EEDP-04-2 June 1985

, ___ .* .

Environmental Effects of Dredging

Technical Notes

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INTERIM GUIDANCE FOR PREDICTING QUALITY OF EFFLUENT DISCHARGED CONFINED DREDGED MATERIAL DISPOSAL AREAS--TEST PROCEDURES

FROM

PURPOSE: The following series of technical notes describe necessary for predicting the quality of effluent discharged dredged material disposal areas during dredging operations.* EEDP-04-1 EEDP-04-2 EEDP-04-3 EEDP-04-4 General Test Procedures Data Analysis Application

the functions from confined

The guidance was developed as a part of on-going research conducted Procedures under the Long-Term Effects of Dredging Operations (LEDO) Program. for such predictions are being refined and verified under LEDO through comparative evaluations of predictions and field measurement of effluent water quality. BACKGROUND: Confined dredged material disposal has increased because of The quality of water discharged from constraints on open-water disposal. (effluent) is a major confined disposal areas during disposal operations environmental concern associated with such disposal. Dredged material placed in a disposal area undergoes sedimentation that results in a thickened deposit of material overlaid by clarified water (called supernatant), which is discharged as effluent from the site during disposal operations. The concentrations of suspended solids in the effluent can be determined by column settling tests.

The modified elutriate test does not account for long-term geochemical changes that may occur following disposal and subsequent drying of the dredged material and therefore should not be used to evaluate quality of surface runoff from the disposal site.

US

Army

Engineer

Waterways

Experiment

Station,

Environmental

Laboratory

*... ,.

.-

contain both dissolved and particle-associated The effluent may A large portion of the total contaminant content is particle contaminants. The modified elutriate test was developed for use in predicting associated. both the dissolved and particle-associated concentrations of contaminants in the effluent from confined disposal areas. REGULATORY ASPECTS: Guidelines have been published to reflect the 1977 AmendProposed testing ments of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (EPA 1980b). Category 3 requirements define dredged material according to four categories. includes potentially contaminated material proposed for confined disposal that The has potential for contamination of the receiving water column only. proposed testing requirements call for evaluation of the short-term waterPredicted contaminants levels column impacts of disposal area effluents. based on results of modified elutriate and column settling tests along with operational considerations can be used with appropriate water-quality standards to determine the mixing zone required to dilute the effluent to an acceptable level (Environmental Effects Laboratory 1976, EPA/CE 1977). ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Contact the author, Dr. Michael R. Palermo (601) 6343753 (FTS 542-37531. or the manaaer of the Environmental Effects of Dredqinq . . Programs, Dr. Robe~t M. Engler (651) 634-3624 (FTS 542-3624).

Initial Screening

An initial screening the testing requirements

for contamination

must be performed

as outlined

in

for Section

404 of the Clean Water Act (EPA

1980b).

The evaluation

is designed to determine any contaminant

if there is reason to believe that the concentration (above back-

sediment contains

at a significant

ground levels) and to identify the contaminants sidered for analysis in the modified elutriate

of concern that should be contest. Considerations include

but are not limited to:

~.

Potential routes by which contaminants introduced to the sediment.

could

reasonably

have been

~. ~. g. g.

Data from previous tests of the sediment or other similar sediment in the vicinity, provided comparison would still be appropriate. Probability of contamination from surface runoff.

Spills of contaminants Industrial

in the area to be dredged. waste discharges. Elutriate Test

and municipal Modified

The modified

elutriate

test should be conducted and appropriate

chemical The

analyses should be performed volume of elutriate

as soon as possible after sample collection. chemical

sample needed for

analyses will depend on the

.,

EEDP-04-2

number and types of analyses to be conducted } total concentrations for each analysis, ical replication 4-L cylinder able for of contaminants

(Plumb 1981).

Both dissolved

and

must be determined. measured,

The volume required

the number of parameters

and the desired analytA

will influence the total elutriate

sample volume required.

is normally used for the test, and the supernatant extraction will vary from approximately 500

volume availto 1,000 ml,

sample

depending tion of

on the sediment the slurry.

properties, be

settling to

times, and initial concentracomposite several extracted

It may

necessary

samples or use large-diameter Apparatus The following

g. p.

cylinders

to obtain the total required volume.

items are required: with Teflon shaft and blades.

Laboratory mixer, preferably

Larger cylinders may be used if Several 4-Q graduated cylinders. Nalgene cylinders are acceptable large sample volumes are required. for testing involving analysis of metals and nutrients. Glass cylinders are required for testing involving analysis of organics. Assorted glassware for sample extraction Compressed air source with bubble aeration of slurry. deionized and handling. water trap and tubing for or of

c. j. e.

Vacuum or pressure filtration equipment, including vacum pump compressed air source and appropriate filter holder capable accommodating 47-, 105-, or 155-mm-diam filters. Presoaked filters with 0.45-um pore-size diameter. of water

f.

