Soil Science and Remediation: Key Concepts and Community Involvement

Topography

Uneven slopes that can lead to erosion and runoff; lower/flat and compacted areas may flood.

Drainage

Slow drainage leads to waterlogged soil, root rot, and low oxygen; fast drainage results in dry soil and reduced nutrient uptake. (contaminants can also travel with water)

Compaction

Roots can't penetrate deep, resulting in less air in soil, stressing plants and microbes, and slower water infiltration leading to runoff.

Particle composition

High percent clay drains fast; high percent clay holds water too long, resulting in poor aeration.

Permeability

Soil's ability to transmit water through soil. If soil is too permeable, water and nutrients wash away; if too low, soil becomes waterlogged. (determined by particle size and pore structure)

Nutrient deficiencies

Reduces plant growth and yield, preventing healthy crops from growing even after contaminants are removed.

Percolation

Movement of water through soil, measured in inches per hour.

Ribbon test

Field method to estimate clay content by moistening soil and rolling it into a ribbon.

CEC (cation exchange capacity)

Nutrient holding capacity of soil; high CEC holds more nutrients, indicating better fertility.

Bulk density

How packed or compacted soil is. (Dry mass of soil)/(Volume of soil)

Microbial bioremediation

A solution that keeps costs low by avoiding excavation, reducing labor needs, and using natural microbial processes to treat contaminants on-site.

Equity and community involvement

Strategies created to balance interests of major stakeholders and address competing interests/conflicts.

Agricultural cooperative

Wants affordable cleanup to safely grow crops and is worried about high cleanup costs.

Neighborhood residents

Concerned about dust, odors, and exposure during remediation.

Environmental justice organization

Wants a thorough cleanup and strong community involvement.

NYC DEP and Department of Health

Require the site to meet strict safety and food-production standards.

Soil scientists

Provide technical guidance for remediation efforts.

Local schools and youth programs

Using farm for education purposes. Site must be safe for children.

City planning and economic development

Wants the project to align with broader development goals.

Community Advisory Board

A proposed board to ensure residents, EJ groups, and co-op members have a voice in the remediation process.

Dust control and air monitoring

Safety measures to be implemented during the remediation process.

Conflicts

People who look for profit may want to open the farm earlier but it may not be safe for children. Children will have to delay longer/safety (neighborhood) >>> money (city dev. And agriculture coop)

Low costs

Microbial bioremediation keeps costs low by avoiding excavation, reducing labor needs, and using natural microbial processes to treat contaminants on-site. It fits the budget limitations of the agricultural co-op while still meeting safety requirements and restoring soil health for long-term farming.