Remediation

The removal of pollution or contaminants from soil, groundwater, sediment or surface water in wells, sumps or trenches usually requires specialist equipment. There are many different techniques including classical, biological, physical or chemical methods but remediation techniques can be categorised into ex-situ and in-situ methods. Ex-situ (off site) methods involve the excavation of affected soils and subsequent treatment at the surface; in-situ (on site) methods seek to treat the contamination without removing the soils.

In situ physical techniques to remediate a site can include airsparging, soil vapour extraction, solvent flushing and electroreclamation; biological consists of natural attenuation, bio sparging, bio venting Oxygen and hydrogen release compound, anaerobic reductive dechlorination or bioaugmentation.

For contaminated water an oleophilic or hydrophobic element which passes oil but repels water is often used.  A passive system absorbs or containerises the pollution in the equipment, within the well.  An active system uses a pumping facility to bring the contaminant to the surface.

The process of remediation is strictly monitored and regulated for human, ecological, agricultural and spreading to the groundwater risks. We have a range of in-situ remediation equipment to ‘pump and treat’.  Much of this is available to either rent or buy and we also provide remediation training as part of our Practical Fieldwork Theory & Techniques environmental training course.