!J Plastic sample bottles, 500-ml capacity for storage liquid phase samples for metal and nutrient analyses. h.

and

Wide-mouth l-gal-capacity glass jars with Teflon-lined screw-type These jars should also be used as sample lids for sample mixing. containers when samples are to be analyzed for pesticide materials.

Prior to use, all glassware, filtration thoroughly cleaned. Wash all glassware

equipment, and filters should be rinse five times with

with detergent;

tap water; place in a clean 10-percent

(or stronger) HC1 acid bath for a minand then rinse five times with

imum of 4 hr; rinse five times with tap water; distilled or deionized water.

Soak filters for a minimum of 2 hr in a 5-M HC1 It is also a good practice Wash all glassusing the

bath and then rinse 10 times with distilled water.

to discard the first 50 ml of water or liquid phase filtered. ware to be used in preparation and analysis of pesticide

residues

eight-step procedure given EPA (1980a).

,.

Test procedure The step-by-step procedure for conducting a modified elutriate test, as

shown in Figure 1, is given in the following paragraphs.

WATER FROM DREOGINGSITE

SEOIMENT FROM DREDGING SITE

1(

MIX

SEDIMENT

ANDWATERTO

EXPECTEO INFLUENT

CONCENTRATION

AERATE

IN4-!2CYLINDER FOR 1 HR

H
(
4[ SETTLE FOR EXPECTEO UPT024HR MEAN FIELO MAXIMUM ) RETENTION TIME ExTRACTSUPERNATANT SAMPLE ANOSPLIT )

G$?9(
Figure 1. Step 1 Slurry Modified elutriate test procedure The sediment and

CENTRIFUGATION OR 0.45-pm F I LTRATION

preparation.

dredging

site

water

should be mixed to approximately centration.

equal the expected average field

inflow concannot be

If estimates of the average field inflow concentration

Predetermine (dry-weight the concentration of the well-mixed

made based on past data, a slurry concentration should be used. grams per liter volume. 3-3/4 9..

of 150 g/k (dry-weight basis) sediment in

basis) by oven drying a small subsample of known

Each 4-L cylinder to be filled will require a mixed slurry volume of The volumes of sediment and dredging site water to be mixed for a

3-3/4-% slurry volume can be calculated using the following expressions:

EEDP-04-2

and

v sediment vwater

= 3.75 ~csrry sediment

(1) (2)

= 3.75

-vSediment

where sediment = volume of sediment, liters 3.75 = volume of slurry for 4-E cylinder, Cslurry = desired concentration (dry-weight basis) Csediment

liters

of slurry, grams per liter of sediment, grams per liter

= predetermined concentration (dry-weight basis) volume of dredging Mix the

water = Step

site water, liters 3-3/4 z of slurry by placing appropriate

2 -

Mixing.

volumes of sediment and dredging 5 min with a laboratory mixer.

site water in l-gal glass jars and mixing for The slurry should be mixed to a uniform conof sediment. is used to ensure oxidizing phase. conPour

sistency with no unmixed agglomerations Step ditions 3 - Aeration. Bubble water

aeration during

in the supernatant slurry source

the subsequent cylinder.

settling

the mixed aeration

into a 4-k graduated and insert tubing

Attach glass tubing to the The tubing

to the bottom of the cylinder. a predrilled

can be held in place by insertion through the top of the cylinder. Compressed

No. 4 stopper placed in

air should be passed through a deionized The flow rate should be

water trap, through the tubing, and bubbled through the slurry. should be adjusted continued Step undergo mean time for 1 hr. 4 - Settling. settling to agitate the mixture vigorously,

and bubbling

Remove the tubing and allow the aerated for a time period equal

slurry to field

quiescent

to the anticipated

retention is not

time up to a maximum allow settling

of 24 hr. for 24 hr.

If the field mean retention

Guidance for estimating the

known,

field mean retention Step

is given in Technical extraction. between After

Note EEDP-04-3. the settling period, an interface

5 - Sample be evident solids

will usually of suspended

the supernatant concentrated

water with

low concentration Samples of

and the more

settled material.

the supernatant between

water should be extracted surface and the

from the cylinder at a point midway using syringe and tubing. Care

the water

interface

should be taken not to resuspend

settled material.

Step

6 - Sample

preservation after

and analysis.

The sample should be anathe total suspended constituents.

lyzed as soon as possible solids and the dissolved The fraction culated.

extraction

to determine

and total concentrations

of selected

of a constituent

in the total suspended

solids can then be cal-

Filtration

using 0.45-um filters should be used to obtain subsamples concentrations. Samples to be analyzed for dis-

for analysis

of dissolved

solved pesticides

or PCB must be free of particles but should not be filtered, for these materials to adsorb on the filter. However,

due to the tendency

particulate matter can be removed before analysis by high-speed centrifugation at 10,000 times al. by gravity using total Teflon, glass, or aluminum centrifuge can tubes be

(Fulk et determined

1975).

