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Heavy metal contamination of soils, sediments and groundwater presents an ongoing source of hazardous and persistent environmental pollution. How best to remediate these contaminants is the impetus of continuing research efforts. Methods include containment, ex situ and in situ techniques. A successful in situ method utilizing a combination of emulsified liquid membranes, ELM, and zero-valent metal, ZVM, and bimetals has demonstrated impressive heavy metal reduction in 100 ppm solutions of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cr and U. This promising in situ method has been employed by the Industrial Chemistry Laboratory at the University of Central Florida and it has demonstrated considerable success in treating several environmental threats. Contaminated soils, surfaces, sediments and groundwater with offending agents such as trichloroethene, polychorobiphenyls and heavy metals have been treated utilizing emulsified liquid membrane systems containing zero-valent iron or bimetal particles. In vial studies, lead spiked sediments have shown repeatable 60% removal of lead after seven days of treatment. A persistent pattern emerged at ten days whereupon remediation levels began to drop. The current study was established to determine the reason for the decline at ten days and beyond. Questions addressed: Does the formation of an impeding oxide layer diminish the remediation capacity of the iron/magnesium system? Does the emulsion reach a maximum capacity to withdraw the contaminant? Do the soil components or the soil structure interfere with the access to the contaminant? This study has yielded insight into the reasons emulsified liquid membrane systems containing zero-valent metals achieved maximum lead removal at day seven, and thereafter begin to lose their effectiveness. A three part study was implemented to address and to answer the three questions pertaining to the consistent pattern of diminishing remediation levels exhibited at day ten and beyond. Initially, from Study I results it appeared that the formation of an impeding oxide layer on the bi-metal which was inside the emulsion droplet and which plated or precipitated with the lead was not occurring at day ten. Results indicated that the iron/magnesium was still capable of removing lead. Furthermore, from Study II results the emulsion dose injected appeared adequate to remove the lead, meaning that the emulsion had not reached its maximum capacity for remediation. The emulsion dose was not a limiting factor. Lastly, Study III results seemed to indicate that the drop in remediation after day seven pertained to the soil structure. There appeared to be some merit to the idea that with aging of the sediment, the lead was diffusing and migrating to some inaccessible interior sites within the sediment particles. Additionally, indications from day ten and day fourteen delineated that a second emulsion dose injection might restore lead removal levels to approach those first observed at day seven and consequently be a useful field application. In order to explore the effectiveness of injecting a second dose of emulsion, another vial study was implemented. The typical pattern of observing sixty percent maximum lead removal at day seven was observed. In separate groups, a second injection of emulsion was added at day five, and then for another vial series, a second dose was added at day seven. The second emulsion dose treatment for either day five or day seven did not yield any increases in percent lead removal. Another theory emerged after viewing micrographs of recovered iron/magnesium compared with fresh ball-milled bimetal. In addition, scanning electron microscopy appeared to confirm the explanation that the emulsified zero-valent metal system might be compromised after day seven. This would lead to exposure of the iron/magnesium to the air and the elements. Corrosion of the bimetal might be occurring. With time, release of the plated or precipitated lead back into the sediment mixture could follow. The results of Study I had led to the conclusion that an impeding oxide layer had not formed; however, this conclusion may have been premature because the recovered iron/magnesium was exposed to lead solution in the vial study. Perhaps if the recovered iron/magnesium was inserted back into an emulsion and injected into lead spiked sediments the percent lead removed might give a more accurate picture of the iron/magnesium's capability to continue performing remediation. Remediation of sediments contaminated with lead is a complicated task because of the complex nature of sediment components. Emulsified liquid membranes utilizing zero-valent bimetals has repeatedly demonstrated impressive results at day seven; however, this treatment method is not without its limitations. Optimal results appear to be gained at day seven after emulsion injection. The bimetal and plated or precipitated lead must be removed at that point; otherwise the effective remediation of the contaminant is progressively reversed.

