Heavy metal contaminant remediation study of western Xiamen Bay sediment, China: laboratory bench scale testing results

J Hazard Mater. 2009 Dec 15;172(1):108-16. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.06.138. Epub 2009 Jul 3.

Abstract

A surface sediment sample (<5cm) was collected from a sewage sludge contaminated site (118 degrees 02.711'E, 24 degrees 32.585'N) within western Xiamen Bay, China, in July 2005 for a sediment decontamination study. A series of laboratory-based experiments under various conditions were performed using chemical complexation reagents (e.g., H2C2O4, EDTA-2Na, etc.) and their combination in order to provide information for sediment remediation technology development. In this study, the results suggest that aeration and agitation of the sediment samples in distilled-deionized water (DDW) have either no or weak (<30%) effect on metal removal, whereas agitation, aeration and rotation of the samples in chemical complexation solutions yield much better metal removal efficiency (up to 90%). A low pH condition (e.g., pH<3) and a low solid to liquid ratio (e.g., S:L=1:50) could increase metal removal efficiency. The experimental results suggest that 0.20 M (NH4)2C2O4+0.025 M EDTA combination with solid:liquid ratio=1:50 and 0.50 M ammonium acetate (NH4Ac)+0.025 M EDTA combination with solid:liquid ratio=1:50 are the most effective methods for metal removal from the contaminated sediments. This research provides additional useful information for sediment metal remediation technology development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • China
  • Edetic Acid / chemistry
  • Environmental Restoration and Remediation / methods*
  • Geologic Sediments / chemistry*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Metals / chemistry
  • Metals, Heavy / chemistry*
  • Oxalates / chemistry
  • Sodium / chemistry
  • Solvents / chemistry
  • Trace Elements
  • Water / chemistry
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis
  • Water Purification / methods

Substances

  • Metals
  • Metals, Heavy
  • Oxalates
  • Solvents
  • Trace Elements
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Water
  • Edetic Acid
  • Sodium