soil contamination and remediation

what is a contaminant

chemical(s) that pose a risk to human health on the environment

examples of contaminants

• fertilizers

• oils

• aliphaic, aromatic (organic)

• Pb, As, Cr (inorganic)

case study - palmerton, PA - Rufus Chaney

• lots of zinc contamination

• other contaminants - cadmium, lead, copper

• nothing was growing

• removed soil in peoples yards

• fitalstabilzation - took biosolids (soil left from wastewater treatment), added flyash (asorbant capability) and limestone

• brougt up soil ph

case study - bp deepwater horizon

• 210,000,000 gallons of oil spilled

• sprayed lots dispersants below the water surface to break up the oil particles

• about ½ to ¾ of the oil did not make it to the surface

• substantial biodegradtion

how are contaminants transported in soil and groundwater

• will fall down to watertable

• LNAPL will float

• DNAPL will sink (harder to clean up)