Soil Remediation Using Mixing and Handling

At a Glance

Regenesis_Icon_Mechanisms Regenesis_Icon_Trackable-Contaminents Regenesis_Icon_Concentration

Mechanism:

Treatable Contaminants:

Concentrations:

Physical mixing increases

contact with reagents resulting

in more effective treatment

Treats petroleum-based and

chlorinated contaminants

Treats moderate to high

concentrations

Regenesis_Icon_Time

Regenesis_Icon_Conditions Regenesis_Icon_Applied-Frec

Time:

Conditions:

Applications Frequency:

Rapid treatment time

(weeks to months)

Requires homogenization of

soils, adequate saturation,

optimal soil particle size

Multiple events or passes may

be required

Soil Mixing and Handling Overview

Soil remediation using mixing and handling is a process of physically blending and mixing soil, contaminant and reagent using specialized equipment to facilitate treatment. This practice can be efficiently performed in-place within the top 10-12 feet of soil (above the water table) or, alternatively, the soil can be excavated, moved and mixed in another location as needed.

Soil type, porosity, moisture content and types of equipment used to mix the soil often play a key role in the success or failure of soil remediation projects. In many cases, water is added to the homogenized soil during the mixing or reagent addition stage. The amount of soil moisture available can directly affect reagent reactivity while influencing contact with the contaminant. Some soil types with low porosity like clays and silts are bound up more tightly making it more difficult to establish contact between the reagent and contaminant. Sand and gravel have a high porosity allowing solution-based reagents to flow freely and come in contact with contaminants more easily.

When mixing or handling a range of different soil, specialized equipment is often used to manage the soil particle size. The use of a pug mill or soil shredder can be beneficial when dealing with tighter soil types requiring more treatment.

Soil remediation using mixing and handling techniques is highly compatible with the use of in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) reagents and bioremediation products. Overall, this approach allows soil remediation practitioners to save time and money by treating the contaminants in place and avoiding off-site disposal costs.

REGENESIS has been helping remediation practitioners optimize soil mixing projects 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 soil remediation 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.

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  • For more detailed information about our soil remediation experience using mixing and handling, have a look at this Case Study.

FAQs about Soil Mixing and Handling

Soil remediation using mixing and handling involves physically mixing the soil, contaminant, and reagent, using specialized field equipment. The physical mixing increases contact with reagents increasing the effectiveness of the treatment. This treatment can be done in situ, within the top 10-12 feet of soil or ex-situ, which involves excavating the soil and mixing it in another location.

Soil mixing can be both cost and time efficient. Many times, soil mixing allows for the treatment to be done in place, avoiding off-site disposal costs. Additionally, the physical mixing process improves the treatment because it increases contact between the contaminant and the reagents.

One of the benefits of soil mixing is cost effectiveness. It is more cost- effective to treat the soil in place rather than relocating or disposing of the contaminated soil. Additionally, incorporating in situ chemical oxidation reagents and bioremediation products can help remediation practitioners save time and money by increasing the effectiveness of the soil mixing treatment.