The vehicle-portable analytical system of the Emergencies Science Division of Environment Canada

The Emergencies Science Division of Environment Canada is equipped with a mobile laboratory (level 3) to perform analytical procedures on-site. A detailed description of this vehicle along with its equipment will be given. Typical procedures such as supercritical fluid extraction for polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) from soil samples, ultrasonic probe extraction of selected chemicals, and microwave-assisted processes (MAP TM) for the extraction of contaminated soil will be reported. Analytical results using a GC-MSD will be presented. Experimental procedures and results from an exercise simulating a spill accident will also be presented as well as a post mortem analysis of such operation.