Remediation
Contamination is an unfortunate by-product of our modern world that is sometimes unavoidable. Contaminants such as heavy metals or hydrocarbons caused by industrial, agricultural or domestic waste can become trapped in soil or water and pose a threat to all living organisms.
Effective remediation is vital to combating the spread of contamination and the lasting effects on the environment. Remediation is made effective by having the right resources, which starts with a thorough strategy, appropriate technique and the best equipment to remove the contaminants safely and secure the site.
Combined resources and tailored solutions
RSK’s dedicated Geosciences team, and its subsidiaries of RemedX, Ecologia and RSK Raw have the combined support, experience and resources to create bespoke remediation solutions for clients. We understand that every problem is unique, so we design effective remediation strategies tailored to the client and have the specialists and equipment to see the project through to finish.
From small domestic problems to large commercial oil spills and major agricultural incidents, RSK provides total contaminated land assessment, management and robust clean-up services across the UK and internationally. We are one of few companies that can design a project-specific remediation solution; pilot test, install and operate it on site using an in-house fleet of specialist plant and equipment; and manage every aspect of operation through to full site clean-up and regulatory sign-off.
Our services
Our team is adept at finding and implementing techniques that offer low impact, efficient and sustainable solutions to contaminated soil and water. As well as meeting legal obligations, our objective is always to deliver a site that is safe and suitable for its proposed use, without ongoing liabilities.
Some of the technologies we employ include: dual- and multi-phase extraction, light non-aqueous phase liquid (LNAPL) skimming, soil vapour extraction, chemical oxidation, bioremediation, soil stabilisation, and air- and bio-sparging.
There at every step
Besides the obvious concerns when there is an uncontrolled contaminant spill, we recognise that our clients are under pressure and their biggest worry is uncertainty. Whether the uncertainty relates to complex environmental regulations, unforeseen ground conditions or complaints from stakeholders, the consequence for our clients is the same: a potential for significant delays and increasing costs.
We take an end-to-end services approach to remediation and our clients value our expertise at every step of the process. We work collaboratively to ensure that we maintain frequent, open and honest communication, which helps allay concerns, increase our clients’ confidence and control costs and budgets.
With more than 15 years’ experience in remediation, RSK is fully accredited and can help clients from all sectors to comply with environmental regulations and maintain health and safety standards.
Our expertise
Injecting air into an aquifer physically strips contaminants from dissolved and adsorbed phases. Ideally suited to treat hydrocarbon-impacted soils and groundwater.
Well suited to treating soil contaminated with light to medium chain hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds.
In-situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) adds chemicals to soil and groundwater to destroy contaminants through oxidation. It is very fast and effective.
Pumps are used to remove non-aqueous phase liquids and groundwater simultaneously.
A vacuum is used to recover non-aqueous phase liquids from groundwater and contaminated vapours. It is effective for soil and groundwater contamination in low-permeability aquifers.
Skimming can be used in situ to remove LNAPL from groundwater surface. It is effective for recent spills.
Monitored natural attenuation is a viable and cost-effective option for managing the risks posed by contaminated groundwater after an active remediation scheme or on its own.
In groundwater, a permeable reactive barrier degrades migrating contaminants within the barrier material.
Also known as soil venting, soil vapour extraction is a technique used to remove contaminants from the unsaturated zone.
An effective treatment that encapsulates contaminants.