Project K- Novel special-purpose composts for the sustainable remediation of Brownfield sites

Package Overview

Soil remediation by the use of compost is an emerging technology that is gaining considerable acceptance due to its success for the treatment of various contaminants and its environmental friendly principles. The relatively high success of this technique strongly suggests that particular activities of compost can be enhanced, thereby increasing its effectiveness. Special-purpose compost can be developed to enhance specific attributes, produced from particular feed stocks to increase activity and sorption. Most of the research published in the field is based on the use of a fairly random selection of un-amended composts. Moreover, substantial literature indicates that naturally occurring minerals play a major role in controlling the environmental fate and availability of both organic and inorganic contaminants. Very little of this work, however, has been applied to improving the remediation capability of organic compost. One particular area of interest is the improvement of both the metal and organic-binding capacity of composts by the addition of inorganic materials. Published research by several investigators indicates that some naturally occurring minerals such as clays and zeolites interact with metals to form a matrix in which the bioavailability of the metals is remarkably decreased. This attribute coupled with the biodegradation capability of the compost could provide a unique and novel remediation technique. The ultimate goal of the technique will be to return the site to its pre-contamination condition, which will include re-vegetation to stabilize the treated soil. In addition to reducing the contaminant levels, the compost will advance this goal by facilitating plant growth and providing soil conditioning and nutrients to a wide variety of vegetation.

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Package organisation:

Sabeha Ouki	Principal Investigator	University of Surrey, Centre for Environmental Engineering and Strategy	01483 686633 s.ouki@surrey.ac.uk
Tony Hutchings	Principal Investigator	Forest Research, Environmental & Human Sciences Division	01420 22255 tony.hutchings@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
Andy Moffat	Principal Investigator	Forest Research, Environmental & Human Sciences Division	01420 22255 andy.moffat@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
Abir Al -Tabbaa	Principal Investigator	University of Cambridge, Geotechnical & Enviromental Research Group	01223 332715 aa22@eng.cam.ac.uk
Mike Johns	Investigator	University of Cambridge, Magnetic Resonance Research Centre	01223 334767 mlj21@cheng.cam.ac.uk
Rene van Herwijnen	Researcher	University of Surrey, Centre for Environmental Engineering and Strategy	01483 689543 r.van-herwijnen@surrey.ac.uk
Vishnu Priya Gadepalle	PhD Student	University of Surrey, Centre for Environmental Engineering and Strategy	01483 689543 v.gadepalle@surrey.ac.uk