New Bedford Harbor Superfund Project, Acushnet River Estuary Engineering Feasibility Study of Dredging and Dredged Material Disposal Alternatives. Report 6. Laboratory Testing for Subaqueous Capping
Abstract
The thickness of capping material needed to chemically sequester the polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-contaminated New Bedford Harbor sediment from the overlying water column and aquatic biota was assessed in a small-scale predictive test. Changes in the overlying water concentrations of dissolved oxygen, ammonium-nitrogen, and orthophosphate-phosphorus were monitored following isolation of the water column from the atmosphere by placing a 4-cm layer of mineral oil on the water surface. The chemical tracers (ammonium- nitrogen and orthophosphate-phosphorus) were selected for their mobility under anaerobic conditions, ease of measurement, and generally high concentrations in contaminated dredged material compared with clean sediments. The chemical tracers were used to evaluate the efficiency of the capping material in preventing transfer of contaminants from New Bedford Harbor sediment into the overlying water column.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA200177
Entities
People
- Douglas Gunnison
- Thomas C. Sturgis