Removal and Treatment of Contaminated River Bottoms: Field Demonstration

摘要

This report documents the results of a project to remove creosote contaminated river bottom muds from the Little Menomonee River in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Bioassays were conducted to determine toxicity levels for aquatic organisms, and primary skin irritation tests were performed to establish skin irritation levels in humans. Based on these tests, an allowable residual concentration of 500 mg/kg of hexane solubles was established. The removal/treatment system was designed and operated to accomplish the cleanup with an absolute minimum of damage to the shoreline and adjacent land. The system consisted of two floating, hydraulically powered river sweepers to dredge mud from the river bottom and pump the material to a presettling tank for removal of sand and other high density solids.