Containment area sizing for disposal of dredged material

Procedures are given for containment area sizing for retention of suspended solids based on the settling characteristics of the dredged material. Separate sizing procedures for freshwater and saltwater sediments provide for determination of the respective surface area or detention time required to accomodate continuous dredged material disposal. Procedures are given for the laboratory testing required to obtain data for sediment characterization, containment area sizing, and estimates of storage capacity required. These procedures can also be used for designing containment areas for other slurries having high suspended solids concentrations. Settling tests performed in a 20-cm-diam column were found to be satisfactory for defining dredged material settling behavior. Settling behavior in the freshwater environment was best described by a flocculent settling test, while behavior in a saltwater environment was best described by a zone settling test. The same settling columns were used for both tests withonly minor procedural changes. Procedures are presented for designing new containment areas for suspended solids retention and for evaluating the suspended solids retention potential of existing containment areas during planned disposal activities.     

Availability and plant uptake of heavy metals from contaminated dredged material placed in flooded and upland disposal environments

The availability and plant uptake of heavy metals was evaluated from contaminated dredged material placed in flooded and upland disposal environments using a solid-phase plant bioassay. The objective of the study was to verify previous dredged material research results and to develop a plant bioassay procedure that could indicate phytotoxicity and bioaccumulation of heavy metals in contaminated dredged material. The plant bioassay indicated more uptake and bioaccumulations of cadmium and, to a lesser extent, zinc when contaminated dredged material was placed in an upland environment where the sediment was allowed to air-dry. Placing the contaminated dredged material in a flooded (reduced) environment lowered the availability and plant uptake of cadmium and, to a lesser extent, zinc. Factors that influenced the availability and plant uptake of heavy metals from contaminated sediments included sediment oxidation-reduction potential, organic matter content, total sulfur content, and pH. The plant bioassay showed phytotoxicity and bioaccumulation of arsenic under a flooded environment. Placing the arsenic-contaminated sediment in an upland environment reduced both the phytotoxicity and bioaccumulation of arsenic in the freshwater marsh plant Cyperus esculentus.     

Post-irrigation impact of domestic sewage effluent on composition of soils,crops and ground water--a case study

Long-term irrigation with sewage water adds large amounts of carbon, major and micro- nutrients to the soil. We compared the spatial distribution of N, P, K and other micronutrients and toxic elements in the top 0.6 m of an alluvial soil along with their associated effects on the composition of crops and ground waters after about three decades of irrigation with domestic sewage effluent as a function of distance from the disposal point. Use of sewage for irrigation in various proportions improved the organic matter to 1.24-1.78% and fertility status of soils especially down to a distance of 1 km along the disposal channel. Build up in total N was up to 2908 kg ha(-1), available P (58 kg ha(-1)), total P (2115 kg ha(-1)), available K (305 kg ha(-1)) and total K (4712 kg ha(-1)) in surface 0.15 m soil. Vertical distribution of these parameters also varied, with most accumulations occurring in surface 0.3 m. Traces of NO3-N (up to 2.8 mg l(-1)), Pb (up to 0.35 mg l(-1)) and Mn (up to 0.23 mg l(-1)) could also be observed in well waters near the disposal point thus indicating initiation of ground water contamination. However, the contents of heavy metals in crops sampled from the area were below the permissible critical levels. Though the study confirms that the domestic sewage can effectively increase water resource for irrigation but there is a need for continuous monitoring of the concentrations of potentially toxic elements in soil, plants and ground water.     

Studies on the Leaching of Radium and the emanation of radon from fertilizer process sludge

Radium-226 present in rock phosphate is carried to CaCO₃, the main process waste sludge of the fertilizer industry. Disposal of the sludge in the environment enhances the radiation background in the area. Two states of adherence of radium in the sludge have been identified, one loosely bound and the other chemically exchanged. The loosely bound fraction accounts for nearly 40% of the total activity, as demonstrated by leaching studies. Laboratory experiments show that activity leach-out by infiltration of water through the sludge is low. Lateral seepage is found to cause extensive areal contamination due to dispersal of suspended solids in the vicinity of the disposal area. The rate of emanation of radon from the sludge is found to be high, a factor of 10 over the normal background emanation rate. The radiation field in the waste disposal area also shows enhancement, with levels 4–6 times higher than natural background.     

