U.S. EPA Contaminated Site Cleanup Information (CLU-IN)


U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. EPA Technology Innovation and Field Services Division

For more information on Soil Washing, please contact:

Jim Cummings
Technology Assessment Branch

PH: (703) 603-7197 | Email: cummings.james@epa.gov

Soil Washing

Overview

For soil washing, contaminants sorbed onto fine soil particles are separated from bulk soil in a water-based system on the basis of particle size. The wash water may be augmented with a basic leaching agent, surfactant, or chelating agent or by adjustment of pH to help remove organics and heavy metals. Soils and wash water are mixed ex situ in a tank or other treatment unit. The wash water and various soil fractions are usually separated using gravity settling.


4.19 Soil Washing (Ex Situ Soil Remediation Technology)
In Remediation Technologies Screening Matrix and Reference Guide, Version 3.0. Federal Remediation Technologies Roundtable.

Adobe PDF LogoA Citizen's Guide to Soil Washing
EPA 542-F-01-008, 2001

The Citizen's Guide Series are 2-page fact sheets that provide a general description on approaches to clean up contaminated was sites. The fact sheets cover five questions about each clean up approach: What is it?, How does it work?, Is it safe?, How long will it take?, and Why use it?.

Adobe PDF LogoGuía para el Ciudadano sobre Lavado del Suelo
EPA 542-F-01-008S, 2001

La Serie de Guías del Ciudadano son boletines de dos páginas con datos que proveen una descripción general en cómo sanear sitios contaminados. Estos boletines con datos que cubren cinco preguntas acerca de cada procedimiento de saneamiento: ¿Qúe es?, ¿Cómo trabaja?, ¿Es seguro?, ¿Cúanto tiempo requerirá?, y ¿Por qué debe de usarse?

Understanding Soil Washing
CL:AIRE Technical Bulleting TB 13, 4 pp, 2007