The purpose of the work is to decontaminate more than 16,000 m3 of land contaminated by hydrocarbons using bio remediation techniques. This type of treatment eliminates the contamination using certain micro-organisms and allows the complete re-use of the soil.

The process consists of the selective excavation of the contaminated material, the application of corrections and the forming of bio piles in a suitably prepared area on the same site. The bio pile is defined as a controlled biological process in which organic pollutants are biodegraded and mineralised.

A system of pipes is installed in each bio pile for controlling oxygenation with forced air renewal, the addition of nutrients and humidity to generate optimal conditions to favour the microbes’ activity. Finally, the pile is covered with a sheet of high density polyethylene to control the temperature.

FCC Ámbito has carried out the decontamination of soil and aquifers for 25 years during which it as acquired and developed great practical knowledge of the most innovative alternatives for decontamination both on- and off-site. Its activity has contributed to restoring and recovering the environmental values of more than 200 degraded areas.