Evaluation of Lime and Persulfate Treatment for Mixed Contaminant Soil from Plum Brook Ordnance Works (Sandusky, OH)
Abstract
The former Plum Brook Ordnance Works in Sandusky, OH, manufactured explosives from 1941 to 1945. The Reservoir No. 2 Burning Ground has soil contaminated with explosives, 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and 2,4-/2,6-dinitrotoluene (DNT), a polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), Araclor 1260, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), particularly benzo(a)pyrene, and lead. The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) Environmental Laboratory (EL) investigated a series of chemical based treatments to address this complex matrix. Lime treatment was tested to treat the explosives. Advanced oxidation (persulfate treatment and Fenton's reagent) was studied for treatment of PCBs and PAHs. Phosphate treatment was investigated for stabilizing lead. Lime treatment degraded 98 percent of TNT, 75 percent of DNT, and 80 percent of PCBs. There was minimal removal of PAHs (41 percent). Similar removal levels were found for persulfate treatment and lime followed by persulfate. Lower destruction rates of explosives were obtained by a single Fenton's reagent treatment, probably due to rapidity of the reaction. Loss percentages were roughly the same for highly contaminated soils (burn layer) and less contaminated soil (west surface soil). Treatments of the most contaminated soil (burn layer soils) did not meet Preliminary Remediation Goals for explosives or PCBs. Phosphate treatment was effective at stabilizing the lead in the soil, reducing lead toxicity characteristic leaching procedure concentrations below 5 mg/L.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA472129
Entities
People
- Agnes B. Morrow
- Catherine C. Nestler
- Michael E Jones
- Scott Waisner
- Victor Frank Medina
Organizations
- Engineer Research and Development Center