Contaminated vs. Polluted Land

Land is defined as contaminated when the concentration of an element or compound in the soil is above the defined background or natural level.  It is important to realise that contamination does not necessarily mean pollution.  There are many examples of ‘naturally’ contaminated sites around the world.  Here, geological processes have increased the concentration of certain trace elements in soil.  The ecosystem in such places will evolve to respond and manage such contaminants.

Where contamination does affect the growth of microorganisms, plants and animals, then contamination becomes pollution and can present unacceptable risk to the healthy functioning of the environment.  The use of pesticides and the discharge of industrial waste to the environment are two common mechanisms by which the environment can become polluted.  Contamination in ecosystems that are inhabited by people is often anthropogenic (manmade).

What CPL can offer...

Where pollution is expected, or where concern over contamination is raised, Croesus can assist with diagnosing environmental risk. Croesus can then assist with the planning, implementing and managing of remediation solutions. Risk exposure pathways are an important part of this work. Risk vectors may include eating plants grown on contaminated soil, eating plants irrigated with contaminated water, the dispersion of contaminants via wind erosion, or the leaching of contaminants into drinking water. If soil contaminants are not actually interacting with the environment and therefore do not actually present a risk, then expensive remediation or management procedures are often not justifiable. In contrast, accurate and precise risk assessment can identify low levels of contamination that may need urgent remediation to address unacceptable risk.