Did you know that soil can seriously jeopardize your health? It’s true!
Substances such as lead, petroleum, and pesticides are extremely hazardous to soil and contribute to contamination. So how do you fix the soil underneath or around you?
That’s where soil remediation comes in. There are various types of soil remediation that organizations commonly use to remove soil pollution from their properties.
In this article, we’ll be looking at the different types of soil remediation. Read on to find out more!
What is Soil Remediation Exactly?
Before we get into specific types of soil remediation, let’s clear up just what the term entails. Soil remediation is the process of removing any contaminants or pollutants from soil.
That contamination, as we previously mentioned, can come from things like fuel dumping, oil and waste disposal, and waste leaching. It’s not only harmful to human health but is detrimental to the environment.
Government agencies, such as the EPA at the federal level regulate soil contaminant levels. Organizations that fail to comply with such standards often involve penalties.
In Situ and Ex-Situ
Before we dive into specific types of soil remediation, it’s important to distinguish between their two different methods. In situ and ex-situ describes whether soil remediation was done on-site or off it.
In situ means the soil was cleaned at the site itself, while ex-situ means the soil was excavated off-site for cleaning. Whichever method you choose depends on the situation, but it’s important to know the difference.
Types of Soil Remediation
When it comes to the types of soil remediation, the three main methods people choose are soil washing, bioremediation, and thermal desorption. Let’s break down each method to see what each entails:
Soil Washing
Soil washing is almost exactly as its name suggests. Soil is scrubbed using water to wash out the contaminants.
The soil can be dissolved or suspended in a wash solution. You can also use gravity separation or attrition scrubbing to get rid of the contaminants.
Bioremediation
For bioremediation, microorganisms break down the contaminants, which are then absorbed into the soil. This can be done in situ or ex-situ.
The microorganisms used in bioremediation are similar to yeast feeding on sugar when you’re creating beer. This means the microorganisms die off after consuming all the contaminants in your soil.
Thermal Desorption
Thermal desorption involves using heat to make the contamination in your soil more volatile. Once it becomes volatile enough, it’ll be separated from the solids.
Thermal desorption thus creates a sort of sludge, otherwise known as a filter cake. You can then collect or destroy that sludge for good.
Finding the Best Type of Soil Remediation for You
Factors like location, amount of contaminants, and safety go into choosing which type of soil remediation is right for you. Use this guide to help you find the best method and start cleaning your soil today.
Looking for reliable excavation, concrete, and paving services in Missouri? Contact us today, and we’ll get you started on a solution right away!
