Acquisitions and Dispositions (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2010	Jan. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Acquisitions and Dispositions
Acquisition of increased ownership share in United Arab Emirates consolidated subsidiary in Harsco Infrastructure Segment	$ 200,000
Bell's previous full fiscal year revenue before the business acquisition		40,000,000
Reduction of contingent consideration liabilities			3,966,000	10,620,000
Contingent consideration liability				3,900,000
Net Income Attributable to the Company and Transfers to Noncontrolling Interest
Net income (loss) attributable to the Company			(11,510,000)	6,754,000	118,777,000
Decrease in the Company's paid-in-capital for purchase of partnership interests				(1,003,000)	(3,905,000)
Change from net income (loss) attributable to the Company and transfers to noncontrolling interest			$ (11,510,000)	$ 5,751,000	$ 114,872,000