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Projects

Landscape Regulation Of Contaminant Mobility

Validation of Daphnia toxicity test for sediment and sludge

Statistical methods for assessment of soil samples

Planning guidlines for remediation of chlorinated solvents through reductive conditions

On site remediation of contaminated soil by use of industrial by- products

Characterization of Mobility and Leaching from Redox Sensitive Materials

Recycling of Disposed Solid Waste - REDIWASTE

Novel extraction and clean-up method for dioxins

Ecotoxicological methods for riskassessment of contaminated soil

The polar PAC network

Characterization of dioxin-like contamination at petrochemical plant

New article by researchers at Umeå University- MCN.
Read more... [Characterization of dioxin-like contamination at petrochemical plant]

Validation of Daphnia toxicity test for sediment and sludge

Daphnia_Illustration

Validation of Daphnia toxicity test for sediment and sludge

Project leader: Maria Viklander, LTU, Urban Water
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , phone +46920491634
Participants: Kristin Karlsson LTU, Kerstin Nordqvist LTU, Staffan Lundstedt UmU, Mike Revitt, Middlesex University, London
Partners: Torbjörn Johnson, Pelagia Miljökonsult AB Pelagia web site

Project timeframe: Jan. 2009 - April. 2011
Budget: 70 000 €

Contaminated sites and sediments are recognised as a large problem, constituting a danger for the environment and public health. In the contaminated areas the pollutants can damage organisms and ecosystems, and there is a risk for spreading of pollutants to adjacent areas.

The toxicity test are a very valuable complement to chemical analyses, and can be an important input for risk assessment.

Based on previous research Pelagia Miljökonsult and MCN have developed a new method using Daphnia Magna to access the toxicity of wet samples in both the dissolved and the particulate phase, i.e. two-phase daphnia test. The daphnia is a relevant water living organism which is able to digest pollutants both dissolved in water and absorbed to particle surfaces. Compared to other measurements such as chemical analysis of passive or actively sampled dissolved aquaes phase, the unique benefit of the two-phase test is its approximation of the actually bioavailable fraction.

The two phase test has since 2006 been in small-scale commercial use for assessment of contaminated sites. The wider use of the method is however still hampered by some remaining questions concerning which factors that actually cause the toxic effects on the Daphnia. The project will therefore examine factors such as the influence of non-toxic particles, and the various fractions of common pollutants such as PAHes.

The Daphnia two-phase toxicity test will furthermore be tested and validated for further applications regarding sediment and sludge(s).

The result will be published in at least one international scientific journal as well in national popular science journal.

Landscape Regulation Of Contaminant Mobility

The impact of the spring flood (now and in future scenarios) is important because of the accumulation of several contaminants through long-range transport (i.e. diffuse pollution) and subsequent atmospheric depositions in snow. There is an urgent need to quantify the importance diffuse pollution and the relative contribution to the environment, in order to gain optimal effect of different remedial activities.
By understanding the relationship between landscape characteristics (e.g. pH, flux and quality of DOC, spring flood and other hydrological events) and the export of pollutants, the contribu- tion of pollutants from diffuse pollution to the environment (e.g. surface water, Baltic Sea) may be assessed in relation to point sources.

Statistical methods for assessment of soil samples

Based on our experience, statistical methods are seldom used to optimize site investigations and quality assurance of the usability of analytical results for contaminated soil samples is often deficient. One reason for this may be that the available Swedish guidelines within this field are incomplete and not practically suited for most contaminated sites.
This project will develop strategies to select appropriate statistical methods to assess brown fields based on the site characteristics and the questions to be answered, and to select appropriate sampling and analyses methods to improve the results of the chosen statistical methods.

Planning guidlines for remediation of chlorinated solvents through reductive conditions

A large number of sites contaminated with chlorinated solvents have been identified. and few
mature methods are available to deal with these types of compounds.
This project will study the processes involved in remediation based on reductive dechlorination
to gain knowledge applicable in future remediation projects.
The work includes a field study complemented with a review of existing knowledge from other pilot studies.
The results will be compiled and documented as planning guidelines for this type of remediation.
The work aims to enable the use of a a more cost effective method for remediation of these con-
taminants.

On site remediation of contaminated soil by use of industrial by- products

About 80 000 potentially contaminated sites have been identified in Sweden and remediation of them using excavation and landfilling is economically unreasonable. Various treatment techniques can reduce hazard of the contaminated soil by for example destroying, separating or stabilising its hazardous components.
The goal of the project is to develop and evaluate practical sequences of techniques for on site re-mediation of soil contaminated with mixed (i.e. organic and inorganic) substances. It will access how one technique that is efficient for destruction of organic contaminants, e.g. thermal treatment, should be combined with other methods, such as separation, concentration and stabilisation to achieve the desired result.

Characterization of Mobility and Leaching from Redox Sensitive Materials

Redox sensitive elements are an environmental challenge, and materials such as Blast Furnace Slag and mining waste may in certain conditions generate acid leachates. There is a need to improve the characterization of such materials to be able to manage them in an environmentally safe way.
This project will seek to improve the characterization of redox sensitive materials, and test the feasibility of a suggested treatment method for mining waste based on green liquor dregs (GLD).
One master thesis will study pulping wastes and abandoned mine remediation. The application of green liquor dregs and other pulping by-products to the solidification/stabilisation of copper mine tailings wil be evaluated and in particular the potential of using GLD for the treatment of old tailings.

Recycling of Disposed Solid Waste - REDIWASTE

Solid waste is proposed to replace traditional construction materials as gravel and macadam in less sensitive roads and parking areas. However, the present criteria regarding recycling of solid wastes demands toxic waste to be put on a secure dump rather than being reused. irrespective of if toxic contaminants leach or not.
A European laboratory calibration activity as a ring test in late spring 2007, analysed the toxicity from three types of solid wastes using different toxicological test methods. As an outcome, the need for the development of procedures and sets of biological tests was identified. A further characterisation of the toxic threat solid waste may be to the environment is needed.

Novel extraction and clean-up method for dioxins

Dioxin analyses are exceptionally costly and high cost often limits the number of samples that can be used to assess the 3D distribution of these pollutants at polluted sites.
This project aims at refining and fully validate a method for streamlined sample processing that has perviously been developed within the framework of MCN. The method is based on simultaneous extraction and on-line cleanup of dioxins in soil using pressurized liquid extraction and selective sorbents (see figure).

Ecotoxicological methods for riskassessment of contaminated soil

Recent studies have demonstrated limited use of ecotoxilogical methods for site investigation.
One reason for this is that there is a lack of knowledge on how ecotoxicological methods may contribute to risk assessment of polluted soil. The situation hampers the commercialisation of ecotoxicological test methods and the proper risk assessment of contaminated sites.
We believe that the effects of pollutants on the soil ecosystem are better assessed by investigat- ing the soil biota from polluted sites, rather than using fixed guideline values.

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