Metal availability in a highly contaminated, dredged-sediment disposal site: Field measurements and geochemical modeling

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) Vol. 158; no. 9; pp. 2857 - 2864
• Main Authors: Lions, Julie, Guérin, Valérie, Bataillard, Philippe, van der Lee, Jan, Laboudigue, Agnès
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Arsenic; Arsenic - analysis; Cadmium; Contaminants; Contamination; Dredged sediment; Dredges; Earth Sciences; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Geochemical modeling; Geochemistry; Geologic Sediments - chemistry; Geological Phenomena; Global Changes; Groundwater; Infiltration; Leaching; Metal; Metals - analysis; Models, Chemical; Pollution; Refuse Disposal; Sciences of the Universe; Sediments; Sulfates; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Metal; Arsenic; Dredged sediment; Geochemical modeling; Leaching; Sulfur compounds; Mobility; Zerovalent metal; Iron; Sulfates; Modeling; Transport process; Pollution; Decontamination; Lead; Lixiviation; Oxidation; Ground water; Cadmium; Pollutant behavior; Sediments; Long term; Zinc; Heavy metal; Trace element; Carcinogen; Mobilization; Environment impact; Poison; Infiltration
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2010.06.011

Two complementary approaches were used to characterize arsenic and metal mobilizations from a dredged-sediment disposal site: a detailed field study combined with hydrogeochemical modeling. Contaminants in sediments were found to be mainly present as sulfides subject to oxidation. Secondary phases (carbonates, sulfates, (hydr)oxides) were also observed. Oxidative processes occurred at different rates depending on physicochemical conditions and contaminant contents in the sediment. Two distinct areas were identified on the site, each corresponding to a specific contaminant mobility behavior. In a reducing area, Fe and As were highly soluble and illustrated anoxic behavior. In well-oxygenated material, groundwater was highly contaminated in Zn, Cd and Pb. A third zone in which sediments and groundwater were less contaminated was also characterized. This study enabled us to prioritize remediation work, which should aim to limit infiltration and long-term environmental impact. A detailed case study of metal behavior in a dredged-sediment disposal site combined with geochemical modeling.