Uptake of PCBs contained in marine sediments by the green macroalga Ulva rigida.

The uptake of PCBs contained in marine sediments by the green macroalga Ulva rigida was investigated in both laboratory and field experiments. Under laboratory conditions, total PCBs (tPCBs) uptake was significantly greater in live vs dead plants. The concentration of tPCB taken up in live plants was greatest in the first 24h (1580 µg kg(-1) dry weight), and then increased at a lower rate from day 2 to 14. Dead plants had a significantly lower tPCB concentration after 24h (609 µg kg(-1) dry weight) and lower uptake rate through day 14. Lesser chlorinated PCB congeners (below 123) made up the majority of PCBs taken up. Congener composition in both laboratory and field experiments was correlated to congener logKow value and sediment content. Field experiments showed that Ulva plants could concentrate PCBs to 3.9 mg kg(-1) in 24h. Thus, U. rigida is capable of removing PCBs in sediments at a rapid rate.

Bioavailability of hydrophobic organic compounds in thin-layered capped sediments.

The effect of a thin sand capping layer (7.5 cm) on the bioavailability of hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs, i.e., PCBs and naphthalene) was studied using oligochaete worms, and the results compared to previously obtained bioavailability tests with a reactive core mat (RCM) cap. The study investigated the difference in HOC concentration in worms exposed to: (a) a grab sample of sediment used as sampled for PCBs and spiked for PAHs; (b) an initially clean mixture of sand and organic matter (biouptake layer) directly overlying the sediment; and (c) the biouptake layer placed on top of the RCM-capped sediment. Benchscale experiments were performed to induce pore fluid flux through the sediment and into the overlying layer(s). Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to assess PCB homolog group concentrations. Results indicate that the thin sand cap alone reduced the average bioavailability of PCBs by a factor of 100 compared to direct exposure, but had no effect on the bioavailability of naphthalene. However, worms exposed to the RCM-protected biouptake layer show virtually the same HOC concentrations as those in the background worm samples, indicating effective isolation by the RCM.

Benchscale Assessment of the Efficacy of a Reactive Core Mat to Isolate PAH-spiked Aquatic Sediments.

This paper describes the results of a benchscale testing program to assess the efficacy of a reactive core mat (RCM) for short term isolation and partial remediation of contaminated, subaqueous sediments. The 1.25 cm thick RCM (with a core reactive material such as organoclay with filtering layers on top and bottom) is placed on the sediment, and approximately 7.5 - 10 cm of overlying soil is placed on the RCM for stability and protection. A set of experiments were conducted to measure the sorption characteristics of the mat core (organoclay) and sediment used in the experiments, and to determine the fate of semi-volatile organic contaminants and non-reactive tracers through the sediment and reactive mat. The experimental study was conducted on naphthalene-spiked Neponset River (Milton, MA) sediment. The results show nonlinear sorption behavior for organoclay, with sorption capacity increasing with increasing naphthalene concentration. Neponset River sediment showed a notably high sorption capacity, likely due to the relatively high organic carbon fraction (14%). The fate and transport experiments demonstrated the short term efficiency of the reactive mat to capture the contamination that is associated with the post-capping period during which the highest consolidation-induced advective flux occurs, driving solid particles, pore fluid and soluble contaminants toward the reactive mat. The goal of the mat placement is to provide a physical filtering and chemically reactive layer to isolate contamination from the overlying water column. An important finding is that because of the high sorption capacity of the Neponset River sediment, the physical filtering capability of the mat is as critical as its chemical reactive capacity.

Effect of reactive core mat application on bioavailability of hydrophobic organic compounds.

Sediment remediation techniques to limit the bioavailability of contaminants are of special interest due to related acute or chronic toxicities associated with sediment contaminants. Bioavailability in aquatic sediments can be particularly problematic due to their accessibility to food chain biota, and interactions with surface and ground water. The effect of a reactive core mat (RCM) containing organoclay on the bioavailability of hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs) (i.e., PCBs and naphthalene) was studied using oligochaete worms (Lumbriculus variegatus). Sediment sampled from the Neponset River (Milton, MA) with 10 ppm background PCB contamination was used in the experimental study. The objective of this study is to investigate the difference in HOC concentration of worms exposed to: a) a grab sample of contaminated sediment (10.4% total organic carbon); and b) an initially clean mixture of sand and organic matter (the so-called biouptake layer), placed on top of the RCM-capped sediment during consolidation coupled solute transport experiments. In addition to the experimental data, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) biota-sediment accumulation factor (BSAF) database was validated and used to model biouptake of contaminants for certain cases. Results indicate that RCM capping reduced the average bioavailability of both PCBs and naphthalene by a factor of about 50. In fact, worms exposed to the RCM-protected biouptake layer show virtually the same HOC concentrations as those measured in the control worm samples.