Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Dredging elutriate test (DRET) development. Final report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:189850
The removal of contaminated sediments from waterways by dredging generates concern about the release of contaminants to the water column. The ability to predict the magnitude of these potential releases during the project planning process will improve decision making in regard to water quality impacts and controls or mitigation measures for the dredging project. This report describes the development of a simple laboratory test, the dredging elutriate test (DRET), to predict the concentration of contaminants in the water column at the point of dredging. The DRET is procedurally similar to the modified elutriate test developed by the Corps of Engineers to predict the contaminant concentrations in effluent from a confined disposal facility. The test involves mixing sediment and site water, allowing the heavier solid particles to settle, sampling and supernatant, and analyzing for dissolved and particulate bound contaminants. Results of the laboratory test compared well with field data collected while dredging New Bedford Harbor sediment, which was contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls. Most of the contaminated loading was associated with the suspended particles.
Research Organization:
North Carolina Univ., Chapel Hill, NC (United States). Dept. of Environmental Sciences and Engineering
OSTI ID:
189850
Report Number(s):
AD-A--299354/1/XAB; CNN: Contract DACW39-88-K-0063
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English