Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Protect the Environment

Soil Contamination

Do you know how we can clean contaminated soil? There are three approaches to cleaning it up.

1. We can dig up the soil from the ground and treat or dispose it.
2. We can leave the soil in the ground and treat it in place.
3. We can leave the soil in the ground and control it to prevent the contamination from spreading to plants, animals or humans. This is done by placing a large plastic cover over the contaminated soil to prevent direct contact and keep rainwater from seeping into the soil and spreading the contamination.

Ways of treating soil include the following :~

1. Contaminants are flushed out of the soil using water, chemical solvents or air.
2. Contaminants are destroyed in an incinerator.
3. Natural organisms in the soil are encouraged to break down the contaminants.
4. Material is added to the soil to control the contaminants and prevent them from spreading.



Soil flushing













Adding materials










Incineration









Test Your Science


1. How do you think contaminants in the soil are destroyed in the incinerator?

Find out more about caring and protecting our environment in the Young Scientists Issue 109 Level 2.

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