Investigation of Re-Use Options for Used Traction Sand

摘要

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) uses approximately 24,000 tons of traction sand annually, especially in mountain locations. Once traction sand is applied, street sweepers reclaim approximately 50% of the sand, which is either stockpiled at a maintenance facility or disposed of in a landfill. The remaining 50% is left on the roadway and can collect in water quality ponds and rivers due to precipitation events. This research project consolidated physical and chemical characterization data on reclaimed traction sand from multiple mountainous areas in Colorado. The Principal Investigator determined that heavy metal contamination in the reclaimed sand is within naturally occurring levels and does not pose a risk to human health through the comparison to natural background and risk-based soil values. Additional volatile organic compounds and semi-volatile organic compound characterization sampling is required for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to approve beneficial re-uses. A simple bench-scale composting test was conducted to determine if elevated petroleum levels could be reduced through natural bioremediation.