Within Karlshäll old industrial area, there was a sulfite pulp mill active between 1911-1962. Between the years 1952 and 1962, phenylmercury acetate was used in the operations with the aim of preserving and protecting the paper pulp against, among other things, mold and slime formation in pipelines. Untreated process water containing phenylmercury acetate and wood fibers was led to Notviken where the fibers sedimented, which in turn led to the occurrence of mercury and methylmercury in the sediment in Notviken, Luleå.
Within the area, remediation measures have been carried out between the years 2020-2022. The measures included, among other things, the salvage of stakes from the bottom and suction dredging of the mercury-contaminated sediments, followed by dewatering and off-site transportation (completed in 2022). In total, an area of about 37,800 m² has been treated.
After the remediation measures were completed, a monitoring program for follow-up sampling was established. The purpose of the sampling is to better describe the contamination situation in the sediments within the relevant area in Notviken. Compared to the previous follow-up control sampling carried out in 2023, the planned sampling to be carried out will be done at more sampling points and at more levels to obtain a greater understanding of the spread of the remaining contamination, which will serve as a basis for decisions on the need for complementary measures.
We are pleased to announce that WSP in collaboration with Luleå Kommun chose Siccum's Reverse Core Sampler for the follow-up sampling.
The scope of the sampling involves approximately 100 samples that will be collected with the RCS in collaboration with staff from WSP and Siccum during the month of March. We look forward to starting the work!
If you are interested in Siccum's Reverse Core Sampler, do not hesitate to contact us!
