Brownfields are properties that are contaminated with hazardous substances and pollutants that may complicate the properties’ expansion, redevelopment, or reuse. Despite this drawback, brownfield development appears to be increasing. According to the Green Building Market and Impact Report 2010 of the GreenBiz Group, LEED resulted in an estimated 8,800 acres of brownfield reclamation in 2010 vs. 4,800 acres in the previous year. Reclaimed brownfield acres are forecast to grow to over 17,000 acres and 27,000 acres by 2020 and 2030, respectively.

This topic includes information related to remediation soil stabilization. Remediation soil stabilization or solidification is a process that reduces environmental concerns of contaminated soils. Groundwater carries away (leaching) contaminates from soils presenting potential environmental concerns. These concerns can be resolved by chemically stabilizing the soil with a material like portland cement. Portland cement is mixed in to contaminated soils and reacts to ground water. The reaction creates physical bonds and low impermeability. The physical bonds encapsulate contaminates, immobilizing them in place.

This topic includes information related to surface removal decontamination. Surface removal decontamination is a process of cleaning contaminated soil. Various types of processes exist, there use depends upon the given circumstances and characteristics of soil contamination being cleaned. Processes can be either uncontrolled or controlled. Uncontrolled processes are natural methods for cleaning soil. Controlled processes utilize technologies to clean soil in place (in-situ) or excavated, cleaned and replaced (ex-situ).