Soil decontamination

Soil decontamination

Agriculture and industry can contaminate land creating a risk to the public and environmental health.

Soil decontamination is a viable, safe and sustainable alternative that restores quality to polluted land by regenerating the soil.

If your company needs to regenerate a polluted land area, know that it is possible to restore the healthy properties of the soil.

What is Soil Decontamination?

Soil decontamination is the only solution that ensures the appropriate level of protection for public and environmental health.

This process makes it possible to recover soils contaminated with various polluting agents, making it reusable.

ECODEAL has the experience, adequate infrastructure and technical skills necessary to guarantee successful soil decontamination.

Our services include:

  • Development of "in-situ" and "ex-situ" decontamination and/or remediation projects;
  • Monitoring and supervision;
  • Technical reports.

This way, it is possible to reduce the environmental liability of your company and place yourself next to organizations distinguished for contributing positively to the maintenance of soil biodiversity.

Contaminated Soil Treatment Methods

"In-situ" remediation

It is the remediation that can be carried out on-site.

In these cases, the contaminated material is treated on-site, with no need for mobilisation and removal.

"Ex-situ" remediation

Is the remediation that needs to be carried out off-site.

This method always involves removal - carried out through excavation (soil), pumping (water), and respective transport to the treatment unit, CIRVER ECODEAL.

Procura a Gestão de outro Tipo de Resíduo? Fale connosco.

Ask for quote

Why should you choose ECODEAL?

ECODEAL (CIRVER), through its experience and know-how, can offer a wide range of remediation options “in-situ” and “ex-situ” to its clients.

We have a specialized team with recognized human and technical skills.

In addition to this valuable asset, our company has an Integrated Center for the Recovery, Valorization and Disposal of Hazardous Waste (CIRVER).

Decree-Law No. 3/2004 of January 3rd stipulates that a CIRVER must have a set of support units for the treatment of hazardous waste, one of which is precisely related to soil decontamination.

One of the several solutions that ECODEAL can offer, is already in operation at Chamusca (CIRVER).

ECODEAL Soil Decontamination Unit

In this unit, we use several techniques to remove hazardous substances from the soil.

Decontamination is performed in biopiles which promotes the biodegradation of hydrocarbons present in the soil through microorganisms.

The optimisation of this operation is performed by controlling the temperature, pH, aeration and nutrient concentration.

This is an alternative technique to traditional approaches and has advantages such as:

  • Reduced costs;
  • Preservation of the physical and biological properties of the soil;
  • Better control of erosion processes.

Are you looking for a suitable solution for soil decontamination? We can revitalize around 11 400 tonnes/year.

Certificates of Integrated Management Systems for Quality,
Environment and Safety

Certificação ISO 45001
AENOR Empresa Certificada
AENOR Gestão Ambiental
IQNET Certificado

Soil Decontamination Process

It is essential to establish an adequate program for soil decontamination and the recovery of its healthiness.

  • First, identification of the conceptual model of contamination.
  • Then, define the appropriate remediation method to enhance the recovery of contaminated soils.

ECODEAL helps its clients to select the best method of treating contaminated soil.

The selection of the most effective methodology will depend on certain factors, such as:

  • Type of soil;
  • Type of contaminants present;
  • Best technologies available for the type of contamination;
  • Future land use;
  • Cost and duration of operations.

As a result, decontamination allows the future use of soils in an appropriate context for both public and environmental health.

Hazardous Soil Treatment

Excavated soil that has been classified as hazardous waste must be sent to properly licensed waste management operators, such as ECODEAL.

At CIRVER, depending on the physical and chemical properties of the soil, we can perform two operations:

  • Valorization (decontamination and/or remediation);
  • Disposal, for example, by landfilling.

ECODEAL always respects the principle of the waste hierarchy.

We can guarantee that your company, as a producer/owner of contaminated soil, will have a correct management of contaminated soil. We will give the correct destination and use the remediation methods appropriate to the type of soil and contaminants.

Procura a Gestão de outro Tipo de Resíduo? Fale connosco.

Ask for quote

FAQ about Soil Decontamination

1

What is bioremediation?

This technique is widely used in soil decontamination due to its high efficiency. It involves the use of microorganisms capable of degrading and transforming pollutants present in the soil, such as herbicides used in agriculture, gasoline or other chemical compounds. ECODEAL has a unit specialized in this type of decontamination.

2

Why is soil decontamination important?

Healthy soil is essential for life, for the production of safe food, for the population’s health, and for the maintenance of biodiversity. If we think that 1 centimeter of soil takes about 100 years to form, in a temperate climate, it becomes even more important to take care of the soil.

 

In addition, the valuation of contaminated areas also has economical benefits. Instead of companies acquiring more land and new land, they have the opportunity to regenerate the land they already own.

3

Can any company carry out soil decontamination?

For reasons of public health and environmental protection, the activity of waste management and treatment, which includes soil decontamination, is subject to licensing. Not all companies have the appropriate human and technical resources to handle these types of processes.

ECODEAL is prepared to receive contaminated soils, identify the most suitable methods for its remediation and put them into practice. As a result, the soil will be clean and ready to be reused (or correctly disposed of, if necessary).

4

What is soil remediation?

Soil remediation or decontamination refers to the use of different techniques to control, confine, reduce or eliminate contaminants and ensure that the soil is no longer a risk to public and environmental health.

Whenever there is evidence or indication that the soil may be contaminated, it is necessary to carry out a risk analysis and an assessment of the quality of the soil, as well as several investigations to understand the level of hazard.

5

What is the advantage of choosing ECODEAL?

ECODEAL has a soil decontamination unit (a 2880m2 structure), with the capacity to revitalize around 11 400 tonnes of soil/year.

We have a wide range of soil decontamination techniques, which allows us to offer to our clients an appropriate treatment and a solution adapted to their needs.

6

What steps should my company take to check if the soil is contaminated?

First, you should contact a company specialised in soil decontamination, to identify potentially polluted areas and determine what type of contaminating agents are present, their level of hazard, as well as the concentration rate.

Then, an exhaustive investigation is carried out. Based on the risk analysis for public and environmental health, the most appropriate method of decontamination and/or remediation ("in-situ" or "ex-situ") is suggested.

Request for Information on Waste Management