Voices from the Field – Episode 1

Not all environmental stories begin in lush forests or beside crystal-clear rivers.
Some of the most important ones start on abandoned lots, behind old fences, and beneath cracked pavement.

These are Brownfield properties where past industrial or commercial use has left contamination in the soil, groundwater, or air. What makes Brownfields unique is that they’re often located in the heart of our communities, quietly posing risks to human health and the environment.

But here’s the powerful part: Brownfields can be restored.

Through soil and groundwater testing, GIS mapping, and geochemical analysis, scientists and engineers can assess the risks, trace the pollution, and develop plans to clean up and revitalize these sites. Techniques like XRF analysis give us fast, field-ready insight into heavy metals and other pollutants hiding in the soil, helping us make data-driven decisions about land use, remediation, and redevelopment.

The science is fascinating. But what truly moves me is the human side of Brownfield remediation.

These sites often lie in historically underinvested neighborhoods places where communities already carry the weight of environmental burdens. That’s why Brownfield remediation is not just about land restoration. It’s about environmental justice, equity, and public health.

A remediated Brownfield can become a park, a community garden, a health center, or affordable housing. These aren’t just design projects, they’re acts of repair. They’re what it looks like when environmental science meets compassion and accountability.

Working on groundwater, soil research, and learning how remediation is guided by data has deepened my passion for environmental science. It’s shown me that land holds more than minerals and microbes, it holds memory. And sometimes, that memory needs to be rewritten.

So next time you pass a rusted fence or overgrown lot, ask yourself:

What used to be here? What could it become? What stories lie beneath the surface?
Because the soil always has something to say.
Our job is to listen and act.

Until next time,
– Oluwatunmise Akanmu
Environmental Scientist | Geologist.

Photo credit: Denny Muller