2. Physical treatment processes

Physical processes are based on two different principles:

• limiting or even eliminating the transfer of pollutants by physical means independent of the nature of the pollutants (e.g. containment/landfill, stabilization, vitrification);

• maximizing transfer to a more easily treatable medium, typically water or air, by means based on the physical properties of the products (venting, thermal desorption, air sparging, pumping and skimming).