Use of EPAs synthetic soil matrix (SSM) in the evaluation and development of innovative soil treatment technologies

This paper reviews the development and use of EPA's synthetic soil matrix or SSM. This surrogate soil was developed to e broadly representative of contaminated soils occurring at CERCLA sites. It is composed of natural soil fractions such as clays, topsoil, sand, gravel, and silt, and is spiked with a variety of organic and inorganic chemicals known to occur frequently at CERCLA sites. SSM has been used to test and compare the treatment efficiencies of various types of soil treatment technologies, including emerging and innovative systems. Currently, it is being spiked with gasoline, diesel, and waste oil and used to evaluate the application of soil washing to the remediation of contaminated soils and fill material at petroleum underground tank sites where spills or leaks h ave occurred