Theoretical Models for Evaluation of Volatile Emissions to Air During Dredged Material Disposal with Applications to New Bedford Harbor, Massachusetts
Abstract
Some bottom sediments in both fresh and marine waters are contaminated with hazardous organic chemicals that are classified as volatile and semivolatile. An example is the New Bedford Harbor and Acushnet River Estuary sediment, which contains quantities of the polychlorinated biphenyls Aroclors 1242, 1248, and 1254. Dredged material contaminated with these and other volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) can release these contaminants to the atmosphere during and after disposal by volatilization. Methods to predict these volatilization losses are needed to develop design, operation, and management guidelines for controlling VOC emissions. Volatilization rates for hydrophobic organic compounds from a confined disposal facility (CDF) containing contaminated dredged material are presently unknown. The primary purpose of this study was to assess the availability of theoretical models for the evaluation of volatile emissions to air during the process of dredged material disposal in a CDF. The first objective was to identify the primary vapor phase transport mechanism for various CDF designs and stages of filling. This provided the theoretical basis for assessing relative volatilization rates. The second objective was to review available laboratory and field procedures for obtaining the information needed to measure volatile losses. The report also contains preliminary calculations of the emission rates of Aroclors 1242 and 1254 from a hypothetical CDF operation in the Upper Acushnet River Estuary (Appendix A). Appendix B presents a detailed derivation of the rivulet and ponded VOC emission model.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA208915
Entities
People
- Louis J. Thibodeaux