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Tang Wai Lun. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 199-220). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.ii / 摘要 --- p.iv / Acknowledgements --- p.vi / Table of contents --- p.vii / List of Abbreviations --- p.xi / List of Tables --- p.xii / List of Figures --- p.xv / Chapter Chapter One --- Literature Review --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Marine pollution in Hong Kong --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Contamination of sediments --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Metals contamination in coastal sediments in Hong Kong --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Other contaminants in sediments --- p.7 / Chapter 1.3 --- Sediment toxicity assessment --- p.9 / Chapter 1.4 --- Fish as examples for the measurement of biological responses to contaminants --- p.9 / Chapter 1.5 --- Biomarkers for toxicity assessment --- p.11 / Chapter 1.5.1 --- Metallothionein (MT) --- p.11 / Chapter 1.5.2 --- Cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) --- p.13 / Chapter 1.5.3 --- Vitellogenin (Vtg) --- p.13 / Chapter 1.5.4 --- Enzyme biomarkers: Alanine transaminase (ALT); aspartate transaminase (AST) and creatine kinase (CK) --- p.14 / Chapter 1.5.5 --- DNA damage detected by the comet assay --- p.16 / Chapter 1.6 --- Multi biomarkers for sediment toxicity assessments --- p.16 / Chapter 1.7 --- Objectives --- p.16 / Chapter Chapter Two --- "Concentrations of Heavy Metals and Trace Organics in Coastal Sediments Collected from Victoria Harbour, Deep Bay, Tolo Harbour and Lai Chi Wo" --- p.18 / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.18 / Chapter 2.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.19 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Sediment collection --- p.19 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Treatment of sediment samples --- p.21 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Acid wash of apparatus --- p.21 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Acid digestion of sediment sample --- p.21 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Sequential extraction of heavy metals in sediment samples --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2.6 --- Heavy metals measurement --- p.23 / Chapter 2.2.7 --- Trace organic measurement in sediments --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2.8 --- Statistical Analysis --- p.24 / Chapter 2.3 --- Results --- p.25 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Concentrations of total Metals in sediments --- p.25 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Speciation of metals in sediments --- p.27 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Metal abundance in different fractions of sediment --- p.33 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Concentrations of trace organic in sediments --- p.33 / Chapter 2.3.5 --- Results summary --- p.36 / Chapter 2.4 --- Discussion --- p.36 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Comparison with international standards --- p.38 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Comparison with international studies of coastal sediments --- p.39 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Comparison of the present study with other studies concerning Hong Kong coastal sediments --- p.45 / Chapter Chapter Three --- "Heavy Metals Accumulation in Tissues of Tilapia Exposed to Coastal Sediments Collected from Victoria Harbour, Deep Bay, Tolo Harbour, and Lai Chi Wo" --- p.51 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.51 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.52 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Collection and treatment of coastal sediments --- p.52 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Sediment exposure tests with Tilapia --- p.53 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Dissection of fish samples --- p.54 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Acid digestion of fish samples --- p.54 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Statistical Analysis --- p.55 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results --- p.55 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Metal accumulation --- p.55 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- "Dose, duration and source of sediments affecting metals uptake" --- p.95 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Results summary --- p.99 / Chapter 3.4 --- Discussion --- p.99 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Site comparison --- p.99 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Comparison with other studies --- p.100 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Safety limits --- p.112 / Chapter Chapter Four --- "Expression of Biomarker Genes (MT, CYP1 A, Vtg) in Tissues of Male Tilapia After Eexposure to Coastal Sediments Collected from Victoria Harbour, Deep Bay, Tolo Harbour and Lai Chi Wo" --- p.115 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.115 / Chapter 4.