Remediation of contaminated marine sediment using thin-layer capping with activated carbon--a field experiment in Trondheim harbor, Norway

Thin-layer capping with granular activated carbon and calcium-silicate to remediate organic and metal polluted harbor sediment - A mesocosm study

Sediments polluted with hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) and metals can pose environmental risks, yet effective remediation remains a challenge. We investigated a new composite sorbent comprising granular activated carbon (GAC) and a calcium-silicate (Polonite®, PO) for thin-layer capping of polluted sediment, with the aim to sequester both HOCs and metals. Box cores were collected in polluted Oskarshamn harbor, Sweden, and the sediments were treated with GAC and/or Polonite in a 10-week mesocosm study to measure endpoints ranging from contaminant immobilization to ecological side effects on native fauna and biogeochemical processes. The GAC particle size was 300-500 μm to reduce negative effects on benthic fauna (by being non-ingestible) and of biogenic origin (coconut) to have a small carbon footprint compared with traditional fossil ACs. The calcium-silicate was a fine-grained industrial by-product used to target metals and as a carrier for GAC to improve the cap integrity. GAC decreased the uptake of dioxins (PCDD/Fs) in the bivalve Macoma balthica by 47 % and the in vitro bioavailability of PCB by 40 %. The composite cap of GAC + Polonite decreased sediment-to-water release of Pb < Cu < Ni < Zn < Cd by 42-98 % (lowest to highest decrease) and bioaccumulation of Cd < Zn < Cu in the worm Hediste diversicolor by 50-65 %. Additionally, in vitro bioavailability of Pb < Cu < Zn, measured using digestive fluid extraction, decreased by 43-83 %. GAC showed no adverse effects on benthic fauna while Polonite caused short-term adverse effects on fauna diversity and abundance, partly due to its cohesiveness, which, in turn, can improve the cap integrity in situ. Fauna later recovered and bioturbated the cap. Both sorbents influenced biogeochemical processes; GAC sorbed ammonium, Polonite decreased respiration, and both sorbents reduced denitrification. In conclusion, the side effects were relatively mild, and the cap decreased the release and bioavailability of both HOCs and metals effectively, thus offering a promising sustainable and cost-effective solution to remediating polluted sediments.

A comprehensive assessment to offer optimized remediation method for mercury contamination in Musa Bay by using hybrid Fuzzy AHP-VIKOR approach

Musa Bay, the largest wetland in Iran and one of the most important Hg-polluted media, plays a significant role in the ecosystem of the area and supports many forms of life. Mercury pollution has detrimental effects on the human body and at high levels leads to the loss of microorganisms in marine ecosystems. Hence, a comprehensive assessment for selecting an effective and sustainable remediation method is crucial to restoring the ecosystem promptly. The determination of a proper and practical treatment method not only is a case-based approach, but could be challenging due to its multi-criteria decision-making nature. Considering preferred crucial factors involved in the effectiveness of remedial actions, in this study a questionnaire is designed to assess the opinion of environmental experts, stakeholders, and some occupants of the area on remedial actions based on the importance weights of criteria. Subsequently, practical remediation and management strategies ranked by hybrid FVIKOR as a multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) method. Ranking results show that dredging and stabilization could offer a promising solution for the remediation of the case study. The results of the study demonstrate that the development of MCDM methods along with effective criteria and considering the analysis of the questionnaires, could offer the best remediation strategy for a specific contaminated site.

Passive Sampling-Based versus Conventional-Based Metrics for Evaluating Remediation Efficacy at Contaminated Sediment Sites: A Review

Passive sampling devices (PSDs) are increasingly used at contaminated sites to improve the characterization of contaminant transport and assessment of ecological and human health risk at sediment sites and to evaluate the effectiveness of remedial actions. The use of PSDs after full-scale remediation remains limited, however, in favor of evaluation based on conventional metrics, such as bulk sediment concentrations or bioaccumulation. This review has three overall aims: (1) identify sites where PSDs have been used to support cleanup efforts, (2) assess how PSD-derived remedial end points compare to conventional metrics, and (3) perform broad semiquantitative and selective quantitative concurrence analyses to evaluate the magnitude of agreement between metrics. Contaminated sediment remedies evaluated included capping, in situ amendment, dredging and monitored natural recovery (MNR). We identify and discuss 102 sites globally where PSDs were used to determine remedial efficacy resulting in over 130 peer-reviewed scientific publications and numerous technical reports and conference proceedings. The most common conventional metrics assessed alongside PSDs in the peer-reviewed literature were bioaccumulation (39%), bulk sediments (40%), toxicity (14%), porewater grab samples (16%), and water column grab samples (16%), while about 25% of studies used PSDs as the sole metric. In a semiquantitative concurrence analysis, the PSD-based metrics agreed with conventional metrics in about 68% of remedy assessments. A more quantitative analysis of reductions in bioaccumulation after remediation (i.e., remediation was successful) showed that decreases in uptake into PSDs agreed with decreases in bioaccumulation (within a factor of 2) 61% of the time. Given the relatively good agreement between conventional and PSD-based metrics, we propose several practices and areas for further study to enhance the utilization of PSDs throughout the remediation of contaminated sediment sites.

Evaluation of the use of biochar to stabilize polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and phthalates in sediment

Three types of biochar (BC) (mulberry biochar (MB), wheat straw biochar, and pine tree sawdust biochar) were prepared and used to stabilize hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs) in contaminated sediment. The kinetics of HOC adsorption to the BCs had two distinct stages. The second stage adsorption process was longer for MB than the other BCs, presumably because MB contained large pores, mesopores, and micropores. The adsorption isotherms for the three BCs were described well by the Freundlich model. The adsorption capacities of MB, WS and PT for HOCs ranged between 106.7 and 1202 μg/g, 135.1 and 1002 μg/g, and 255.6 and 909 μg/g, respectively. The apparent HOC adsorption coefficients (K_BC-w) for the three BCs were determined from the isotherm data and were similar. The HOC logK_OW values correlated well with the logK_BC-w values. In sediment slurry experiments, HOCs were much more effectively stabilized by MB than wheat straw and pine tree sawdust biochar. This was probably because of the MB pore characteristics that favored adsorption of HOCs of various molecular sizes. The Fourier-transform infrared and Raman spectra indicated that the main binding mechanisms were hydrogen boding, hydrophobic interactions, and π-π interactions. MB was found to be a possible agent for stabilizing HOCs in contaminated sediment. HOCs in sediment slurry continued to become adsorbed to MB for a long time, indicating that relatively long reaction times should be allowed for in situ remediation using MB.

Sediment Remediation Using Activated Carbon: Effects of Sorbent Particle Size and Resuspension on Sequestration of Metals and Organic Contaminants

Thin-layer capping using activated carbon has been described as a cost-effective in situ sediment remediation method for organic contaminants. We compared the capping efficiency of powdered activated carbon (PAC) against granular activated carbon (GAC) using contaminated sediment from Oskarshamn harbor, Sweden. The effects of resuspension on contaminant retention and cap integrity were also studied. Intact sediment cores were collected from the outer harbor and brought to the laboratory. Three thin-layer caps, consisting of PAC or GAC mixed with clay or clay only, were added to the sediment surface. Resuspension was created using a motor-driven paddle to simulate propeller wash from ship traffic. Passive samplers were placed in the sediment and in the water column to measure the sediment-to-water release of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and metals. Our results show that a thin-layer cap with PAC reduced sediment-to-water fluxes of PCBs by 57% under static conditions and 91% under resuspension. Thin-layer capping with GAC was less effective than PAC but reduced fluxes of high-molecular weight PAHs. Thin-layer capping with activated carbon was less effective at retaining metals, except for Cd, the release of which was significantly reduced by PAC. Resuspension generally decreased water concentrations of dissolved cationic metals, perhaps because of sorption to suspended sediment particles. Sediment resuspension in treatments without capping increased fluxes of PCBs with log octanol-water partitioning coefficient (K_OW ) > 7 and PAHs with log K_OW of 5-6, but resuspension reduced PCB and PAH fluxes through the PAC thin-layer cap. Overall, PAC performed better than GAC, but adverse effects on the benthic community and transport of PAC to nontarget areas are drawbacks that favor the use of GAC. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:1096-1110. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

A comparison of activated carbon remediation success in floodplain soils contaminated with DDT and its metabolites using ex situ and in situ experimentation

Remediation of hydrophobic organic contaminants using activated carbon is an effective means by which to clean up contaminated areas. Predicting remediation success using laboratory experimentation with soil, however, is unclear. Current remediation efforts involving activated carbon addition to floodplain soils downstream of the Velsicol Chemical Corporation Superfund Site (VCCSS) have offered the opportunity to directly compare in situ activated carbon remediation with laboratory experimentation. The objective of the current study was to compare bioaccumulation of DDT, DDD, and DDE (DDX) residues by earthworms (Eisenia fetida) exposed to laboratory-aged (LA) or field-aged (FA) soils from four locations. Samples were evaluated at 0-, 3-, and 9-months post-remediation to determine the ability of laboratory studies to predict in situ remediation. Floodplain soils downstream from the VCCSS were amended with 2% by weight activated carbon in the field and the laboratory, and then aged for 3- or 9-months. At 0-, 3-, and 9-months bioaccumulation assays were conducted with LA and FA soils and tissue concentrations were compared within study sites. In both LA and FA soils, activated carbon caused significant reductions (37.01-92.94%) in bioaccumulated DDX in earthworms. Field-collected worms showed a similar trend in reduction of bioaccumulated DDX, suggesting activated carbon remediation was successful in reducing bioavailable DDX for native organisms within the floodplain soils. The rate of reduction in bioavailable DDX, however, was significantly faster in LA soils (β = -0.189, p < 0.0001) compared to FA soils (β = -0.054, p < 0.0038). Differences in temperature and methods of activated carbon incorporation between LA and FA soils may account for the differences in remediation rate, suggesting laboratory experiments may overpredict the extent or speed in which remediation occurs in the field. Therefore, use of laboratory studies in predicting success of activated carbon remediation may be most effective when conditions mimic field remediation as closely as possible.

Comparative study on polychlorinated biphenyl sorption to activated carbon and biochar and the influence of natural organic matter

The sorption isotherms of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on carbons (coal based activated carbon named AC and hardwood derived biochar named BC) and natural organic matter (NOM) loaded carbons were examined and carbon-water partition coefficients (K_C-W-PCB) were calculated. The purpose was to accurately predict the effectiveness of in-situ carbon treatments on the sediment impacted with hydrophobic organic chemicals (HOCs). For 1 month sorption, AC K_C-W-PCB values were significantly higher than BC, corresponding to the much larger surface area (particularly in mesopores) for AC. BC K_C-W-PCB values were correlated with PCB total surface area (TSA) and octanol-water partition coefficient (logK_ow). After loading with NOM, AC adsorption to PCBs strongly reduced and the fitted Freundlich exponents (n) decreased with increasing NOM level. However, NOM loading slightly impacted BC sorption and exhibited an opposite effect on BC n values. It is illustrated that the sorption mechanisms are different between AC and BC thereby the influences of NOM on sorption characteristics differ vastly. As the sorption time increased from 1 month to 6 months, an increase is observed in BC sorption extent but simultaneously NOM reduction effect on BC sorption increases, implying that more accurately evaluating BC application as an in-situ sorbent amendment for HOC impacted sediment need further investigation. On the contrary, AC adsorption attenuation caused by NOM coating greatly decreases over time, encouraging AC application as a sediment amendment.

Remediation of soils and sediments polluted with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: To immobilize, mobilize, or degrade?

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are generated due to incomplete burning of organic substances. Use of fossil fuels is the primary anthropogenic cause of PAHs emission in natural settings. Although several PAH compounds exist in the natural environmental setting, only 16 of these compounds are considered priority pollutants. PAHs imposes several health impacts on humans and other living organisms due to their carcinogenic, mutagenic, or teratogenic properties. The specific characteristics of PAHs, such as their high hydrophobicity and low water solubility, influence their active adsorption onto soils and sediments, affecting their bioavailability and subsequent degradation. Therefore, this review first discusses various sources of PAHs, including source identification techniques, bioavailability, and interactions of PAHs with soils and sediments. Then this review addresses the remediation technologies adopted so far of PAHs in soils and sediments using immobilization techniques (capping, stabilization, dredging, and excavation), mobilization techniques (thermal desorption, washing, electrokinetics, and surfactant assisted), and biological degradation techniques. The pros and cons of each technology are discussed. A detailed systematic compilation of eco-friendly approaches used to degrade PAHs, such as phytoremediation, microbial remediation, and emerging hybrid or integrated technologies are reviewed along with case studies and provided prospects for future research.

Effects of ethanol, activated carbon, and activated kaolin on perilla seed oil: Volatile organic compounds, physicochemical characteristics, and fatty acid composition

Perilla seed oil (PSO) has a special aromatic odor, which is unpleasant to the personal preferences of some consumers. To this end, this article evaluated the differences in volatile organic compounds (VOCs), physicochemical characteristics, and fatty acid composition of PSO treated with ethanol (PSO-EA), activated carbon (PSO-AC), and activated kaolin (PSO-AK). The results showed that in the PSO, PSO-EA, PSO-AC, and PSO-AK samples, the content of linolenic acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid hardly changed. Among the physicochemical characteristics of the four samples, the color difference between PSO and PSO-EA was greater than the color difference between PSO and PSO-AC, PSO-AK. The three treatment methods had the greatest impact on the PSO peroxide value but had little effect on other indicators. Gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrum results identified 28 known volatiles, of which aldehydes, alkenals, alcohols, ketones, and esters were the main groups. Fingerprint analysis found that PSO had an aromatic odor, which includes 1-hexanol, hexanal, and 2-pentylfuran; the removal effect of ethanol on VOCs in PSO was better than that of activated carbon and activated kaolin. The difference between the four oil samples was found from the strength of the VOCs' signals in a two-dimensional map. From the principal components analysis and the "nearest neighbor" fingerprint analysis, it was found that PSO is generally quite different from PSO-EA, PSO-AC, and PSO-AK, while in the "nearest neighbor" fingerprint analysis, PSO-AC and PSO-AK are similar in general. In short, PSO will have better applications in the food field. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Treatment of PSO with ethanol, activated carbon, and activated kaolin is conducive to the comprehensive utilization of edible resources. In this work, ethanol, activated carbon, and activated kaolin were used to remove VOCs in PSO, and PSO-EA, PSO-AC, and PSO-AK were obtained. The perilla seed oil after these three treatment methods was tested for VOCs, physicochemical characteristics, and fatty acid composition. They can meet the needs of more consumers without affecting the fatty acid composition in the PSO, and have broad development prospects.

Durability of sorption of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances in soils immobilised using common adsorbents: 1. Effects of perturbations in pH

The global problem of groundwater being contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) originating from highly contaminated soils has created a need to remediate these locations. In situ immobilisation of PFASs in soil by applying sorbents is often a preferred low-cost technique to reduce their mobility and leaching to groundwater, but the long-term efficacy of sorbents has not yet been investigated. In this study, the longevity of remediation of two different soils by two common sorbents (RemBind®, and pulverized activated carbon, Filtrasorb™ 400) was assessed. Regulatory agencies often rely on standardised leaching procedures to assess the risk of contaminant mobility in soils. Hence, the Australian Standard Leaching Procedure and the U.S. EPA Leaching Environmental Assessment Framework were applied to quantify the desorption/leaching of a wide range of PFASs from unremediated and remediated soils under a range of pH conditions (pH 2 to 12). Ease of desorption and subsequent leaching from the unremediated soils was related to C-chain length; while short-chain PFASs were easily desorbed and leached, long-chain PFASs were more difficult to desorb. Desorption of long-chain PFASs was also pH dependent in unremediated soils, with desorption being greater at high pH. Both sorbents retained PFASs strongly in the remediated soils (> 99% for most PFASs) across a broad range of pH conditions, with only small differences between the sorbents in terms of efficacy. Both sorbents showed better retention of PFASs under low pH conditions. Remediation of PFAS-contaminated soils with these sorbents could be considered robust and durable in terms of changes in soil pH, with little risk of subsequent PFASs desorption under normal environmental pH conditions. Ultimately, to give regulators and site owners the greatest level of confidence that immobilisation is stable for the longer term, it should also be tested under repeated cycles of leaching and under different conditions.

Application of biochar for the remediation of polluted sediments

Polluted sediments pose potential threats to environmental and human health and challenges to water management. Biochar is a carbon-rich material produced through pyrolysis of biomass waste, which performs well in soil amendment, climate improvement, and water treatment. Unlike soil and aqueous solutions, sediments are both the sink and source of water pollutants. Regarding in-situ sediment remediation, biochar also shows unique advantages in removing or immobilizing inorganic and organic pollutants (OPs). This paper provides a comprehensive review of the current methods of in-situ biochar amendments specific to polluted sediments. Physicochemical properties (pore structure, surface functional groups, pH and surface charge, mineral components) were influenced by the pyrolysis conditions, feedstock types, and modification of biochar. Furthermore, the remediation mechanisms and efficiency of pollutants (heavy metals [HMs] and OPs) vary with the biochar properties. Biochar influences microbial compositions and benthic organisms in sediments. Depending on the location or flow rate of polluted sediments, potential utilization methods of biochar alone or coupled with other materials are discussed. Finally, future practical challenges of biochar as a sediment amendment are addressed. This review provides an overview and outlook for sediment remediation using biochar, which will be valuable for further scientific research and engineering applications.

Long-term effects of thin layer capping in the Grenland fjords, Norway: Reduced uptake of dioxins in passive samplers and sediment-dwelling organisms

The Grenlandfjords in South East Norway are severely contaminated with dioxins from a magnesium smelter operated between 1950 and 2001. In 2009, the proposal of thin-layer capping as a potential mitigation method to reduce spreading of dioxins from the fjord sediments, resulted in the set-up of a large-scale field experiment in two fjord areas at 30 and 100 m depth. After capping, several investigations have been carried out to determine effects on benthic communities and bioavailability of dioxins. In this paper we present the results on uptake of dioxins and furans (PCDD/F) in passive samplers and two sediment-dwelling species exposed in boxcores collected from the test plots during four surveys between 2009 (after cap placement) and 2018. Sediment profile images (SPI) and analyses of dioxins revealed that the thin (1-5 cm) cap layers became buried beneath several centimeters of sediments resuspended from adjacent bottoms and deposited on the test plots after capping. Uptake reduction ratios (R) were calculated as dioxins accumulated in cores collected from capped sediments divided by dioxins accumulated in cores collected from uncapped reference sediments. Cap layers with dredged clay or crushed limestone had only short-term positive effect with R-values increasing to about 1.0 (no effect) 1-4 years after capping. In spite of the recontamination, cap layers with clay and activated carbon had significant long-term effects with R-values slowly increasing from 0.12-0.33 during the first three years to 0.39-0.46 in 2018, showing 54-61% reduced uptake of dioxins (PCDD/F-TE) nine years after capping with AC.

Novel magnetic loofah sponge biochar enhancing microbial responses for the remediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons-contaminated sediment

Magnetic activated carbon and magnetic biochar have been widely used for contaminants removal due to the advantages of sequestration and recovery. However, the remediation function and microbial response of conductive magnetic carbonaceous materials for treating organic contaminated sediment are poorly understood. In this study we applied novel three-dimensional mesh magnetic loofah sponge biochar (MagLsBC), made from natural agricultural product, to remediate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)-contaminated sediment. Compared to other carbon-based materials, MagLsBC achieved the high reduction of PAHs content and bioavailability in sediment by respectively 31.9 % and 38.1 % after 350 days. Microbial analysis showed that MagLsBC amended sediment had different community diversity, structure and enriched dominant species associated with the aromatic hydrocarbon metabolism. And MagLsBC amendment significantly increased the aromatic compounds degradation function, which was not observed in other treatments, and methanogenesis function. Further analysis revealed that the enhanced microbial responses in MagLsBC amended sediment were related with the high conductivity of MagLsBC. These results give the new insights into the effect of magnetic carbon materials on microbial community and organic pollutants degradation function during the long period amendment, demonstrating MagLsBC as an effective material with the biostimulation potential for the risk control of PAHs contamination.

Activated carbon stimulates microbial diversity and PAH biodegradation under anaerobic conditions in oil-polluted sediments

Biodegradation by microorganisms is a useful tool that helps alleviating hydrocarbon pollution in nature. Microbes are more efficient in degradation under aerobic than anaerobic conditions, but the majority of sediment by volume is generally anoxic. Incubation experiments were conducted to study the biodegradation potential of naphthalene-a common polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-and the diversity of microbial communities in presence/absence of activated carbon (AC) under aerobic/anaerobic conditions. Radio-respirometry experiments with endogenous microorganisms indicated that degradation of naphthalene was strongly stimulated (96%) by the AC addition under anaerobic conditions. In aerobic conditions, however, AC had no effects on naphthalene biodegradation. Bioaugmentation tests with cultured microbial populations grown on naphthalene showed that AC further stimulated (92%) naphthalene degradation in anoxia. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences implied that sediment amendment with AC increased microbial community diversity and changed community structure. Moreover, the relative abundance of Geobacter, Thiobacillus, Sulfuricurvum, and methanogenic archaea increased sharply after amendment with AC under anaerobic conditions. These results may be explained by the fact that AC particles promoted direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) between microorganisms involved in PAH degradation pathways. We suggest that important ecosystem functions mediated by microbes-such as hydrocarbon degradation-can be induced and that AC enrichment strategies can be exploited for facilitating bioremediation of anoxic oil-contaminated sediments and soils.

Comparison of capping and mixing of calcined dolomite and zeolite for interrupting the release of nutrients from contaminated lake sediment

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of capping and mixing of calcined dolomite and zeolite for the remediation of sediment contaminated with nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Laboratory incubation experiments were performed to monitor the release of NH₄-N, NO₃-N, T-N, PO₄-P, and T-P from the sediment. pH, electric conductivity (EC), oxidation reduction potential (ORP), and dissolved oxygen (DO) in overlying water for 60 days were evaluated. Dolomite-amended sediment has high pH and EC. Zeolite and dolomite capping effectively interrupted the release of N and P, respectively; capping was found to be more effective than mixing. The mixture of dolomite and zeolite was also effective; however, their efficiencies were influenced by their placement. The remediation efficiencies when the dolomite was placed above the zeolite cap layer (DOL/ZEO_CAP) were 95.9%, 101.6%, and 100.2% for NH₄-N, PO₄-P, and total, and the total remediation efficiency of DOL/ZEO_CAP was twice that of the opposite placement (ZEO/DOL_CAP). Low remediation efficiencies for NH₄-N and T-N were observed in ZEO/DOL_CAP because NH₄⁺ adsorption on zeolite was hindered by Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ released from the dolomite. The combination of dolomite and zeolite can be used as a capping material for simultaneously interrupting the release of both nitrogen and phosphorus, but their placement should be considered.

Experimental investigations and numerical modelling of in-situ reactive caps for PAH contaminated marine sediments

The present study compared numerical modelling and experimental investigations to evaluate the effectiveness of in-situ reactive capping for marine sediments contaminated by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). As a case study, sediment samples from Mar Piccolo (Italy) were analyzed and experiments were undertaken using batch columns. Two types of capping amendments were tested: AquaGate® + 5 % of powdered activated carbon (AG PAC) and Organoclay Reactive Core Mat (OC RCM). The column tests were carried out for 20 days, obtaining a short-term PAH distribution for three cases analysed, which compared the application of the two caps with no intervention. In parallel, in order to evaluate the intervention long term efficacy, an ad-hoc multilayered model predicting PAH concentrations into the sediments and the overlying water column was developed and validated with the experimental results. Both capping systems considerably reduced PAH concentrations in the overlying water, with the highest performance seen in AG PAC for benzo[a]pyrene (99 %) and anthracene (72 %); results also confirmed in the model predictions. In addition, the numerical simulations indicated a good efficiency of both caps over time, obtaining PAH values below the threshold limit in the long term. Although further experiments need to be developed accounting for multiple contamination competitiveness.

A simulation study of mercury immobilization in estuary sediment microcosm by activated carbon/clay-based thin-layer capping under artificial flow and turbation

In-situ thin layer capping (TLC) is a promising sediment remediation approach that has been shown effective in immobilizing contaminants from releasing to natural biotas and human beings. This research intended to comprehend the effectiveness of Hg immobilization by TLC under turbation condition via a microcosm study. Three TLC caps with different activated carbon (AC)/clay combinations were applied to actual Hg-contaminated estuary sediment (76.0 ± 2.6 mg-Hg/kg). The caps with AC (3%) + bentonite (3%) and AC (3%) + kaolin (3%) were efficient in reducing both total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations in overlying water by 75-95% and 64-98%, respectively, in the later stage of 75-d operation. In contrast, the AC (3%) + montmorillonite (3%) cap did not show a significant reduction on THg and MeHg in the overlying water, probably due to the unstable, suspension property of montmorillonite. The stable caps showed higher resistance to Hg breakthrough under occasional turbation events; however, a labile cap appeared to have dramatic Hg breakthrough when turbation occurred. It is therefore essential to note that with unstable caps, turbation events may result in unwanted secondary resuspension of contaminants.

Marine sediment toxicity: A focus on micro- and mesocosms towards remediation

Micro- and/or mesocosms are experimental tools bringing ecologically relevant components of the natural environment under controlled conditions closest to the real world, without losing the advantage of reliable reference conditions and replications, providing a link between laboratory studies and filed studies in natural environments. Here, for the first time, a formal comparison of different types of mesocosm applied to the study of marine contaminants is offered, considering that pollution of coastal areas represented a major concern in the last decades because of the abundance of discharged toxic substances. In particular, the structural characteristics of micro- and mesocosms (m-cosms) used to study marine contaminated sediments were reviewed, focusing on their advantages/disadvantages. Their potentiality to investigate sediment remediation have been discussed, offering new perspective on how the use of m-cosms can be useful for the development of practical application in the development of solutions for contaminated sediment management in the contaminated marine environment.

Bioaccumulation in Functionally Different Species: Ongoing Input of PCBs with Sediment Deposition to Activated Carbon Remediated Bed Sediments

Activated carbon-amended bed sediments reduced total polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) accumulation in 3 functionally different marine species, sandworms (Alitta virens), hard clams (Mercenaria mercenaria), and sheepshead minnows (Cyprinodon variegatus), during both clean and contaminated ongoing sediment inputs. Mesocosm experiments were conducted for 90 d to evaluate native, field-aged bed sediment PCBs, and ongoing input PCBs added 3 times a week. Simulated in situ remediation applied an activated carbon dose equal to the native organic carbon content that was premixed into the bed sediment for 1 mo. The highest bioaccumulation of native PCBs was in worms that remained in and directly ingested the sediment, whereas the highest bioaccumulation of the input PCBs was in fish that were exposed to the water column. When periodic PCB-contaminated sediment inputs were introduced to the water column, the activated carbon remedy had minimal effect on the input PCBs, whereas the native bed PCBs still dominated bioaccumulation in the control (no activated carbon). Therefore, remediation of only the local bedded sediment in environmental systems with ongoing contaminant inputs may have lower efficacy for fish and other pelagic and epibenthic organisms. While ongoing inputs continue to obscure remedial outcomes at contaminated sediment sites, the present study showed clear effectiveness of activated carbon amendment remediation on native PCBs despite these inputs but no remediation effectiveness for the input-associated PCBs (at least within the present study duration). Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:2326-2336. Published 2019 Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of SETAC. This article is a US government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.

How Important is Bioturbation for Sediment-to-Water Flux of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Baltic Sea?

In the present study a recently developed benthic flow-through chamber was used to assess the sediment-to-water flux of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) at 4 sites on the Swedish Baltic Sea coast. The flow-through chamber allows for assessment of the potential effect of bioturbation on the sediment-to-water flux of hydrophobic organic contaminants. The sediments at the 4 investigated sites have both varying contamination degree and densities of bioturbating organisms. The flux of individual PAHs measured with the flow-through chamber ranged between 21 and 510, 11 and 370, 3 and 9700, and 62 and 2300 ng m^-2 d^-1 for the 4 sites. To assess the potential effect of bioturbation on the sediment-to-water flux, 3 flow-through and closed chambers were deployed in parallel at each site. The activity of benthic organisms is attenuated or halted because of depletion of oxygen in closed benthic chambers. Therefore, the discrepancy in flux measured with the 2 different chamber designs was used as an indication of a possible effect of bioturbation. A potential effect of bioturbation on the sediment-to-water flux by a factor of 3 to 55 was observed at sites with a high density of bioturbating organisms (e.g., Marenzelleria spp., Monoporeia affinis, and Macoma balthica of approximately 860-1200 individuals m^-2 ) but not at the site with much lower organism density (<200 individuals m^-2 ). One site had a high organism density and a low potential effect of bioturbation, which we hypothesize to be caused by the dominance of oligochaetes/polychaetes at this site because worms (Marenzelleria spp.) reach deeper into the sediment than native crustaceans and mollusks. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:1803-1810. © 2019 SETAC.

Novel, Activated Carbon-Based Material for in-Situ Remediation of Contaminated Sediments

Applying activated carbon (AC) to contaminated sediments is an in-situ approach to remediation with great potential. The bioavailability of persistent organic pollutants can be rapidly reduced and kept low over long periods of time. However, there are limitations to the method. The high buoyancy of AC particles makes their application difficult in the field, and AC retention on the amended site can be low in turbulent waters. Furthermore, the fine particles of powdered AC (PAC) can have adverse effects on organisms, but their remediation potential is superior to coarser, granular ACs (GAC). To tackle these shortcomings, a novel sorbent material was developed, consisting of PAC embedded into a stable, granular clay-matrix, significantly reducing buoyancy. These AC-clay granules (ACC-G) were tested for remediation potential (PCB-bioaccumulation reduction) and adverse effects on the benthic invertebrates Chironomus riparius and Lumbriculus variegatus. The novel ACC-G material was compared to GAC of the same particle size, the clay-matrix, and PAC. The findings show that ACC-G has a significantly higher remediation potential than GAC, allowing for reductions in PCB-bioaccumulation of up to 89%. Adverse effects could not be totally eliminated with ACC-G, but they were less severe than with PAC, likely due to the increased particle size.

Capping with activated carbon reduces nutrient fluxes, denitrification and meiofauna in contaminated sediments

Sediment capping with activated carbon (AC) is an effective technique used in remediation of contaminated sediments, but the ecological effects on benthic microbial activity and meiofauna communities have been largely neglected. This study presents results from a 4-week experiment investigating the influence of two powdered AC materials (bituminous coal-based and coconut shell-derived) and one control material (clay) on biogeochemical processes and meiofauna in contaminated sediments. Capping with AC induced a 62-63% decrease in denitrification and a 66-87% decrease in dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA). Sediment porewater pH increased from 7.1 to 9.0 and 9.7 after addition of bituminous AC and biomass-derived AC, respectively. High pH (>8) persisted for at least two weeks in the bituminous AC and for at least 24 days in the coconut based AC, while capping with clay had no effect on pH. We observed a strong impact (nitrate fluxes being halved in presence of AC) on nitrification activity as nitrifiers are sensitive to high pH. This partly explains the significant decrease in nitrate reduction rates since denitrification was almost entirely coupled to nitrification. Total benthic metabolism estimated by sediment oxygen uptake was reduced by 30 and 43% in presence of bituminous coal-based AC and coconut shell-derived AC, respectively. Meiofauna abundances decreased by 60-62% in the AC treatments. Taken together, these observations suggest that AC amendments deplete natural organic carbon, intended as food, to heterotrophic benthic communities. Phosphate efflux was 91% lower in presence of bituminous AC compared to untreated sediment probably due to its content of aluminum (Al) oxides, which have high affinity for phosphate. This study demonstrates that capping with powdered AC produces significant effects on benthic biogeochemical fluxes, microbial processes and meiofauna abundances, which are likely due to an increase in porewater pH and to the sequestration of natural, sedimentary organic matter by AC particles.

Using biochar capping to reduce nitrogen release from sediments in eutrophic lakes

The effects of reduced nitrogen release from sediments were studied using biochar (BC) capping in simulated water-sediment systems. Dried solid waste of Phyllostachys pubescens was used to produce BC, which was then pyrolyzed at 500 °C. Subsequently, 14 sediment cores were collected, including the sediment-water interface and some overlying water, from two sites in Baiyangdian Lake (China). The sediment cores were split into two batches (A and B), and then two each were capped with soil, BC or a BC/soil mixture, and incubated for 30 days. In the BC capped cores, the ammonia nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N), nitrate nitrogen (NO₃^--N) and total nitrogen (TN) concentrations decreased from 0.90 mg·L^-1 to 0.05 mg·L^-1, 0.88 mg·L^-1 to 0.18 mg·L^-1, 6.93 mg·L^-1 to 2.81 mg·L^-1, respectively, in batch A and 3.51 mg·L^-1 to 0.11 mg·L^-1, 0.92 mg·L^-1 to 0.61 mg·L^-1, 8.88 mg·L^-1 to 3.32 mg·L^-1, respectively, in batch B. The sediments to water fluxes of NH₄⁺-N, NO₃^--N and TN were greatly reduced or reversed. Compared with other cappings, the BC layer was shown to absorb more NH₄⁺-N from the pore water, thereby breaking the diffusion gradient of NH₄⁺-N at the sediment-water interface, and has a good inhibitory effect on the endogenous release of NH₄⁺-N from the sediments. Additionally, in the BC capped cores, the redox potential remarkably increased and dissolved oxygen was comparatively high. This study suggests that BC capping can reduce the amount of nitrogen released from polluted sediments because the diffusion of nitrogen to the overlying water is chemically blocked by the cap.

Capping of marine sediments with valuable industrial by-products: Evaluation of inorganic pollutants immobilization

In-situ capping of polluted sediment is considered as an inexpensive and effective treatment technology to immobilize contaminants in a short time. In this remediation technique sediments are capped by placing a layer of sand, clean sediment or other materials over sediments in order to mitigate risk. In this study, low cost industrial by products (bauxaline, steel slag, and mixture of the two products) were applied as capping agents. A bench scale laboratory experiment in aquariums was performed to evaluate their effects on Cd, Zn, As, and Cr mobility from an artificially contaminated marine sediment. Without capping, all the contaminants are constantly released with various kinetic depending of mineral oxidation or dissolution or leaching. Nevertheless, release did not exceed 31% of the initial amount of pollutant. Capping sediment with steel slag, bauxaline and their mixture totally captured Cd, Zn, and As. In the case of Cr, only steel slag actively blocked its release. A kinetic model was developed to model As and Cr release, with and without capping. The release times for Cr and As from the sediment were close to 6 days. In the presence of capping agents, the capture time for Cr was found to be 57 days for steel slag, and 7 days for bauxaline. Despite a high capture time, steel slag was the best capping agent since bauxaline matrix was a source of Cr and rapidly released it (release time = 1 day). The results indicated that steel slag and its mixture additive can be used as potential capping materials for the remediation of contaminated sites due to their significant entrapping of Cd, Zn, As, and Cr.

Using raw and sulfur-impregnated activated carbon as active cap for leaching inhibition of mercury and methylmercury from contaminated sediment

Sulfur-impregnated activated carbon (SAC) has been reported with a high affinity to Hg, but little research has done on understanding its potential as active cap for inhibition of Hg release from contaminated sediments. In this study, high-quality coconut-shell activated carbon (AC) and its derived SAC were examined and shown to have great affinity to both aqueous Hg²⁺ and methylmercury (MeHg). SAC had greater partitioning coefficients for Hg²⁺ (K_D = 9.42 × 10⁴) and MeHg (K_D = 7.661 × 10⁵) as compared to those for AC (K_D = 3.69 × 10⁴ and 2.25 × 10⁵, respectively). However, AC appeared to have greater inhibition in total Hg (THg) leaching from sediment (14.2-235.8 mg-Hg/kg-sediment) to porewater phase as compared to SAC. 3 wt% AC amendment in sediment (235.8 mg/kg Hg) was the optimum dosage causing the porewater THg reduction by 99.88%. Moreover, significant inhibition in both THg and MeHg releases within the 83-d trial microcosm tests was demonstrated with active caps composed of SAC + bentonite, SAC + clean sediment, and AC + bentonite. While both AC and SAC successfully reduce the porewater Hg in sediment environment, the smaller inhibition in Hg release by SAC as compared to that by raw AC may suggest that possibly formed HgS nanoparticles could be released into the porewater that elevates the porewater Hg concentration.

A Combined Field and Laboratory Study on Activated Carbon-Based Thin Layer Capping in a PCB-Contaminated Boreal Lake

The in situ remediation of aquatic sediments with activated carbon (AC)-based thin layer capping is a promising alternative to traditional methods, such as sediment dredging. Applying a strong sorbent like AC directly to the sediment can greatly reduce the bioavailability of organic pollutants. To evaluate the method under realistic field conditions, a 300 m² plot in the PCB-contaminated Lake Kernaalanjärvi, Finland, was amended with an AC cap (1.6 kgAC/m²). The study lake showed highly dynamic sediment movements over the monitoring period of 14 months. This led to poor retention and rapid burial of the AC cap under a layer of contaminated sediment from adjacent sites. As a result, the measured impact of the AC amendment was low: Both the benthic community structure and PCB bioaccumulation were similar on the plot and in surrounding reference sites. Corresponding follow-up laboratory studies using Lumbriculus variegatus and Chironomus riparius showed that long-term remediation success is possible, even when an AC cap is covered with contaminated sediment. To retain a measurable effectiveness (reduction in contaminant bioaccumulation), a sufficient intensity and depth of bioturbation is required. On the other hand, the magnitude of the adverse effect induced by AC correlated positively with the measured remediation success.

Toxicity assessment within the application of in situ contaminated sediment remediation technologies: A review

Polluted sediment represents a great problem for aquantic environments with potential direct acute and chronic effects for the biota and can be tackled with both in situ and ex situ treatments. Once dredging activities are not compulsory, sediment can be kept in place and managed with techniques involving the use of amendment and/or capping. Before their application, the assessment of their potential impact to the target environment cannot ignore the safe-by-design approach. The role of toxicity in in situ sediment remediation was reviewed discussing about how it can be used for the selection of amendments and the monitoring of treatment technologies. Results evidenced that capping technology coupled to activated carbon (AC) is the most frequently applied approach with effects varying according to the rate of contamination in treated sediment, the amount of AC used (% v/v), and target biological models considered. Little data are available for zerovalent iron as well as other minor amending agents such as hematite, natural zeolite, biopolymers and organoclays. Current (eco-)toxicological information for in situ sediment remediation technologies is fragmentary and incomplete or entirely missing, making also the interpretation of existing data quite challenging. In situ sediment remediation represents an interesting potentially effective approach for polluted sediment recovering. As its application in some lab-based and field studies reported to induce negative effects for target organisms, amendments and capping agents must be attentively evaluated for short- and long-term environmental effects, also in the perspective of the remediated site monitoring and maintenance.

Assessment of hydrophobic organic contaminant availability in sediments after sorbent amendment and its complete removal

Sorbents amended to sediments in situ for sequestration of hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) may be swept away from the treated sites due to hydrodynamic forces applied to the sediment surface. The purpose of this study is to examine the possibility of recovery of HOC availability in sorbent-amended sediment after complete removal of the sorbent. Sediment contact with an easily separable model sorbent Tenax beads for 28 days in a slurry phase resulted in 74-98% reduction in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and polychlorinated biphenyl availability compared to the untreated controls. HOC availability in the sorbent-treated sediment slightly increased by sorbent removal and after one month of mixing in a slurry phase because the slowly-desorbing HOC fraction was released and repartitioned back to the sediment, partially replenishing the rapidly-desorbing HOC fraction. However, HOC availability did not further increase during an extended mixing period of 12 months suggesting that the repartitioning process was not an infinite source. HOC availability after the 12-month post-treatment mixing for the sorbent-treated sediment was 53-97% lower than that of the untreated sediment because of the combined effect of HOC mass removal from sediment (with the sorbent) and incomplete recovery of available HOC fraction in the sorbent-treated sediment.

Evaluation of sediment capping with activated carbon and nonwoven fabric mat to interrupt nutrient release from lake sediments

The aim of this study was to assess the potential application of activated carbon (AC) and nonwoven fabric mats (NWFM) for thin-layer capping in remediation of sediments containing high amounts of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Laboratory column incubation experiments were performed to analyze the efficiencies of AC and NWFM for blocking nutrients. Under uncapped conditions, dissolved oxygen (DO) was exhausted within three days but under NWFM/AC capping conditions (with NWFM above the AC capping layer), the presence of DO was prolonged until Day 33. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) was lower under all capped conditions than under uncapped conditions, with lowest COD observed with NWFM/AC capping. NH₄-N occupied the highest percentage of total nitrogen in the overlying water and its percentage increased as the DO concentration decreased. The capping efficiencies for NH₄-N, T-N, and PO₄-P with NWFM/AC capping were (66.0, 54.2, and 73.1) %, respectively, which were higher than for other capping conditions. In the case of T-P, capping efficiencies under all capping conditions were almost 100%, indicating that both AC and NWFM effectively interrupted phosphorus release from sediments. Placing NWFM above the AC capping layer was more effective than the opposite arrangement. It can be concluded that NWFM and AC can be successfully used for remediation of lake sediments with high amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus.

In situ benthic flow-through chambers to determine sediment-to-water fluxes of legacy hydrophobic organic contaminants

Contaminated sediment can release hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) and thereby act as a secondary source of primarily legacy hazardous substances to the water column. There is therefore a need for assessments of the release of HOCs from contaminated sediment for prioritization of management actions. In situ assessment of HOC sediment-to-water flux is currently done with (closed) benthic flux chambers, which have a sampling time exceeding one month. During this time, the water inside the chamber is depleted of oxygen and the effect of bioturbation on the sediment-to-water release of HOCs is largely ignored. Here we present a novel benthic flux chamber, which measures sediment-to-water flux of legacy HOCs within days, and includes the effect of bioturbation since ambient oxygen levels inside the chamber are maintained by continuous pumping of water through the chamber. This chamber design allows for sediment-to-water flux measurements under more natural conditions. The chamber design was tested in a contaminated Baltic Sea bay. Measured fluxes were 62-2300 ng m^-2 d^-1 for individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and 5.5-150 ng m^-2 d^-1 for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). These fluxes were 3-23 times (PAHs) and 12-74 times (PCBs) higher than fluxes measured with closed benthic chambers deployed in parallel at the same location. We hypothesize that the observed difference in HOC flux between the two chamber designs are partly an effect of bioturbation. This hypothesized effect of bioturbation was in accordance with literature data from experimental studies.

A system of containment to prevent oil spills from sunken tankers

Worldwide tank spills represent 10% of the average annual input of oil in the sea. When such spills arise from wrecks at depth, neutralisation of environmental impacts is difficult to achieve. Extracting oil from sunken tankers is expensive, and, unfortunately, all of the oil cannot be extracted, as the Prestige case demonstrates. We propose an environmentally appropriate, cost-effective and proactive method to stop the long-term problem of leaks from sunken tankers similar to the Prestige. This method confines the wreck with a "sediment" capping of sepiolite mineral that emulates a natural sediment. A set of experiments and simulations shows that sepiolite has the characteristics necessary to accomplish the confinement of any current or future sunken tanker with minimal environmental perturbation.

Evaluation of strategies to minimize ecotoxic side-effects of sorbent-based sediment remediation

BACKGROUND

In situ sorbent amendment for persistent organic pollutant sequestration in sediment has over the past 15 years steadily progressed from bench-scale trials to full-scale remediation applications. Hindering a wider technology uptake are, however, concerns about ecotoxic side-effects of the most commonly used sorbent, activated carbon, on sensitive, sediment dwelling organisms like Lumbriculus variegatus. Using River Tyne sediment polluted with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and L. variegatus as a case study, sorbent alternatives and magnetic sorbent-recovery were investigated as potential engineering strategies to mitigate such ecotoxic side-effects. The potential benefits of contacting the treated sediment with fresh River Tyne water, as would naturally occur over time in the intended applications, were studied.

RESULTS

Magnetic biochar was identified as an effective PAH sorbent with less ecotoxic side-effects than magnetic activated carbon. After 85.1-100% magnetic recovery of this biochar, no ecotoxic side-effects on L. variegatus were measurable in the treated sediment. Results show that ecotoxic effects of magnetic activated carbon can be alleviated through sorbent recovery. In contrast, contacting treated sediment repeatedly with River Tyne water had no measurable benefits.

CONCLUSIONS

Magnetic biochar is a promising sorbent material for the remediation of PAH polluted sediment. © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Response of marine benthic fauna to thin-layer capping with activated carbon in a large-scale field experiment in the Grenland fjords, Norway

A field experiment with thin-layer capping was conducted in the Grenland fjords, Norway, for remediation in situ of mercury and dioxin-contaminated sediments. Experimental fields at 30 and 95 m depth were capped with (i) powdered activated carbon (AC) mixed with clay (AC+cla`y), (ii) clay, and (iii) crushed limestone. Ecological effects on the benthic community and species-feeding guilds were studied 1 and 14 months after capping, and a total of 158 species were included in the analyses. The results show that clay and limestone had only minor effects on the benthic community, while AC+clay caused severe perturbations. AC+clay reduced the abundance, biomass, and number of species by up to 90% at both 30 and 95 m depth, and few indications of recovery were found during the period of this investigation. The negative effects of AC+clay were observed on a wide range of species with different feeding strategies, although the suspension feeding brittle star Amphiura filiformis was particularly affected. Even though activated carbon is effective in reducing sediment-to-water fluxes of dioxins and other organic pollutants, this study shows that capping with powdered AC can lead to substantial disturbances to the benthic community.

Mixing and capping techniques for activated carbon based sediment remediation - Efficiency and adverse effects for Lumbriculus variegatus

Activated carbon (AC) has been proven to be highly effective for the in-situ remediation of sediments contaminated with a wide range of hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs). However, adverse biological effects, especially to benthic organisms, can accompany this promising remediation potential. In this study, we compare both the remediation potential and the biological effects of several AC materials for two application methods: mixing with sediment (MIX) at doses of 0.1 and 1.0% based on sediment dw and thin layer capping (TLC) with 0.6 and 1.2 kg AC/m². Significant dose dependent reductions in PCB bioaccumulation in Lumbriculus variegatus of 35-93% in MIX treatments were observed. Contaminant uptake in TLC treatments was reduced by up to 78% and differences between the two applied doses were small. Correspondingly, significant adverse effects were observed for L. variegatus whenever AC was present in the sediment. The lowest application dose of 0.1% AC in the MIX system reduced L. variegatus growth, and 1.0% AC led to a net loss of organism biomass. All TLC treatments let to a loss of biomass in the test organism. Furthermore, mortality was observed with 1.2 kg AC/m² doses of pure AC for the TLC treatment. The addition of clay (Kaolinite) to the TLC treatments prevented mortality, but did not decrease the loss in biomass. While TLC treatments pose a less laborious alternative for AC amendments in the field, the results of this study show that it has lower remediation potential and could be more harmful to the benthic fauna.

Pollution, toxicity, and ecological risk of heavy metals in surface river sediments of a large basin undergoing rapid economic development

A comprehensive and detailed investigation of heavy metal pollution, toxicity, and ecological risk assessment was conducted for the surface river sediments of the Haihe Basin in China based on 220 sampling sites selected in 2013. The average concentrations of Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the sediments were 129 mg/kg, 63.4 mg/kg, 36.6 mg/kg, 50.0 mg/kg, and 202 mg/kg, respectively. As indicated by the geoaccumulation and pollution load indices, most surface river sediments of the Haihe Basin were contaminated with the investigated metals, especially in the junction region of the Zi Ya He and Hei Long Gang watersheds. The 5 heavy metals in the sediments all had anthropogenic sources, and the enrichment degrees followed the order Cu > Pb > Zn > Cr > Ni, with mean enrichment factors of 3.27, 2.77, 2.58, 1.81, and 1.44, respectively. According to the mean index of comprehensive potential ecological risk (38.9), the studied sediments of the Haihe Basin showed low potential ecological risk, but the sediments were potentially biologically toxic based on the mean probable effect concentration quotient (0.547), which may be the result of speciation of the 5 metals in the sediments. The results indicate that heavy metal pollution should be considered during the development of ecological restoration strategies in the Haihe Basin. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:1149-1155. © 2016 SETAC.

Characterizing Biochar as Alternative Sorbent for Oil Spill Remediation

Biochar (BC) was characterized as a new carbonaceous material for the adsorption of toluene from water. The tested BC was produced from pine wood gasification, and its sorption ability was compared with that of more common carbonaceous materials such as activated carbon (AC). Both materials were characterized in terms of textural features and sorption abilities by kinetic and equilibrium tests. AC and BC showed high toluene removal from water. Kinetic tests demonstrated that BC is characterized by faster toluene removal than AC is. Textural features demonstrated that the porosity of AC is double that of BC. Nevertheless, equilibrium tests demonstrated that the sorption ability of BC is comparable with that of AC, so the materials’ porosity is not the only parameter that drives toluene adsorption. The specific adsorption ability (mg sorbed m⁻² of surface) of the BC is higher than that of AC: toluene is more highly sorbed onto the biochar surface. Biochar is furthermore obtained from biomaterial thermally treated for making energy; this also makes the use of BC economically and environmentally convenient compared with AC, which, as a manufactured material, must be obtained in selected conditions for this type of application.

Sequestration of HCHs and DDTs in sediments in Dongting Lake of China with multiwalled carbon nanotubes: implication for in situ sequestration

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in sediments could be released into water, posing great threats to human health and organisms. In this study, the treatment effectiveness of in situ sequestration of hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDTs) in sediments was explored using multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as adsorbents. Physicochemical tests (aqueous equilibrium concentrations, semipermeable membrane device (SPMD) uptake, and quiescent flux to overlying water) were conducted to evaluate the sequestration effectiveness of MWCNTs. Compared to the control, the MWCNT-treated sediments showed great reductions of HCHs and DDTs in aqueous equilibrium concentrations, SPMD uptake, and quiescent flux to overlying water. And the effects of dose of MWCNTs, diameter of MWCNTs, and contact time between MWCNTs and sediments on sequestration effectiveness were studied. Increased dose, decreased MWCNT diameter, and prolonged contact time resulted in a better sequestration effectiveness. The results indicated that the addition of MWCNTs to sediment could reduce the content of HCHs and DDTs released from sediments, reducing bioavailability of HCHs and DDTs and minimizing risks to ecosystem and human. MWCNTs have potential applications as adsorbents for in situ treatment of OCP-contaminated sediments.

Sorbent amendment as a remediation strategy to reduce PFAS mobility and leaching in a contaminated sandy soil from a Norwegian firefighting training facility

Aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) containing poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) used for firefighting have led to the contamination of soil and water at training sites. The unique physicochemical properties of PFAS results in environmental persistency, threatening water quality and making remediation of such sites a necessity. This work investigated the role of sorbent amendment to PFAS contaminated soils in order to immobilise PFAS and reduce mobility and leaching to groundwater. Soil was sampled from a firefighting training facility at a Norwegian airport and total and leachable PFAS concentrations were quantified. Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) was the most dominant PFAS present in all soil samples (between 9 and 2600 μg/kg). Leaching was quantified using a one-step batch test with water (L/S 10). PFOS concentrations measured in leachate water ranged between 1.2 μg/L and 212 μg/L. Sorbent amendment (3%) was tested by adding activated carbon (AC), compost soil and montmorillonite to selected soils. The extent of immobilisation was quantified by measuring PFAS concentrations in leachate before and after amendment. Leaching was reduced between 94 and 99.9% for AC, between 29 and 34% for compost soil and between 28 and 40% for the montmorillonite amended samples. Sorbent + soil/water partitioning coefficients (K_D) were estimated following amendment and were around 8 L/kg for compost soil and montmorillonite amended soil and ranged from 1960 to 16,940 L/kg for AC amended soil. The remediation of AFFF impacted soil via immobilisation of PFAS following sorbent amendment with AC is promising as part of an overall remediation strategy.

In Situ Evaluation of Crop Productivity and Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Paddy Soils after Remediation of Metal-Contaminated Soils

Soils contaminated with heavy metals have been reused for agricultural, building, and industrial uses following remediation. This study assesses plant growth and bioaccumulation of heavy metals following remediation of industrially contaminated soil. The soil was collected from a field site near a nonferrous smelter and was subjected to laboratory- and field-scale studies. Soil from the contaminated site was remediated by washing with acid or mixed with soil taken from a distant uncontaminated site. The activities of various soil exoenzymes, the rate of plant growth, and the bioaccumulations of six heavy metals were measured to assess the efficacy of these bioremediation techniques. Growth of rice (Oryza sativa) was unaffected in acid-washed soil or the amended soil compared to untreated soil from the contaminated site. The levels of heavy metals in the rice kernels remained within safe limits in treated and untreated soils. Rice, sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), and wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivated in the same soils in the laboratory showed similar growth rates. Soil exoenzyme activities and crop productivity were not affected by soil treatment in field experiments. In conclusion, treatment of industrially contaminated soil by acid washing or amendment did not adversely affect plant productivity or lead to increased bioaccumulation of heavy metals in rice.

In situ remediation of contaminated marinesediment: an overview

Sediment tends to accumulate inorganic and persistent hydrophobic organic contaminants representing one of the main sinks and sources of pollution. Generally, contaminated sediment poses medium- and long-term risks to humans and ecosystem health; dredging activities or natural resuspension phenomena (i.e., strongly adverse weather conditions) can remobilize pollution releasing it into the water column. Thus, ex situ traditional remediation activities (i.e., dredging) can be hazardous compared to in situ techniques that try to keep to a minimum sediment mobilization, unless dredging is compulsory to reach a desired bathymetric level. We reviewed in situ physico-chemical (i.e., active mixing and thin capping, solidification/stabilization, chemical oxidation, dechlorination, electrokinetic separation, and sediment flushing) and bio-assisted treatments, including hybrid solutions (i.e., nanocomposite reactive capping, bioreactive capping, microbial electrochemical technologies). We found that significant gaps still remain into the knowledge about the application of in situ contaminated sediment remediation techniques from the technical and the practical viewpoint. Only activated carbon-based technologies are well developed and currently applied with several available case studies. The environmental implication of in situ remediation technologies was only shortly investigated on a long-term basis after its application, so it is not clear how they can really perform.

Metal contaminant fluxes across the sediment water interface

To date, most estimates of contaminant fluxes across the sediment/water interface in risk assessments have been done using diffusive flux models. However, the reliability of these is limited as the overall flux from the sediment may have contributions caused by advection and bioturbation. We found through a comparison of modelled fluxes versus measured fluxes, that the methods Benthic Flux Chamber and surface leaching tests in a risk assessment context showed similar magnitude while calculated fluxes deviated at least by a factor of 100 from measured fluxes. This may be explained by the flux contribution in connection with bioturbation. The chamber-measured fluxes of copper were low compared to those of zinc and cobalt, but this is consistent with leaching tests that indicated copper to be more strongly bound. Risk assessments based on total concentrations may be misleading.

Measuring and Modeling Organochlorine Pesticide Response to Activated Carbon Amendment in Tidal Sediment Mesocosms

Activated carbon (AC) sediment amendment for hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) is attracting increasing regulatory and industrial interest. However, mechanistic and well-vetted models are needed. Here, we conduct an 18 month field mesocosm trial at a site containing dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and chlordane. Different AC applications were applied and, for the first time, a recently published mass transfer model was field tested under varying experimental conditions. AC treatment was effective in reducing DDT and chlordane concentration in polyethylene (PE) samplers, and contaminant extractability by Arenicola brasiliensis digestive fluids. A substantial AC particle size effect was observed. For example, chlordane concentration in PE was reduced by 93% 6 months post-treatment in the powdered AC (PAC) mesocosm, compared with 71% in the granular AC (GAC) mesocosm. Extractability of sediment-associated DDT and chlordane by A. brasiliensis digestive fluids was reduced by at least a factor of 10 in all AC treatments. The model reproduced the relative effects of varying experimental conditions (particle size, dose, mixing time) on concentrations in polyethylene passive samplers well, in most cases within 25% of experimental observations. Although uncertainties such as the effect of long-term AC fouling by organic matter remain, the study findings support the use of the model to assess long-term implications of AC amendment.

Decision-making framework for the application of in-situ activated carbon amendment to sediment

This study provides a decision-support framework and a design methodology for preliminary evaluation of field application of in-situ activated carbon (AC) amendment to sediment to control the (bio)availability of hydrophobic organic contaminants. The decision-making framework comprises four sequential steps: screening assessment, input parameter determination, model prediction, and evaluation for process optimization. The framework allows the application of state-of-the-art experimental and modeling techniques to assess the effectiveness of the treatment under different field conditions and is designed for application as a part of a feasibility study. Through a stepwise process it is possible to assess the effectiveness of in-situ AC amendment with a proper consideration of different site conditions and application scenarios possible in the field. The methodology incorporates the effect of various parameters on performance including: site-specific kinetic coefficients, varied AC dose and particle size, sediment and AC sorption parameters, and pore-water velocity. The modeling framework allows comparison of design alternatives for treatment optimization and estimation of long-term effectiveness over a period of 10-20 years under slow mass transfer in the field.

A large-scale field trial of thin-layer capping of PCDD/F-contaminated sediments: Sediment-to-water fluxes up to 5 years post-amendment

The longer-term effect (3-5 y) of thin-layer capping on in situ sediment-to-surface water fluxes was monitored in a large-scale field experiment in the polychlorinated dibenzodioxin and dibenzofuran (PCDD/F) contaminated Grenlandfjords, Norway (4 trial plots of 10,000 to 40,000 m(2) at 30 to 100 m water depth). Active caps (designed thickness 2.5 cm) were established in 2 fjords, consisting of dredged clean clay amended with powdered activated carbon (PAC) from anthracite. These active caps were compared to 2 nonactive caps in one of the fjords (designed thickness 5 cm) consisting of either clay only (i.e., without PAC) or crushed limestone. Sediment-to-water PCDD/F fluxes were measured in situ using diffusion chambers. An earlier study showed that during the first 2 years after thin-layer capping, flux reductions relative to noncapped reference fields were more extensive at the fields capped with nonactive caps (70%-90%) than at the ones with PAC-containing caps (50%-60%). However, the present work shows that between 3 and 5 years after thin-layer capping, this trend was reversed and cap effectiveness in reducing fluxes was increasing to 80% to 90% for the PAC caps, whereas cap effectiveness of the nonactive caps decreased to 20% to 60%. The increasing effectiveness over time of PAC-containing "active" caps is explained by a combination of slow sediment-to-PAC mass transfer of PCDD/Fs and bioturbation by benthic organisms. The decreasing effectiveness of "nonactive" limestone and clay caps is explained by deposition of contaminated particles on top of the caps. The present field data indicate that the capping efficiency of thin active caps (i.e., enriched with PAC) can improve over time as a result of slow diffusive PCDD/F transfer from sediment to PAC particles and better mixing of the PAC by bioturbation.

Active capping technology: a new environmental remediation of contaminated sediment

The management and treatment of contaminated sediment is a worldwide problem and poses major technical and economic challenges. Nowadays, various attempts have been committed to investigating a cost-effective way in contaminated sediment restoration. Among the remediation options, in situ capping turns out to be a less expensive, less disruptive, and more durable approach. However, by using the low adsorption capacity materials, traditional caps do not always fulfill the reduction of risks that can be destructive for human health, ecosystem, and even natural resources. Active caps, therefore, are designed to employ active materials (activated carbon, apatite, zeolite, organoclay, etc.) to strengthen their adsorption and degradation capacity. The active capping technology promises to be a permanent and cost-efficient solution to contaminated sediments. This paper provides a review on the types of active materials and the ways of these active materials employed in recent active capping studies. Cap design considerations including site-specific conditions, diffusion/advection, erosive forces, and active material selection that should be noticed in an eligible remediation project are also presented.

Predicted effectiveness of in-situ activated carbon amendment for field sediment sites with variable site- and compound-specific characteristics

A growing body of evidence shows that the effectiveness of in-situ activated carbon (AC) amendment to treat hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) in sediments can be reliably predicted using a mass transfer modeling approach. This study analyzes available field data for characterizing AC-sediment distribution after mechanical mixing of AC into sediment. Those distributions are used to develop an HOC mass transfer model that accounts for plausible heterogeneities resulting from mixing of AC into sediment. The model is applied to ten field sites in the U.S. and Europe with 2-3 representative HOCs from each site using site- and HOC-specific model parameters collected from the literature. The model predicts that the AC amendment reduces the pore-water HOC concentrations by more than 95% fifteen years after AC deployment for 18 of the 25 total simulated cases when the AC is applied at doses of 1.5 times sediment total organic carbon content with an upper limit of 5 dry wt%. The predicted effectiveness shows negative correlation with the HOC octanol-water partitioning coefficients and the sediment-water distribution coefficients, and positive correlation with the effectiveness calculated based on equilibrium coefficients of sediment and AC, suggesting the possibility for use of the values for screening-level assessments.

Ecological Effects of Biochar on the Structure and Function of Stream Benthic Communities

The introduction of biochar, activated carbon, and other carbonaceous materials to aquatic ecosystems significantly reduces the toxicity and bioavailability of contaminants. However, previous studies have shown that these materials can have negative effects on aquatic organisms. We conducted field and mesocosm experiments to test the hypothesis that biochar altered the structure and function of stream benthic communities. After 30 d in the field, colonization by stoneflies (Plecoptera) was significantly lower in trays containing biochar compared to the results from the controls. In stream mesocosms, biochar increased macroinvertebrate drift and significantly reduced community metabolism. However, most measures of community composition showed little variation among biochar treatments, and significant responses were limited to a single stonefly species (Capnia confusa). When benthic communities were simultaneously exposed to biochar and Cu, effects were primarily associated with metal exposure. Because it is unlikely that biochar treatments would be employed in uncontaminated areas, these moderately negative effects should be considered within the context of the positive benefits associated with reduced contaminant bioavailability and toxicity. Additional research is necessary to improve our understanding of the mechanisms responsible for biochar effects on benthic communities and to identify the optimal application rates and size fractions that will maximize contaminant sorption but minimize potential negative effects.

Effects of activated carbon ageing in three PCB contaminated sediments: Sorption efficiency and secondary effects on Lumbriculus variegatus

The sorption efficiency and possible secondary effects of activated carbon (AC) (ø 63-200 μm) was studied with Lumbriculus variegatus in three PCB contaminated sediments applying long AC-sediment contact time (3 years). AC amendment efficiently reduced PCB bioavailability as determined with both, L. variegatus bioaccumulation test and passive samplers. However, dose related secondary effects of AC on egestion rate and biomass were observed (applied doses 0.25% and 2.5% sediment dry weight). The sorption capacity and secondary effects remained similar when the experiments were repeated after three years of AC-sediment contact time. Further, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) samples revealed morphological changes in the L. variegatus gut wall microvilli layer. Sediment properties affected both sorption efficiency and secondary effects, but 2.5% AC addition had significant effects regardless of the sediment. In, conclusion, AC is an efficient and stable sorbent to decrease the bioavailability of PCBs. However, sediment dwelling organisms, such as Oligochaete worms in this study, may be sensitive to the carbon amendments. The secondary effects and possible morphological changes in benthic organisms should not be overlooked as in many cases they form the basis of the aquatic food webs.

Capping in situ with activated carbon in Trondheim harbor (Norway) reduces bioaccumulation of PCBs and PAHs in marine sediment fauna

Three types of thin-layer caps with activated carbon (AC) were tested in situ in experimental plots (10 × 10 m) in Trondheim harbor, Norway, using AC + clay, AC-only or AC + sand. One year after capping, intact sediment cores were collected from the amended plots for ex situ surveys of the capping efficiency in reducing the PAH and PCB aqueous concentrations and bioaccumulation by the polychaete Hediste diversicolor and the clam Abra nitida. Reduced pore water concentrations were observed in all AC treatments. The capping efficiency was in general AC + clay > AC-only > AC + sand. AC + clay reduced bioaccumulation of PAH and PCB congeners between 40% and 87% in the worms and between 67% and 97% in the clams. Sediment capped with AC-only also led to reduced bioaccumulation of PCBs, while AC + sand showed no reduction in bioaccumulation. Thus the best thin-layer capping method in this study was AC mixed with clay.