Effect of the Resuspension of Contaminated Sediment on Distribution of the Heavy Metals in Water and Suspended Particulate Matter

Mehdi Pourabadehei, Catherine N. Mulligan

In the proceedings of: GeoMontréal 2013: 66th Canadian Geotechnical Conference; 11th joint with IAH-CNC

Session: Geoenvironment I

ABSTRACT: Heavy metals adsorbed by sediments are of particular concern due to their mobility and toxicity in the aquatic ecosystem. Among the various methods for remediation of sediment in shallow harbors, a resuspension technique was found to be the most appropriate method for heavy metal removal. The main concept of this method is to remove the finest particles, which carry most contamination. In this study, the samples were taken from a harbor in Quebec province. The resuspension technique was successful for removal of more than 30% for Cr, Ni, Cu and Cd on average. Availability of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn and Cd in the dissolved phase after resuspension was almost zero. Results of the determination of the Enrichment Factor (EF) and distribution coefficient (Kd) indicated that the lead and arsenic have a tendency to dissolve or adsorb to natural organic matter rather than the suspended particulate matter (SPM).

RÉSUMÉ: Les métaux lourds absorbés par les sédiments sont particulièrement préoccupantes en raison de leur mobilité et de toxicité dans l'écosystème aquatique. Parmi les différentes méthodes d'assainissement des sédiments, la technique de remise en suspension était le plus approprié pour l'élimination des métaux lourds. Le concept principal de cette méthode est l™élimination des particules les plus fines, qui sont effectuées le plus par la contamination. La technique de remise en suspension a réussi à éliminer plus de 30% de Cr, Ni, Cu et Cd en moyenne. La disponibilité de Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn et Cd en phase dissoute après remise en suspension a été presque nulle. Les résultats du facteur d'enrichissement (FE) et du coefficient de distribution (Kd) ont indiqué que le plomb et l'arsenic ont eu une tendance à se dissoudre ou adsorber par la matière organique naturelle plutôt que les matières particulaires en suspension (MPS).

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Cite this article:
Mehdi Pourabadehei; Catherine N. Mulligan (2013) Effect of the Resuspension of Contaminated Sediment on Distribution of the Heavy Metals in Water and Suspended Particulate Matter in GEO2013. Ottawa, Ontario: Canadian Geotechnical Society.

@article{GeoMon2013Paper205,author = Mehdi Pourabadehei; Catherine N. Mulligan,title = Effect of the Resuspension of Contaminated Sediment on Distribution of the Heavy Metals in Water and Suspended Particulate Matter,year = 2013}