Youghal Waste Recovery/Transfer and Sludge Drying Facility;
3.0
GEOLOGY
3.1
Methodology
The Geological
establish
EIS Volume 2 of 2
AND HYDROGEOLOGY
Survey of Ireland (GSI) publication
the nature of the bedrock
lithology
“Geology
and Quaternary
1:100,000 scale map series was used to identify lithologies
information
was also obtained
and soil classifications.
Environmental
assessment
Impact
methodology
Statements’
Investigation
3.2
Environment
in the site vicinity.
Subsoil and soil
of Ireland
was consulted
(IGI)
Guide
to ensure
of subsoil
‘Geology
in
a comprehensive
Report is attached in Appendix 4.
.
Geology
ru
se
General
Sheet 25 of the
Irish Forest Soils (IFS) database
of Geologists
(2002)
sediments.
was applied.
The Geotechnical
Existing
from the Teagasc
The Institute
of South Cork” was consulted to
the synclines and Old Red Sandstone
Bedrock
Geology
Devonian
deposits
ns
en
of calcareous
consists
mainly
in the form of mudstones,
rocks in the area comprise
limestones
are exposed on
of the Waulsortian
years ago). The formation
Co
mounds
age (c. 300 million
The Youghal area falls
on the anticlines.
In the area of the site the bedrock
Carboniferous
Typically Carboniferous
to
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between the Cork and Ardmore Synclines.
ot
he
The oldest lithology of the region is the Devonian Old Red Sandstone.
the Ballysteen
Limestones
consists of massive,
wackestones
of
unbedded
and packstones.
and Gyleen formations,
part of what is
termed the Old Red Sandstone.
Synclinal
surrounded
Geology.
folding
associated
with the Variscan
on all sides by progressively
Local lithologies
means
that these limestones
are
older rocks, as can be seen on Fig. 3.1 Bedrock
are outlined in Table 3.1.
Geological Unit
2 Waulsortian Limestones
(WA)
!@ Ballysteen Formation (BA)
5
2
Crows Point Formation (CP)
d
.i
Gyleen Formation (GY)
g Ballytrasna Formation
cl
Lithological
Table 3.1
orogeny
(BS)
Description
Massive calcareous mudstones, wackestones and
packstones
Dark grey well-bedded fossiliferous muddy limestone
Massive and thick-bedded
grey sandstone
Green to grey and purple mudstones
and sandstones
Purple mudstone and pale red, fine to medium
grained sandstone
Units in the Site Vicinity
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to
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.
Youghal Waste Recovery/Transfer and Sludge Drying Facility;
Overburden
EIS Volume 2 of 2
Geology
The predominant
Sandstone
subsoil in the vicinity of the site is a glacial till, containing
components.
weathered Old Red
Brickfields and potteries operated up to 1935, in the area to the North
of Youghal town. These industries availed of a thick deposit of brickclay in the area to the west
of the proposed development.
Historical
reclamation
The site geotechnical
work on the adjacent Youghal Mudlands,
investigation,suggests
has led some infill of the site.
this varies in depth from 0.2m to 2.3m across the
site.
The dominant
soil type of the locality is the Acid Brown Earths/Brown
Podzolics.
Hydrogeology
The hydrogeology
of the site’s Dinantian
to the GSl’s National Aquifer Classification
is Rkd, i.e. a regionally
is considered
Map. The provisional
important
highly vulnerable
according
aquifer classification
given for
aquifer, karstified and with diffuse flow (refer to
ru
Zones).
he
Resource Protection
Table 3.2
Co
ns
en
to
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Table 3.2 Matrix of Groundwater
se
.
the lithology
limestones
Matrix of Groundwater
Resource
Protection
The subsoils of the site are described in the site geotechnical
sandy, slightly
Zones
report (refer to Appendix 4) as
gravely clay and clayey, slightly gravely sand with thicknesses
of 7.5-11.6m
approx.
Using
the Aquifer
Characteristics)
Vulnerability
Characterisation
provided by the GSI, moderate
This yields an aquifer vulnerability
(refer to Table
permeability
rating of High.
3.3 Aquifer
can be assumed
Vulnerability
for these strata.
However, the scale of these strata and
proximity to the coast limits their potential as an aquifer.
