chemical analyses in the Rivoli laboratory

Environmental remediation

From analysis to remediation

The remediation process

Environmental remediation is a long and complex process, involving many stakeholders and impacting various industrial sectors. Each remediation project consists of design activities, authorisation processes, monitoring, and execution activities. During the design phase or while awaiting authorisation for the remediation work, it may be necessary to implement preventive or emergency safety measures to prevent the spread or worsening of environmental contamination.

Characterisation

Prior to any remediation intervention, characterisation involves a series of activities aimed at reconstructing the contamination phenomena of environmental matrices, with the purpose of obtaining the information required to develop and then execute the remediation project.

Risk analysis

Risk analysis is conducted to determine whether a potentially contaminated site can be assessed as non-contaminated or contaminated. In the event of confirmed contamination, this tool enables the determination of both the risks associated with exposure and the remediation targets.

Remediation

If the characterisation shows that the site is contaminated, it becomes necessary to initiate a restoration project, which may involve a remediation intervention or safety measures, either operational or permanent. Once the remediation activity is completed, the competent authority issues the remediation completion certificate.

A specific project for each area

The selection of environmental intervention technologies depends on many factors, including the nature of the contaminants present in the soil or water, the extent of the contamination, the concentration level of the pollutants, the geological and hydrogeological characteristics of the site, the time required to implement the intervention, as well as its environmental, economic, and social impact.
Every remediation project results in the regeneration of the area and considers its future use. Dialogue with local communities is therefore a fundamental element for implementing remediation interventions that align with the value and ultimate use of the areas.

Remediation technologies

In situ

Remediation interventions carried out without moving or removing materials, soil or ground water. These techniques are advantageous both in terms of execution costs and environmental impact.

Ex situ on site

Interventions conducted with the movement/removal of materials, soil, or ground water, to be treated within the site.

Ex situ off site

Interventions involving excavation and removal of materials, soil or ground water, with subsequent transfer to authorised off-site treatment plants or landfills.

Different contaminants, different treatments

Biological treatment

exploits the ability of microorganisms naturally present in the soil or water, or introduced artificially, to degrade contaminants; encouraging microbial growth accelerates the remediation processes.

Chemical treatment

Based on processes that induce the chemical transformation of the contaminant to reduce its concentration or toxicity, or to contain the contamination.

Physical treatment

Aims to change the physical state of pollutants, to facilitate their extraction or stabilisation.

The use of technologies in Italy

Soil remediation technologies

According to Ispra data, the use of in situ technologies for soil remediation has increased over time. In 2014, only 13% of interventions were conducted using in situ technologies (3% biological treatments and 10% physical and chemical treatments). However, due to increased attention to environmental and economic sustainability, by 2022 this figure had risen to 33% of interventions (12% biological treatments and 21% physical and chemical treatments).

Groundwater remediation technologies

For the remediation of ground water, the number of in situ interventions increased from 20% of total interventions in 2014 (4% biological treatments and 15% physical and chemical treatments) to 60% in 2022 (15% biological treatments and 45% physical and chemical treatments).