Contamination from Gas-Powered Chainsaws or Augers during Under-Ice Water Sampling
[1]
Bonnie O. Leung, Alberta Environment and Parks, Edmonton, AB T5K 2J6, Canada.
[2]
Joanne L. Little, Alberta Environment and Parks, Edmonton, AB T5K 2J6, Canada.
[3]
Lisa Reinbolt, Alberta Environment and Parks, Edmonton, AB T5K 2J6, Canada.
[4]
Roderick R. O. Hazewinkel, Alberta Environment and Parks, Edmonton, AB T5K 2J6, Canada.
[5]
Jessica Pope, Alberta Environment and Parks, Edmonton, AB T5K 2J6, Canada.
[6]
Shelley Manchur, Alberta Environment and Parks, Edmonton, AB T5K 2J6, Canada.
Gas-powered chainsaws and augers are routinely used in surface water monitoring programs to open up ice-covered rivers and lakes during winter sampling, especially in high latitude areas. A dataset from 2010-2013 from Alberta’s Lower Athabasca Region long-term monitoring program was analyzed and a strong association was found between detected benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (BTEX) compounds present in gasoline and the use of gas-powered equipment. Further quality control studies were performed with a gas-powered chainsaw and an electric auger, revealing that contamination can occur with gas-powered equipment. Use of an electric auger revealed no detectable levels of BTEX. This is the first study to quantitatively show that BTEX contamination of surface water quality samples can occur during use of gas-powered chainsaw or auger equipment.
Gas-Powered Chainsaw or Auger, Contamination, BTEX, Electric Powered Chainsaw or Auger
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