25 Types of Environmental Remediation

While having an environmental issue at your worksite or workplace is troubling, a broad spectrum of contamination situations is treatable. There are two broad types of environmental remediation based on where treatment mechanisms are applied:

1. Ex-situ – having the ground excavated and treated; and
2. In-situ – treatment while the soil remains within the subsurface.

Environmental Remediation 101: What Your Business Needs to Know

The definition of environmental remediation is the process of removing or mitigating environmental pollutants, contaminants, and hazardous substances from a site. These pollutants can include but are not limited to chemicals, toxins, heavy metals, and radioactive materials. Reducing the presence of hazardous substances helps protect the environment and public health.

If your business faces environmental issues, hiring an environmental remediation company can help you address these problems effectively. Environmental remediation is relevant to various industries, and your business should be aware of many types of environmental remediation.

Here are a few types of environmental remediation that your business needs to know about:

Each type of environmental remediation addresses a different environmental challenge, and the specific method used will depend on the type and extent of the contamination.

Understanding the types of remediation available can help businesses better navigate environmental challenges and avoid potential environmental damage. Hiring an environmental remediation company is a wise investment for businesses that want to address environmental issues proactively and effectively. A company can help you navigate complex environmental regulations, stay in compliance, and avoid penalties.

Hiring an environmental remediation company can be beneficial, as it can help your business avoid fines and regulatory violations. By demonstrating a commitment to environmental stewardship, your business can enhance its reputation and become more attractive to customers and investors. Taking a proactive approach to environmental remediation can also save your business money in the long run by avoiding costly cleanup efforts and regulatory fines.

Don’t let environmental issues threaten your business. By understanding the types of ecological remediation available and working with an experienced company, you can protect the environment, public health, and your business’s reputation.

Types of Environmental Remediation Techniques

While you can think of ex-situ and in-situ technologies as two environmental remediation techniques, those are categories. There are dozens of specific types of environmental remediation techniques, as you can see in this abridged list:

#1. Activated Carbon-Based Technology

In-situ soil and groundwater remediation involves introducing activated carbon (AC)- based amendments to address contamination. Commonly employed methods include bioremediation, in-situ chemical oxidation (ISCO), and in-situ chemical reduction (ISCR).

Key Takeaway: Activated carbon enhances soil and groundwater remediation and is a foundation for effective treatment strategies.

#2. Bioreactors

Biological processes play a crucial role in remediating groundwater through this in-situ form of remediation, where contaminants are broken down directly at the site without excavation. This approach utilizes naturally occurring microorganisms or introduced ones to degrade harmful substances, making it a practical and eco-friendly solution for groundwater purification.

Key Takeaway: Bioreactors harness natural biological processes, creating controlled environments that efficiently purify groundwater and restore its quality.

#3. Biowall

A permeable reactive barrier (PRB) is a natural, in-situ method for environmental remediation that treats groundwater through biological processes. This innovative approach, often called a Biowall, acts as a permeable barrier, using biology to remove contaminants from groundwater effectively.

Key Takeaway: The Biowall is a powerful, eco-friendly solution for groundwater purification. It harnesses natural processes to achieve effective results.

#4. Bioremediation – Cometabolic

In their quest for carbon and energy, microbes reduce and oxidize metabolites. This process generates cofactors or enzymes that can be harnessed for environmental cleanup through metabolic bioremediation.

Key Takeaway: Microbes are pivotal in cometabolic bioremediation, transforming harmful pollutants into less toxic substances.

#5. Electrokinetic-Enhanced Remediation

Electrokinetic remediation is an innovative environmental cleanup method that eliminates contaminants by using electrical currents. Applying an electrical charge stimulates the movement of ions and pollutants within the subsurface, effectively extracting them from the soil.

Key Takeaway: Electrokinetic remediation leverages electrical currents to drive contaminants and ions out of the soil, offering a powerful solution for environmental restoration.

#6. Environmental Dredging

Environmental dredging is a method for removing, treating, or relocating sediment beneath the surface in contaminated water. This method is often used to clean up rivers, lakes, and other water bodies polluted by industrial waste, chemical spills, or other harmful contaminants. By carefully removing the sediment, environmental dredging helps restore aquatic ecosystems’ health and improve water quality for surrounding communities.

