Firm Foundations: Remediation Basics

Whether you’re new to environmental services or are only just beginning to consider it as a career path, there’s a lot to learn in this industry and it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why we’re launching our new blog series, Firm Foundations. Each post will provide you with the resources you need to develop a basic understanding of topics like…

• Drilling
• Sampling
• Site characterization
• Remediation
• Evaluating contractors
• Career development in environmental services
• Improving industry recruitment and retention

Today’s post is about remediation. We’ve collected our best educational content from remediation experts all over the country, and are sharing it here.

This article is divided into two sections: core learning and additional resources. The core learning section covers the essentials—what you need to know to have a baseline understanding about specific remediation technologies and approaches. The second section provides helpful information that will fill in gaps, answer common questions, and generally make it easier for you to work with and talk to your remediation contractors.

CORE LEARNING

ISS 101: An Introduction to In Situ Stabilization

In situ stabilization (also known as deep soil mixing) was first used in the construction industry, but has been recognized as a cost-effective remediation option as well. In this on-demand webinar, you’ll learn about the methods, techniques and equipment you can use when implementing an in situ stabilization remedy on your site.

The Basics of In Situ Stabilization

This blog post explains not only the “how” of in situ stabilization, but also the question of “why would I want to use this technology?” If you’re not even sure what in situ stabilization is, read this primer before the on-demand webinar above.

The Basics of Planning a Successful Injection Project

The success of an injection project begins long before implementation starts—it’s grounded on how well you planned for thousands of minute details and challenges. Whether you’re new to working on remediation projects or just want to make sure your planning process includes all the necessary components, this on-demand webinar can help ensure your project approach and outcomes are successful.

ZVI 101: What Is ZVI Emplacement and How Does It Work?

Not sure what zero valent iron (ZVI) is or how it’s used for remediation purposes? This blog post explains how it works as well as how to choose the right application method for best results.

Thermal 101: What is Thermal Remediation and How Does It Work?

This webinar is a great introduction to thermal remediation technology. The presenters explain how the three primary thermal technologies work, what constituents and lithologies they’re best suited to treat, typical project timeframes, and a few real-life examples.

How to Choose the Best Thermal Remediation Heating Technology for Your Site

Not sure you understand when to use electrical resistance heating (ERH), thermal conduction heating (TCH) or steam enhanced extraction (SEE)? In this blog post, you’ll learn how to select the right thermal heating technology based on contaminants, site geology, and groundwater flow.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Why Is It Important to Calculate Contaminant Mass?

When planning an in situ thermal remediation (ISTR) project, it’s important to calculate the expected contaminant mass—but why? This blog post explains how ignorance about the expected contaminant mass can impact your client and contractor, and it also explains how that mass can be calculated.

How to Know if DPT is Your Best Option

Direct push technology (DPT) can be used for drilling, sampling, characterization and remediation—but how do you know when this versatile tool is right for your specific project? This blog post explains how to determine when DPT is the best option (or just overkill).

5 Things to Know About Zero Valent Iron

If you’ve never used ZVI on a remediation project before, this blog post shares five things you need to know before you begin.

Do You Really Know What It Takes to Implement a Successful In Situ Injection Project?

A pre-mobilization checklist can be your best friend when it comes to complex injection projects. Luckily, our experts created one for you to use.

7 Considerations in Determining if PRBs are Right for Your Project

There is no remediation technology that is right for every scenario, but weeding through all your remedy options can be difficult. While your best option is to consult with expert remediation contractors, you can narrow down the choices a little by using this blog post as a reference when considering PRBs.

What You Need to Know About Activated Carbon for Soil and Groundwater Remediation

Activated carbon is an amendment that's highly persistent, injectable, and well suited for hard-to-treat contaminants like chlorinated solvents and petroleum. This blog post explains what it is, how it's produced, and why it works, so you can determine if it might be a viable choice for your future projects.

5 Key Considerations for Remediating Under Buildings

At many sites, there’s contamination below buildings or utilities because they were the source of the release. Those structures can complicate remediation, but this blog post identifies questions and areas of consideration that can help you plan a safe and effective remediation strategy.