Overview
Bioavailability of contaminants poses a health risk to animals and humans who may be exposed to contaminated sites. The source of these contaminants include Superfund sites, large and small mining sites, landfills, and industrial sites such as refineries, smelters, foundries, and milling and plating facilities. Possible exposure pathways include ingestion of contaminated soil or water from the site, direct contact with contaminated soil, inhalation of contaminants adhered to dust in the air, and ingestion of food items (i.e., plants or animals) that have accumulated contaminants from exposure to contaminated soil or water. Managing the risks posed by contaminants at a site involves understanding the possible pathways and applying appropriate remedial measures to mitigate, treat, or remove sources.
Soil amendments are a cost-effective, in situ method for remediation, revitalization, and reuse of many types of disturbed and contaminated landscapes. Soil amendments can be used to address two primary categories of problems at contaminated sites: (1) contaminant bioavailability/phytoavailability and (2) poor soil health and ecosystem function. Applied properly, amendments reduce exposure by limiting many of the exposure pathways and immobilizing contaminants to limit their bioavailability. The addition of amendments restores soil quality by balancing pH, adding organic matter, increasing water holding capacity, re-establishing microbial communities, and alleviating compaction.
This course is intended for environmental engineers who wish to expand their knowledge of alternative methods of site remediation or restoration. Course material is based on EPA publication EPA 542-R-07-013.
To earn credit for this course, you must pass a multiple choice quiz consisting of fifteen (15) questions.
Specific Knowledge or Skill Obtained
This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills:
- Bioavailability and phytoavailability of metallic toxins
- Conditions associated with poor soil health & ecosystem
- Typical sites where amendments can be used
- Types of soil amendments and their pros/cons
- Application rates
- Logistical considerations
- Revegetation of amended soil
Course
Click on the following link to the PDF document to review the course material before taking the quiz for credit.
Soil Amendments for Site Restoration
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