Shear strength behaviour of compacted clayey soils percolated with an alkaline solution

In the French model of deep nuclear wastes repositories, the galleries should be backfilled with excavated argillite after the site has been filled. After thousands of years, the degradation of the concrete lining of the galleries will generate an alkaline solute (pH > 12) that would circulate through the backfill. The goal of this paper is to describe the impact of such solute circulation on the properties of compacted argillite. Since additives (bentonite, sand or lime) are often introduced in the remoulded argillite for the backfill, such mixtures were also studied. Saturated-portlandite water was circulated through compacted samples for 3, 6 and 12 months at 60 °C. The shear strength behaviour of the samples was determined with triaxial tests. The microstructure of the samples was analysed via mercury intrusion porosimetry tests and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the influence of the alkaline fluid on the properties of the argillite is a function of the nature of the additive. In the case of the calcareous sand, no major changes were observed. The pure argillite underwent a slight decrease in its cohesion due to limited dissolution of its clayey particles. Conversely, intense alteration of the bentonite–argillite mixture was observed, and the shear strength behaviour was modified. Lime addition improved the mechanical characteristics of the argillite.     

Organic contaminants and characteristics of sediments from Oso Bay,south Texas,USA

The Oso Bay, Texas, sediments from nine sites were analyzed by GC-MS for organics to measure contamination in the bay. In most of the sites sediments contained tetrachloroethene (87–1433 g/kg), bis (2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (40–193 g/kg), and aliphatic hydrocarbons, C₈-C₁₃ (720–2491 g/kg). Sources of these contaminants include a landfill, military facilities, and municipal and industrial discharges. Size analysis of the sediments indicates they contain a high percentage of muddy sand (50–75 percent), which suggests that Oso Bay consists of common bay margin sediments.     

Evolution of heavy-metal profiles in river Weser Estuary sediments,Germany

Studies of heavy metal concentrations in porewaters and in sediments from the Weser Estuary, Germany, indicate that the depth distribution of Mn, Cd, and Cu in the solid phase is predominantly influenced by the subsurface redox regime, while Ni shows only moderate alteration. Based on solid-phase heavy metal data from eight locations in the study area, linear regressions of Fe, Mn, Cu, Ni, and Cd on Al allowed differences between the initial metal concentration and the concentration preserved in the sediments to be predicted. We calculate that, due to early diagenetic processes, Mn is enriched to 145 percent, while Cu and Cd are depleted to 71 percent and 46 percent, respectively, of the initial metal concentration in the near-surface sediment. Maximum depletion of Cd (84 percent), Cu (68 percent), Mn (54 percent), and Ni (24 percent) concentrations in the sediment, observed at a restricted area downcore, indicate the importance of post-depositional processes to metal preservation in the sediment. Without knowledge of the quantitative effects of diagenetic reactions on the preservation of metal concentrations in sediments, the depth distribution of metals in sediment cores may be misinterpreted as the effect of human activities.     

Fractionation of phosphorus in the sediments of a tropical estuary

Fractionation of phosphorus in the sediments of the Cochin estuary situated along the southwest coast of India was studied by applying sequential chemical extraction. The different forms of phosphorus were estimated seasonally (premonsoon, monsoon, and postmonsoon) under eight different schemes. The major forms of phosphorus analyzed were exchangeable P, anion exchangeable P, carbonate-bound P, labile and resistant organic P, Fe and Al P, calcium-bound P, and hydrolyzable surplus P. Quantitatively, the above fractions in isolation or in combination vary in content due to chemoestuarine variability and seasonal fluctuations. Changes in speciation have been noted in association with salinity variations in the waterway, especially following enhanced river runoff during the monsoon. The chemical forms of the sediment-bound phosphorus in the northern parts of this estuary have been shown to be modified by nonpoint sources. Sediment P fractionation defines the role of chemical speciation of phosphates (as nutrients) and is indicative of the processes controlling the pathways of P into the coastal waters. The changes in the exchangeable P, together with marked regional variations in calcium-bound P, exemplify the complex estuarine variability of phosphorus. Enhanced amounts of exchangeable P mark its appearence in high saline waters, signifying the presence of biologically available nutrient phosphorus. The calcium-bound P and hydrolyzable surplus P show significant relation with sediment organic carbon and Fe whereas other forms do not exhibit any marked covariation. The Ca and Na NTA extraction scheme is very specific in its selectivity.     