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.116 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Sample collection --- p.116 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Preparation of apparatus --- p.117 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- mRNA expression analysis --- p.117 / Chapter 4.2.3.1 --- Isolation of RNA --- p.117 / Chapter 4.2.3.2 --- Reverse transcription --- p.118 / Chapter 4.2.3.3 --- Real time PCR --- p.118 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Vitellogenin (Vtg) --- p.120 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- Statistics analysis --- p.121 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results --- p.121 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- MT mRNA expression in tissues of male Tilapia exposed to sediments --- p.121 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- CYP1A mRNA expression in tissues of male Tilapia exposed to sediments --- p.129 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Vtg expression in tissues of male Tilapia exposed to sediments --- p.137 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- Dose and time dependent relationships --- p.137 / Chapter 4.3.5 --- Results summary --- p.137 / Chapter 4.4 --- Discussion --- p.142 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Correlation of MT and CYP1A expression with metals uptake in gills and liver --- p.142 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- MT as a biomarker of metals exposure --- p.144 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- CYP1A as a biomarker of trace organics exposure --- p.145 / Chapter 4.4.4 --- Real-time PCR --- p.147 / Chapter 4.4.5 --- Vtg as a biomarker of xenoestrogen exposure --- p.147 / Chapter Chapter Five --- "Expression of Enzyme Biomarkers (ALT, AST and CK) in Tissues of Male Tilapia After Exposure to Coastal Sediments Collected From Victoria Harbour, Deep Bay, Tolo Harbour and Lai Chi Wo" --- p.149 / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.149 / Chapter 5.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.150 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Samples collection --- p.150 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Alanine transaminase (ALT) and Aspartate transaminase (AST) --- p.151 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Creatine kinase (CK) --- p.152 / Chapter 5.2.4 --- Statistical analysis --- p.153 / Chapter 5.3 --- Results --- p.153 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- ALT --- p.153 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- AST --- p.157 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- CK in gills --- p.157 / Chapter 5.3.4 --- CK in muscle --- p.164 / Chapter 5.3.5 --- "Dose, duration and source of sediments affecting metals uptake" --- p.164 / Chapter 5.3.6 --- Results summary --- p.169 / Chapter 5.4 --- Discussion --- p.169 / Chapter Chapter Six --- "DNA Damage in Liver of Male Tilapia After Exposure to Coastal Sediments Collected from Victoria Harbour, Deep Bay, Tolo Harbour and Lai Chi Wo" --- p.174 / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.174 / Chapter 6.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.176 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Samples collection --- p.176 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Tissue Preparation --- p.176 / Chapter 6.2.3 --- Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis (Comet) Assay --- p.176 / Chapter 6.2.4 --- Image analysis --- p.177 / Chapter 6.2.5 --- Statistical analysis --- p.178 / Chapter 6.3 --- Results --- p.180 / Chapter 6.4 --- Discussion --- p.187 / Chapter Chapter Seven --- General Discussion and Conclusion --- p.190 / Chapter 7.1 --- General discussion --- p.190 / Chapter 7.2 --- Conclusion --- p.198 / References --- p.199 / Appendix --- p.221

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Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:34:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 1948.pdf: 3986602 bytes, checksum: 9a132909614ce941cb0b3e605d507bed (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-10-19 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / Contaminated sediments is a worldwide problem, and mobilization of contaminants is one of the most critical issue in environmental risk assessment when dredging projects are concerned. Considering this, we decided to investigate if and how toxic metals and persistent organic compounds such as PAH and PCB are mobilized during dredging operations in the Port of Santos channel (São Paulo State, SE Brazil) in an attempt to assess changes in bioavailability and toxicity of those contaminants. Samples were collected in the dredging site before dredging, in the dredge s hopper (suction hopper dredge) and in the disposal site and its surroundings. Metals and persistent organic compounds were extracted from sediment samples according to USEPA methods for environmental samples. Ecotoxicological assessment was done on bulk sediment samples and in its pore water and elutriate. Results have shown that bulk sediments from the dredging sites are moderately contaminated with As, Pb and Zn and most severely with Hg, as well as had relatively high PCBs and PAHs concentrations (0,8 mg kg-1 for total Hg and 470 μg kg-1 for total PAHs, for example). These