Soil pollution has become one of the greatest environmental threats worldwide.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), this phenomenon already affects a third of the world's population, putting food security, biodiversity and human health at risk.

What is soil pollution?
Soil contamination refers to the presence of toxic chemicals or elements produced by human activities that degrade or destroy soil quality. This includes everything from industrial and agricultural waste, to chemical pollutants that directly impact its composition and functionality. Beyond the direct effects, soil pollution is closely linked to water and air pollution, amplifying their impacts.
Types of soil contaminants
Soil contaminant types can be classified into several categories according to their origin and type:
- Natural pollution: It occurs due to natural geological or biological processes, although its impact is generally minor compared to human activities.
- Anthropogenic pollution: It results from human activities such as industrialization, agriculture, and urbanization.
- Chemical pollution: Includes pesticides, fertilizers, and industrial products that alter the chemical composition of the soil.
- Pollution by residual disposal: Related to landfills of garbage and mismanaged toxic waste.
- Infiltration contamination: This occurs when toxic substances penetrate the soil through water.
- Runoff pollution: Chemical residues carried by rainwater contaminate the surface layers of the soil.
- Contamination from abandoned facilities: Industrial and mining sites that have not been properly managed contribute significantly to soil contamination.
What are the main soil pollutants?
Although some causes of soil pollution are natural, most come from human activities. Among the main causes are:
- Deforestation and soil erosion: Indiscriminate felling of trees exposes the soil to erosion, reducing its fertility and structure.
- Agricultural activities: The excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides contaminates the soil with toxic chemicals.
- Mining: Mineral extraction releases heavy metals and toxic chemicals into the surrounding soil.
- Industrialization: Untreated industrial waste pollutes with substances such as lead, mercury, and other hazardous chemicals.
- Construction: Construction debris and debris can include toxic materials such as asbestos.
- Nuclear waste: Mismanaged radioactive materials represent one of the most dangerous forms of soil contamination.
- Drainage treatment: Untreated wastewater contains organic and inorganic contaminants that negatively impact the soil.
What causes pollution to the earth?
The impact of soil pollution goes beyond the earth's surface, also affecting ecosystems, human health and socio-economic development. Some of the main consequences or effects are:
- Loss of flora and fauna: Pollution alters natural habitats, reducing biodiversity.
- Difficulties for agricultural development: Contaminated soils lose their fertility, limiting food production.
- Landscape deterioration: The accumulation of hazardous waste and soil degradation affect the visual appeal of natural areas.
- Impossibility of development of new ecosystems: Pollutants prevent the growth of new biological communities.
- Groundwater and surface water contamination: Leachate carries contaminants from the soil to nearby water sources.
- Impact on human and animal health: Contact with heavy metals and other pollutants can cause chronic disease and cancer.
- Decreased soil fertility: The accumulation of pollutants affects the biological processes essential for soil regeneration.
- Changes in ecosystems: Pollution causes imbalances in ecological relationships.
- Toxic dust: The release of pollutants into the air affects both the soil and nearby people.

