review · Journal of Hazardous Materials
Extensive subsurface contamination often makes the complete removal or disposal of hazardous pollutants impractical. In such settings, contaminant containment measures provide an alternative by preventing or minimising the offsite movement of persistent contaminants in soil and groundwater. These approaches encompass physical, chemical, and biological methods, including permeable and impermeable barriers, stabilisation and solidification, and phytostabilisation. Containment offers distinct operational advantages because it halts the migration of contaminant plumes and allows pollutants to be addressed in place without requiring costly and disruptive soil excavation. Nonetheless, these systems are not entirely maintenance-free solutions. They demand ongoing, routine inspections to monitor potential mobilised pollutants and verify that containment remains secure over time. Examining physical, chemical, and biological processes alongside real and simulated field trials demonstrates that containment is a dependable, risk-reducing strategy for managing inaccessible or persistent environmental contamination.
Persistent soil and groundwater contamination threatens ecosystems and public health, but digging up vast amounts of polluted earth is often impossible. Containment strategies offer a practical, lower-impact way to halt the spread of toxic plumes and manage risks where source removal is unfeasible. Understanding these methods helps site managers and regulators protect surrounding communities and water resources effectively.
The findings inform environmental engineering firms, remediation contractors, and public land managers dealing with persistent subsurface pollution. Because the technologies, including barrier systems, stabilisation, and phytostabilisation, have case studies operating under real or simulated field conditions, they represent applied and field-ready remediation approaches. Commercial value centres on the deployment of these containment systems alongside the recurring inspection, sensing, and monitoring services required to track contaminant plumes over extended periods.
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Contaminant containment measures are often necessary to prevent or minimize offsite movement of contaminated materials for disposal or other purposes when they can be buried or left in place due to extensive subsurface contamination. These measures can include physical, chemical, and biological technologies such as impermeable and permeable barriers, stabilization and solidification, and phytostabilization. Contaminant containment is advantageous because it can stop contaminant plumes from migrating further and allow for pollutant reduction at sites where the source is inaccessible or cannot be removed. Moreover, unlike other options, contaminant containment measures do not require the excavation of contaminated substrates. However, contaminant containment measures require regular inspections to monitor for contaminant mobilization and migration. This review critically evaluates the sources of persistent contaminants, the different approaches to contaminant remediation, and the various physical-chemical-biological processes of contaminant containment. Additionally, the review provides case studies of contaminant containment operations under real or simulated field conditions. In summary, contaminant containment measures are essential for preventing further contamination and reducing risks to public health and the environment. While periodic monitoring is necessary, the benefits of contaminant containment make it a valuable remediation option when other methods are not feasible.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131575
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