14. Excavation

Excavation is not, strictly speaking, a treatment process. In fact, treatment, when it takes place, occurs before or after excavation. Excavation is often the quickest way to develop a site, but the soil remains polluted. This is a very common method, leading to off-site treatment (e.g. incineration) or landfill disposal. The fact that excavation is not in itself a treatment of the soil (but of the site) generates transport risks. However, for rapid action, excavation is still an interesting option (figure 14 ).

• Principle

  Strictly speaking, the excavation process refers to the removal of contaminated soil from an area defined in advance by soil investigation and sampling. However, a number of subsequent stages can be included, including...