Testing the Efficiency of a Reactive Core Mat to Remediate Subaqueous, Contaminated Sediments

This paper describes the results of a laboratory testing program to assess the efficacy of a reactive core mat (RCM) for remediation of contaminated, subaqueous sediments. The 1.25 cm (0.5in) thick RCM (reactive material such as organoclay with geotextile layers on top and bottom) is placed on the sediment and 7.6 to 10.1 cm (3 to 4 in) of overlying soil is placed on the RCM for stability and protection. The RCM can provide the same physical isolation of the sediment from the overlying water and benthic organisms provided by traditional soil caps. However, in addition, the RCM overlay has the potential to: provide a remediation layer that will adsorb and/or neutralize target dissolved contaminants from the underlying sediment through diffusion and advection through the permeable RCM layer; prevent resuspension of fine contaminated sediments; and serve as a stable, protective foundation material for new, overlying sediment that can be used to promote regeneration of biota.