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Contaminants in sediments: remobilisation and demobilisation
T Zoumis1, A Schmidt, L Grigorova
1Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Technical University of Hamburg-Harburg, Germany. theofanis@tu-harburg.de
The Science of the Total Environment
|March 22, 2001
Summary
Heavy metals like zinc and cadmium, and organic pollutants are remobilizing from Mulde reservoir sediments. Sediment remediation is necessary, with capping identified as a cost-effective solution.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Geochemistry
- Environmental Chemistry
Background:
- The Mulde reservoir in Saxony, Germany, contains anoxic sediments contaminated with heavy metals and organic chemicals.
- Sediment cores were analyzed to assess the risk of contaminant remobilization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential for heavy metal (Zn, Cd) and organic pollutant (chlorobenzenes, DDTs) remobilization from contaminated anoxic sediments.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of sediment capping as a remediation strategy.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of sediment cores for heavy metals and organic chemicals.
- Chemical sequential extraction to determine heavy metal partitioning.
- Simulation of organic pollutant diffusion.
Main Results:
- Heavy metals zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) showed remobilization, with decreased stable fractions and increased carbonate fractions.
- 1,4-dichlorobenzene, an organic pollutant, was also found to be remobilized.
- Bioturbation and resuspension were identified as potential drivers for heavy metal remobilization.
Conclusions:
- Sediment remediation is essential for the Mulde reservoir.
- Capping is a promising, low-cost approach for sediment remediation.