SSS8.3Remediation of polluted soils
|Convener: Jaume Bech | Co-Conveners: Elena Korobova , Maria Manuela Abreu , Claudio Bini , Hyo-Taek Chon , Carmen Pérez-Sirvent , Núria Roca|
Soils are essential components of the environment, the basis of terrestrial ecosystems and a crossroad for biogeochemical cycles at the lithosphere-hydrosphere-biosphere-atmosphere interface. Therefore, soils are a limited, precious and fragile resource, the quality of which should be preserved. However, the increased concentration and distribution of heavy metals, metalloids, radionuclides and organic xenobionts in soils by anthropogenic mismanagement of industrial and mining activities, overuse of agrochemicals, sewage sludge and waste disposal cause contamination, environmental problems and health concerns. Therefore, soil pollution needs innovative technologies of remediation consisting of two main groups: the first deals with containment and confinement of the pollutants, minimizing their toxicity, mobility and bioavailability. Containment measures include covering, sealing, solidification and stabilization with amendments. The second group includes decontamination by remotion, clean up and destruction of contaminants with physical, chemical and biological technologies such as soil washing, soil flushing, thermal and electrokinetics treatments, bioremediation and phytoremediation. These latter ones are more ecofriendly and soil protective. This Session is focused on the most recent findings, state of the art developments in the knowledge and modalities of remediation of polluted soils. We welcome theoretical and applied methodologies, experimental laboratory and field works leading to new data. We look forward to a lively Oral and Poster Session. Furthermore, we hope to publish the outcome of this Session in a Special Issue of an international indexed journal.