results have also shown a 50% increase in the total PAHs concentration in total suspended solids of the water samples collected inside of the dredge s hopper (679 μg kg-1 total PAHs on the total suspended solids against 479 μg kg-1 on bulk sediments from the channel collected on Alemoa terminal). This finding is of great concern as these data refer to the dredge overflow water which is pumped back to the ecosystem during dredging operations. Toxicity tests done with bulk sediment using the amphipod Tiburonella viscana did not show any toxicity, but the tests with the larvae of the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus showed toxicity to the interstitial waters and elutriates of samples collected in the channel (dredging site), disposal site (sea site) and dredge´s hopper. In this study we also compared the obtained results to the widely used sediment quality guidelines (ERL and ERM), and to a sediment quality assessment scheme (based on various lines of evidence), as well as, to the Brazilian National Council for the Environment resolution called CONAMA 344/04. It can be seen in the results obtained in microcosm experiments (laboratory) that some organic compounds, mainly fluoranthene and pyrene, can be released from the sediments to the water. Such release was detected in the analysis of these compounds adsorbed in semi-permeable membranes (SPMDs) used in these tests. We hope that the results of this study will be used in the future to support a better planning of management strategies in dredging operations and sediment disposal in marine environment in Brazil. / Este trabalho visa avaliar os impactos causados pelas atividades de dragagem sobre a qualidade dos sedimentos do canal do Porto de Santos, priorizando o levantamento de dados tendo em vista o entendimento das alterações da partição, biodisponibilidade e toxicidade de contaminantes decorrentes destas atividades. Esta avaliação foi realizada através da determinação da concentração de contaminantes químicos (nutrientes, metais e compostos orgânicos xenobióticos) dos sedimentos (fração fracamente ligada), de suas águas intersticiais e elutriatos, e também, através de uma avaliação ecotoxicológica. As amostras foram coletadas nos sítios de dragagem (previamente à mesma) em cinco pontos do canal (dois próximos ao Terminal da Alemoa, dois no Terminal de Conteineres e um em frente ao Armazém 23), na draga após a dragagem (no interior da cisterna) e no sítio de disposição (antes e após a abertura da cisterna do navio). Os metais e os compostos orgânicos foram extraídos de acordo com os métodos da USEPA com extração por ácido nítrico e peróxido de hidrogênio para metais e ácido nítrico, sulfúrico e permanganato de potássio para mercúrio e com mistura hexano/acetona em ultra-som para compostos orgânicos. Os metais são determinados por espectrofotometria de absorção atômica e os compostos orgânicos são determinados por cromatografia gasosa acoplada a espectrometria de massas. Os resultados obtidos foram comparados a diferentes valores-guia de qualidade de sedimentos e aos critérios numéricos para a avaliação e classificação da qualidade de sedimentos a serem dragados que constam da Resolução CONAMA Nº 344/04. A partir dos resultados alcançados, foi possível constatar a contaminação do sítio de estudo por compostos orgânicos (como PAH e n-alcanos) e por metais (como Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb e Zn) e pelo semimetal As em níveis moderados e uma contaminação mais acentuada por Hg. As concentrações dos sedimentos do terminal da Alemoa estiveram na ordem de 470 μg kg-1 para PAH totais e 0,8 mg kg-1 para Hg total, sendo que este último violou os níveis 1 e 2 da Resolução CONAMA Nº 344/04. Nos testes de toxicidade, embora nos testes realizados com anfípodos (Tiburonella viscana), o sedimento integral em si não tenha se mostrado tóxico, suas águas intersticiais e elutriatos mostraram-se tóxicas nos testes realizados com larvas de ouriços (Lytechinus variegatus). Pôde-se, também, observar que o material particulado suspenso, coletado no interior da cisterna da draga, apresenta uma concentração maior destes elementos comparando-se ao sedimento original (679 μg kg-1 de PAH totais nos sólidos totais suspensos contra 479 μg kg-1 nos sedimentos do canal coletados no terminal da Alemoa) e, como durante a dragagem este material retorna ao ambiente através do overflow (eliminação da água excedente da cisterna da draga), é de se esperar um impacto negativo causado pelo retorno desses particulados e contaminantes ao ambiente. A partir dos experimentos de microcosmos desenvolvidos, pôde-se constatar que alguns compostos orgânicos, em especial fluoranteno e pireno, são liberados do sedimento para a coluna d'água, fato constatado pelo aumento da concentração desses compostos adsorvidos nas membranas semi-permeáveis (SPMDs) empregadas para tal fim, técnica esta, que poderia ser empregada em programas de monitoramento de atividades de dragagem. Espera-se que, de alguma forma, este trabalho possa contribuir, no futuro, a um melhor planejamento de estratégias de manejo e de tomada de ações para operações de dragagem e disposição de material dragado no ambiente marinho no Brasil.

