Evaluation of Chemical Treatments for a Mixed Contaminant Soil
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 134, Issue 9
Abstract
Treatability tests were conducted on soil from the reservoir No. 2 burning ground at the former Plum Brook Ordnance Works in Sandusky, Ohio. This soil is contaminated with explosives 2,4,6-trinitrotolune (TNT) and 2,4/2,6-dinitrotoluene (DNT), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB, Aroclor 1260), as well as lead. Lime treatment (alkaline hydrolysis) and persulfate oxidation were tested individually and in combination to treat explosives and PCBs. Lime treatment removed 98% of TNT, 75% of DNT, and 80% of PCBs. Similar removal levels were found for persulfate treatment as well as lime followed by persulfate. The percentage of contaminant removal was found to be independent of initial contaminant concentrations. Treatments of the most contaminated soil did not meet the preliminary remediation goals for explosives or PCBs but would allow for disposal in a nonhazardous waste landfill. Treatment of soil with lower initial concentrations easily met the residential (most stringent) preliminary remediation goals of 16, 61, and for TNT, 2,6-DNT, and PCB (Aroclor 1260), respectively. Neither alkaline hydrolysis nor persulfate oxidation transferred more than 0.02% of the lead from the soil into the reaction waters. Lead was successfully stabilized via phosphate addition.
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Acknowledgments
The writers wish to acknowledge the technical assistance provided by Mr. Michael Jones, formerly of Alcorn State University. Their thanks are also extended to the JEG personnel assigned to the Plum Brook project: Doug Hodge, Al Hardesty, and Bratati Lynn. The mention of trade names or commercial products in this document does not constitute an official endorsement or recommendation by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This document may not be cited for purposes of advertisement.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 134 • Issue 9 • September 2008
Pages: 743 - 749
Copyright
© 2008 ASCE.
History
Received: Aug 9, 2007
Accepted: Dec 10, 2007
Published online: Sep 1, 2008
Published in print: Sep 2008
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