The soil is very versatile and can be used for many purposes. But it is equally fragile and can be contaminated by several elements, including human activities. When soil is contaminated, the quality is duly affected, and the usability of such soils becomes limited. This means that you can barely use contaminated soil for everything you could do with it before.
However, the good news is that contaminated soil can be treated and ridden of pollutants. This process is called soil treatment, and some methods for soil treatment will be discussed in this article. Read on for more information.
Biological Treatment/Bioremediation
Talk about treatments for contaminated soil, and the biological methods may be your best bet. Bioremediation refers to the process of employing biological organisms to treat contaminated soil. It is also a viable solution for eliminating pollution from several other environmental elements. However, it is most famous for soil contamination, and it has proven to be pretty efficient for the cause. Three methods can be adopted for bioremediation, and they are;
- Microbial bioremediation
- Phytoremediation
- Mycoremediation
Each method utilizes different organisms for a similar cause, including plants, bacteria, fungi, etc. These biological organisms often feed on the pollutants, absorbing them from the soil. The main benefit of this treatment method is that it is eco-friendly, leaving only a few or no adverse effects on the environment. It is also proffered by many because it is cost-effective and scalable. If you fear that your soil has become contaminated as the consequence of exposure to chemical pollutants in the air or ground, consult an experienced environmental management contractor who specialises in spill containment in remediation.
Chemical Oxidation
Chemical oxidation is another popular procedure used for the treatment of contaminated soil. Also known as the In Situ Chemical Oxidation, this technology is relatively cost-effective. It typically involves the introduction of chemical oxidants into the soil to destroy the pollutants that contaminate the soil and underground water.
Chemical remediation is a quick and effective way of ridding the soil of the pollutants that plague it. The oxidants are often intense and take effect as soon as they are introduced to the soil. This procedure can also be used to decontaminate a large area. But it is not as eco-friendly as bioremediation and may cause air pollution.
Soil Stabilization
Soil stabilization is mainly adopted to decontaminate construction sites due to its low permeability and high-level resistance. But it can also be used on lands meant for other purposes as long as it does not restrict productivity. This method does not target the pollutants for elimination. Instead, it limits and contains them in a specific area by restricting their mobility and cutting off access to receptors. This way, it prevents the pollutants from damaging the soil while keeping all the pollutants in check.
Soil Washing
Soil washing is a semi-natural procedure for treating contaminated soil. It ideally involves washing the soil with a liquid solution to rid it of hazardous substances. Unlike other methods that either restrict or eliminate soil pollutants, soil washing does not target the pollutants directly. It only washes away the contaminated soil alongside silts and clay that attach to fine soil. Therefore, the washed-out soil still needs to be disposed of after completing the process.
Conclusion
There are many reasons for treating contaminated soil, as contamination can often restrict its usability. However, it is only proper to ensure you use the correct procedure, and the different methods have been highlighted in this article.
