Leachate Testing and Evaluation for Freshwater Sediments. Long-Term Effects of Dredging Operations Program
Abstract
Contaminated dredged material is sometimes placed in confined disposal facilities (CDFs) where the potential for movement of contaminants to groundwater and surrounding surface water by leaching is an important environmental concern. Researchers at the U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station have investigated two types of laboratory leach tests, batch and column. A sequential batch leach test (SBLT) has been developed to provide a short-term laboratory test that describes the distribution of contaminants between aqueous and solid phases as sediment solids are exposed to increasing amounts of water. Column leach tests have been developed as laboratory-scale physical models of contaminant leaching in a CDF. SBLTs are recommended for leachate evaluations of freshwater sediments. Column leach tests, while not recommended for routine use, may be conducted when the contamination potential of the dredged material is very high and independent confirmation of batch test results is desired. Guidance is provided on interpretation of test results from batch testing. Use of leachate test results in conjunction with the hydrologic evaluation of landfill performance (HELP) model is recommended for preproject evaluation of leachate control options. Guidance is also provided on methods for comparing the results of batch and column tests.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA278643
Entities
People
- Barbara A. Tardy
- James M. Brannon
- Tommy E. Myers