Remediation: Techniques and Cost - Urban Watersheds: Geology, Contamination, and Sustainable Development - page 379

11.3 Common Soil Remediation Technologies
Common soil remediation technologies include (USEPA 2002, 2007; Rogers et al. 2008,
2009):
• Excavation
• Active and passive bioremediation
• Monitored natural attenuation
• Mechanical soil aeration
• Capping
• Land use restrictions
• Soil vapor extraction (SVE)
• Phytoremediation
• Soil washing
• In situ thermal desorption
• Ex situ thermal desorption or incineration
• Electrokinetics
• Solidification/Stabilization
• Fracturing
• Vitrification
• Chemical oxidation
• Chemical dehalogenation
A brief description of each common soil remediation technology follows.
11.3.1 Soil Excavation
This technique involves the removal of affected soil through excavation and disposal of
the soil at a licensed landfill (USEPA 2002). It is commonly the first method employed at a
contaminated site.
Soil excavation is not always cost effective, and in some cases cannot be conducted. These
situations listed below may result in the selection of a different soil remediation strategy:
• Impacted soil extends to depths too deep to effectively excavate.
• Excavation cannot be conducted because a damaged structure(s) is present, and
moving it is either too expensive, or may cause unsafe conditions if excavation of
soil were conducted.
• The volume of soil to be excavated is too large and costly.
• The excavation itself may cause unsafe conditions (i.e., excavating flammable soils).
• Soil contaminants present are of a certain mixture and concentration and require
special handling, treatment, restrictions, or may be banned from disposal in cer-
tain landfills.