Physical and Chemical Characterization of Dredged Material Influents and Effluents in Confined Land Disposal Areas.
Abstract
Nine dredged material land containment areas, located at upland, lowland, and island sites, were monitored during hydraulic dredging operations in fresh- and brackish-water riverine, lake, and estuarine environments. Influent-effluent sampling at the diked disposal areas showed that, with proper retention of suspended solids, most chemical constituents could be removed to near or below background water levels. Most heavy metals, oil and grease, chlorinated pesticides, and PCB's were almost totally associated with solids in both the influent and effluent samples. The only chemical parameters which failed to show average decreases of less than 90 percent in total effluent samples include: titanium (89 percent), manganese (88 percent), potassium (78 percent), magnesium (64 percent), ammonium nitrogen (57 percent), mercury (46 percent), op DDE (46 percent), and pp DDE (21 percent). Effluent mercury and titanium frequently appeared to be mainly associated with <0.45 micrometer filterable particulate matter; DDE was higher in the background water. The parameters which appear to have the greatest potential impact as a result of land disposal of dredged material are ammonium, soluble manganese, total mercury, and dissolved oxygen. However, none of these should present serious problems after dilution of the effluent discharge in the receiving waters. If the pH of the effluent is above 8.5, ammonia toxicity could feasibly develop in the mixing zone.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA057460
Entities
People
- Robert M. Engler
- Ronald E. Hoeppel
- Tommy E. Myers