Pilot test: an innovative approach to sanitize industrial sites!

As part of a depollution project on an industrial site, several phases of studies have followed one another since 2006, resulting in a Management Plan drawn up by a specialized design office in 2022. Following this, additional diagnoses were carried out between 2023 and 2024, focusing on the depollution of a building with concentrated pollution sources.

The site is based on sandy-gravelly embankments, surmounting quaternary alluvium from the Rhône. The alluvial groundwater, at a depth of 4 to 5 meters, is vulnerable to pollution, although the proximity to sensitive uses is low.

The diagnoses revealed 96 potential sources of pollution linked to the activities of the site, with 11 source areas identified. The main pollution issues include:

• Hydrocarbons;
• Chlorinated solvents (COHV);
• PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons);
• Cyanides.

High levels of these pollutants have been detected in soil gases.

In 2024, several pilot tests were carried out with the aim of evaluating the various depollution methods theoretically envisaged. More specifically, a laboratory biodegradation test was conducted to study the effectiveness of this approach in treating two distinct areas. On site, a pump-skim pilot was set up for one of these areas, while a sparging-venting pilot was installed to optimize the removal of pollutants in the other zone. This configuration makes it possible to minimize the risks of movement of floating pure products, in particular hydrocarbons, by avoiding undesirable interactions between the various methods.

These initiatives are part of a global strategy to effectively deal with pollution sources and ensure the protection of the environment while complying with regulatory requirements. Our methodical approach and ongoing trials will make it possible to achieve effective and safe pollution control.