Determination of organic carbon in soils and sediments in an automatic method

Our automatic digestion device is applied in determining the quantity of organic carbon in the soils/sediments. Its operation process is simple. The reaction conditions are optimized; the complex pretreatments are automated; and a great number of samples can be analyzed at the same time. Comparison shows that the experiment using the device is safer and easier. The correlation coefficiency is greater than 0.999, indicating a good linear relationship. The relative standard deviations of three different concentrations are less than 5%. Standard addition recoveries of high and low concentration range between 94.7% and 100% and between 91.7% and 105% respectively. Method determination limitation (MDL) of this method meets the practical requirements. The device in this paper supports a compositive SOC determination method. Its advantages include improved time and labor efficiency, and accuracy. The device is widely used in the studies of agricultural science, carbon cycle, climate change and environmental protection.     

Pb isotope signatures of sediments from Guanabara Bay, SE Brazil: Evidence for multiple anthropogenic sources

Sediments from Guanabara Bay and two rivers were analyzed for Pb isotope composition. The results define linear groups interpreted as different sources of Pb. The samples from Iriri and Surui rivers present different Pb compositions probably resulting from two active pollutants which are transported in the waters to the Guanabara Bay, where they are mixed. The ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb values of 1.151 and 1.091 presented here are in the range of Brazilian galena ore signature.     

Heavy-metal pollution of sediments from the Polish exclusive economic zone,southern Baltic Sea

Analysis of 59 surface sediment samples from the Polish exclusive economic zone (EEZ) shows that Szczecin Lagoon sediments are the most polluted by heavy metals and that the degree of heavy-metal pollution decreases substantially on passing from the Szczecin Lagoon to the Pomeranian Bay and the inner shelf area and then on passing to the Bornholm Deep and Słupsk Furrow. Heavy-metal pollution in the sediments of the western part of the Polish EEZ therefore appears to follow the dispersion of the Oder River. Fluffy material from the Oder estuary appears to be the main source of heavy metals in the muddy sediments of the Bornholm Deep. The formation of sulphides is therefore not the principal factor controlling the enrichment of heavy metals in the sediments of this anoxic basin, although it may be responsible for the uptake of Mo, Sb and As. Two main factors control the distribution of the rare earth elements (REE) in sediments of the Polish EEZ: the input of Fe-organic colloids from rivers and the presence of detrital material in the sediments.     

太仓郊区河流沉积物重金属污染现状及评价

选择太仓市郊区河流沉积物为研究对象,开展了重金属污染现状及评价研究。研究表明,相对于地壳或页岩平均值,沉积物中大部分重金属呈现不同程度的富集;地质累积指数和富集因子分析表明,位于城镇附近的采样点受到污染,且主要污染因子为Cr、Cu、Cd、Pb、Zn等。结果显示,沉积物Zn含量高达1770mg／kg,是农用污泥Zn使用容许最高值500mg／kg的3倍多,沉积物由于Zn、Cr、Cu等的严重污染不能用作施用污泥;利用重金属与Fe之间的相关特征结果显示,城镇工业、生活污水的排放是沉积物重金属污染的主要因素。     

From reality to model: Operationalism and the value chain of particle-size analysis of natural sediments

This paper deals with key issues concerning operationalism and the value chain in particle-size analysis (PSA), and addresses conceptual problems of PSA measurement. In order to obtain the highest quality of information contained in a set of sediment samples, one has to follow an approach called operationalism, i.e. a set of recipe-like sequential operations by which a scientific proposition can be verified or rejected. Review of the literature indicates that particle sizing as a methodology suffers from excessive verbosity and professional jargon, and has never really matured. Is the PSA crisis a result of a fundamental failure of concepts and paradigms, or is it just a technical problem related to work methods? Although PSA is fundamental to the understanding of sedimentary processes, as well as being a basic tool in earth sciences and engineering, there is still no generally accepted and standardized mode of operationalism after more than a century of intensive scientific work. The sedimentological community is called upon to come up with a unified and standardized approach.     

