Improved Techniques for Removal of Sediments Contaminated with Hazardous Materials

Removal of contaminated sediments by dredging poses numerous technical and economic problems. These problems include the availability of dredging equipment suited for removing contaminated sediments in an environmentally sound manner, the ability to accurately delineate the extent and depth of the contaminated dredged material (e.g., dewatering, transporting, disposal), and the need to improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the dredging operations. Actual hands-on type data relating to these problems are minimal because there have been only a limited number of documented contaminated sediment dredging operations in the United States. Realizing the need to improve the capabilities of response personnel in dealing with cleanup operations involving contaminated sediments, the US Cost Guard and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have jointly funded a research project to: (a) identify, characterize, and classify chemicals that sink in watercourses and are amenable to recovery by dredging and/or other techniques such as in-situ treatment; (b) review the state of the art of contaminated sediment management technology to document and identify improved methodologies for handling and disposing of contaminated sediments; (c) implement pilot-scale studies on recommended modified approaches identified under the state-of-the art work; and (d) perform field demonstrations of methods and equipment developed. This article is from 'United States - The Netherlands Meeting on Dredging and Related Technology (3rd) Held in Charleston, South Carolina on 10-14 September 1984,' ADA182670, p191-194.