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Youghai Waste Recovery/Transfer and Sludge Drying Facility;
Table 3.3
Aquifer Vulnerability
Though the limestones
EIS Volume 2 of 2
Characterisation
of the Youghal syncline are considered
a major or regionally
important
aquifer (GSI, 1994) and they are classified as amongst the most productive in the country, due
of the site, the risk of saline intrusion
to the groundwater,
limits its
considered
suitable for extraction.
The site geotechnical
between 1.9-7.7m.
ru
in the area, therefore,
he
Groundwater
is not likely to be
ot
for potable use (GSI, 1994).
investigation
Groundwater
to
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potential
se
.
to the coastal location
indicated
that depth to groundwater
flow was determined
across the site varied
to be in a northerly direction and is likely
to be strongly influenced by the tidal regime.
Assessment
ns
en
Impact
Co
3.3
Potential
Impacts
The proposed
development
at Foxhole may require the excavation
from the site for the construction
development
will increase
of the proposed
in the amount
amount of surface water run-off.
buildings
of hardstanding
of small quantities
and storage
of soil
areas.
at the site; this will increase
The
the
However, all site run-off will be collected through the storm
water and interceptor drainage system.
Impacts
during
The construction
removed
Construction
of the site buildings, will require material to a depth of no more than 3m to be
from the site for strip foundations
report (Appendix 4) describes
have little economic
and piling.
The geotechnical
the subsoils as sandy/gravelly
site investigation
clays; as such these materials
value.
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Youghal Waste Recovery/Transfer and Sludge Drying Facility;
l
Impacts
during
Operation
The site is not intended
potential contamination
hardstanding
EIS Volume 2 of 2
to deal with hazardous
during the operation
or putrescible
waste.
of the facility should be minimal.
Furthermore
prior to discharge.
Groundwater
loss, from the collection
recharge
effect of the groundwater
groundwater.
levels.
Foul waters also represent a potential
and treat these potential contaminants
Impacts
the
of the site surface waters will have an
Fuels on-site will be stored in bunded areas; to present any potential contamination
during
threat.
thus eliminating
It is intended
of soils and
to collect, monitor
any potential impact.
Decommissioning
The main potential
impact associated
had been stored on-site.
Potential
of the facility would pertain to
contaminants
to be stored on-site will
he
ru
such as light diesel oil, which will be contained in bunded areas. The operator of
ot
include fuels
se
.
where contaminants
with the decommissioning
Plan attached in Appendix
and management
decommissioning
to
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the site has prepared a Decommissioning
of the facility during
reduced.
Impacts
Mitigation
during
Measures
Construction
During the construction
removal
phases of the development,
of soil/overburden
landscaping
Impacts
ns
en
3.4
Co
0
Therefore,
area of the site will divert surface water run-off and all storm waters will be
collected and monitored
undetectable
materials
from the site.
means
11. Therefore the control
that any potential
risk is
the main impact will be associated with the
It is intended
to use this soil/overburden
for
purposes on-site.
during
Operation
The site is not intended to deal with hazardous materials
area will be established
on-site to temporarily
arrive on-site, thereby controlling,
The entire operational
or putrescible
store such materials
preventing and managing
area of the site will be concreted.
wastes.
A quarantine
should they unintentionally
any potential risk.
This measure should protect the sub-
surface from any potential contamination.
Surface run-off will be directed from the site with the installation
facility.
Run-off from all site surfaces will be collected
reducing the pollution
of hardstanding
throughout
the
(see Chapter 5 Water), thereby further
potential of the site.
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Youghal Waste Recovery/Transfer and Sludge Drying Facility;
Class 1 Oil interceptors
EIS Volume 2 of 2
and grit collectors or similar type equipment
will be included in the site
drainage system thereby limiting any potential of pollution of groundwater.
Fuels storage areas will be bunded to prevent potential
pollution.
These bunds will be subject
to integrity testing.
Foul waters from the Administration
Building will be treated in the waste water treatment
plant,
reducing the potential impact for pollution from the site.
Impacts
during
Decommissioning
All care will be taken during decommissioning,
released
from the site.
Activities
associated
with decommissioning
will not be
will be conducted
as
Plan.
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.
outlined in Appendix 11 Decommissioning
to ensure that potential contaminants
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