Natural attenuation
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Natural attenuation relies on natural processes to decrease or attenuate concentrations of environmental contaminants in soil and groundwater, as the US EPA describes it.[1] Often it is referred to as monitored natural attenuation, because environmental agencies check soil and water for the contaminant levels over time.
Mechanisms
[edit]Natural attenuation occurs through dilution, evaporation, sorption onto soil or plant particles, and biodegradation; it works if only smaller amounts of contaminants are left and the actual source of contaminants was removed.[1]
References
[edit]- 1 2 "A Citizen's Guide to Monitored Natural Attenuation" (PDF). EPA. September 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 19, 2026.