Earthmaster Environmental Consulting
Services

Phytoremediation

Phytoremediation is an innovative, cost-effective, and eco-friendly method that utilizes plants to decontaminate soil and water. Earthmaster has created PEPSystems®, an advanced federally licenced phytotechnology that merges select plants with growth-enhancing bacteria to treat soil affected by hydrocarbons and salt. PEPSystems® is a scalable, economical, and low-carbon solution that processes contaminated soil, eliminating the need for landfill disposal. This pioneering method preserves soil resources and mitigates corporate environmental liabilities.

Rototilling of impacted soil and fertilizer application.
Fall application of fertilizer to the treatment area.

Case-by-case proposals

When a remediation project was stalled by high trucking costs, Earthmaster proposed phytoremediation using PEPSystems® and was able to remediate the site while recognizing significant cost savings.

Regulation-ready

Treatment at an abandoned oil and gas well site was successful, leaving the site in compliance with regulatory requirements and ready for reclamation.

Project

PEPSystems Alternative Soil Treatment

An intermediate oil and gas company asked Earthmaster to remediate over 9,000 m³ of hydrocarbon-impacted soil from emulsion spills. Due to the high trucking costs to the nearest Class 2 landfill, an alternative disposal method was needed.

Earthmaster proposed phytoremediation using PEPSystems®. Three regulator approved soil treatment facilities were set up near the contaminated sites. After spreading the soil to a depth of 0.40 m, it was conditioned, amended, and seeded with a PGPR-treated grass mix in late autumn.

In the first treatment year, plant growth was robust, achieving 100% ground cover. Soil tests showed a 65% reduction in F2 hydrocarbons and a 17% decrease in F3 levels. Based on results from similar sites, Alberta Tier 1 Criteria were met within three growing seasons. The project’s cost is forecast to be 30-40% lower than landfill disposal.

Status

Completed

Services

PHC impacted soil stockpiled on-site.

PHC impacted soil stockpiled on-site.

Brush removal from the phytoremediation treatment pad area.

Brush removal from the phytoremediation treatment pad area.

Surface soil & organic material stripped & stockpiled.

Surface soil & organic material stripped & stockpiled.

Clay is compacted in 0.15 m layers.

Clay is compacted in 0.15 m layers.

Hydraulic conductivity testing for ESRD compliance.

Hydraulic conductivity testing for ESRD compliance.

Impacted soil is spread to depth of 0.50 m.

Impacted soil is spread to depth of 0.50 m.

Rototilling of impacted soil and fertilizer application.

Rototilling of impacted soil and fertilizer application.

Early summer plant growth across the treatment area.

Early summer plant growth across the treatment area.

Excellent plant growth across the treatment area.

Excellent plant growth across the treatment area.

Baling vegetation for removal from the treatment area.

Baling vegetation for removal from the treatment area.

Fall application of fertilizer to the treatment area.

Fall application of fertilizer to the treatment area.

Results from PHC impacted site northern BC.

Results from PHC impacted site northern BC.

Common questions

We offer the PEPSystems® system, which uses natural soil rhizobacteria, agricultural amendments, and site-specific methodologies to promote rapid remediation of soils contaminated with hydrocarbons, salt, and some trace metals. PEPSystems® re-vegetates contaminated sites quickly and is an eco-friendly, solar-powered green technology. It remediates soil on-site, reducing corporate liability and improving soil quality. The system is cost-effective, especially for remote locations, costing about half as much as landfilling for large volumes. It also removes contaminants faster and more completely than other bioremediation methods.