Theoretical evaluation of the effectiveness of capping PCB-contaminated New Bedford Harbor bed sediment. Final report
The report contains two separate studies of the contaminated bed sediment in the Upper Estuary of New Bedford Harbor, Massachusetts. One is concerned with determining the flux of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from the bed to the water column. The other is concerned with the general theory of capping a contaminated bed with clean soil/sediment to isolate the pollutants from the water column. Three approaches were used to establish the PCB flux. Since direct methods are impossible three modeling approaches were used: (1)bed-sediment dissolution model; (2)overall estuary mass balance model and (3)flow-by-concentration model. The common region of overlapping rates for the three models is 1700 to 3300 kg/y. Three principles were identified based on changes brought about in transport mechanisms increased path length and chemical equilibrium that render capping an effective technology for isolating contaminants from the water column. Theoretical mathematical models were developed to investigate breakthrough time and steady-state flux of PCBs through the cap. For a 45 cm. thickness the time is 900 to 4500 years. The steady-state flux is reduced by 99.9%(+) for rates of 200 to 270 g/y of PCB from the Upper Estuary Bed. The above numerical values are theoretical estimates.
- Research Organization:
- Louisiana State Univ., Baton Rouge, LA (United States). Hazardous Waste Research Center
- OSTI ID:
- 5230399
- Report Number(s):
- PB-91-225656/XAB
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Prepared in cooperation with Balsam Environmental Consultants, Inc., Salem, NH. Sponsored by AVX Corp., Great Neck, NY
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
New Bedford Harbor Superfund Project, Acushnet River estuary engineering feasibility study of dredging and dredged material disposal alternatives. Report 4. Surface runoff quality evaluation for confined disposal. Technical report, June-February 1987
Superfund record of decision (EPA Region 1): New Bedford Site, Upper and Lower Harbor Operable Units, New Bedford, MA, September 25, 1998
Related Subjects
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MASSACHUSETTS
WATER POLLUTION
SEDIMENTS
CONTAMINATION
ESTUARIES
HARBORS
MASS BALANCE
SEDIMENT-WATER INTERFACES
STEADY-STATE CONDITIONS
TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION
AROMATICS
CONTROL
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
FEDERAL REGION I
HALOGENATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
INTERFACES
MASS TRANSFER
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
POLLUTION CONTROL
SURFACE WATERS
USA
540320* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)