You are here:
In-situ Technologies for Reclamation of PCB-Contaminated Sediments: Current Challenges and Research Thrust Areas
Citation:
Agarwal, S., S. R. AL-ABED, AND D. D. DIONYSIOU. In-situ Technologies for Reclamation of PCB-Contaminated Sediments: Current Challenges and Research Thrust Areas. R.A. Ferrara (ed.), JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Reston, VA, 133(12):1075-1078, (2008).
Impact/Purpose:
To discuss the current state and critical aspects of in-situ reclamation technologies that warrant research focus.
Description:
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a family of 209 congeners, are toxic and recalcitrant environment pollutants that are prevalent in the nation’s sediments and superfund waste sites. Manufactured for use in electrical equipment due to their inert and flame retardant nature, they were banned in 1977 due to their toxicity and environmental persistence. They occur predominantly in sediments which act as a source for their long-term release posing a lingering threat of exposure. PCBs biomagnify in the ecosystem, progressively moving up the food chain to reach humans. Treatment of contaminated sediments is problematic due to their poor accessibility and high water content, sensitive benthic ecosystems, limited tools for evaluation of site recovery and unrealistic cleanup goals. Currently, dredging followed by ex-situ treatment and land filling are predominantly used but the decontamination chain is disruptive, expensive and often leaves behind contaminants. On the other hand, in-situ technologies such as capping, bioremediation and natural recovery are promising reclamation alternatives due to their sustainable and largely non-invasive nature. However, understanding of these technologies is limited and successful demonstrations are insufficient to allow routine deployment with predictable remediation performance. The current state and critical aspects of in-situ reclamation technologies that warrant research focus have been discussed.
URLs/Downloads:
In-situ Technologies for Reclamation of PCB-Contaminated Sediments: Current Challenges and Research Thrust Areas