On-site and in situ remediation technologies applicable to metal-contaminated sites in Antarctica and the Arctic: a review

On-site and in situ remediation technologies applicable to petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated sites in the Antarctic and Arctic

“…Managing petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated soil in remote, cold regions such as the Antarctic and Arctic can often be confounded by a lack of infrastructure, logistical constraints and extreme weather (see Poland et al 2003;Filler et al 2006 Camenzuli et al 2013 for detailed reviews). The financial expense associated with implementing traditional remediation approaches in remote, cold regions can also be significant Camenzuli et al 2013; Leewis et al 2013).…”

“…Managing petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated soil in remote, cold regions such as the Antarctic and Arctic can often be confounded by a lack of infrastructure, logistical constraints and extreme weather (see Poland et al 2003;Filler et al 2006 Camenzuli et al 2013 for detailed reviews). The financial expense associated with implementing traditional remediation approaches in remote, cold regions can also be significant Camenzuli et al 2013; Leewis et al 2013). These obstacles have the potential to lengthen timeframes for remediation or entirely prevent the commencement of remediation operations at petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated sites in the Antarctic and Arctic Filler et al 2006;Camenzuli et al 2013).…”

“…The financial expense associated with implementing traditional remediation approaches in remote, cold regions can also be significant Camenzuli et al 2013; Leewis et al 2013). These obstacles have the potential to lengthen timeframes for remediation or entirely prevent the commencement of remediation operations at petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated sites in the Antarctic and Arctic Filler et al 2006;Camenzuli et al 2013).…”

“…Remediation in the Antarctic and Arctic has traditionally relied upon ex situ remediation strategies which require the removal of contaminated material by excavation with subsequent treatment or off-site storage (Deprez et al 1999;Martin & Ruby 2004;Harms & Wick 2006;Camenzuli et al 2013). Ex situ remediation approaches can be advantageous in the presence of severe contamination of highly hazardous compounds (Tomei & Daugulis 2013).…”

“…However, such approaches are expensive, logistically inefficient and may result in further damage to the natural environment. For instance, excavation can result in the re-suspension of contaminants and can instigate permafrost melt, which may result in altered groundwater flow, soil shrinkage, land slumping or salinization (Aislabie et al 2004;Martin & Ruby 2004;Perelo 2010;White et al 2012;Camenzuli et al 2013). Site degradation associated with excavation represents a serious concern, particularly in Antarctica, where the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (also known as the Madrid Protocol; 1998) stipulates that remediation operations must not result in greater environmental impacts than the ''do nothing '' approach (SCAR 1993).…”