<p>Predmet istraživanja ove disertacije je mogućnost kori&scaron;ćenja nano nula<br />valentnog gvožđa stabilizovanog sa bentonitom, kaolinitom i karboksimetil<br />celulozom za imobilizaciju te&scaron;kih metala, kao i pona&scaron;anje i sudbina metala u<br />sedimentu. Istraživanja je usmero u dva pravca: prvi deo istraživanja ima za cilj,<br />pre svega da defini&scaron;e bolje razumevanje pona&scaron;anja metala u sedimentu i<br />određivanje njihove potencijalne mobilnost, biodostupnost i potencijalne<br />toksičnost na osnovu metoda sekvencijalne ekstrakcione procedure, kiselo<br />volatilnog sulfida i simultano ekstrahovanih metalau netretiranim i tretiranim<br />uzorcima sedimenta. Takođe, određena je efikasnosti kori&scaron;ćenja nanomaterijala<br />za imobilizaciju metala u sedimentu iz tretiranih sme&scaron;a kori&scaron;ćenjem tzv. testova<br />&bdquo;izluživanja&ldquo; kao i definisanje dominantnog mehanizma izluživanja koji<br />omogućava transport metala. Drugi deo istraživanja&nbsp; ima za cilj ispitivanje<br />mogućnosti primene nano nula valentnog gvožđa obloženog sa bentonitom,<br />kaolinitom i karboksimetilcelulozom za tretman zagađenog sedimenta na lokaciji<br />(in-situ), uz određivanje potencijalnog rizika po okolinu na osnovu rezultata<br />sekvencijlane ekstrakcione procedure i ekstrakcija&nbsp; u jednom koraku nakon<br />tretmana. Primenjeni su i modifikovani testovi izluživanja sa ciljem &scaron;to bolje<br />simulacije realnih uslova. Rezultati dobijeni simulacijom ovih uslova i daljom<br />karakterizacijom sme&scaron;a, kako sa nanomaterijalom tako i sme&scaron;a sa glinom,<br />omogućuju izradu modela pona&scaron;anja metala u smislu dugoročnog &quot;izluživanja&quot; iz<br />tretiranog (stabilizovanog) sedimenta kao i procenukoji materijali su efikasniji<br />za imobilizaciju toksičnih metala u sedimentu.</p> / <p>This thesis explores the possibility of using nano&nbsp; zero valent iron stabilized with<br />bentonite, kaolinite, and carboxymethyl cellulose for the immobilization of heavy<br />metals, as well as the behaviour and fate of metalsin sediments. Research is focused<br />in two directions: the first part of the study aimsto find a better understanding of the<br />behaviour of metals in sediments and to determine their potential mobility,<br />bioavailability and potential toxicity based on sequential extraction procedures and<br />acid volatile sulphides and simultaneously extracted metals methods, in untreated and<br />treated sediment samples. The efficacy of using nanomaterials for the immobilization<br />of metals in sediments is also determined, by applying &quot;leaching&quot; tests to the treated<br />mixtures and defining the dominant leaching mechanism that enables the transport of<br />metals. The second part of the study aims to examine the possibilities of applying<br />nano zero valent iron coated with bentonite, kaolinite and carboxymethyl cellulose for<br />the treatment of contaminated sediment in-situ, to&nbsp; determine the potential risk posed<br />to the environment after treatment, based on the results of sequential extraction<br />procedures and a single step extraction. Modified leaching tests were applied in order<br />to achieve better simulation of real conditions. The results of simulating these<br />conditions and further characterization of mixtureswith both nanomaterials and clay,<br />provide a long term &quot;leaching&quot; model for the behaviour of metals in the treated<br />(stabilized) sediments, as well as assessing which&nbsp; materials are most effective for the<br />immobilization of toxic metals in sediments.</p>

