TECHNOLOGY

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCESS

The decontamination process used by Décontam is authorized by the ministère du Développement durable, de l'Environnement et des Parcs since May 2003.

It consists of a bioaugmentation treatment which relies on a bacterial consortium with the addition of nutriments, including phosphorus and nitrogen. The substance is injected with a minimal amount of dechlorified water. Contrary to decontamination by bioventilation, the process does not require air extraction through the soil. Thus bioaugmentation is carried out without the presence (anaerobic) as well as with the presence (aerobic) of oxygen.

What makes this process different from other biotechnologies are its treatment simplicity and the possibility to rapidly attain the criterias to reutilize the soils. Moreover, the technology is completely natural and does not represent a threat to human health. In fact, all the micro organisms used are included in the list of substances authorized by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

APPLICATIONS AND PERFORMANCE

The Décontam technology applies to soils contaminated by petroleum, diesel and light petroleum hydrocarbons. The treatment period varies based on the types and concentrations of the contaminants as well as the gradation of the soils.

As for the efficiency of the process, the Décontam treatment allows soils to attain A-B level or less for its reuse in residential settings. These are generic criteria of the ministère du Développement durable, de l'Environnement et des Parcs.