The need
Civil engineering earthworks often generate large quantities of excavated earth that need to be disposed of off-site. In Martinique, these operations, if poorly supervised, can lead to chlordecone-polluted soil being moved to unaffected areas, thereby spreading chlordecone pollution across the island. This issue is all the more critical in agricultural areas, as chlordecone tends to settle in soils that are rich in organic matter.
Against this backdrop, DEAL Martinique asked BRGM to define and implement a specific procedure for the management of excavated soil in Martinique to take account of the historical chlordecone pollution and ensure that the storage or reuse of excavated soil in the region does not further spread this pollution.
The method was developed in consultation with a working group led by the DEAL Martinique and BRGM, with the following participants: ADEME, BATIMAT RECYCLAGE, CACEM, CCI, CERC, COLAS, CARRIERE SECPA, CTM, FREDON, FRBTP, LOCAMAT BTP, and the Préfecture de Martinique.
The results
The proposed method first involves determining whether or not the excavation site falls within the scope of the national methodology for managing polluted sites and soils. The possibilities of reusing excavated soil in development or agricultural projects and of disposing of it in a waste storage facility are then assessed in accordance with the regulations and methodological guidelines in force, but also according to the chlordecone content of the soil. Several chlordecone threshold values have been defined to guide the management of excavated soil.
Using the results
This adapted procedure for managing excavated soil has been developed in consultation with local players in the fields of spatial planning, public works and the environment. All these players should therefore be able to adopt the methodology promptly. Moreover, the DEAL Martinique would like to make this management method compulsory in the region by means of a specific prefectural decree.
The partners
- DEAL, Martinique