Hill Farm Case Study
Project Title:
Sheep Farm Remediation
Site:
The site is a working farm which sits in the hills surrounding Loch Tay.
Contamination:
Following testing of a burn in the area SEPA served a notice instructing the client to investigate the extent of pesticide contamination in the ditch and burn, and then to take the necessary remedial action. The source of the contamination was a sheep dipper in the farm steading. The investigation found two separate areas of contamination. Firstly there was the area surrounding the sheep dipper - a relatively small area with high contamination levels. The second area was the ditch in a nearby field - a larger area, but with lower pesticide levels. The specific contaminants found at the site were cypermethrin, permethrin and carbophenothion.
Remediation:
Remediation of the contaminated soil was carried out ex situ by chemical oxidation, using iron sulphate and hydrogen peroxide, causing rapid degradation of the contaminants.
The excavate soil was introduced to an Allu bucket prior to treatment to remove any large stones and then the graded material was fed into our remediation plant where the chemicals were applied and thoroughly mixed with the soil. The remediation plant was ideally suited to this project as it was able treat the contaminated soil in the small working area that was available to us.
Benefits
The contaminants have been reduced to below the agreed target concentrations and the material can now be returned to the site as it no longer poses a threat to the aquatic environment.