Soil Remediation

Soil remediation is the process in which contaminants are removed from the soil. There are various ways the process can be completed, but in the end, the ultimate goal is to ensure the soil is free from harmful materials.

Depending on the area, there are many different contaminants that could end up in the soil on the property. Oftentimes, the materials are hazardous which poses a health risk to human health as well as the environment. It is best to use a properly trained soil remediation crew at Rock Emergency to restore your property and reduce risks to people and the environment.

Soil is considered contaminated when the health of living organisms or the environment has made a significant decline. Soil contamination can occur in the soil itself, or in water that flows nearby. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has many laws and regulations in place to help maintain safe standards. All soil remediation projects must adhere to the requirements set forth by the government.

Rock Emergency has numerous soil remediation projects on contaminated sites. Being HAZWOPER trained, the team can safely remediate the area of hazardous waste and organic contaminants. Quick remediation tactics can prevent further contamination to surface water, groundwater, nearby farms, and other properties.  

Some of the most common pollutants that Rock Emergency addresses include:

• Heavy metals
• Cyanides
• Pesticides
• Creosote
• Petroleum hydrocarbons 
• Fuel residues

Various techniques can be used in the removal of pollutants in soil. Some of the most common soil remediation technologies include the following:

Thermal soil remediation uses very high temperatures to treat the soil. Using temperatures that can range from 600-900 degrees, the hydrocarbon impurities along with water evaporate. Once the soil is done “baking” it is cooled, and tested to be recycled. This method works best with soil that has been contaminated by contaminated water or petroleum products.

Similar to thermal remediation, the soil contaminants are removed by forcing air into the soil. Vapors are forced out and then filtered through activated carbon. This method is also best used when petroleum is the contaminant, as well as if the soil cannot be removed from the area.

Bioremediation is a natural and effective way to remove pollutants from soil. Bacteria are introduced to the areas of contamination that break down the pollutants and die off once the contaminants are gone. While this is an effective method, the soil must maintain specific temperatures and receive enough moisture from rainfall in order to work correctly.

Using excavation as a method of soil remediation involves heavy machinery and experienced workers. The soil is often dug up and brought to a facility for filtering, or for disposal. Depending on the level of contaminants, it may need to be considered waste soil. This method is also used when there are buried contaminants (such as barrels or drums full of hazardous waste) that may have leaked or been damaged.

Using the encapsulation method of soil remediation is often a last resort. The area is covered by layers of materials such as lime, clay, or concrete and is not used for growing anything again. This method is highly effective for the long term, but it does not treat or recycle the contaminated material.

The amount of time it takes to complete soil remediation will vary depending on a few different factors. It is a very precise process due to the nature of the materials being remediated.

• Amount of Contaminants - the more contaminated the soil, the longer it may take to remediate
• The density of the Soil - Rocks, debris, and clay may affect how long it takes. The more that has to be sifted through, or avoided the process will take more time.
• Size of Contaminated Area - The larger the area, the more time it will take to complete the remediation project.
• Water Contamination - If drinking water has been affected, the process may involve more in-depth remediation or full land remediation.

Your best bet will be to call Rock Emergency for a survey of the area to determine the severity of the contamination.

The overall cost of the sol remediation project will be determined on the contaminants, the size of the area, and which technique needs to be used. Soil treatment costs can range anywhere from $1,000 to $100,000.

When soil becomes contaminated, it can affect more than just the soil. Heavy metals, chemicals, and petroleum residues can have extremely harmful effects on humans, plants, and animals. When a piece of land has been contaminated, it becomes unusable due to safety reasons, thus causing less land availability.

Plants absorb the contaminant,making it potentially toxic. Either animals or humans may then ingest the plan and become ill. Entire ecosystems can be harmed from land with contaminated soil, often resulting in loss of an entire habitat for wildlife.

Areas of land are unusable leaving no room for industrial, residential, or agricultural use. That means no buildings, homes, or crops are able to use the land due to it being unsafe.

Contamination can render large plots of land inhospitable and unusable. Soil remediation frees up land for investment, development, or restoring natural habitats, which is another reason it’s so important.

The purpose of soil remediation is to eliminate direct exposure to the contaminants, reduce inhalation exposure of volatile vapors, as well as to eliminate the possibility of ingestion through contaminated plants, animals, or water.

Trained and certified in all things hazardous, our teams are ready to remediate the soil on your property. Call today for a survey and project plan!