Ammonium release characteristics of the sediments from the shallow lakes in the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River region,China

Ammonium release from sediments has significant effects on the water quality in eutrophic lakes. In this study, the ammonium release kinetics and adsorption–desorption processes were investigated in 13 sediments of 6 shallow lakes from the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River region, China. The results show that First Order Model best described the ammonium release process, the maximal release capacity had a strong correlation with organic matter (OM), cationic exchange capacity (CEC), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP). But it only had a weak correlation with Fe, Ca and Al. The ammonium release capacity in more polluted sediments was higher than that in less polluted sediments. The average release rate within 0–5 min was the highest among the experimental period, the amount released within 0–5 min accounted for approximately 50–70% of the total release capacity. The ammonium release rate had a significant and positive correlation with OM. But it did not have a strong correlation with TN, TP, Fe, Ca and Al. The ammonium potential release capacity (obtained when the water/sediment ratio was about 2,500) had strong and positive relation with OM and maximal release capacity, and it may provide useful information for the sediment release risk assessment. Henry Model best described the ammonium sorption isotherms, and ammonium adsorption–desorption equilibrium concentration can be considered as the ammonium release threshold to assess the release risk in the sediments.     

The influence of fly and bottom ash deposition on the quality of Kastela Bay sediments

The objective of this study was chemical and radiological characterization of Kastela Bay sediments exposed to numerous anthropogenic sources like deposition of fly and bottom ash enriched in radionuclides and heavy metals, chemical plant, cement plant, iron plant, shipyard, electroplating facility, untreated industrial and domestic waste waters as well as heavy traffic. Totally, 33 samples of the mixture of fly and bottom ash, 12 sediment cores ranging from 0 to 40 cm and nine surface sediment samples were analyzed. Enrichment in heavy metals in the mixture of fly and bottom ash was ranging from 1.5 to 36 times compared to flysch soil while ²²⁶Ra and ²³⁸U were up to 50 times enriched compared to average activities characteristic for surrounding soils developed on the Middle and Upper Eocene flysch. Maximum ²³⁸U activity was approximately 32 times higher and ²²⁶Ra approximately 40 times higher in the Kastela Bay sediment compared to mean value determined for Adriatic sediments. The highest enrichment in sediment cores compared to background values were found for Zn (35.6 times), Pb (16 times), Cr (9.1 times) and Ni (4 times)     

Enhancing understanding of breakdown and collapse in the Yorkshire Dales using ground penetrating radar on cave sediments

Historical evidence shows block breakdown and collapse are actively occurring in large fault aligned caverns in the Yorkshire Dales karst. Deployment of ground penetrating radar at two such sites has provided detailed images of the sedimentary sequences below the present day cavern floor but no large blocks are imaged within the sediments. Solutional processes must be removing limestone from the sediment to allow continued cavern growth. Possible mechanisms to account for the lack of large blocks within the sediment fill are discussed.     

Comparison of color, chemical and mineralogical compositions of mine drainage sediments to pigment

 Forty-three untreated and actively and passively (wetland) treated coal mine drainage sediments and five yellow-red pigments were characterized using X-ray fluorescence, fusion-inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and tristimulus colorimeter. Primary crystalline iron-bearing phases were goethite and lepidocrocite, and iron phases converted to hematite upon heating. Quartz was nearly ubiquitous except for synthetic pigments. Gypsum, bassinite, calcite, and ettringite were found in active treatment sediments. Iron concentrations from highest to lowest were synthetic pigment>wetland sediment>natural pigment>active treatment (untreated sediments varied more widely), and manganese was highest in actively treated sediments. Loss on ignition was highest for passively treated sediments. No clear trends were observed between quantified color parameters (L*, a*, b*, and Redness Index) and chemical compositions. Because sediments from passive treatment are similar in chemistry, mineralogy, and color to natural pigments, the mine drainage sediments may be an untapped resource for pigment. Received: 29 December 1997 · Accepted: 11 May 1998     

