Contaminated Soil: Three Remediation Methods to Consider

Construction & Contractors Blog

The pollution of soil in both residential and commercial land can sometimes be attributed to human activities. This type of contamination process occurs when manmade chemicals or other substances are added to the soil. This will alter the natural structure of the soil, making the land hazardous or unsuitable for human usage. The pollution can cause health risks through direct human contact or through inhalation of chemical vapours from the soil.

In addition, the substances can flow into the natural water reservoirs in the ground and cause contamination of well water. If you suspect that your soil is polluted, it is advisable to commission tests from a laboratory. This will help in determining the exact nature of the contaminants, and you can engage soil remediation experts for removal. Here are the main treatment methods to consider choosing for your polluted soil.

Soil Removal

The most effective method for cleaning up contaminated soil is removal of the polluted material. Basically, this technique involves digging up the soil from the pertinent property. The depth of excavation will depend on the level of contamination in the area. For instance, if the ground was used for burying chemical pesticides, the land must be dug deeply.

On the other hand, you will require less thorough excavation measures if the contaminant was a solid material such as asbestos, for which you would need asbestos soil removal. This is because some chemicals will spread in the soil and others can be static. After excavation, the contaminated soil will be disposed in a specialised site, away from potential human and ecosystem contact.

Bioremediation

There are biological elements in the natural world that have properties which can be utilised in soil remediation. This type of technique is known as bioremediation, and it is ideal for treating soils with organic chemical pollutants. Generally, the process involves introduction of microorganisms into the soil. These will digest the foreign materials and break them down into harmless substances.

The cultured remediation organisms can be introduced to stimulate the activity of the naturally existing ones in the soil. The commercial organisms can also be added to augment the current soil biota. There are also alternative biological techniques that can be used in restoring contaminated soil. For example, some trees, such as willows, can used to eliminate heavy metals.

Thermal Remediation

If the soil is contaminated with chemical pollutants that are sensitive to temperature, you can choose thermal remediation. Basically, this is a technique that involves introduction of heat into the soil using special equipment. The increased temperature will volatise the contaminants and the vapour can then be collected.

30 December 2015