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Innovative Capping Technology To Prevent The Migration of Toxic Chemicals From Contaminated Sediments
Citation:
YEARDLEY JR, R. B. Innovative Capping Technology To Prevent The Migration of Toxic Chemicals From Contaminated Sediments. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/F-11/009, 2011.
Impact/Purpose:
(1) to evaluate how the performance of each capping technology is affected by gas generation below the cap, (2) to develop improved methods for collecting and measuring sediment gas generation, (3) to evaluate the degree to which aquatic organisms affect cap performance, (4) to investigate how the presence of a cap affects the number and diversity of organisms in a contaminated area, and (5) to evaluate the physical stability of each type of cap, and the fate and transport of contaminants over time.
Description:
Capping is a common strategy for decreasing the risk associated with contaminated sediments in lakes and streams. Historically, caps have been designed to physically isolate contaminated sediments and prevent the transport of contaminants from sediments into the water above them, to aquatic organisms, and to wildlife and humans, with sand caps being common. EPA land researchers in collaborative efforts with a number of government and business partners, have been evaluating new innovative capping materials such as Aquablok® and bauxite. Use of these materials may address some of the questions with traditional sand caps, such as vertical transport of contaminants to the overlying surface water. Innovative capping technology research is helping to provide more options to reduce the risk to humans and benthic organisms from contaminated sediments. This research is providing new information and tools that are being used by EPA's Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation and EPA's regional staff to select the most environmentally and cost effective remediation techniques at contaminated sediment sites.