Treating contaminated sediment with a two-stage base-catalyzed decomposition (BCD) process: bench-scale evaluation

Abstract

The New York/New Jersey (NY/NJ) Harbor estuary sediment contains polychlorinated dibenzo- p-dioxins/furans ( PCDDs PCDFs ), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and chlorinated pesticides. The U.S. EPA-developed two-stage base-catalyzed decomposition (BCD) process was tested for removal and decomposition of these organic contaminants of concern (OCCs) from the sediment. The Stage 1 process removed OCCs to below the limits of analytical quantitation (LAQs) or the limits of the potentially applicable requirements (LPARs), and concentrated OCCs into a small volume of organic condensate for Stage 2 chemical destruction. The aqueous condensate fractions contained some nondestroyed contaminants, either at levels below LPARs or at levels that could be treated by conventional treatment processes. Factors such as chemical addition, water content, and residence time were examined for their effects on the treatment process. Mass balances were calculated. The distribution of metal contaminants was determined.