Chemical characteristics and pollution sources of petroleum hydrocarbons and PAHs in sediments from the Beiluohe River,Northern China

To determine the degree of hydrocarbon contamination and the contribution of local petroleum industries to contaminant loadings in sediments from the Beiluohe River, China, 12 surface sediment samples were collected for geochemical analysis in 2005. Sediment samples were extracted by organic solvents, separated by silica gel column chromatography and the profiles of n-alkanes, biomarkers and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments were analyzed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector and gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy. Concentrations of total hydrocarbons in the sediments varied from 12.1 to 3,761.5 μg g⁻¹ dry wt, indicating that most sediments in Beiluohe River was only slightly to moderately contaminated by hydrocarbons. Concentrations of PAHs for six samples (sum of 16 isomers) varied from 17.7 to 407.7 ng g⁻¹ dry wt and at present low levels of PAHs did not cause adverse biological effects in Beiluohe River sedimentary environment. PAH compositions, n-alkanes and biomarker profiles all suggested that there were different sources of contaminations in studied areas. n-Alkanes reflect two distinct sources: a fossil n-alkane series from crude oil at sites S40, S43, S87 and plantwax n-alkanes at sites S39 and S45. Judged by their PAH ratios, the sediments at site S15 were pyrolytic, sediments at S17 and S43 were petrogenic, and sediments at S39, S40 and S64 had a mixture source of pyrolytic and petrogenic.     

High-resolution210Pb dating of Lake Constance sediments: Stable lead in Lake Constance

Two sediment cores (BO90/13b and BO90/17b) from Lake Constance were investigated by-spectrometry for²¹⁰Pb,¹³⁴Cs,¹³⁷Cs,²⁴¹Am,²³⁴Th, and other members of the²³⁸U decay chain. The sediments were dated using the constant-flux model for²¹⁰Pb, and accumulation rates were determined. These range from 0.04 to 0.65g/cm ²/yr (BO90/13b) and 0.04 to 0.8g/cm ²/yr (BO90/17b), respectively. The mean accumulation rate amounts to 0.16g/cm ²/yr for both cores. The cores had already been dated by lamination counting and reconstruction of high-water events at the Limnological Institute at Constance, so that a very precise time scale was available. Both ages derived are in agreement within statistical error up to 1900, which means dating with the constant-flux model for²¹⁰Pb was confirmed up to that age. The position of the maxima of bomb cesium and americium confirm the stratigraphic and²¹⁰Pb datings. With²⁴¹Am a further radioactive isotope is available, which can, due to the half-life of²⁴¹Pu (t _1/2=14.4yr) be detected now by-spectrometry and can serve as an additional time indicator, the maximum being dated at 1963. By applying the various time scales, the depth profiles of stable lead and zinc of core BO90/13b were dated. Both heavy metals show a very significant maximum located beneath the layer of the maxima of bomb cesium and americium, showing that these maxima are older than those of the bomb isotopes. It is remarkable in this context that the maximum of zinc concentration occurs a little later than that of stable lead. Similar concentration profiles are observable in core BO90/17b and other, older sediment cores (CS6-CS10) on a transect across the lake. In contrast to a former assumption, the depth profile of stable lead in Lake Constance sediments does not reflect the anthropogenic gasoline lead emissions into the atmosphere for Germany, their maximum being dated at 1971.     

Distribution of heavy metals in the Piscinas beach sediments (SW Sardinia, Italy)

We have studied sediments of the Piscinas beach (SW Sardinia, Italy), which is supplied by two streams that wash mine dumps of abandoned lead and zinc mines at Montevecchio and Ingurtosu, situated inland from the supply basin of the beach itself. A study of the texture, mineralogy and geochemistry of the sediments was conducted for the purpose of assessing the possible influence of the mine waste on the composition of the sediments, looking for any anomalous enrichments in heavy metals. Furthermore, to evaluate and quantify metal release into the sea, samples of Posidonia oceanica, a bioaccumulator marine plant, were also examined. The results indicate that the distribution of heavy metals in the foreshore sediments is particularly affected by the contribution of the streams, while in the shoreface the distribution is affected by the currents that disperse the sediments both out to sea and southwards. The metal contents of the Posidonia oceanica are correlated with the different stages of activity of the mines. Received: 28 January 1998 · Accepted: 22 April 1998     