CAN IT BE PREVENTED?
Soil pollution prevention and management

Soil pollution prevention and management
Education and responsible soil management are key to preventing soil pollution. At SOCOTEC, we believe in comprehensive solutions that not only mitigate environmental impact, but also foster sustainable development. Here are some key actions to prevent soil contamination:
- Efficient waste management: Implement recycling and waste treatment systems to minimize waste generation.
- Biomediation: Using bacteria, fungi, and plants to restore contaminated soils.
- Environmental awareness and education: Promote good practices among communities and companies.
- Emission reduction: Opt for renewable and sustainable energies to minimize the release of greenhouse gases.
- Proper waste classification: Ensure proper separation of waste for proper treatment.
- Deforestation prevention: Implement policies to protect forests and forest soils.
- Regulatory framework: Law on waste and contaminated soils
Soil pollution prevention and management
Education and responsible soil management are key to preventing soil pollution. At SOCOTEC, we believe in comprehensive solutions that not only mitigate environmental impact, but also foster sustainable development. Here are some key actions to prevent soil contamination:
- Efficient waste management: Implement recycling and waste treatment systems to minimize waste generation.
- Biomediation: Using bacteria, fungi, and plants to restore contaminated soils.
- Environmental awareness and education: Promote good practices among communities and companies.
- Emission reduction: Opt for renewable and sustainable energies to minimize the release of greenhouse gases.
- Proper waste classification: Ensure proper separation of waste for proper treatment.
- Deforestation prevention: Implement policies to protect forests and forest soils.
- Regulatory framework: Law on waste and contaminated soils
1. Resolution of administrative files
- Management with environmental authorities: We coordinate with organisations such as the Catalan Water Agency (ACA), the Waste Agency of Catalonia (ARC), the Unified Environmental Management Office (OGAU), among others.
- Processing of files: We take care of managing contamination and decontamination files before the authorities.
- Environmental Reports: Preparation of Preliminary Reports, Base Reports, Cessation of Activity Reports, Periodic Reports and other documents required for the renewal of environmental licenses.
2. Internal valuations
- Environmental Due Diligence: We carry out audits of the state of the subsoil in industrial purchase and sale processes or extensions.
- Valuation of environmental liabilities: We evaluate the impact of soil and groundwater contamination on the purchase and sale of land.
3. Actions in the event of historical incidents or contamination
- Drilling and sampling campaigns: Execution of boreholes, installation of piezometers and analysis of soil and water, complying with RD 9/2005.
- Research and laboratory analysis: All our analyses are certified under ISO 17025.
- Risk analysis: Preparation of risk analyses for human health in situations of contamination.
- Decontamination plans: Drafting and execution of remediation plans.
- Pollution monitoring: Design and management of environmental monitoring programs.
Featured projects: examples of success in the environmental management of contaminated soils
At SOCOTEC, our commitment to sustainability and technical excellence has allowed us to develop comprehensive solutions in soil restoration and decontamination projects. Here are three outstanding cases that illustrate our professional approach and the effectiveness of our methodologies.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
Environmental management of works in Barcelona: restoration of the soil affected by fuel oil

In this project, SOCOTEC collaborates with the public administration to lead the restoration of a subsoil seriously affected by fuel oil in the Remedios Varó Gardens in Barcelona. Our team assumed the Environmental Management of the Site, ensuring that each stage of the process complied with the most demanding environmental standards. The main activities included:
- Development of the decontamination project: Detailed technical design that included the identification of sources of contamination and the most appropriate remediation strategies.
- Certifications of work: Supervision and validation of the activities carried out to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Document review: Exhaustive evaluation of reports and permits associated with the project.
- Technical and economic strategy: Development of a comprehensive plan to optimize resources and minimize costs, ensuring sustainable results.
- Coordination with multiple actors: Management of meetings with various administrations and key actors involved in the project.
- Fieldwork: Execution of groundwater sampling and analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions.
In this project, SOCOTEC collaborates with the public administration to lead the restoration of a subsoil seriously affected by fuel oil in the Remedios Varó Gardens in Barcelona. Our team assumed the Environmental Management of the Site, ensuring that each stage of the process complied with the most demanding environmental standards. The main activities included:
- Development of the decontamination project: Detailed technical design that included the identification of sources of contamination and the most appropriate remediation strategies.
- Certifications of work: Supervision and validation of the activities carried out to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Document review: Exhaustive evaluation of reports and permits associated with the project.
- Technical and economic strategy: Development of a comprehensive plan to optimize resources and minimize costs, ensuring sustainable results.
- Coordination with multiple actors: Management of meetings with various administrations and key actors involved in the project.
- Fieldwork: Execution of groundwater sampling and analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions.

