In this 71st episode, I discuss "What's The Difference Between In-Situ and Ex-Situ Remediation?"

In-Situ means "in place." So when contamination is remediated where it is, then In-Situ Remediation is taking place. This can be performed by the introduction of additives to perform destructive remediation where the contamination sits, rather than further disrupting the already contaminated area. This method can be considerably useful if there is infrastructure in place or there is functional operations that make it more difficult to excavate.

Ex-Situ remediation is when the contamination is being moved from it's current location. Upon removal, it can be remediated at a new location or as is most often the case, the contamination is excavated or pumped and then it is transported away to be disposed of at a waste disposal facility or an injection well site. When this takes place, it is relocation of the contamination from it's original location, but it is not being permanently address via remediation and destruction, it is just out of site and out of mind. "Cradle to Grave" means that The Generator of the waste that is disposed of, it documented on the waste manifest and still responsible for the final disposition of it. Most often, due to the mass amount of moving equipment, logistical transportation and disposal fees, this is the most expensive approach and still carries the future liability because complete remediation or destruction of the contamination didn't take place.

Sometimes, the best option is to perform a combination of the two. Moving the contamination to be more easily remediated and performing the remediation or permanent destruction of the contamination to eliminate the future liability.

Our Ongoing Sponsor Hanby Environmental produces Field Test Kits that can be used in either case, in the case of Ex-Situ to know that you got it all or in the case of In-Situ to monitor to know the effectiveness of the remediation treatment(s).

As always, if you have a topic you would like us to discuss in a future podcast or a specific question you'd like us to address, please let us know by sending it into, CFator@LetsTalkRemediation.com.

"Thank You" to Our Ongoing Sponsor Hanby Environmental for providing this platform to have a positive impact on The Remediation Industry!

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