Measurement and Modelling of Long-Term Ecosystem Risk and Recovery for In Situ Treatment of Contaminated Sediments

Norway, as well as many other countries, is faced with significant environmental problems posed by classical hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs). Due to the enormous costs involved with the removal and subsequent treatment or disposal of contaminated sediments, research has focused on implementing practical and cost-effective methods to reduce the risk of HOCs in sediments without removing the material. Recent research has shown that carbonaceous materials such as soot, charcoal, unburned coal and ker ogen, exhibit very strong affinities for HOC binding (sorption). Stanford University was the first group in the world to note that this strong sorption behaviour could be used in an engineering perspective. In 2005 Stanford University employed this metho d in the field and applied AC to PCB-contaminated sediments at a former Naval Shipyard in San Francisco Bay. While initial results are promising, there is very little information on the long-term ecosystem risk and recovery for contaminated sediments trea ted with AC amendment. Dr. Richard Luthy at the Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford University has offered Amy Oen from the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute an appointment as a Postdoctoral Scholar to assess the long-term ecological recovery of a contaminated site after in situ treatment. These studies will incorporate rapid measurement tools to monitor available contaminants, the use of these measurements in a biodynamic model to predict contaminant burden at the base of the food w eb, and a general model to predict the ecological characteristics of recovery. These studies complement NGIs focus and their research activities within the field of contaminated sediments. Summary of special requirements: Dr. Amy Marie Patrin Oen, NGI pa rent institution: NGI host institution: Stanford University Outbound scholarship with family Environmental Engineering 8 month stay from 1. Jan - 31 Aug. 2009 Budget: 8x23100+3x7000+8000= 213800 NOK