Background
The former wood treatment facility, owned by a railway company, had been in operation for some 90 years until 1989. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) soil and groundwater contamination was a result of daily operations, accidental spills, bombings during World War II and, more recently, a fire. The average concentration level of PAHs was 5,200 ppm, including heavily contaminated lots bearing concentration levels up to 28,000 ppm. The targeted criteria was established at 400 ppm.

The client selected Biogenie’s biological treatment process as it bore guarantees in terms of performance, cost and treatment time.

Solution
Biogenie undertook a treatability study to develop an efficient biological treatment for the PAH-contaminated soil. An ex situ Biopile treatment process, with specific amendments, was applied to 6,200 tons of contaminated soil. Biogenie was able to reach the treatment objectives within the guaranteed time frame.
 

Services

• Treatability study to develop an efficient biological treatment;
• Ex situ Biopile treatment of 6,200 tons of PAH-contaminated soil in order to meet standards established for industrial use;
• Off-site treatment of 160 tons of heavily contaminated soil (>100,000 ppm);
• Treatment of water containing heavy creosote concentrations using a “pump & treat” method.