Barrier materials for insulation of contaminated sediment
The project results indicate suitable materials for reactive, permeable barriers that effectively insulate contaminated sediment from its environs. The monitoring system established on the basis of the results is workable and resistant to long-term biological and chemical effects.
Summary
River sediment is frequently heavily loaded with pollutants. Even though particularly the estuary regions of large rivers are affected, no effective management strategy exists to date. The presently employed decontamination method (chemical extraction/biological reduction of pollutants) is rarely expedient due to the sedimet-specific heterogeneity of the pollutant mixes. Large-scale removal and storage is costly and the accumulated excavation matter needs to be handled in accordance with waste and soil conservation legislation.
The project's aim was therefore to develop reactive, permeable barriers capable of effectively insulating contaminated sediment and excavation matter as well as other mass waste, e.g. colliery waste, from its environs. The sub-project was concerned specifically with the identification of suitable materials for such barriers and the characterisation of these in regard to their applicability. Further, a reactive sediment cover was implemented in a model system under field conditions and facilities for long-term monitoring of pollutant propagation were developed.
Results:
- Zeolite minerals display good heavy metal retention through cation exchange, a good specific density (> 1), chemical stability in water bodies, no natural contamination and are available at low cost throughout the world.
- Cation antagonism at higher ionic strengths can dramatically reduce heavy metal retention capacity.
- Organic ligands result in a masking of heavy metals. Here, the slow decomplexation kinetics can drastically reduce retention.
- The mineral colloids transported in the pore water can contribute to pollutant transport.
- The monitoring concept established for long-term monitoring of active barrier systems is workable under field conditions. It is suitable for monitoring dissolution over time and over area and is resistant to long-term biological and chemical effects.
Project Participants
Implementing Institutions
Technische Universität Hamburg-Harburg - Institut für Umwelttechnik und Energiewirtschaft
More Project Information
Project title: Anwendung von aktiven Barriere-Systemen zur Minimierung der Schadstoff-Freisetzung aus kontaminierten Meeres- und Süßwassersedimenten - Teilvorhaben B: Auswahl und Prüfung von Materialien für die "aktive Barriere" (ABS)
Project number: 02WS9732/4
Project period: 1996 - 2002
Project region: Germany (Hamburg), Australia
Project contact:
Herr Prof. Dr. Förstner
Source: German National Library of Science and Technology Hannover (TIB)
