Accession Number:

AD1029719

Title:

Evaluating the Efficacy of a Low-Impact Delivery System for In situ Treatment of Sediments Contaminated with Methylmercury and Other Hydrophobic Chemicals

Descriptive Note:

Technical Report,01 Apr 2008,01 Sep 2015

Corporate Author:

Exponent Alexandria United States

Report Date:

2016-02-01

Pagination or Media Count:

122.0

Abstract:

This report describes field demonstrations of in situ treatment of PCBs and mercury with activated carbon AC delivered using the SediMite delivery system. The project involved two sites within Canal Creek at the Aberdeen Proving Ground APG in Edgewood, Maryland, that are contaminated with mercury and PCBs. The application of SediMite to a third site Bailey Creek at Fort Eustis in Virginiais also described for comparison. Data are also included for a fourth site at which SediMite was used to treat PCBs within a Phragmites marsh. The sites represent different types of habitats, and the synoptic evaluation provides insights into the performance of SediMite as a delivery system for in situ treatment with AC across a range of biological and physical conditions. The demonstration projects showed that treatment of PCBs can be carried out in the field using AC delivered via SediMite. The bioavailability of PCBs was typically reduced by more than 80 across these sites, with values more than 90 being achievable. Treatment was also demonstrated for DDx. Efficacy was related to the presence of target doses of activated carbon. Results were equivocal for treatment of mercury. Because most performance metrics for bioavailability rely on laboratory measures of field-collected samples, there is some uncertainty regarding extrapolation to the field. Effects of treatment on native biota were judged to be negligible. This remedial option falls within a range of costs for other remedial alternatives.

Subject Categories:

  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Hydrology, Limnology and Potamology

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE