Immobilization and recycling of contaminated marine sediments in cement-based materials incorporating iron-biochar composites

Sustainable stabilization/solidification (S/S) incorporating biochar for hazardous wastes has attracted increasing attention. In this study, contaminated marine sediments were remediated and recycled as useful materials via cement-based S/S process incorporating iron-biochar composites derived from incinerated sewage sludge ash (ISSA) and peanut shell. Results showed that incorporation of 20% iron-biochar composites notably increased the Cr immobilization (52.8% vs 92.1-99.7%), while attained similar As (70%) and Cu (95%) immobilization efficiencies compared to the control group (CK) prepared with plain cement as the binder based on the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure. S/S products with the addition of ISSA derived iron-biochar composite had a mechanical strength of 5.0 MPa, which was significantly higher than its counterparts derived from pure iron oxide or pristine biochar (< 4.5 MPa). Microstructural and spectroscopic characterizations and chemical leaching experiments demonstrated that reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) followed by formation of Cr-Fe precipitates by zero valent iron in iron-biochar composites contributed to the enhanced immobilization efficacy of Cr(VI) compared to CK. Overall, these results demonstrated the potential of applying ISSA and peanut shell derived iron-biochar composites as additives in the cement-based S/S treatment for contaminated sediments.

Effects of treatment agents during acid washing and pH neutralization on the fertility of heavy metal-impacted dredged marine sediment as plant-growing soil

The present study was aimed at investigating the effects of different acids and pH neutralizers applied to dredged marine sediment for the treatment of heavy metals, and the resulting influence on the sediment quality as a plant growth medium. The inspection of barley germination in the dredged marine sediment revealed that residual salts are critical plant stressors whose adverse effects exceed those exhibited by high-level heavy metals and petroleum hydrocarbons present in the sediment. Acid washing and pH neutralization reduced not only the heavy metal contents but also the sediment salinity (by factors of 6.1-9.5), resulting in 100% germination of barley. For acid-washed and calcium-oxide-neutralized sediment, the barley growth was comparable to that observed in untreated and water washed sediment despite factors of 5.2-8.0 greater sediment salinity in the former. This result represents the protective effect of residual calcium against sodium and chloride toxicity. Water washing of acid-washed and pH-neutralized sediments further enhanced barley growth owing to the reduction in osmotic pressure. This study showed the effect of different sediment-washing reagents on the product quality. It also indicated the significance of balancing the enhancement of product quality and economic cost of further treatment requirements.

Environmental evaluation of dredged sediment submitted to a solidification stabilization process using hydraulic binders

PURPOSE

Dredging of sediments, a requirement for harbor maintenance, removes millions of tons of mineral wastes, contaminated at varying degrees with trace metals, from the water. In previous investigations, Cu and Zn have been identified as highly concentrated trace metals associated to sulfides, mineral phases sensitive to oxidation. In order to ensure their sustainable management, the solidification/stabilization (S/S) and/or the valorization of contaminated sediments as secondary raw materials is a way to be promoted. Indeed, their reuse as a substitute of sand in cemented mortar formulation would allow combining both treatment and valorization of such wastes.

METHODS

In the present study, the environmental assessment of mortars formulated with raw and weathered marine sediments (in particular contaminated with Cu, Pb and Zn), compared to sand reference mortars, was conducted through two kinetic leaching tests: weathering cell tests (WCTs), in which mortars were crushed and leached twice a week, and a tank monolith leaching test (MLT), in which leaching was performed on monolithic mortars with increasing leachate renewal time.

RESULTS

In both leaching tests, calcium and sulfur were released continuously from sediment mortars, showing the oxidation-neutralization processes of sulfides and carbonates. In the MLT, Cu was released by sediment mortars through diffusion, particularly by weathered mortars, at low concentrations during 60 days of the test duration. With the more aggressive WCT, Cu concentrations were higher at the beginning but became negligible after 7 days of testing. Pb was released through diffusion mechanisms until depletion in both tests, whereas Zn was particularly well immobilized in the cemented matrices.

CONCLUSIONS

The S/S process applied using hydraulic binders proved to be efficient in the stabilization of Cu, Pb, and Zn highly presents in studied sediments, and further valorization in civilian engineering applications could be considered.

Chemical characterisation of dredged sediments in relation to their potential use in civil engineering

During capital and/or maintenance dredging operations, large amounts of material are produced. Instead of their discharge, dredged sediments may be a valuable natural resource if not contaminated. One of the possible areas of application is civil engineering. In the present work, the environmental status of seaport dredged sediment was evaluated in order to investigate its potential applicability as a secondary raw material. Sediments were analysed for element concentrations in digested samples, aqueous extracts and fractions from sequential extraction; for fluoride, chloride and sulphate concentrations in aqueous extracts; and for tributyltin (TBT). Granulometric and mineralogical compositions were also analysed. The elemental impact was evaluated by calculation of the enrichment factors. The total element concentrations determined showed moderate contamination of the dredged sediments as was confirmed also by their moderate enrichment factors, presumably as a result of industrial and port activities. Elemental concentrations in the aqueous extract were very low and therefore do not represent any hazard for the environment. The water-soluble element concentrations were under the threshold levels set by the EU Directive on the landfill of waste, on the basis of which the applicability of dredged sediments in civil engineering is evaluated, while the content of chloride and sulphate were above the threshold levels. It was found out that due to the large amounts of sediment available, civil engineering applications such as the construction of embankments and backfilling is the most beneficial recycling solution at present.