Performance tests soil release

Air sparging was used to perform a pilot test at an audio equipment manufacturing facility. The release site was an open nearby area where paint shop wastes had been discharged into the subsurface via a dry well over a 9-year period. Previous initial studies confirmed organic and inorganic contaminants in soil and groundwater. 

Recently, ecotoxic tests performed on several materials showed that biomaterials (starch, cellulose, polylactic acid, etc.) in soil conditions had a toxic effect at the beginning of the process, and became non toxic after 60 days. On the contrary, polyethylene materials with pro oxidant additives showed a toxic response after 60 days (Fritz, 2004). Similarly, inhibition effects occur during Sturm tests with this material. One explanation could be the release in the environment of poisonous substances contained in the pro-oxidant additive (di thio carbamates) or in other unknown additives. These harmful substanees accumulate in soils. For the above reasons and for agricultural requirements (no accumulation of toxic substances in soils), ecotoxic tests should be performed after a lag phase of three or six months. 

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