三峡库区172 m蓄水位实现后干流水体溶解态重金属含量变化特征

从2008年至2010年连续两年,对三峡库区涪陵至巴东段水体溶解态重金属含量进行监测,分析三峡水库自2008年首次以172 m高水位试验性蓄水以来水体溶解态重金属含量变化特征及其影响因素。结果表明：水体溶解态重金属含量在丰水期低水位时含量较高,而在平水期和枯水期高水位蓄水时,水体重金属含量较低,丰水期时水体溶解态重金属含量虽然相对较高,但仍然达到《地表水环境质量标准》(GB 3838 2002)Ⅰ类水域标准。重金属在水体与沉积物和消落带土壤中含量并无明显相关性,沉积物和消落带土壤重金属对水体溶解态重金属含量分布影响较小。库区水环境因素在丰水期和平水期、枯水期呈现出明显差异特征,特别是汛后水体悬浮物SS含量远低于丰水期。三峡水库水环境因素的变化对重金属的分配有着重要作用,丰水期过后三峡库区水体pH值和DO升高,水温和Eh降低,SS含量显著下降,水环境因素、气象条件、水位调度等因素的变化致使水体溶解态重金属含量降低     

Evaluation of the water genotoxicity from Santos Estuary (Brazil) in relation to the sediment contamination and effluent discharges

The genotoxic activity of water samples collected in 9 different sites within the area of the Santos estuary was preliminary evaluated, and related to previous data on the genotoxicity of sediments and the contents of PAHs in both water and sediment samples. The liquid discharge of a steel mill (coke plant), known to be mutagenic, was chemically analyzed to determine its PAH content. For the water evaluation we employed the Salmonella/microsome assay with the strains TA98 and TA100 with and without S9 mix in the plate incorporation method. The water was filtered with an AP20 membrane before being extracted with XAD4 at natural and acidic pH. The industrial effluent was filtered in 0.45 microm membranes before being extracted with the liquid/liquid method. Both membranes containing the particulate material were extracted using ultrasonication. PAHs were found associated with the suspended particles present in the industrial effluent in accordance with mutagenicity data previously reported. In relation to the estuarine waters, sites 1 and 5 presented low levels of mutagenic activity only in the filtered water (liquid fraction) extracts. At site 3, both the filtered water and particulate solids presented also low mutagenicity. Results show that the mutagenic activity observed in water could not be directly related to the genotoxic activity and PAHs contents of the bottom sediments.     

Liquid versus solid phase bioassays for dredged material toxicity assessment

Since 1994 the results of the analyses of key chemical compounds (trace metals, polychlorinated biphenyls and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) and the comparison with the corresponding sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) are used in decision-making for dredged material management in Spain. Nonetheless in the last decades a tiered testing approach is promoted for assessing the physical and chemical characteristics of dredged sediments and their potential biological effects in the environment. Bioassays have been used for sediment toxicity assessment in Spain but few or no experiences are reported on harbour sediments. We studied the incidence of toxicity in the 7 d bioassay using rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis) and the 48 h bioassay using sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus) embryos over a series of experiments employing 22 different elutriates. The relative performance of this exposure phase was not comparable to data on the 10-d acute toxicity test using the burrowing amphipod Corophium volutator and the polychaete Arenicola marina, carried out on the whole sediments. These results evidence the importance of the exposure route and the test selected in decision-making, as the toxicity registered for the undiluted elutriates was largely due to the different solubility of sediment-bound contaminants. This work and other studies indicate that for many sediments, a complete battery of test is recommended together with physico-chemical analyses to decide whether dredged sediments are suitable for open water disposal or not.     

Release,distribution, and impacts of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) induced by dredged material disposal activities at a deep-water estuarine site

The aquatic disposal field investigation initiated in Elliott Bay, Puget Sound, WA, in February 1976, was designed to evaluate the ecological effects of open-water disposal of dredged material. The experimental disposal site was located at a depth of 60 m in marine estuary with generally weak circulation. Approximately 114,000 m³ of dredged material contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were dumped at the site from split-hull barges. The material presented in this paper is limited to a discussion of PCB impacts. It imcludes (a) a summary of results from the studies conducted between 1976 and 1977 to assess short-term impacts during and after the disposal of PCB contaminated sediments at the Elliott Bay disposal site; (b) a presentation of preliminary results from the continuation studies initiated in February 1979 to determine long-term impacts of the disposal operations. The preliminary data indicate that both dredged-material deposit and the associated PCBs appear to be stable. No major long-term impact on benthic organisms is apparent from this analysis.     

