Hydrocarbon exploration by energy companies, mining operations, and underground installations, while providing the resources we need for the lives we enjoy, can cause disturbance and/or a reduction in the productivity of the land on which they operate.
In fact, according to the United Nations, 30% of land is degraded (measurable loss of quality and usability) globally as the direct result of human activity.
This growing concern has prompted national policies to be developed in an effort to instruct and ensure that industries contributing to this degradation integrate land reclamation strategies into their plans and operation.
Land Reclamation – What It Means
Land reclamation defines the restoring or recovering process of returning disturbed or wasted land to its original or an improved state that addresses drainage, revegetation, landfilling, the removal of contaminants and more.
Those truly invested in sustainable practices and social responsibility approach land reclamation as an opportunity to positively impact the land they rely on for its natural resources.
Methods of Land Reclamation
It’s best to understand that land reclamation is more of a flexible concept. The reclamation approach will depend on the present condition of the land and its intended use. So the method and activity will vary from one land to the other or one industry to the other.
Landfilling
This is filling up the earth with sand or rocks to the desired elevation. For example, if the land is disturbed by a mining pool, landfilling will be one of the major reclamation activities.
Revegetation
Activities by companies or individuals may lead to the loss of vegetation(soil cover). So a recovery approach will be to replant and reinstate the vegetation in the land area.
Drainage
Naturally, a land area may be waterlogged or it may be a result of human activities. Hence fixing the drainage structure will help extract the water from the area resulting in a dry and useful land.
Irrigation
This is dominant in arid regions. Arid areas have over time been restored and effectively used for agriculture. This is possible due to irrigation(pumping water into the soil) which makes the area fertile.
Other methods include;
- Erection of barriers
- Emboldening
- Erosion control
Environmental Impact of Land Reclamation
Several human activities have disrupted the original state of land which in turn has affected the environment. For example, a mining operation that has resulted in the removal of vegetation cover of a large expanse of land will surely affect the ecosystem. This will also affect the biodiversity of the area.
This makes reclamation very important as it aid in fixing the environment. Land reclamation by energy companies will meet several environmental needs;
- Reclamation will reinstate habitats and in turn, protect biodiversity
- It will help reduce soil contamination
- Land reclamation can boost water quality, such that it protects groundwater from contamination.
- It will provide lands for human welfare such as building of homes and other useful structures.
Conclusion
The environment has not been in the best state due to the increasing human activities on land. However, reclamation proves to be a good measure of solution. Reclamation answers to the environmental needs of the earth.
Schedule a meeting with us and you’ll see why Strongfield Environmental Services is the most reliable and successful land reclamation company in the industry. Contact us today!