Environmental remediation: meaning, definitions and examples

Used in formal or technical settings to describe the process of removing pollutants or contaminants from the environment, particularly from soil, groundwater, or surface water.

• The company invested in environmental remediation to clean up the contaminated industrial site.
• Environmental remediation is essential to restore ecosystems affected by chemical spills.

Used in more general or conversational settings to discuss activities aimed at cleaning up polluted areas, can refer to both professional and volunteer efforts.

• Volunteers gathered for an environmental cleanup of the local river on Earth Day.
• The government allocated funds for the environmental cleanup of the old factory.

A general term often used in environmental science to describe the cleanup and repair processes of polluted or damaged environments, typically used in formal or technical documents.

• Remediation of the oil spill took several months and involved multiple agencies.
• Soil remediation is critical for making polluted land safe for agricultural use.

Focuses on measures and technologies used to prevent or reduce the release of pollutants into the environment, rather than removing existing pollutants.

• The new regulations focus on pollution control to limit emissions from factories.
• Advanced pollution control technologies are crucial for reducing air pollution.