This video explains the ongoing remediation of historic contamination at Volvo Car Gent in Belgium. Site context is given and the remedial design, including pilot tests and details of the in situ technology chosen are discussed.

Environmental Consultant: Artemis Milieu; Client: Volvo Car Gent; Contaminants of Concern: Petroleum Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated Solvents; Technology used: PlumeStop by REGENESIS.

Video Transcription

Volvo Car Gent is a car manufacturer located in the port district of Ghent in the west of Belgium. The plant opened in 1965 and was the first European Volvo plant outside Sweden.

Around 5,000 people work at this facility producing more than 250,000 cars per year. Manufacturing activity at this plant includes welding, painting and final assembly; all processes which typically involve the use of lubricating oils and cleaning solvents.

The handling and storage of these chemicals has led to the occasional spill or leakage in the past. This has resulted in soils and groundwater below the plant becoming contaminated with Petroleum Hydrocarbons and Chlorinated Solvents.

Site investigation by Artemis Milieu has revealed 2 plumes relating to these historic spillages. The groundwater contaminant concentrations are low but persistent. Due to the direction of the groundwater flow, the contamination is at risk of migrating across the plant’s site boundary. REGENESIS has been asked to provide a solution to treat the plumes and prevent off-site migration.