Abstract
Today, basic requirements for construction works include the protection of human health and of the environment. In the tension area between economic demands, circular flow economy and environmental safety, a link between the results from standardized leaching tests and the respective environmental quality standards must be created. To derive maximum release limits of metals and metalloids for armourstones in hydraulic engineering, this link is accomplished via a simple model approach. By treating natural materials and industrial by-products the same way, the article delivers an overview on the recent regulative situation in Europe as well as describes and discusses an innovative approach to derive maximum release limits for monolithic construction products in hydraulic engineering on a conceptual level. On a practical level, a list of test parameters is derived by connecting an extensive dataset (seven armourstone materials with five repetitions and 31 elements tested with the worldwide applied dynamic surface leaching test) with surface water quality standards and predicted no effect concentrations. Finally, the leaching tests results are compared with the envisaged maximum release limits, offering a direct comparison between natural materials and industrial by-products.
Highlights
Several European directives set the frame for a sustainable management of water resources in the future
Annual mean values of the environmental quality standards (EQS) referring to a water body are applied to the pore water of the construction works as one part of the water body
If a peak release causes a short term exceedance of the EQS or predicted no effect concentrations (PNECs) in the embankment in the first days after placing, it is taken into account
Summary
Several European directives set the frame for a sustainable management of water resources in the future. Examples are available from the nature conservation perspective [1,2], on chemicals [3] and for water resources [4,5,6]. Due to changes in the legislative structures in Europe, especially with respect to new requirements on the environmental acceptability of construction works and construction products, the legal limits in all EU member states need to be currently reevaluated. In this process the German Technical Terms of Delivery for Armourstone (TLW, 2003; EU notification No 2003/0362/D) must be revised [7].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