RESEARCH
Investigación ambiental en el Puerto de Barcelona

Environmental research in the Port of Barcelona
We led an exhaustive investigation in an industrial site located in the Port of Barcelona. The complexity of the project lay in the evaluation of a land with historical industrial activity, for which the following key actions were implemented:
- Continuous core drilling: Controlled drilling that allowed soil samples to be collected in depth, preserving the integrity of the material.
- Sampling and analysis: Detailed soil and groundwater analyses were carried out to identify specific contaminants and their extent.
- Results reports: Writing clear and precise technical reports that served as a basis for strategic decision-making.
- Modelling using Quantitative Risk Analysis (QA): Use of advanced tools to assess potential risks to human health and the environment.
Environmental research in the Port of Barcelona
We led an exhaustive investigation in an industrial site located in the Port of Barcelona. The complexity of the project lay in the evaluation of a land with historical industrial activity, for which the following key actions were implemented:
- Continuous core drilling: Controlled drilling that allowed soil samples to be collected in depth, preserving the integrity of the material.
- Sampling and analysis: Detailed soil and groundwater analyses were carried out to identify specific contaminants and their extent.
- Results reports: Writing clear and precise technical reports that served as a basis for strategic decision-making.
- Modelling using Quantitative Risk Analysis (QA): Use of advanced tools to assess potential risks to human health and the environment.

SOIL DECONTAMINATION
Decontamination in Zaragoza: restoration of an industrial site

In the province of Zaragoza, SOCOTEC participated in the decontamination of a site for the distribution of hydrocarbons, a challenge that involved restoring a seriously impacted environment. Among the activities carried out are:
- Subsoil investigation: Continuous core drilling that identified the presence of hydrocarbons and delimited their extent.
- Periodic sampling: Collection of soil and groundwater samples for laboratory analysis, ensuring constant control throughout the process.
- Drafting the decontamination plan: Developing a comprehensive strategy that included advanced remediation methods.
- Hydrocarbon extraction: Use of technologies such as passive skimmers and selective pumping to remove the hydrocarbon-free phase.
- Treatment of extracted liquids: Implementation of a separation system that allowed the safe management of contaminated substances.
- Analytical and qualitative control: Constant monitoring of the progress of decontamination, ensuring the effectiveness of interventions.
In the province of Zaragoza, SOCOTEC participated in the decontamination of a site for the distribution of hydrocarbons, a challenge that involved restoring a seriously impacted environment. Among the activities carried out are:
- Subsoil investigation: Continuous core drilling that identified the presence of hydrocarbons and delimited their extent.
- Periodic sampling: Collection of soil and groundwater samples for laboratory analysis, ensuring constant control throughout the process.
- Drafting the decontamination plan: Developing a comprehensive strategy that included advanced remediation methods.
- Hydrocarbon extraction: Use of technologies such as passive skimmers and selective pumping to remove the hydrocarbon-free phase.
- Treatment of extracted liquids: Implementation of a separation system that allowed the safe management of contaminated substances.
- Analytical and qualitative control: Constant monitoring of the progress of decontamination, ensuring the effectiveness of interventions.
These cases reflect our experience and commitment to excellence in environmental management. We work with a focus on sustainability, innovation and regulatory compliance, positioning ourselves as leaders in the prevention and remediation of contaminated soils.
At SOCOTEC we have the official qualification as Control Entities in the Sectoral Field of Soil Pollution Prevention (EC-SOL), granted by the General Directorate of Climate Change and Environmental Quality of Catalonia. In addition, we have accreditation number 139-EC-SOL, which guarantees our capacity and competence in research, risk analysis and decontamination projects.
Soil pollution is a global challenge that demands immediate action. At SOCOTEC, we are committed to environmental, social and economic sustainability, working alongside our customers to develop strategies that promote a greener and safer future. With our innovative solutions and focus on the Sustainable Development Goals, we transform environmental challenges into opportunities for progress.
Contact us so that we can offer you a solution tailored to your project.

You might also be interested...

Add new comment