In addition to its core competencies of ground improvement specialist, we also offer expertise in soil remediation, giving a fresh future to contaminated sites.
Applications
Treating sites
Despite our best efforts, humans continue to extract, produce and consume materials that can have a potentially damaging impact on the environment and human health. In response, Menard has developed state-of-the-art containment and soil remediation methods to treat sites affected by subsurface contamination. Our techniques can either completely cut-off contaminated groundwater flows or facilitate passive treatment whilst providing means to perform long term monitoring and management of contaminated sites. We can efficiently treat former gasworks sites, petrochemical or PFAS sites.
The following techniques are used to treat contamination:
Techniques
PRB Walls
What is it?
Permeable Reactive Barriers (PRB) walls are narrow trenches that are excavated under slurry and backfilled with materials that decontaminate groundwater passing through them.
When and why use it?
Ideally when in-situ remediation of contaminated sites is required without impacting the groundwater flow.
💡 Menard’s tip
Menard is Australia’s leading contractor for the installation of Slurry and PRB walls.
In-situ Stabilisation
What is it?
In-situ stabilisation is a method for stabilising or solidifying soils in place and utilises cementitious material to create low permeability properties that help reduce the impact of the contaminants.
When and why use it?
In situ stabilisation is typically used to limit the spread of contaminants in soil and groundwater. It does not remove the contaminant but prevents leaching and migration by trapping it in the soil. This technique applies to various types of organic and chemical contaminants.
💡 Menard’s tip
Solidification does not actively promote chemical changes in the contaminants.
In-situ treatment
What is it?
In-situ an in-place method to treat contaminated soils. This is conventionally achieved by absorption, reduction or precipitation. It actively promotes chemical changes in the contaminants, converting them to less harmful or inert products. In-situ treatment methods will depend on the subsurface conditions and contaminant characteristics.
When and why use it?
In situ treatment is typically used to neutralise contaminants present in soils. This technique is very versatile and can be applied to various soils and contaminants such as working sites and soils located under existing buildings.
💡 Menard’s tip
In-situ treatment is a simple, cost effective treatment that has very little environmental impact.