Active: Active materials for the in-situ stabilization of contaminated soil

We aim at developing and thoroughly evaluating an alternative, practical and cost-effective in situ method for reducing the risks of contaminants in soils. The proposed method involves the addition of materials that actively bind contaminants in such a wa y that they, in a durable manner, are immobilized and no longer can be released to the ecosystem (soil, air, groundwater, surface water, biota) and/or food crops. The technology is applicable to a broad range of contaminants (organic, metal cations, metal anions); its cost is about five times less than excavation/storage. Activated carbon will be tested for hydrophobic organic contaminants, oil, and persistent pesticides. Materials such as ironbased waste, clay minerals, coal fly and cyclonic ashes will b e evaluated for heavy metals. Special emphasis will be given to anionic metals like arsenic (As) and antimony (Sb). Especially when using waste from a certain industrial activity as a stabilization agent to polluted soil from another (industrial) activity will lead to a tremendous increase in treatment efficiency. Examples of possible waste materials with the potential of use as stabilisation amendments that are regularly received by industry partner Lindum are leca beads, iron sand, expanded glass, miner al masses and calcite waste from the concrete industry. Physical, chemical and biological factors will be studied according to state-of-the-art methods. Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscope (STXM) will be used to gain insight on the binding properties o f the contaminants on the sorbent particles. Also possible secondary negative effects of sorbent amendment (reduced fertility, impacted soil microbiology or biodiversity) will be taken into account. NGI and Bioforsk will carry out the technical work toget her with industry partners Lindum, Norways largest waste recycling company, and Bioressurs Ostlandet AS, waste incineration. Also Norsk Hydro (oil company), Frevar (waste incineration) and Jøtul (stove fabrication producing iron sand) have expressed their interest, but could not guarantee financial commitment because of the current financial turmoil.