Developing practical remediation guides for contaminated soil and groundwater

The background

Contaminated soil and groundwater sites can present complex technical challenges, with the most appropriate remediation strategy depending on contaminant characteristics, geology, hydrogeology, site constraints, regulatory requirements and the intended remediation objectives. To address this, RSK Turkey has developed a series of professional guides outlining best practice approaches and considerations.

The project was supported by RSK Turkey’s involvement in an international technical knowledge-sharing initiative: IMPEL (the European Union Network for the Implementation and Enforcement of Environmental Law). Within this framework, the IMPEL Water and Land Remediation project was established to develop a more consistent approach to evaluating the applicability, suitability and performance of remediation technologies for different contaminated sites.

Between October 2025 and May 2026, RSK Turkey developed a structured series of practical remediation guides covering a range of treatment technologies. The objective was to consolidate the team’s technical knowledge and practical project experience into clear and technically robust guidance that could support environmental professionals throughout the remediation decision-making process – from site characterisation and contaminant assessment through technology screening and feasibility assessment to remediation planning and implementation.

The development of the guides has been informed by scientific literature, international technical guidance, practical remediation experience and knowledge gained through collaboration with international specialists. The team’s contribution to the IMPEL work on both biopiling and in situ chemical reduction provided an additional international perspective and strengthened the connection between current technical knowledge and practical remediation decision-making.

Multidisciplinary approach

The development of the remediation guides draws on expertise across contaminated land assessment, hydrogeology, environmental chemistry, remediation design, field investigation, environmental risk assessment and regulatory requirements.

This multidisciplinary approach ensures that remediation technologies are not considered as stand-alone solutions, but are evaluated within the context of the wider site conceptual model. Key considerations include contaminant properties and distribution, geological and hydrogeological conditions, treatment mechanisms, site constraints, implementation requirements, potential secondary impacts, monitoring requirements and long-term remediation objectives.

The challenges

One of the main challenges was translating a large and diverse body of scientific and technical information into guidance that could be readily applied to practical remediation projects.

Remediation technologies can perform very differently depending on site-specific conditions. A technology that is effective at one site may not be appropriate at another because of differences in geology, permeability, hydrogeology, contaminant distribution, contaminant chemistry or site constraints. A further challenge was ensuring that the guides provided sufficient technical depth while remaining clear and accessible to environmental professionals involved in project planning and decision-making.

The work also required the integration of scientific literature, international technical knowledge, regulatory considerations and practical project experience into a consistent framework. At the same time, it was important to recognise that remediation design cannot be based on a technology in isolation. The suitability of any remediation approach must ultimately be assessed against the site conceptual model, remediation objectives, technical feasibility, environmental risks and practical constraints.

The solutions

RSK Turkey developed a consistent structure for evaluating each remediation technology. The guides consider the underlying treatment principles, target contaminants, applicability criteria, site characterisation requirements, design considerations, implementation approaches, monitoring requirements, advantages, limitations and key risks associated with each technology.

Rather than presenting technologies as universal solutions, the guides focus on the conditions under which each technology is likely to be appropriate and the key factors that should be considered before implementation.

The approach was also informed by the international technical work undertaken through the IMPEL Water and Land Remediation project, in which biopiling and ISCR were examined through technical analysis, case studies and cross-country knowledge exchange. The IMPEL project emphasises the importance of site-specific assessment and evidence-based decision-making when evaluating remediation technologies. This also provided an opportunity to bring RSK Turkey’s practical experience into an international technical framework, while also bringing international knowledge into the development of the RSK Turkey remediation guides.

The resulting guidance provides a practical bridge between technical research, international best practice and real-world remediation experience, supporting a more consistent and evidence-based approach to technology screening, feasibility assessment and remediation planning.

The impact

The remediation guides provide practitioners with a consistent framework for evaluating remediation options and support informed decision-making based on site conditions, contaminant characteristics, remediation objectives and technical feasibility.

RSK Turkey’s contribution to the IMPEL Water and Land Remediation project, including the Biopiling and ISCR guides, further demonstrates the team’s ability to contribute technical expertise beyond individual projects and participate in international knowledge-sharing initiatives. By combining practical remediation experience, academic knowledge and international technical collaboration, the work supports the development of more informed, sustainable and technically appropriate remediation strategies.

In the longer term, the guides can contribute to improved management of contaminated soil and groundwater by helping practitioners and clients identify remediation solutions that are proportionate, practical, technically defensible and fit for purpose.

The initiative also creates a platform for knowledge sharing within the wider RSK Group, enabling technical experience developed in Turkey to contribute to international projects while incorporating knowledge and best practice from across the wider RSK network.

International technical references

The RSK Turkey team’s contribution to the IMPEL Water and Land Remediation project is reflected in the following international technical publications:

1. IMPEL – Water and Land Remediation: Biopiling Monography
   Gökberk Kara is listed among the authors of the report. The final report was issued in May 2026 and adopted at the IMPEL General Assembly in June 2026.
   IMPEL – Biopiling Monography
2. IMPEL – Water and Land Remediation: In-Situ Chemical Reduction (ISCR) Monography
   Technical contribution to the international IMPEL work on ISCR.
   IMPEL – In-Situ Chemical Reduction (ISCR) Monography
3. IMPEL NETWORK
   • https://impel.eu/en/our-network/organisation
   • https://impel.eu/en/topic/water-and-land
4. IMPEL NEWS
   https://impel.eu/en/news/new-guidance-and-reports-from-the-impel-20252027-work-programme-now-available-online