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Sequential remediation of soil with complex contamination

The goal of the project is to develop and evaluate practical sequences of techniques for remediation of soil contaminated with complex (i.e. organic and inorganic) substances in order to minimize the volume of soil that needs to be relocated, transported and landfilled.

Soil contaminated with a mixture of PAH (polyaromathic hydrocarbons) and CCA (chromated copper arsenate) will be used in the experiment. Soil chemical extraction in combination with mechanical separation of soil particles, concentration and consequent stabilisation of the concentrate will be tested in the laboratory and full-scale field experiments. Simultaneous extraction of mixed contaminants and safe landfilling of soil with redox sensitive elements (e.g. arsenic) are still challenging tasks and will be addressed here. Leaching and extraction tests, toxicity measurements speciation of contaminants, mineralogical analyses, geochemical modelling and equilibrium calculations will be performed to evaluate the impact of the soil remediation techniques on contaminant fate. A mobile soil washing equipment provided by the project partner RagnSells will be used in field.

The project results will be disseminated to the scientific community through (at least two) publications in international journals, participation in workshops and national and international conferences and will form a basis for a licentiate (dr) and master theses.

Sector relevance

There are over 80 000 potentially contaminated sites identified in Sweden and remediation of them using excavation and landfilling is economically unreasonable. Combination of several soil remediation techniques that can be applied on site would considerably reduce a need for transportation and landfill capacity. The developed soil treatment sequences could be applied by waste management companies and landfill operators.

The project outcome could lay bases for consultants’ decisions on suggesting soil remediation measures for problem owners. The development of practical (and proven) on site techniques may interest more entrepreneurs to engage in the area and also serve as an inspiration for equipment manufacturers. Reducing remediation costs will enable the treatment of more sites within the same budget therefore increasing an interest in the alternative soil remediation techniques among authorities and decision makers.

The research group of Waste Science and Technology at LTU has been granted funds with 3.6 million SEK by Formas. Ragnsells co-finances the project with an equal amount. LTU and SGI are also contributing their means to the project.

Ragnsells External link.