Contaminated soil can pose serious risks to human health, ecosystems, and property values. At O6 Environmental, we understand the high stakes involved in soil remediation and offer proven solutions tailored to each site’s unique environmental challenges. With decades of experience across a wide range of industries, we use science-backed methods to restore contaminated soil while ensuring regulatory compliance and long-term sustainability.
What Is Soil Remediation?
Soil remediation is the process of removing, reducing, or neutralizing pollutants in soil to restore the land to a safe, usable condition. Contaminants may include petroleum hydrocarbons, heavy metals, pesticides, solvents, and other hazardous substances—often the result of industrial operations, accidental spills, leaking underground storage tanks, or improper disposal practices.
Remediation is often required for regulatory compliance, real estate development, or environmental liability management. Whether it’s a brownfield redevelopment project or an emergency spill response, the success of soil remediation depends on selecting the right method and executing it with precision.
Common Soil Contaminants We Treat
At O6 Environmental, we frequently remediate soil impacted by:
- Petroleum-based products (gasoline, diesel, fuel oil)
- Heavy metals (lead, arsenic, mercury)
- Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)
- Pesticides and herbicides
- Industrial solvents and degreasers
Key Soil Remediation Methods
Here are 5 key soil remediation methods that we commonly encounter.
1. Excavation and Off-Site Disposal
This is the most direct approach—dig up the contaminated soil and transport it to a licensed disposal facility. It’s often used when contaminants are shallow and concentrated. While straightforward, it requires strict adherence to transportation and disposal regulations.
Best for: Fuel spills, small-scale industrial contamination, redevelopment sites.
2. Soil Stabilization and Solidification
This method involves mixing chemical agents into the soil to bind contaminants or change their chemistry to reduce mobility. It’s especially effective for heavy metals and sludge-like waste.
Best for: Sites with leachable metals, semi-solid waste, or areas with groundwater risk.
3. In-Situ Chemical Oxidation (ISCO)
ISCO uses oxidizing agents—like hydrogen peroxide or permanganate—to break down organic contaminants underground without excavation. It’s fast and reduces site disruption.
Best for: VOCs and solvents like TCE or PCE.
4. Bioremediation
Harnessing naturally occurring or enhanced microbial activity, bioremediation breaks down hydrocarbons and other biodegradable pollutants in place.
Best for: Petroleum contamination, especially at active industrial sites or environmentally sensitive areas.
5. Soil Vapor Extraction (SVE)
Used for volatile contaminants, SVE pulls vapors from the soil using a vacuum system. This is often combined with air sparging or groundwater treatment.
Best for: VOCs in dry, permeable soil near buildings or infrastructure.
Site-Specific Planning and Sampling
Every remediation project at O6 Environmental begins with a comprehensive site assessment. We conduct:
- Phase II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs)
- Soil boring and sampling
- Laboratory analysis of contaminants
- Hydrogeologic characterization
- Regulatory consultations
We use this data to select the most effective, cost-efficient method with minimal impact on surrounding land use or operations.
Regulatory Compliance and Documentation
Our team ensures full compliance with:
- U.S. EPA remediation standards
- RCRA and CERCLA (Superfund) guidelines
- State-specific remediation programs (e.g., Missouri DNR, Texas CEQ)
- Brownfield redevelopment incentives
- Real estate transaction support
We maintain detailed documentation to support permitting, reporting, and closure certifications—streamlining the process for developers, property owners, and municipalities.
Why Choose O6 Environmental?
Soil remediation is not a one-size-fits-all service. Our clients rely on us because we:
- Bring over 20 years of field-proven remediation experience
- Tailor every cleanup plan to site-specific risks and goals
- Combine environmental expertise with practical execution
- Prioritize regulatory compliance and transparent communication
- Offer turnkey services including remediation, waste transport, and demolition
From industrial decommissioning to emergency spill response, our remediation team delivers clean soil—and peace of mind.
