Restoration of Polluted Soil

The course deals with the problem of soil contamination, which is a crucial environmental problem worldwide. The topics which are covered include presentation of the main categories of pollutants and analysis of their fate and transport in the environment. A risk assessment methodology, as decision making tool for evaluating the risks associated with contaminated sites and for setting remediation priorities, is also presented. The most important remediation technologies for the case of organic contaminants, based on physical and biological processes, are analyzed in detail.

Objectives

Upon the completion of the course the student will be able to: ⦁ calculate the distribution of contaminants in the soil phases based on the analysis of bulk soil, groundwater and soil gas samples, ⦁ assess health risks taking into consideration probable transfer routes and exposure pathways of humans to the contaminants, ⦁ calculate the parameters involved in the design and operation of a soil vapor extraction installation, including radius of influence per extraction well, required number of extraction wells, estimated duration of remediation etc, ⦁ estimate requirements in oxygen and macronutrients and calculate the required rate of addition of these nutrients in the subsoil, during the implementation of bioremediation methods in the vadose and/or saturated zones.

Prerequisites

Chemistry, Transport Phenomena I & II, Environmental Science I & II

Syllabus

1. Introduction 2.1 Organic contaminants 2.2 Inorganic contaminants - Geochemical modelling 2.3 Inorganic contaminants - Retention mechanisms in soils 3. Risk assessment methodologies 4. Physical methods 5. Biological methods