Excavation

At a Glance

Mechanism:	Treatable Contaminants:	Concentrations:
Physical removal and disposal	Various contaminants	Treats all concentrations within reach including NAPL
Time:	Conditions:	Applications Frequency:
Relatively short treatment times (days to weeks)	Unsaturated and saturated conditions	One time application if all contamination is removed

Excavation Overview

Excavation techniques used in soil and groundwater remediation projects are based on the mechanical process of physically removing contaminated soil and transporting it offsite. Excavation can be used effectively on any contaminant at any concentration (including NAPL) and is often used to accelerate groundwater remediation via physical removal of contaminated media that can continue to cause contamination.

Excavations are common at retail petroleum sites where underground storage tanks (USTs) are removed or replaced. Excavation is most often used where contaminated soils are shallow and accessible, however some excavations can reach depths of up to 100 feet with specialized excavators.

Excavation is often referred to as “ex situ” remediation (meaning above ground) or in some cases “dig and haul”, since the excavated soil is typically unearthed and hauled off to a waste disposal landfill. Excavation applications can be made more efficient by treating the soil on-site and then reusing the clean soil for backfill.

Excavation treatment provides remediation practitioners with the distinct benefits of speed and certainty – soil removal is immediate and permanent for contamination within the boundaries of the excavation. However, the size of excavations are typically smaller than the size of the contaminant plume in groundwater, and physical limitations to excavation – utilities, buildings, roads, bedrock – are common constraints to complete contaminant removal. Through the prescribed use of chemical oxidants and bioremediation products, residual contamination in excavations can be treated efficiently and cost-effectively.

Overall, this approach allows remediation practitioners to save time and money by treating the contaminants in-place while avoiding off-site disposal costs.

REGENESIS has been helping remediation practitioners optimize their excavations for over 20 years. We welcome the opportunity to provide you and your team with the tools you need to successfully plan and execute enhanced treatment at your next excavation project.

If you currently have a project and need a remediation solution now, request a design.

Have questions or want to explore some ideas? Contact Us to get in touch with a local representative.

Learn more:

• Learn more about REGENESIS products typically used in excavation applications
  • ORC Advanced^® Pellets
  • RegenOx^®
  • PersulfOx^®