The purpose of this work is to apply remedial technology to weathered sediments disposed on geomembrane with a sitespecific remediation goal. A column leaching test was carried out; treatments were: compost, calcium carbonate and control. Concentrations found in soil pore water of Al (4830-18000 ug L-1); Ni (240-770 µg L-1) and Cd (120-240 ug L-1) exceeded natural concentrations. For Zn (580-1520 ug L-1), this was true for neutral soils but not for naturally very acidic soils. There were no significant differences among treatments. Mobility of all elements analyzed tended to decrease with calcium carbonate and in the case of Ni, it was enhanced through organic matter addition. High mobility can be explained by low sediment pH (3.63-4.26), caused by sulphuric acid, and by the high Al content in pore water, which competes for exchange sites with other cations. The very acidic conditions are the main cause of the inability of amendments to reduce metal mobility. Natural hydrocarbons attenuation was observed compared to previous measurements. In one sample from 80-100 cm depth, total hydrocarbons content in water was 43 ug g-1 dry base. The potential risks of metals entering the food chain, their migration to subsoil and groundwater and dispersion outside the disposal site still persist.
Pierini, V. I. & Ratto, S. E. (2013).Site - specific remediation of weathered sediments from Reconquista River (Argentina), contaminated with metals and hydrocarbons.Journal of Environment,2, (2),p.52-59
Pierini, Verónica Inés, Ratto, Silvia Elisa.2013. "Site - specific remediation of weathered sediments from Reconquista River (Argentina), contaminated with metals and hydrocarbons".Journal of Environment 2, no.2:52-59.
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