The development potential of brownfield v. greenbelt

February 23, 2012

Have you ever wondered why property developers prefer building on greenfield rather than brownfield sites then look no further than the Wikipedia entry for Brownfield sites: ‘Abandoned or underused industrial and commercial facilities available for re-use where the expansion or redevelopment may be complicated by real or perceived environmental contaminations.’

This contamination may be low concentrations of hazardous waste or pollution and the site only has the potential to be reused once it has been cleared up and this can be both expensive and very time-consuming.

The removal of pollution or contaminants from soil, groundwater, sediment or surface water in wells, sumps or trenches in brownfield sites usually requires specialist equipment and expert knowledge. 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 electro reclamation; biological consists of natural attenuation, bio sparging, bio venting Oxygen and hydrogen release compound, anaerobic reductive dechlorination or bio augmentation.

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 and therefore cleaning a site is not something that can be done without the full co-operation and knowledge of the local authorities. So it is little wonder then that property developers would prefer the easier option of building on un-adultered greenbelt or farmland rather infill or redeveloping a brownfield site.

To find out about our remediation equipment visit: https://www.vanwalt.com/remediation-soil-sampling-auger-water-level.htm including PIDs, Pumps, Sippers and Skimmers.