Soil composting
Techniques for rehabilitating polluted sites and soils - Summary sheets

The technique is based on adding compost to the soil to promote the biodegradation of pollutants (figure 9). It is based on three points:

• the need for structuring to improve soil aeration,

• the nutrient requirements of micro-organisms,

• the growth of micro-organisms.

Compost varies enormously in quality, not all composts work in the same way, and some have specific actions. This technique is often used for hydrocarbon-contaminated soils.

• Principle

  The "soil composting" process involves mixing contaminated soil with a suitable compost to promote contaminant degradation. Soil composting is therefore an ex situ process.

  Although commonly used, the term soil composting is not entirely accurate. Strictly speaking,...