SPACE IMAGINGBoth soil samples emitted a strong smell ofkerosene, leading to the conclusion that asignificant amount of the fuel had leaked into theground following the attack on the tank. The soilsamples, however, showed less contaminationthan expected. The sample from the wall of theimpounding basin showed concentrations ofextractable petroleum hydrocarbons (EPH) andpolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) belowDutch Intervention Values, while interventionvalues for hydrocarbons were exceeded onlyslightly in the sample taken from below groundsurface.The sampling could not reveal the total extentof the spill, but given that it showed definitesigns of kerosene-contamination, a larger spill(several hundred cubic metres) resulting fromthe attack could not be ruled out.Kerosene contains a large amount of benzene,toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (BTEX),which are highly toxic and highly mobile.Hydrocarbon plumes in the groundwatercan reach several hundred metres in length,depending on groundwater movement,biological activity, etc. If water wells are foundin close proximity to the site, the potential forcontamination exists.These concerns will have to be verified by furtherinvestigations and monitoring.Surface and groundwaterNo borehole or surface water was identifiedwithin the site and thus no water samples wererecovered. The oil spill, however, represents apollution risk for the nearby Ghadir stream aswell as for groundwater in the area, particularlyfollowing heavy rainfall. These need to beinvestigated further in future. In addition,hydrocarbon contamination of surface andgroundwater found at the neighbouring El-Twait feedlot site is suspected to originate fromthe airport’s damaged fuel tanks.Waste managementDuring the site inspection, work was ongoingto dismantle the damaged fuel tank, which wasbeing cut into sections and transported off the52 • United Nations Environment Programme • United Nations Environment Programme • United Nations Environment Programme •
INDUSTRIAL AND URBAN CONTAMINATIONThe airport fuel storage tanks after the conflictpy g p g gMetres0 20 40 60 80 10019/08/2006 © SPACE IMAGINGsite by tipper-trucks. The complete absence ofhealth and safety equipment for the individualsparticipating in these activities is a matter ofconcern.Clearly, the most significant waste disposal issueon site is the contaminated soil and material,the exact extent and magnitude of which couldonly be determined through a thorough siteinvestigation.RecommendationsUrgent short-term measures(0 – 3 months)1. Investigate the vertical and horizontal extentof the oil contamination using drilling rigsand, where necessary, appropriate equipmentfor excavating trenches such as excavators orback-hoes.2. Monitor groundwater quality from theneighbouring site, El-Twait feedlot, as well as fromother wells in the vicinity (in a 500 m radius).3. If the presence of water wells is confirmed,investigate the water quality in the wells todetermine any impact from the oil spill.4. Remove the damaged and structurally unsoundconcrete base beneath the dismantled fueltank.5. Remove the contaminated soil and graveland replace with clean material (a worst caseestimate would be an area of 50 x 50 m ofcontamination, with a maximum thickness of10 m, or 25,000 m³ of contaminated soil).6. Construct a new concrete base for the tank toavoid the risk of settlement.7. All individuals engaged in site clean-upactivities, such as the dismantling of theobsolete tank, must be provided with, anduse, appropriate health and safety equipment,including boots, gloves, overalls, hard hats,and disposable masks/respirators.Medium-term recommendations(3 months – 1 year)Establish a groundwater monitoring programme.• United Nations Environment Programme • United Nations Environment Programme • United Nations Environment Programme •53
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