Bioremediation process for sediments contaminated by heavy metals: feasibility study on a pilot scale.
The core stages of a sediment remediation process--the conditioning of dredged sludge by plants and the solid-bed leaching of heavy metals using microbially produced sulfuric acid--were tested on a pilot scale using a highly polluted river sediment. Conditioning was performed in 50 m3 basins at sludge depths of 1.8 m. During one vegetation period the anoxic sludge turned into a soil-like oxic material and became very permeable to water. Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) was found to be best suited for conditioning. Bioleaching was carried out in an aerated solid-bed reactor of 2000 L working volume using oxic soil-like sediment supplemented with 2% sulfur. When applying conditioned sediment, the oxidation of easily degradable organic matter by heterotrophic microbes increased the temperature up to 50 degrees C in the early leaching phase, which in turn temporarily inhibited the sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. Nevertheless, most of the metal contaminants were leached within 21 days. Zn, Cd, Mn, Co, and Ni were removed by 61-81%, Cu was reduced by 21%, while Cr and Pb were nearly immobile. A cost-effectiveness assessment of the remediation process indicates it to be a suitable treatment for restoring polluted sediments for beneficial use.
Seidel
H
H
UFZ Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig-Halle, Department of Remediation Research, Permoserstrasse 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany. Heinz.Seidel@ufz.de
Löser
C
C
Zehnsdorf
A
A
Hoffmann
P
P
Schmerold
R
R
D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D019149:Bioreactors; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism*; D031783:Phalaris / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development; D045483:Rivers; D013464:Sulfuric Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D013696:Temperature; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000191:economics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism*
D019216:Metals, Heavy; D013464:Sulfuric Acids; D014873:Water Pollutants; C033158:sulfuric acid