There are today large amounts of contaminated sediments in the Baltic Sea. These contaminants are the result of many years industrial activity where the contaminants have not been taken care of and just released out in the water. When ports want to dredge in their fairways and harbor areas the contaminated sediments need to be considered since they are a environmental risk. The development in this area has been slow and new techniques have just recently made its way into dredging operations in the Baltic Sea region. As a result of this there are no clear methods for implementing new techniques today. This study aimed to bring light to which factors are important when it comes to which technique is used and what would make the users want to invest in new techniques. In order to find a method for how implementation of new techniques for dredging and management of contaminated sediments this study has looked into which factors are of most importance when choosing technique. It has also aimed to answer which stakeholders have the biggest influence in the choice.This work has been done as a part of the Baltic Sea region project SMOCS together with the company Ecoloop. The result is based on an interview study with 3 ports in Sweden, 3 Swedish contractors, 4 Swedish government authorities as well as the port of Gdynia and port of Kokkola.This study has shown that the most important factors when it comes to which technique is used are the economical and environmental aspects as well as the relation between the two. It seems as though a common goal has not been set when it comes to dredging and how we could treat contaminated sediments. Ports and contractors do not share a common goal with the government authorities. The key stakeholders in the dredging process are the port, the contractors, the government authorities as well as the consultants. However Swedish ports only perform larger dredging operations when there is a need for it. When implementing a new technique focus should therefore be put on the other stakeholders who come in contact with dredging operations more frequently. / Det finns idag stora mängder förorenade sediment i Östersjön. Dessa föroreningar är resultatet av flera års industriell verksamhet där föroreningarna inte tagits omhand utan släppts rätt ut i vattnet. Tekniken för att muddra upp och ta hand om dessa muddermassor har under de senaste decennierna inte utvecklats så mycket i Norden. Men utvecklingen har börjat komma igång och i andra delar av Europa och USA har några nya metoder för att hantera sediment börjat användas. Ett problem som vi står inför är dock hur vi ska implementera ny miljövänlig teknik för muddring och hantering Sverige och andra länder kring Östersjön. I detta arbete har problematiken kring implementering av ny teknik studerats genom en intervjustudie med hamnar, entreprenörer och myndigheter främst i Sverige men även några hamnar runt Östersjön. På hamnarna har miljöansvarig för hamnen intervjuats och de myndigheter och entreprenörer som varit med i studien är de som är kopplade till den pilotstudie som görs i Gävle hamn. Arbetet har utförts som en del i projektet SMOCS i samarbete med företaget Ecoloop.För att finna en metod för hur implementering av ny teknik för muddring och hantering av förorenade sediment i hamnområden kan gå till har denna studie undersökt vilka faktorer som är viktiga vid val av teknik, vilka aktörer som är delaktiga i beslutet samt hur detta kan göras för att främja en hållbar utveckling. I dagsläget verkar det inte finnas några klara implementeringsmetoder för ny teknik eftersom utvecklingen inom det här området inte varit så stor de senaste åren. Det är först nu som nya metoder att hantera och muddra förorenade massor kommit in på marknaden i Sverige och Norden.Studien har visat att faktorer som är viktiga vid val av teknik är framförallt ekonomi och miljöpåverkan. Även relationen mellan ekonomin och de miljömässiga fördelar tekniken erbjuder är viktiga att ta ställning till. De aktörer som är viktigast vid valet av teknik är hamnen, entreprenören, myndigheterna samt konsulterna. Däremot muddrar endast de flesta hamnarna i större omfattning när behovet uppstår och därför bör störst vikt läggas vid de övriga aktörerna. Förslag till hur ny teknik kan implementeras i framtiden, som diskuteras i studien, har som mål att öka aktörernas förståelse för olika intressen som finns hos olika aktörer samt att öka förståelsen för begreppet hållbar utveckling.

