When it comes to preserving the future of the environment, each person’s individual contribution cannot be understated. Recycling, buying local, or switching to renewable energy to power your home are all certainly heading in the right direction. To truly make a difference, however, more drastic intervention is required. For example, environmental remediation. This is the process of removing contaminants and other harmful materials from the surrounding environment. From reinvigorating brownfield land to boosting ecosystems, these remedial services play a central role in working towards a sustainable future. To showcase exactly how, the team at Borehole Solutions want to dive a bit deeper into the remedial action process.
What is Environmental Remediation?
For centuries, it was seen as common practice to dump hazardous waste, chemicals, and materials into the environment. Despite today’s abundance of regulations, however, many industries still contribute to environmental degradation. Whether it’s from by-products of material production or directly from the hazardous work conducted, organisations are required by law to address it.
Remediation looks to do this by containing, and safely disposing of any pollutants present within the area of land. A contaminated site risks significant damage to the environment, eco-system and human health, which often makes environmental remediation an important necessity.
The Environmental Remediation Process
Prior to any remediation project, the site is first assessed and mapped to understand any contaminants that may be present. Intrusive site investigatory techniques can then be employed to retrieve a sample of the contaminant. The sample is analysed through lab testing to gauge its risk and identify the optimal technique for disposal.
A broad range of processes are covered by environmental remediation. The most common of which is excavation – a soil remediation technique. This is typically as straightforward as it sounds, but the method can occasionally require oxidisation and aeration before disposal. Should contaminated material be surrounded by water, dredging – excavation’s marine equivalent – is required. Other forms of remediation could include asbestos testing, bioremediation, and the well-established pump and treat technique. To find out more information about these remediation techniques, as well as a few others, click here.
Should this prove to be successful, the remediation process is then validated. This will monitor whether the contaminants have been contained, and if the site is now safe and fit for purpose.
What Services do Borehole Solutions Offer?
The environmental arm of Borehole Solutions has extensive experience in a number of remediation techniques, beyond those we’ve mentioned here. Some of these include:
- Vent trenching
- Solidification
- Stabilisation
- HRCs (Hydrogen Releasing Compounds)
- ORCs (Oxygen Releasing Compounds)
- Redox (Reducing agents)
- Active gas extraction systems
- Soil washing
- Thermal Desorption
- WAC Testing (Waste Acceptance Criteria)
Of course, testing isn’t our only forte. We also specialise in a number of more conventional geotechnical and ground investigation services.
Contact Us
Would you like to learn more about environmental remediation, or any of the other geotechnical services we offer? If so, please get in touch by calling the team on 01733 200501 or by clicking here.
