Chances for biological techniques in sediment remediation

Abstract

Biological techniques can be applied in remediation of sediments contaminated with organic pollutants, such as mineral oil, PAH, PCB and chlorobenzenes. Within the period of 1989-1997 several techniques were developed from laboratory to full-scale. The chances for bioremediation lay in the relatively small environmental impact and the low costs of the techniques. Little energy is required, no emissions to soil or air occur and the natural structure of the sediments is not destroyed. The costs vary between 45 (landfarming) and 70 (reactors) Dutch Guilders per ton dry weight. The quality of the product to meet the legal standards for re-use was achieved for some, but not all, of the sediments. However, bioassays and leaching tests showed that bioremediation strongly reduces the ecotoxicity and dispersion risks of the material. Further research of the actual risks, accompanied by policy development of the standards for re-use, might increase the number of different types of sediments which can be successfully remediated by biotechnology.

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Identifiers

DOI

10.2166/wst.1998.0771

Journal

Water Science and Technology

Year

1998