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Remediation of Frozen Ground Contaminated with Petroleum Hydrocarbons: Feasibility and Limits

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Permafrost Soils

Part of the book series: Soil Biology ((SOILBIOL,volume 16))

Soil remediation trials in cold regions have narrowed the field of practical, cost-effective methods for removing petroleum contaminants from frozen soils. Dig and haul is routinely used at active industrial sites when land use requirements outweigh the high cost of off-site treatment. Monitored natural attenuation is considered when assessment and remediation are perceived to disturb the ecosystem more than the contamination. Landfarming and engineered bioremediation have emerged as effective remediation methods for active and inactive sites, generally being recognized as offering an acceptable balance between treatment cost and duration. Petroleum-contaminated water in polar regions is typically encountered as runoff or as suprapermafrost water, and petroleum reductions are often the indirect consequence of soil treatment. However, permeable reactive barriers, two-phase partitioning bioreactors, and use of controlled release nutrients offer promise as emerging water treatment strategies. This chapter discusses feasibility and limitations of existing and emerging remediation techniques for use in removing petroleum contamination from frozen ground. We consider environmental limitations and regulations as they relate to treatment practicality, cost, and duration.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Alaska Fairbanks, P.O. Box 755900, Fairbanks, Alaska, 99775-5900, USA

    Dennis M. Filler

  2. National Water Research Institute, PO Box 5050, Burlington, Ontario, Canada, L7R 4A6

    Dale R. Van Stempvoort

  3. Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, PO Box 757000, Alaska, 99775-7000, USA

    Mary B. Leigh

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  1. Dennis M. Filler
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  2. Dale R. Van Stempvoort
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  3. Mary B. Leigh
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Correspondence to Dennis M. Filler .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Microbiology, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstr. 25, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria

    Rosa Margesin

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Filler, D.M., Van Stempvoort, D.R., Leigh, M.B. (2009). Remediation of Frozen Ground Contaminated with Petroleum Hydrocarbons: Feasibility and Limits. In: Margesin, R. (eds) Permafrost Soils. Soil Biology, vol 16. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-69371-0_19

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