Interaction dynamics between a contaminated dredged sediment and extracting solutions of different nature

Abstract

[Purpose]: The purpose of this work is to study the dynamics between the matrix of a contaminated marine sediment, its contaminants and various desorbing solutions by means of equilibrium tests, sedimentation trials and zeta potential, with the focus on assessing optimum enhancing solutions for decontamination purposes.

[Materials and methods]: The sediment samples were analysed to determine their physico-chemical characteristics: particle size distribution, solids concentration, total organic carbon (TOC), content of heavy metals, organic contaminants, mineralogical phases, zeta potential and buffer capacity. Twelve extracting solutions of different nature were used for equilibrium tests, in which the dynamic behaviour of the sediment was evaluated. Elemental analysis was carried out for the sediment samples and the solutions before and after the tests.

[Results and discussion]: The sediment was mainly composed of clay and lime, with a high content of iron, which has a strong influence on sorption-desorption processes. The sediment had a considerable buffer capacity at low and high pH values. The desorption of the metals was not proportional to pH. The highest decrease in the concentration of metals from the sediment was obtained with 0.2 M ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid (EDTA) and 1 M nitric acid, while the lowest degree of metal extraction occurred in pure water and potassium iodide (KI).

[Conclusions]: The most important parameters for contaminant release were complexation ability of the solution for the sediment components and pH of the solution. A promising design for the remediation treatment for the investigated sediment includes complexation and strong acid agents.