Key Takeaway: Environmental dredging is an effective and targeted method for restoring water bodies affected by contaminated sediment, ensuring environmental and public health benefits.

#7. Environmental Fracturing

Environmental fracturing is a valuable technique for enhancing the performance of various remediation technologies, including soil vapor extraction (SVE), in-situ bioremediation, in-situ chemical oxidation/reduction (ISCO/ISCR), pump and treat (P&T), and others. This method increases subsurface permeability by creating or expanding fractures in soil or bedrock, allowing for more efficient groundwater and soil cleanup efforts.

Key Takeaway: Environmental fracturing boosts the effectiveness of remediation technologies by improving subsurface permeability and facilitating more efficient contaminant removal.

#8. Excavation and Off-Site Disposal

Contaminated materials can be safely managed by transporting them to permitted off-site disposal facilities, where they are treated and disposed of in compliance with environmental regulations. This approach ensures that harmful substances are contained and do not pose a risk to public health or the environment.

Key Takeaway: Excavation and off-site disposal provide a reliable, efficient, and environmentally responsible solution for managing contaminated materials. They offer peace of mind that the issue is handled professionally and safely.

#9. Groundwater Circulating Wells

This subsurface remediation method treats contaminated groundwater using a carefully designed circulation pattern. Groundwater enters a well through a screened section, is pumped to another screened section, and reintroduced into the aquifer.

Key Takeaway: Groundwater circulating wells use controlled circulation patterns to effectively remediate groundwater contamination below the surface.

#10. Groundwater Pump & Treat

Using specialized pumping systems, this method begins by extracting contaminated non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) or groundwater from below the surface. The extraction process targets areas where contamination is concentrated, ensuring maximum pollution removal efficiency. Once brought above ground, the extracted material undergoes rigorous treatment, including filtration, chemical treatment, or biological processes, depending on the contaminants present. After treatment, the now-clean water is safely discharged into the environment or reused, meeting regulatory safety standards.

Key Takeaway: Groundwater pump-and-treat is a multi-step process that carefully removes contaminants from the subsurface, treats them using advanced methods, and ensures clean water’s safe return or reuse.

#11. Horizontal Remediation Wells (HRWs)

Horizontal remediation wells (HRWs) are installed using horizontal directional drilling (HDD), which allows them to be positioned at a shallow angle or parallel to the ground surface. Unlike vertical wells, which can be challenged when surface obstructions block access to key areas, HRWs provide an effective alternative.

Key Takeaway: HRWs are a practical solution for navigating rugged terrain and accessing contaminated areas that vertical wells cannot reach due to surface obstacles.

#12. In-Situ Chemical Reduction (ISCR)

To address contamination, you could degrade metallic oxyanions, immobilize metals through precipitation or adsorption, or break down toxic organic compounds into less harmful substances. This in-situ approach accomplishes these goals by introducing reductants or materials that generate reductants directly into the affected area.

Key Takeaway: In-situ chemical reduction (ISCR) is a highly effective remediation technique for mitigating the toxicity of various contaminants.

#13. In-Situ Flushing

In-situ flushing is a relatively simple environmental remediation method involving injecting water or a liquid solution directly into a contaminated site. This process essentially “flushes” the area, using flooding to remove harmful contaminants from the soil.

Key Takeaway: In-situ flushing is an effective technique that rinses contaminants from soil using water or liquid solutions.

#14. In-Situ Chemical Oxidation (ISCO)

This process relies on redox (reduction-oxidation) reactions to chemically transform hazardous compounds into less harmful or entirely non-toxic substances. These reactions work by either removing electrons (oxidation) or adding electrons (reduction) to the dangerous compounds, breaking them down, or altering their chemical structure into safer forms. Common oxidizing agents used in this method include hydrogen peroxide, ozone, and persulfates, which are highly effective in degrading contaminants in soil and groundwater.

Key Takeaway: ISCO (In-Situ Chemical Oxidation) utilizes redox reactions to chemically convert dangerous compounds into safer, more environmentally friendly alternatives, making it an essential tool for pollution remediation.

