ABSTRACT
In situ soil flushing is the extraction of contaminants from the soil with water or other suitable aqueous solutions. Soil flushing is accomplished by passing the extraction fluid through in-place soils using an injection or infiltration process. Extraction fluids must be recovered and, when possible, are recycled. The method is potentially applicable to all types of soil contaminants. Soil flushing enables removal of contaminants from the soil and is most effective in permeable soils. An effective collection system is required to prevent migration of contaminants and potentially toxic extraction fluids to uncontaminated areas of the aquifer. Soil flushing, in conjunction with in situ bioremediation, may be a cost-effective means of soil remediation at certain sites [1, p. vi; 2, p. 11]. 2 Typically, soil flushing is used in conjunction with other treatments that destroy contaminants or remove them from the extraction fluid and ground water.
Soil flushing is a developing technology that has had limited use in the United States. Typically, laboratory and field treatability studies must be performed under site-specific conditions before soil flushing is selected as the remedy of choice. To date, the technology has been selected as part of the source control remedy at 12 Superfund sites. This technology is currently operational at only one Superfund site; a second is scheduled to begin operation in 1991 [3; 4]. The EPA completed construction of a mobile soil-flushing system, the In Situ Contaminant/Treatment Unit, in 1988. This mobile soil-flushing system is designed for use at spills and uncontrolled hazardous waste sites [5].
This chapter provides information on the technology applicability, the technology limitations, a description of the technology, the types of residuals resulting from the use of the technology, site requirements, the latest performance data, the status of the technology, and sources of further information.
