In the context of projects to demolish several buildings within the port area, the Port Atlantique de La Rochelle authority, which owns the land, appointed Artelia to assess the environmental conditions of seven sites, some of which are still active (shipyards, mechanics' workshops, workshops working with the railway sector, houses, reclaimed areas, etc.). These sites represent surface areas ranging from 400 m² to 12,000 m².
The different assessments comprised a historical and vulnerability study and investigations focusing on the soils, the concrete used for the slabs, the ballasts and the asphalt.
Contamination resulting from current or past activities was revealed at most of the sites studied (petroleum products, PAHs, PCBs, heavy metals, etc.).
Therefore, two cost/benefit analyses were carried out upon completion of the assessments: one for the management of the contaminated concrete slabs, and the other for the management of PAH-contaminated fill materials contained in a raised platform.
An executive summary was also drawn up to propose a protocol for the earthworks involving non-inert earth materials to be performed in the context of the building demolition works.