An on-site 100 000 metric ton biopile on the EPAD site at Nanterre (92)

Following the development work carried out on a motorway section, a large quantity of earth polluted by THCs and PAHs was discovered.

ORTEC Generale de Depollution, on behalf of the Etablissement Public d’Aménagement de la Défense ( Public authority for defence development), carried out the depollution of the polluted volume on the site - even using biological pathways.

Pre-treatment was first required to prepare the materials for biodegradation: primary screening, sieving, mixing and homogenising with structuring agents took place successively, before adding nutrients.

The earth was then piled up in biopiles in enormous waterproof treatment cells including a leachate recuperation network and a ventilation network right inside the material to be treated.

Thanks to a perfectly controlled process and rigorous monitoring, the objectives (1000 ppm of THC) were reached within 12 months for the entire volume of earth.