#15. In-Situ pH Control

This in-situ method can effectively neutralize and restore balance if your soil or groundwater has an imbalanced pH—whether it’s too acidic or too alkaline. By adjusting the pH levels directly at the contamination site, this technique ensures that treatment processes are more effective and sustainable over time.

Key Takeaway: In-situ pH control optimizes the acidity or alkalinity of soil or groundwater, enhancing the efficiency of remediation efforts and helping to create a healthier, more stable environment for long-term recovery.

#16. Landfill and Soil Capping

Separation can be a powerful tool in contamination management. Containment methods work by isolating the ground surface from a contamination source or waste material through barriers.

Key Takeaway: Landfill and soil capping act as effective containment strategies to prevent the spread of contamination.

#17. Monitored Natural Recovery (MNR) and Enhanced Monitored Natural Recovery (EMNR)

These two methods are commonly employed to address sediment contamination and are often complemented by amendments, sediment capping, dredging, or other remediation technologies.

Key Takeaway: MNR and EMNR rely on natural recovery processes frequently enhanced with additional technologies to remediate contaminated sediments effectively.

#18. Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA)

This approach achieves remediation goals by naturally reducing contaminant concentrations through biological, chemical, and physical processes that occur in-situ without requiring extensive human intervention. These processes include microorganism biodegradation, chemical reactions that neutralize harmful substances, and natural dilution or dispersion of contaminants in the environment. MNA is often used when contamination levels are stable and natural processes sufficiently address the issue over time.

Key Takeaway: Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA) is a remediation strategy that effectively and sustainably diminishes contaminant levels by leveraging natural processes like biodegradation, chemical reactions, and dispersion.

#19. Multi-Phase Extraction (MPE)

MPE (Multi-Phase Extraction) provides a highly effective solution for simultaneously addressing contaminated groundwater, vapor, and light non-aqueous phase liquid (LNAPL). This innovative and versatile technology is specifically designed to target and remove all three types of contaminants in a single, streamlined process, making it a powerful tool for complex remediation challenges. By extracting and treating contamination across multiple phases, MPE reduces environmental impact and improves the efficiency and effectiveness of cleanup efforts.

Key Takeaway: MPE is a flexible, efficient, and comprehensive remediation method that can simultaneously tackle multiple contaminants. It offers a practical solution for complex site conditions.

#20. Permeable Reactive Barrier (PRB)

A Permeable Reactive Barrier (PRB) eliminates dissolved-phase contaminants from groundwater by combining subsurface fluid flow management with a passive biological or chemical treatment zone. The dissolved contaminant plume passes through this in-situ system and is effectively treated.

Key Takeaway: A PRB is an in-situ solution designed to efficiently treat dissolved contaminant plumes in groundwater.

#21. Phytotechnologies

Vegetation can effectively remediate contamination in groundwater, surface water, sediment, and soil. Phytotechnologies can remove, neutralize, stabilize, contain, or relocate pollutants through six powerful plant-based mechanisms. These mechanisms include:

• Phytodegradation
• Phytoextraction
• Phytohydraulics
• Phytosequestration
• Phytovolatilization
• Rhizodegradation

Key Takeaway: Phytotechnologies harness plants’ natural processes to efficiently and sustainably manage and remediate environmental contamination.

#22. Soil Vapor Extraction (SVE)

Soil Vapor Extraction (SVE) is a remediation technique primarily conducted in-situ, though it can also be applied ex-situ. This method removes volatile and semi-volatile organic contaminants from unsaturated (vadose) zone soils. The process involves creating a controlled airflow and using a vacuum to extract harmful compounds.

Key Takeaway: SVE is a proven technology for eliminating volatile organic contaminants from unsaturated soils, offering an effective solution for environmental remediation.

#23. Soil Washing

Soil washing is an effective remediation technique that separates bulk soil from contaminants bound to fine soil particles based on particle size. The pH of the wash water can be adjusted to enhance the removal of heavy metals and organic pollutants. Adding chelating agents, surfactants, or leaching agents further improves the process.

Key Takeaway: Soil washing utilizes water and targeted additives to clean contaminated soil by leveraging particle size separation.

