Incitec Pivot Soil Remediation

The site is currently owned by Incitec Pivot Limited and was previously used for pesticide formulation and blending. Detailed soil and groundwater investigations were completed by various consultants. Soil remediation trial works were carried out on a laboratory scale to stabilise the soil contaminants. 

It was proposed to stabilise the impacted soils by the mixing of the soil with selected reagents to break down and bind up contaminants of concern, in order to minimise risks to health and the environment, commensurate with ongoing industrial use of the land. Validation sampling and testing as well as the storage and treatment of excavation dewatering liquid was carried out by the Environmental Consultant. In order to treat the impacted material a unique (to South Australia and possibly Australia) short term processing plant had to be implemented. 

The process involved the excavation of 4,100m³ of impacted soils from eight separate areas to varying depths from 3m to 6m. As part of the excavation of the impacted soils, some 5,200m³ of clean soil was excavated and stockpiled for re-use as a cover to the treated impacted fill.

Unique Process

The project was unique in its concept for the treatment and stabilising of impacted soils, with the use of the Reterra soil conditioning machine. The process consisted of adding numerous dry and liquid reagents to the soil and then creating a slurry for re-use on site. Odour monitoring was carried out by Soil and Groundwater Consulting and Tonkin Environmental Consulting employees. Dust monitoring was carried out on a daily basis by the use of DustTrak monitoring equipment.