Lead in Backyard Soil - Remediation

A test from Brooklyn College shows elevated lead levels in our backyard soil (one area was 575, the other 931). I plan to remove a foot of soil, cover it with some sort of barrier, then truck in new lead-free soil. Does anyone have a suggestion for a good barrier to use on top of the old soil before I add the new dirt ? I was thinking of a layer of gravel, but the guy at Brooklyn College recommended a layer of weed guard. I certainly wasn’t thinking of burying a layer of plastic in my backyard, but I do need a reliable barrier as we’ll have children playing out back, and it’s difficult to prevent children from digging. Any ideas?

jak

in Masonry 12 years ago

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jak | 12 years ago

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I’ve read about in situ remediation in California using tons of crushed fish bones trucked in from Alaska. I removed a foot of dirt and *still* have elevated lead levels, so I’m going to cover the entire back yard with weed guard and cover it. I don’t know how long weed guard will last realistically (20 year guarantee, supposedly) and I’m not enthusiastic about burying a plastic product in the yard, but I don’t see many alternatives. Just to show how little information there is on how to deal with lead soil, this page is now the #1 result on google for “lead soil remediation barrier”

jane moffat | 12 years ago

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I read something about some fish byproduct (a specific bone meal or somethin’) being used very successfully in soil lead remediation – have either of you heard anything about that?

catboot | 12 years ago

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I used ground cloth (I guess you can call it weed gard). It’s not plastic, but a fabric-like material. I built up the beds rather than remove the soil, because I didn’t really want to move a pile of contaminated soil through our house.