MODELING OXYGEN DIFFUSION DURING RIPENING OF LAND-DEPOSITED CLAYEY DREDGED SEDIMENTS

摘要

A dual porosity oxygen diffusion model was used to predict the extent of aerobiosis in ripening clayey dredged sediments in an upland disposal site. The model results show that physical ripening increases the aeration of a layer of dredged sediments and therefore, ripening is a feasible bioremediation technique. Depending on the degree of ripening, either intra-aggregate aeration or inter-aggregate aeration is limiting aerobic biodegradation of PAH and TPH in ripening sediments. The presented model can be used to determine the required residence time in an upland disposal site for bioremediation of PAH and TPH contaminated sediments to residual concentrations.