Determining sediment quality for regulatory proposes using fish chronic bioassays

Sediment quality assessments for regulatory purposes (i.e. dredged material disposal) are characterized by linking chemical and acute ecotoxicological data. The design of chronic bioassays that incorporate more sensible endpoints than acute tests is discussed to address sediment quality for environmental quality assessment and regulatory proposes. The chronic tests use juveniles of commercial species of fish Sparus aurata and Solea senegalensis, to assess sediment toxicity in samples collected along different littoral areas in the North and the South of Spain. The organisms were exposed during 60 days and sublethal endpoints were selected including biomarkers of exposure to metals (metallothioneins - MTs) and to organic contaminants (ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity - EROD activity) and biomarkers of effect (histopathology in different tissues, gill and liver). A Multivariate Analysis Approach was conducted in order to associate these biological responses with sediment metal concentration from the ports and with chemical residues in biological tissues exposed to sediments under laboratory conditions.     

A model and design equations for the intermittent sand filter

Design parameters based upon influent suspended (SS) and volatile suspended solids (VSS) concentrations and hydraulic loading rates were evaluated. Functional relationships and coefficients describing the efficiency of the ISF process were developed based upon laboratory data from filter units containing 0.17 mm effective sand size (ε′) media. Adequate SS and VSS removals were observed for the 0.17 mm ε′ sand filters. Field data from other studies using filter units containing 0.17, 0.40, and 0.68 mm ε′ sand were also evaluated using the model. Sand sizes larger than 0.17 mm ε′ did not produce effluents satisfying a federal secondary standard of 30 mg/1 of SS when the filter influent suspended solids were predominantly algae.     

Study of water quality of Hudiara drain, India-Pakistan

This paper examines the extent of pollution in Hudiara drain water due to untreated industrial and sewage waste of India and Pakistan. Ninety-nine surface water samples from the Pakistani side of the Hudiara drain were collected during September 1997, and April and June 1998. The analytical results of the Hudiara drain samples point out the industrial and sewage inputs from India and Pakistan. Higher values of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand(COD), total organic carbon(TOC), and trace metals in drain samples from the Indo-Pak border clearly indicate the Indian industrial and sewage pollution. Large variations in the levels of various measured parameters (COD, BOD, TOC, pH, total soluble substances, and trace metals) were observed along the Hudiara drain in the Pakistani vicinity. These variations were due to different types of industrial effluents and small village drains. The study showed that suspended solids(SS), COD, and fecal coliform (FC) were the major pollutants. Accordingly, the most feasible alternative is to convert the drainage network to a sedimentation and temporary storage reservoir. If disinfected, the runoff water can be used for restricted irrigation. Groundwater samples taken from the drain's surrounding area have also been analyzed. Thirty percent of the samples are not fit for drinking purposes due to NO3-N, Se and FC counts as prescribed by World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. A trilinear diagram clearly indicates the influence of surface water of the Hudiara drain on ground water; moreover, higher values of nitrate and FC clearly indicate the seepage from the Hudiara drain.     

Kinetics of trace element uptake and release by particles in estuarine waters: effects of pH,salinity, and particle loading

The uptake and release of 109Cd, 51Cr, 60Co, 59Fe, 54Mn, and 65Zn were studied using end-member waters and particles from Port Jackson estuary, Australia. The kinetics of adsorption and desorption were studied as a function of suspended particulate matter (SPM) loading and salinity. Batch experiments showed that the position and slope of the pH edges are dependent on the metal and on the salinity of the water (except for Mn). The general effect of salinity was to move the adsorption edge to higher pH values, with the greatest change being found for Cd. Most of the metals showed relatively simple kinetics with an increase in uptake as a function of time and suspended particle concentrations. The time dependence of Cd uptake was more complex, with an initial adsorption phase being followed by strong mobilization from the suspended sediments, explained by chlorocomplexation and competition with seawater major cations. The reversibility of the sorption decreased in the order Co>Mn>Zn>Cd>Fe>Cr. The percentage of adsorbed metal released in desorption experiments was greater in seawater than freshwater for Cd, Zn, and Co. These results are important in understanding the cycling of pollutants in response to pH, salinity, and particle concentrations in estuarine environments. In addition, they give valuable insight into the important mechanisms controlling the partitioning of heavy metals in the Port Jackson estuary.     

