The need for sustainable remediation

Hodson, M. E. (2010) The need for sustainable remediation. Elements, 6 (6). pp. 363-368. ISSN 1811-5209 doi: 10.2113/gselements.6.6.363

Abstract/Summary

Humanity requires healthy soil in order to flourish. Soil is central to food production, the regulation of greenhouse gases, recreational areas such as parks and sports fields and the creation of an environment pleasing to the eye. But soil is fragile and easily damaged by uninformed management or accidents. One type of damage is contamination by chemicals that provide the lifestyles to which the developed world has become accustomed. Traditional soil "clean-up" has entailed either simple disposal or isolation of contaminated soil. Clearly this is not sustainable. Modern remedial techniques apply mineralogical and geochemical knowledge to clean up contaminated soil and make it good for reuse, rather than simply discarding this precious and finite resource.