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Sequential solidification/stabilization and thermal process under vacuum for the treatment of mercury in sediments

  • SEDIMENTS, SEC 4 • SEDIMENT AND DREDGED MATERIAL TREATMENT • RESEARCH ARTICLE
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Abstract

Purpose

Millions of cubic meters of sediments are dredged every year in the world. About 10–20% on weight basis of this material is contaminated by organic and/or inorganic pollutants. This work presents the laboratory tests performed to study a system for the remediation and reuse of mercury-contaminated sediments. The treatment is based on a cement-based granulation step (solidification/stabilization (S/S)), followed by a thermal process under vacuum during which volatile and semi-volatile compounds are removed. The experiments focused on: (1) cement hydration reactions; (2) pollutant removal efficiencies; and (3) leaching behavior, in relation to temperature and duration of the thermal process. Mercury speciation was also investigated.

Materials and methods

Dredged at the marine harbor of Augusta (SR, Italy), the sediments used in the experiments were highly polluted by mercury (200 mg kg−1 dry weight (d.w.)). The recipe applied in the S/S step was based on the particle size distribution of the resulting granulates. An indirectly–heated batch system operated under vacuum (2.6 ± 1.3 103 Pa) at: (1) 150°C for 16 h; (2) 200°C for 6 h; (3) 250°C for 4 h; or (4) 280°C for 4 h. X-ray diffraction spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to study cement hydration reactions. Total mercury concentration and leaching tests were carried out to assess the effects of the different treatment conditions.

Results and discussion

The best results were obtained by treating the granulate at 250°C for 4 h. Under these conditions, mercury final concentration was 49 mg kg−1 d.w., resulting in a removal efficiency of 63% referred to the granular material before thermal treatment, and 75% referred to the sediment. The concentrations measured in the leachate were compatible with the Italian requirements for reuse, with some exceptions (pH, chlorides, nickel, copper, and COD) ascribed to the specific nature of the sediment. Mercury speciation analyses pointed out changes after both the treatment steps.

Conclusions

The final granulates accomplish most Italian requirements for reuse, even though an improvement in the S/S step or an additional washing step would help for the exceptions mentioned above. Different reuse options in civil engineering (e.g., filling material, road material, concrete aggregates, etc.) will be evaluated also taking into consideration the mechanical properties. Further studies will be carried out to assess the long-term leaching behavior and leaching under different pH conditions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Politecnico di Milano, Dipartimento di Ingegneria Idraulica, Ambientale, Rilevamento, Infrastrutture Viarie-Sezione Ambientale, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133, Milan, Italy

    Alessandro Careghini, Sabrina Saponaro & Luca Bonomo

  2. ISPRA, Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale, via di Casalotti 300, 00166, Rome, Italy

    Sara Dastoli, Luciano De Propris & Massimo Gabellini

  3. MAPEI SpA, via Cafiero 22, 20158, Milan, Italy

    Giorgio Ferrari

Authors
  1. Alessandro Careghini
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  2. Sara Dastoli
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  3. Giorgio Ferrari
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  4. Sabrina Saponaro
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  5. Luca Bonomo
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  6. Luciano De Propris
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  7. Massimo Gabellini
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sabrina Saponaro.

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Responsible editor: Gijs D. Breedveld

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Careghini, A., Dastoli, S., Ferrari, G. et al. Sequential solidification/stabilization and thermal process under vacuum for the treatment of mercury in sediments. J Soils Sediments 10, 1646–1656 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-010-0290-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-010-0290-7

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