Radiocesium in North San Francisco Bay and Baja California coastal surface waters

Radiocesium, 137Cs, and rare earth elements (REEs) were determined in suspended material and dissolved fractions of waters across the salinity gradient in North San Francisco Bay (estuary). We describe the variation of this conservative isotope tracer with salinity and sediment load. REE data are used to differentiate marine and terrigenous source terrains for suspended material and dissolved fractions. We estimate that about 1-4 x 10(10) Bq of 137Cs migrates annually on suspended material through the North Bay. In addition, 137Cs concentrations were measured in surface waters off Baja California. Combined in situ water density (sigma(t)) and 137Cs data distinguish between California Current and Gulf of California water, and delineate areas of upwelling, where nutrient-rich, deep Pacific Intermediate water, with little or no 137Cs, is brought to the surface off promontories along Baja California.     

鄱阳湖水土环境及其水生维管束植物重金属污染

位于鄱阳湖流域乐安河中下游的德兴铜矿,是我国著名的大型铜业基地,是鄱阳湖流域重金属污染的主要来源之一。2003年7月至8月对鄱阳湖部分流域的水质、沉积物、底泥及水生维管束植物等样品的重金属污染进行了研究调查,采用原子吸收分光光度法分别对样品中的Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd等重金属含量进行了测定,并对测定结果进行了评价。研究结果表明,鄱阳湖流域水体中的重金属含量均达到地表水评价标准中的Ⅰ类标准,底泥、土壤等已受到了一定程度的重金属污染。而水生植物对重金属元素都具有不同程度的富集能力,植物对重金属的富集作用与土壤背景值有一定的相关性,土壤中重金属的背景值越高,植物对重金属的富集量也相应增加。     

Estrogen-, androgen- and aryl hydrocarbon receptor mediated activities in passive and composite samples from municipal waste and surface waters

Passive and composite sampling in combination with in vitro bioassays and identification and quantification of individual chemicals were applied to characterize pollution by compounds with several specific modes of action in urban area in the basin of two rivers, with 400,000 inhabitants and a variety of industrial activities. Two types of passive samplers, semipermeable membrane devices (SPMD) for hydrophobic contaminants and polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS) for polar compounds such as pesticides and pharmaceuticals, were used to sample wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) influent and effluent as well as rivers upstream and downstream of the urban complex and the WWTP. Compounds with endocrine disruptive potency were detected in river water and WWTP influent and effluent. Year-round, monthly assessment of waste waters by bioassays documented estrogenic, androgenic and dioxin-like potency as well as cytotoxicity in influent waters of the WWTP and allowed characterization of seasonal variability of these biological potentials in waste waters. The WWTP effectively removed cytotoxic compounds, xenoestrogens and xenoandrogens. There was significant variability in treatment efficiency of dioxin-like potency. The study indicates that the WWTP, despite its up-to-date technology, can contribute endocrine disrupting compounds to the river. Riverine samples exhibited dioxin-like, antiestrogenic and antiandrogenic potencies. The study design enabled characterization of effects of the urban complex and the WWTP on the river. Concentrations of PAHs and contaminants and specific biological potencies sampled by POCIS decreased as a function of distance from the city.     

Laboratory study on sustainable use of cement–fly ash–polypropylene fiber-stabilized dredged material

The major problem associated with gravity dam was siltation of reservoir which reduced its effective water storage capacity. In order to maintain effective storage capacity of reservoir, dredging of deposits was required and dredged material was disposed of haphazardly causing damage to the sensitive environment. A better alternative could be the possibility of utilization of dredged deposits in construction works involving large quantities of material. The dredged material consisted of very fine sandy silt possessing poor geotechnical characteristics and was required to be stabilized with suitable additives before use as construction material. This laboratory investigation evaluated geotechnical properties of dredged reservoir material stabilized with cement, fly ash and fiber for its probable use as subbase in lightly trafficked roads. Compaction, unconfined compressive strength and tensile strength tests were performed on appropriate combinations of the constituent materials. The results of study revealed significant improvement in unconfined compressive strength and split tensile strength after stabilization with cement and fly ash. The unconfined compressive strength and split tensile strength of cement–fly ash-stabilized dredged reservoir material improved further upon addition of polypropylene fiber. The composite possessed the potential to be utilized as sustainable material in subbase of roads subject to further validation before application in the field. The dredging of sediments improved effective storage capacity of reservoir and increased its sustainable life period. The utilization of fly ash could diminish the environmental and economic concerns arising out of its haphazard disposal.     