Heavy metals in sediments of a large, turbid tropical lake affected by anthropogenic discharges

 Bottom-water data and trace metal concentration of Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Co, Zn, and organic matter in surficial sediment samples from 13 sampling stations of Lake Chapala in Mexico were studied. The lake is turbid with a great amount of flocculated sediments as a result of wind mixing, sediment re-suspension, and Lerma River discharges. Al distribution pattern in sediments was used as an indicator of the Lerma River discharges into Lake Chapala. The highest values of Cu (33.27 ppm), Cr (81.94 ppm), Pb (99.8 ppm), and Zn (149.7 ppm) were detected in sediments near the lake outlet. The bioavailable metal fraction is low for all metals except Pb, which shows 65–93% of the total metal concentration in bioavailable form. The minimum energy zone in the lake was related to organic matter concentration and was located in the SE part of the lake. An analysis of the studied parameters shows two zones: eastern zone (fluvio-deltaic) and central-western zone (lacustrine). Received: 9 September 1998 · Accepted: 16 November 1998     

Heavy metal contamination of coastal lagoon sediments by anthropogenic activities: the case of Nador (East Morocco)

Nador lagoon sediments (East Morocco) are contaminated by industrial iron mine tailings, urban dumps and untreated wastewaters from surrounding cities. The lagoon is an ecosystem of biological, scientific and socio-economic interests but its balance is threatened by pollution already marked by biodiversity changes and a modification of foraminifera and ostracods shell structures. The aim of the study is to assess the heavy metal contamination level and mobility by identifying the trapping phases. The study includes analyses by ICP-AES and ICP-MS, of, respectively, major (Si, Al, Mg, Ca, Fe, Mn, Ti, Na, K, P) and trace elements (Sr, Ba, V, Ni, Co, Cr, Zn, Cu, As, Pb, Cd) in sediments and suspended matter, heavy metals enrichment factors calculations and sequential extractions. Results show that sediments contain Zn, Cu, Pb, V, Cr, Co, As, Ni with minimum and maximum concentrations, respectively, of 4–1190 μg/g, 4–466 μg/g, 11–297 μg/g, 11–194 μg/g, 9–139 μg/g, 1–120 μg/g, 4–76 μg/g, 2–62 μg/g. High concentrations in Zn are also present in suspended matter. The enrichment factors show contamination in Zn, Pb and As firstly induced by the mining industry and secondly by unauthorized dumps and untreated wastewaters. Cr and Ni are bound to clays, whereas V, Co, Cu and Zn are related to oxides. Thus, the risk in metal mobility is for the latter elements and lies in the oxidation–reduction-changing conditions of sediments.     

Comparison of metal homogeneity in grab,quartered, and crushed — sieved portions of stream sediments and metal content change resulting from crushing — sieving activity

Restricted grain size sediment samples were collected along two streams. Metal content in some samples may have been influenced by landfill emissions. Each sample was divided into a grab portion, a quartered portion, and a portion crushed and sieved to a smaller size and then quartered. A duplicate sample from each of these portions was extracted. The Cu, Pb, Zn, Co, Ba, Fe, Mn, and Ca quantities were determined for each duplicate sample. Relative standard deviation was used to reflect homogeneity of metal content. Metal occurrence represented speciated metals or major components of chemical phases. Results indicated that variation of metal content among portions was uniform and did not vary as a function of absolute metal quantity. Homogeneity was similar in the same size grab and quartered samples. A more homogeneous metal state was displayed by the crushed and sieved sediments. However, this activity enriched softer chemical phases and associated speciated metals. It was concluded that sediments need not be quartered to obtain a better homogeneity of metal distribution and that field samples should not be crushed and sieved prior to chemical analyses. Assessment of sediments affected by metal emission sources must include a knowledge of metal homogeneity in individual samples.