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According to UNEP (2013), considerable knowledge gaps exist about behaviour
of mercury in the environment. Rice grown in areas having many mining,
coal- powered industry or smelting have shown to be affected (Science
Communication Unit, University of the West of England) Bristol (2013).
Dioxins (family of structurally as well as chemically related polychlorinated
dibenzofurans (PCDFs) as well as polychlorinated dibenzo para dioxins (PCDDs))
are highly toxic besides they can result in damage to the immune system, reproductive and developmental problems interfering with hormones besides causing cancer.
Humans have exposure of dioxins resulting in body burden of these chemicals at
higher concentrations. Once dioxins enter the body, they stay for a long time due to
their chemical stability as well as their capability to be stored in fat of body (WHO
2010a, b).
Proven principles hold good for soil pollution control, such as the following:
1. Common but differential responsibility
2. Integration of environmental considerations in processes of decision-making
3. Precautionary principle
4. Polluters pay principle
5. Public participation
6. Sustainable development
Control of soil pollution involves the control of air/water pollution which is the
main routes of pollutants to soil. Other source of soil pollution – improper solid
waste disposal and accidental/intentional dumping of hazardous chemicals – also
addressed.
Failure to mitigate environmental damage necessitates remediation followed by
adaptation (medical treatment, living with disease, making changes in lifestyles,
etc.). The economic burden for mitigation is minimal and adaption would be costlier.
Remediation is required if the society fails to mitigate environmental damage
and the adaptation is required when society fails to take up remedial measures to set
the right damaged environment.
Soil pollution control aims at reducing/preventing/cutting off of
contamination/pollution, whereas soil remedial measures should aim at removing
contamination.
The remediation can be achieved by in situ, off-site (ex-site) and on-site methods
listed below:
• Excavation and disposal of soil to central treatment facilities (ex-site)
• Excavation and soil disposal at landfills (ex-site)
• Excavation and soil disposal at treatment facilities (on-site)
• Forced leaching (in situ)
• Methods using construction of equipment as well as techniques (on-site, in situ)
and
• Soil vapour extraction (in situ)
The remedial techniques include the following:
12.4 Restoring Contaminated Land Sites
According to UNEP (2013), considerable knowledge gaps exist about behaviour
of mercury in the environment. Rice grown in areas having many mining,
coal- powered industry or smelting have shown to be affected (Science
Communication Unit, University of the West of England) Bristol (2013).
Dioxins (family of structurally as well as chemically related polychlorinated
dibenzofurans (PCDFs) as well as polychlorinated dibenzo para dioxins (PCDDs))
are highly toxic besides they can result in damage to the immune system, reproductive and developmental problems interfering with hormones besides causing cancer.
Humans have exposure of dioxins resulting in body burden of these chemicals at
higher concentrations. Once dioxins enter the body, they stay for a long time due to
their chemical stability as well as their capability to be stored in fat of body (WHO
2010a, b).
Proven principles hold good for soil pollution control, such as the following:
1. Common but differential responsibility
2. Integration of environmental considerations in processes of decision-making
3. Precautionary principle
4. Polluters pay principle
5. Public participation
6. Sustainable development
Control of soil pollution involves the control of air/water pollution which is the
main routes of pollutants to soil. Other source of soil pollution – improper solid
waste disposal and accidental/intentional dumping of hazardous chemicals – also
addressed.
Failure to mitigate environmental damage necessitates remediation followed by
adaptation (medical treatment, living with disease, making changes in lifestyles,
etc.). The economic burden for mitigation is minimal and adaption would be costlier.
Remediation is required if the society fails to mitigate environmental damage
and the adaptation is required when society fails to take up remedial measures to set
the right damaged environment.
Soil pollution control aims at reducing/preventing/cutting off of
contamination/pollution, whereas soil remedial measures should aim at removing
contamination.
The remediation can be achieved by in situ, off-site (ex-site) and on-site methods
listed below:
• Excavation and disposal of soil to central treatment facilities (ex-site)
• Excavation and soil disposal at landfills (ex-site)
• Excavation and soil disposal at treatment facilities (on-site)
• Forced leaching (in situ)
• Methods using construction of equipment as well as techniques (on-site, in situ)
and
• Soil vapour extraction (in situ)
The remedial techniques include the following:
12.4 Restoring Contaminated Land Sites