两种土地利用方式下土壤重金属污染特征与评价

为研究安徽铜陵某矿区耕地和人工林地两种土地利用方式下土壤重金属污染特征，应用Tomlinson污染负荷指数法和生物富集系数评价研究区土壤重金属Cd、Cu污染水平和植物重金属富集水平。结果表明：研究区耕地土壤Cd、Cu全量2.34和161.25 mg/kg，均高于林地Cd、Cu全量1.26和80.15 mg/kg，二者均超农用地土壤污染风险筛选值（GB 15618-2018，pH≤5.5）和铜陵市重金属背景值，耕地和林地污染水平分别为中度污染和轻微污染。耕地糙米Cd（0.95 mg/kg）超标严重，黄山栾树地上部Cd、Cu富集系数均低于水稻地上部。综上，黄山栾树人工林地Cd、Cu污染轻于耕地，退耕还林是研究区更佳的土地利用选择。     

An empirical model for primary sedimentation of sewage

Theoretical mathematical models of primary sedimentation and column settling tests have failed until now to predict the behaviour of sedimentation tanks under actual operating conditions due to the difficulties in simulating the effect of the density currents and the complex phenomenon of flocculation. Therefore, empirical models can be helpful in the design of sedimentation tanks. Using performance data from three different pilot-scale sedimentation tanks, empirical mathematical models were developed in this paper relating suspended solids (SS) removal efficiency to surface overflow rate, influent SS concentration, and sewage temperature. The model coefficients were derived from the combined analysis of three well correlated sets of data, thus giving a good indication for their possible general applicability. The analysis of experimental data also gave a relationship between SS and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiencies.     

Particulate and dissolved elemental loads in the Kuji River related to discharge rate

In order to investigate influences of discharge rates on fluvial transport behavior of elements in the Kuji River, Japan, suspended and dissolved phase concentrations in the river water were measured together with the water flow rates. The concentrations of suspended particulate matter (SPM) increased by two or three orders of magnitude with the water discharge, and also had seasonal variations. Adsorptive elements or heavy metal elements, which tend to form insoluble compounds, were present generally as suspended forms in the river waters, and their dissolved form concentrations tended to increase with the water discharge. On the other hand, non-adsorptive elements such as alkali and alkaline-earth elements were present as dissolved forms under a normal flow rate condition, but equivalent quantity of suspended species also occurred under a high flow condition. In this case, the dissolved form concentrations decreased with the water discharge. Characterization of SPM with analyses of chemical compositions, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD) indicated that clay mineral such as montmorillonite would be the main carrier material of trace and major elements during the fluvial transport in the Kuji River. Variations of contents of selected elements in SPM with the water discharge indicated that river bottom sediments, which are probably potential sources of SPM added due to high water flow rates, would be different in chemical compositions from SPM floating under a normal flow condition. Variations of chemical compositions of SPM as well as of suspended or dissolved form concentrations of elements in the river waters were formulated as a function of the water discharge rates.     

经济发达区不同土地利用方式下土壤中镉的含量特征——以江苏省昆山市为例

通过对江苏省昆山市高中低产水稻田、菜地、园地和抛荒地等土地利用类型98个土壤样点的检测分析，探讨了不同土地利用方式对土壤镉浓度含量的影响。研究结果表明，高中低产水稻田、菜地、园地土壤镉浓度都超过土壤背景值（0.110 mg/kg）。6种土地利用方式中，低产水稻田土壤的镉浓度最高，其次分别为中产水稻田、园地、菜地、高产水稻田和荒地。与土壤标准值（0.20 mg/kg）相比，中产水稻田有20%样点超标，低产水稻田、园地、菜地分别有18.75%、11.11%、9.09%样点超标，而高产水稻田和荒地没有超标样点。工业废物排放和磷肥的使用可能是影响不同土地利用类型下土壤镉浓度的重要原因，应该引起重视。