Contaminated land and soil are signs of potential risks to humans. They can also result in further environmental harm to the surrounding environment, so it is essential that they are identified and contained as soon as possible.
Identifying contaminated land and contaminated soil is best done by experts in this field, but there are certain signs that people can use to give them a general idea. That being said, a professional team should always be consulted.
This blog provides a general outline for identifying contaminated land and soil. It’s hopes are to give people a better idea of what contamination might look like and what they should do if they see it.
Contaminated Land
Contaminated land is the result of trash or other toxic and hazardous chemicals seeping into the soil or groundwater. The contamination site can often spread if it is not contained and cleaned as soon as possible.
Contaminated land is closely linked to contaminated soil. The difference lies in the slight difference between what soil and land are. Soil commonly refers to dirt, grass, or sand. Land, however, encompasses many different types of surfaces and can include man-made ground.
Common Potentially Contaminated Land Examples
Land contamination sites commonly exist where improper handling of toxic or hazardous materials occurs. Because various forms of waste can be hazardous, contamination can occur almost anywhere.
That being said, people who work with large quantities of hazardous waste – such as laboratories, construction sites, demolition sites, or facilities that produce medical waste – often pose higher risks of contamination.
It is advised that anyone working in these industries should contact an EPA-certified waste management team like Cleanway. Our expert team can both help to minimise the risk of contamination, the potential harm to human health, and help with the cleanup in the event of a spill.
Identifying Contaminated Sites
Potentially contaminated land and contaminated sites both risks to both human health and the surrounding environment. The risks include spoilage of land use, surface water contamination, groundwater contamination, as well as other risks.
Note that the full extent of these risks can only really be determined by a team of trained professionals. However, there are certain signs of contamination that are useful to know.
In a previous blog Common Soil Contamination Warning Signs, we go into great detail about what to look out for when it comes to potentially contaminated land. A great starting point it to consider if activities like construction or waste disposal takes place nearby. Such activities can increase the chance of contamination.
Additionally, local councils often include planning contaminated land sites in their general land use plans. Many sites are often ear-marked not just because they are suitable, but also because they can contain a past of contamination.
How to Treat Contaminated Soil
There are five main ways to treat soil contamination.The goal of these treatments is to return the soil to as natural a state as possible. The chosen method will depend on the extend of the contamination as well as the tools and equipment at hand.
Additionally, different methods are often used for different chemical types. Similarly, as waste can come in liquid or solid forms, the method will have to be adapted to suit the type of waste as well.
Bioremediation
Bioremediation is the process of turning contaminated soils into a safer form, thereby removing the contaminants. The process can also be done to remove contaminants from water.
This process seeks to remove the microorganisms that are present and continue to feed the contaminating organisms. By removing them, the soils can naturally return to a state of decontamination.
Chemical Oxidation
Chemical oxidation involves injecting oxygen-based microorganisms into the soil or contaminated water and leaving it to effectively react with the contaminants and neutralise them.
A major benefit of chemical oxidation is its relatively simple implementation. Additionally, it can reach areas that normal decontamination processes might not, such as deep groundwater and soils.
Soil Stabilisation
Soil stabilisation attempts to neutralise the contaminating agents in the soil or water by adding chemicals to work against those already present. It’s a little bit like adding some sugar to food if it is too sour.
One reason to consider soil stabilisation is that numerous chemicals can be used to reach the point of stasis. This means that certain chemicals can be added that will both stabilise the contamination and promote soil health in the long-run.
Soil Washing
Soil washing is an often overlooked method of decontaminating both contaminated land and contaminated water systems. One of the reasons that it is so effective is that it can remove large chunks of contaminants like paint chippings or other plastics.
The process is as its name suggests: namely washing out the contaminants. It can be done with natural spring water, making it a popular choice for eco-friendly washing and to bring in more natural processes throughout the cleaning.
Thermal Treatment
Thermal treatment takes the soil and adds heat to effectively burn out the contaminating elements. It goes without saying that it is most effective when it is done with contaminated lands or soil.
While all of the above-mentioned decontamination methods are dangerous, thermal treatment often presents unique challenges and byproducts. For this reason it is advisable to consult a professional team who are trained and equipped to handle any eventuality.
Contaminated Land and Soil Disposal
The byproduct of any contamination site is waste. When it comes to dealing with soil waste, there are a number of methods to choose from. This is something that we have discussed in length in our blog 30 Soil Disposal Methods.
Contaminated Soil Prevention
Prevention techniques are still efficient waste management techniques, even though contaminated soil disposal services are best for managing soil waste. Any technique that handles different kinds of trash should also stop additional contamination.
The Australian Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifies businesses such as Cleanway. This demonstrates their capacity to safely and securely handle various waste kinds. This involves clearing pollutants such as asbestos from soil in a manner that complies with numerous laws.
Hiring skip bins is a practical method of preventing the leakage of toxic dirt. A typical sight on building sites are skip bins. This facilitates the safe disposal of various materials and procedures like soil remediation. They also reduce the cost of disposal.
Why Spill Response Matters
Spills can take many different forms, including instances involving hazardous materials, oil spills, and chemical leaks. Spill response protocols are essential because even minor spills can cause serious problems if they are not handled appropriately and safely.
Furthermore, emergency spill scenarios are not just a problem for businesses that handle liquid waste. Roadside fuel spills have an impact on the local population as well as the surrounding environment. It is crucial to understand how to behave safely in the event that you find yourself in such a situation.
Additionally, a spill might have a huge impact on the ecosystem. One of the main causes of environmental harm is soil contamination. One of the main reasons businesses respond to major spill situations so quickly is to prevent additional harm and to implement spill control materials.
Interested in reading more? Our blog A Guide to Emergency Spill Response in 2025 provides the latest information.
Closing Thoughts
Identifying contaminated land and soil might seem like an unnecessary skill that people are best without. However, given the potential hazardous related to contaminated sites, it is a useful skill to have.
It is especially important for people who frequently work with any types of chemicals or liquid waste products. They are the most at risks for spill scenarios that can cause contamination to occur.