Science Notebook
Sustainable Use of Contaminated Sediment
What would you do with a truckload full of contaminated sediment???
Every year, Americans dredge hundreds of millions of cubic yards of sediment from the bottom of ports and harbors, rivers, lakes and other waterways to make them safer for shipping, commerce, and recreational uses. (That's millions of truckloads!) Some of this sediment is contaminated with industrial chemicals that might harm wildlife or human health. Add in the sediment we remove from cleanup projects like Superfund sites, and we've got a real problem on our hands. Where does it all go?
In many cases, the answer is to place contaminated sediment in a landfill or a containment structure. But what if you could clean the sediment and then make something useful out of it? That's exactly what EPA's Contaminated Sediment Action Team is trying to do.
Don't chuck the muck!
Join Action Team project leader Eric Stern as we learn how innovative technologies can help solve a murky problem! Watch the video below discussing the problems and solutions of sediment dredge from the New York harbor. (Running time = 6:28 )
Video discussing the problems and solutions of sediment dredging from the New York harbor.
To view the entire video, please install the Adobe Flash player plug-in
How many uses of treated sediment can you find?
The people of Anytown, USA, are hard at work coming up with ways to reuse sediment that used to be contaminated. How many uses can you spot? (Hint: there are 13 shown here; see if you can find them all!) Click on items in the image below to learn about opportunities that are all around us!
A clickable map showing 13 ways sediment can be reused. To view graphic, please install the Adobe Flash player plug-in and have Javascript turned on. Or, use the text-only version below that lists the various opportunities.
Electricity!
When sediment and other materials are treated in a high-temperature process, some of the byproducts can be combusted to heat steam and produce electricity.
Roofing shingles
Grains of “Ecomelt” can be used as the grit on an asphalt shingle. Ecomelt is a vitrified (glassy) substance produced by heating contaminated sediment and other materials to very high temperatures. Contaminants are either destroyed or “locked in.”
Aggregate
This material has many uses, including “geotechnical fill.” For example, loose aggregate can be used to surround underground pipes and absorb stresses. Aggregate can be made from “Ecomelt,” which is a vitrified (glassy) substance produced by heating contaminated sediment and other materials to very high temperatures.
A gravel walkway
“Ecomelt” can be used like crushed rock or aggregate. Ecomelt is a vitrified (glassy) substance produced by heating contaminated sediment and other materials to very high temperatures. Contaminants are either destroyed or “locked in.”
Floor tiles
Tiles can be made with a combination of crushed glass and “Ecomelt.” Ecomelt is a vitrified (glassy) substance produced by heating contaminated sediment and other materials to very high temperatures. Contaminants are either destroyed or “locked in.”
Wallboard
Treated sediment can be combined with a polymer coating to make wallboard panels. Imagine building a house out of sediment!
Cement
“Ecomelt” can be crushed and used as a partial substitute for Portland cement, which is a key ingredient in concrete. Ecomelt is a vitrified (glassy) substance produced by heating contaminated sediment and other materials to very high temperatures. This beneficial use is great for building driveways, sidewalks, and more!
Ecosystem restoration
Once sediment is treated to remove contaminants, it can be combined with other ingredients to make manufactured topsoil. Want a really “green” way to use this soil? How about rebuilding a native landscape!
Topsoil for landscaping
Once sediment is washed and treated to remove contaminants, it can be combined with compost, wood chips, clay, sand, and other ingredients to make manufactured topsoil. It’s great for landscaping!
Bricks
Treated sediment can be combined with other ingredients to make bricks. They’re great for landscaping and many other uses.
Structural fill
Need dirt for a construction project? Or aggregate fill? These can both come from treated sediment, either through washing or through high-temperature processing.
Topsoil for a “green roof.”
Once sediment is treated to remove contaminants, it can be combined with other ingredients to make manufactured topsoil. A “green roof” gives you even more benefits: it’s not only a sustainable use of sediment in topsoil, but it can also insulate your home, save energy, and reduce stormwater runoff!
Cement
“Ecomelt” can be crushed and used as a partial substitute for Portland cement, which is a key ingredient in concrete. Ecomelt is a vitrified (glassy) substance produced by heating contaminated sediment and other materials to very high temperatures. Can you spot any Ecomelt in this concrete block? (No, because it's crushed really small!)
Meet the Project Leader
Name: Eric A. Stern
Location: Region 2, New York, NY
Job title: Environmental Scientist
What he loves most about his job:
Doing things that everyone tells you can't be done
Want to Learn More?
Check out this Action Team's home page for photos, publications, and links to all the partner organizations who work together to make these projects a success.
Contact Eric Stern at EPA for more information about this Action Team and the work that they do.