What is “landfarming” in the context of hazardous waste management?

Landfarming is a bioremediation technique specifically designed to treat contaminated soil by spreading it over a prepared bed or area where microorganisms can break down the hazardous substances present. This approach utilizes the natural processes of biodegradation, where soil bacteria and other microorganisms decompose organic pollutants, thereby reducing their concentration and toxicity.

The practice often involves tilling the contaminated soil to enhance aeration and moisture availability, which are crucial for microbial activity. By optimizing these conditions, landfarming aims to accelerate the remediation process and restore the soil to a safer, non-toxic state. This method is particularly applicable to petroleum hydrocarbons and some heavy metals, making it a valuable option in hazardous waste management.

Other options such as incineration, landfilling wastewater, and mixing hazardous materials do not contribute to the direct biological remediation of contaminated soil and instead focus on different, often less environmentally friendly, methods of handling hazardous waste.