#24. Solidification/Stabilization (S/S)

Solidification minimizes the surface area exposed to leaching by limiting contaminant migration. This is achieved by either coating the waste or transforming it into a solid mass that fully encapsulates it. On the other hand, stabilization reduces the risk of leaching by decreasing the solubility of contaminants or immobilizing hazardous substances, ensuring they remain contained.

Key Takeaway: Stabilization and solidification (S/S) methods focus on minimizing contaminant mobility and leachability, which is crucial in effective environmental remediation.

#25. Solvent Extraction

Solvent extraction can remove contaminants such as metals or organic compounds from soil. This process involves thoroughly mixing the contaminated soil with an organic solvent in an extraction unit. The resulting mixture is then processed through a separator to isolate the contaminants.

Key Takeaway: Solvent extraction is an effective soil remediation technique that uses an organic solvent to extract and separate contaminants.

First Steps to Effective Environmental Remediation

When it comes to environmental remediation, starting right is essential. Businesses must prioritize ecological compliance and sustainability when addressing contaminated sites. Here are some practical tips for effective remediation:

• Assess the site thoroughly: Before beginning, complete an assessment to understand the extent of contamination and risks.
• Consult experts: Remediation is complex and requires specialized knowledge. Work with experienced professionals to guide you through the process.
• Choose the proper methods: Every site is unique and may need different approaches. Select the most effective method for your situation.
• Focus on sustainability: Opt for remediation methods with minimal long-term environmental impact whenever possible.

Key Takeaway: These steps can help businesses tackle contamination effectively while promoting compliance and sustainability. With careful planning and implementation, contaminated sites can be restored to a healthy state for people and the environment.

Partner with AOTC for Your Remediation Needs

Countless environmental remediation techniques are available to restore a site, but finding the right solution for your specific situation is key to success. At AOTC, we pride ourselves on being expert problem-solvers who go beyond the basics to deliver customized, impactful results. Our experienced team thoroughly assesses your site’s unique needs to identify the most effective remediation methods, ensuring you remain environmentally compliant while meeting regulatory standards. We focus on implementing proactive, cost-efficient solutions designed to protect the environment, accelerate your project timeline, and reduce long-term risks. Whether you’re dealing with contaminated soil, groundwater issues, or hazardous materials, we have the expertise and resources to guide you every step of the way. Learn more about how our tailored environmental remediation services and consulting expertise can support your goals and drive sustainable success. Contact us today!

FAQs

What Are the 3 Types of Remediation That Occur?

The three main types of remediation are soil, water, and sediment. Each one requires a unique approach, and our team at AOTC has extensive experience in all three areas.

What Are the Four Main Types of Environmental Management?

The four main types of environmental management are pollution prevention, waste management, ecosystem management, and resource conservation. At AOTC, we prioritize sustainable practices in all our remediation efforts to help clients protect the environment while responsibly managing their resources.

What Is Considered Environmental Remediation?

Environmental remediation reduces or eliminates contaminants released into the environment, such as air, water, or soil pollutants. It can involve various techniques and strategies to remove, neutralize, or contain contaminants, ultimately restoring a site’s environmental health.

What Is the Most Common Remediation?

Excavation and disposal are among the most common soil remediation techniques. This technique involves physically removing and transporting contaminated soil to a designated land remediation or treatment facility. While this method may be effective, it can also be disruptive to the environment and costly for businesses.

What Are the Three Types of Bioremediation?

The three types of bioremediation are microbial, phytoremediation, and mycoremediation. Microbial bioremediation involves using specialized microorganisms to break down contaminants into harmless substances. Phytoremediation utilizes plants to absorb and filter pollutants from soil or water. Mycoremediation uses fungi to clean up contaminated sites by breaking down pollutants.

What Are Some Examples of Remediation?

Some remediation examples include cleaning up oil spills that have contaminated water bodies, remediating groundwater contaminated with toxic chemicals or heavy metals, and removing lead from soil at a former industrial site. At AOTC, we have successfully tackled various remediation challenges across different industries and have the expertise to handle even the most complex contamination scenarios.

What Is the EPA Definition of Remediation?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), remediation involves removing, treating, containing, or managing hazardous substances from contaminated materials such as soil, water, or air. The goal of remediation is to protect public health and the environment by reducing exposure to these substances.