Improvement of Operations and Maintenance Techniques Research Program: An Evaluation of the Standard Elutriate Test as an Estimator of Contaminant Release at the Point of Dredging
Abstract
While release of contaminants during dredged material disposal operations has long been the subject of environmental concern for some projects, the potential release of pollutants during the dredging process has recently come under the scrutiny of Federal and State regulatory agencies. Maintenance of shipping channels may require the removal of sediments suspected to contain high concentrations of contaminants. During any dredging operation, sediments become resuspended to varying degrees according to sediment type, hydrologic conditions, type of dredging equipment used, and operational procedures employed. Contaminants may be released in soluble form directly to the water column, or they may remain adsorbed to the fine resuspended sediment particles. The primary mode of environmental impact is from the soluble fraction since dissolved forms of pollutants are more available for aquatic biota uptake than those which remain adsorbed to sediment particles.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA198542
Entities
People
- Daniel D. Ludwig
- Joseph H. Sherrad
- Roger A. Amende
Organizations
- Virginia Tech