Thesis (M. Sc. (Chemistry)) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / The increase in industrialisation such as mining and smelting activities is among the main sources of heavy metal pollution in the environment. These potentially toxic elements may be adsorbed directly by sediments of water course and may affect the inhabiting flora and fauna. Potentially toxic elements are not permanently fixed by the sediments since changes in environmental conditions can mobilise these elements from sediments to water. Thus, analysis of sediments could indicate the degree of environmental contamination by potentially toxic elements and therefore are suitable for pollution studies. The aim of this study was to assess and quantify the levels of selected potentially toxic elements (Mn, Zn, Ni, Cu, Cr, Pb, V, Cd, As, Se and Fe) in sediments and water samples collected from Blood and Mokolo Rivers in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Water and sediments samples were collected from 10 sampling sites from each river. Water samples were filtered and acidified with HNO3 prior to analysis for preservation of elements. Potentially toxic elements in water samples were analysed by ICP-MS and the results validated by analysing standard reference material of water (SRM 1634f). Concentration levels of potentially toxic elements in samples from the water of Mokolo and Blood Rivers during low and high flow seasons were determined with ICP-MS. The levels in the water of Mokolo and Blood Rivers followed the order of Mn > Se > Zn > Cr > Pb > V > Cu > As > Ni > Cd > Fe in Mokolo River and Mn > Se > Zn > Cr > V > Ni > Cu > As > Pb > Cd > Fe during high flow season, Mn > Se > Zn > Cr > Cu > V > As > Pb > Ni > Cd > Fe and Mn > Zn > Se > Cr > V > Ni > Cu > As > Pb > Cd >Fe during low flow season, respectively. As expected, the concentrations of selected elements determined during the low flow season exceeded the high flow season for both rivers, which confirms acceptability of the analytical method performance. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed significant differences (P<0.05) in the concentrations of the elements seasonally. The concentrations of the toxic metals in the water samples of Mokolo and Blood Rivers were below the maximum permissible levels (MPLs) set by different organisations such as World Health Organisation (WHO) and Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS). Comparison of concentrations of elements in sediments determined during high flow and low flow seasons was done to establish the variation on the levels of the elements between seasons. Levels of potentially toxic elements in sediments of Mokolo and Blood Rivers followed the order Fe > Cr > Mn > V > Zn > As > Ni > Cu > Pb > Cd > Se and Fe > Mn > Cr > Ni> V > Zn> Cu > Pb > As > Cd> Se during high flow season as well as Fe > Mn > Cr > V > Zn > Ni > Pb > Cu > As > Cd > Se and Fe > Mn > Cr > Zn > V > Ni > Cu > Pb > As > Cd > Se during low flow season, respectively. The ANOVA results showed significant differences in the concentrations of the elements between two seasons and that concentrations of the elements determined in sediments during low flow season were significantly higher than the high flow season levels. Compared with sediments quality guidelines (SQGs), the concentrations of Fe, Mn, Ni and Cr in the sediments of Mokolo and Blood Rivers were above the SQGs, which could pose the risk to sediments dwelling organisms. The Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) sequential extraction method was applied to extract selected potentially toxic elements (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn) in sediments samples. Microwave-assisted sequential extraction procedure was developed and employed for extraction of the selected potentially toxic elements in sediments samples. This method enables safe and fast extraction of potentially toxic elements in sediments using smaller volume of reagents. The methods employed were validated with the BCR-701 certified reference material of sediments. The Efficiency and reliability of the microwave-assisted sequential extraction method was shown by calculating the percent recoveries. The percent recoveries were within acceptable range for method validation. Following the sequential extraction analysis, the risk assessment study was done to determine the effect of the potentially toxic elements in the sediments to the water quality. The calculated individual contamination factor (ICF), global contamination factor (GCF) and risk assessment code (RAC) values of Cd, Cu, Ni and Pb indicated that the elements were mobile and may be bioavailable in the aquatic environment. vii The assessment of eco-toxicological risk indicated that the elements in sediments samples collected from Blood River are at high toxicity risk level and thus, could pose threat to sediments dwelling organisms and humans through consumption of crops irrigated with the river water. / Sasol Inzalo Foundation and NRF (National Research Foundation)