The

suspended

solids

concentration

also

filtration

(0.45 Pm).

The fraction as follows:

of a constituent

in the

total suspended

solids is calculated

ss =
where FSS =

c
(1
x

106)

-c. toys ss

(3)

fraction of constituent in the total suspended ligrams per kilogram of suspended solids total concentration sample of constituent, milligram

solids, milper liter of per liter

Ctotal

Cdiss. =

dissolved concentration of sample

of constituent,

milligrams

Ss =
Subsamples priate should digestion

total
sample for

suspended

solids concentration,

milligrams

per liter of

analyses to

of total

concentrations All digestion

should undergo and chemical

appro-

prior

analysis. accepted

analyses Asso-

be performed

using

procedures

(American

Public

Health

ciation 1985; EPA 1980a; and EPA 1979). Samples to be analyzed solvent extraction. for The up for pesticides may then or PCB should immediately be held in clean undergo

extract

uncontaminating C before

containers

periods

to three

or four weeks

at -15 to -20

further analyses are performed. Samples the pH to <2 for metals analysis with purity 3 to 5 ml should be preserved of concentrated purchased immediately acid or per by lowering liter (EPA in a

nitric

1979) .

High

acid,

either

commercially

prepared

subsoiling unit, must be used.

EEDP-04-2 Nutrient analyses should be conducted as soon as possible. Acidifica-

tion with H2S04 to pH <2 and storage at 4 Cwill for maximum of 24 hr for ammonia nitrogen,

allow the sample to be held nitrogen, and nitrate

Kjeldahl

nitrogen

analyses

(EPA 1979).

Storage at 4 C will allow holding of samples and total dissolved phosphorus

to be analyzed for dissolved orthophosphate

for
with

up to 24 hr.

Subsamples

to be analyzed for cyanide should be preserved

2 ml of 10 N sodium hydroxide per liter of sample (PH >12) (EPA 1979).

Column Settling Test

Sedimentation Figure 2, are

tests, performed

in 8-in.-diam

ported columns evaluation

as shown

in

necessary to provide data for design or

of disposal

areas for retention of suspended solids.

These tests were origins ly designed sediment and to provide infor-

to define the settling behavior of a particular mation concerning rial.

the volumes occupied by newly placed layers of dredged mateto obtain data for use in predicting

The test procedures were modified

the concentration

of suspended solids in the effluent. of freshwater slurries of solids concentration settling less than As

Sedimentation

100 g/~ can generally solids concentrations terized by zone

be characterized exceed 100 g/Q, properties

by flocculent

properties.

the sedimentation in which

process may be characinterface is

settling

a clearly defined

formed between tled material. salinity settling

the clarified

supernatant water

and the more concentrated

set-

Zone settling properties than 3 ppt. of Recent

also govern when the sediment/water studies solids have shown that flocculent supernatant an interface.

is greater governs

behavior

suspended

in the clarified

water above the sediment/water Apparatus A settling

interface for slurries exhibiting

column such as shown in Figure 2 is used.

The test column

depth should approximate area. A practical

the effective settling depth of the proposed disposal The column should be

limit on the depth of test is 6 ft.

at least 8 in. in diameter with interchangeable at l-ft or closer upper 3 ft. intervals in the lower

sections and with sample port in the

3 ft and at l/2-ft intervals

The column

should have provisions

to bubble air from the bottom Shop drawings for

to keep the slurry mixed during the column filling period. construction Station.* * of the test columns are available

from the Waterways

Experiment

Address request for the shop drawings to the attention of WESEP-E.

, .

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8
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>
E

VALES

mR

SAMPLE

EXTRACTION

PCWZA/3LE MIXER

P!
PUMP

lVSlTIVEOISPLACEM

SETTLING

COLUMN

ST~E

Figure 2.

Schematic of apparatus for column settling tests (Montgomery 1978)

Flocculent

settling test a disposal area in which flocof suspended by solids

Test data required to design or evaluate culent in the settling effluent governs can be

and to predict the concentration obtained using procedures

described

Montgomery set-

(1978) and Palermo, tling time test consists intervals

Montgomery,

and Poindexter samples

(1978).

The flocculent

of withdrawing

from each

sample

port at regular at various

to determine

the concentration

of suspended

solids

depths.

EEDP-04-2 Zone settling test Information required to design or evaluate settling governs can be obtained (Montgomery 1978 and Palermo, by conducting a disposal area in which zone

a series of zone settling tests 1978). One of the equal to the

Montgomery,

and Poindexter

tests should be performed on sediment slurries at a concentration

expected mean field inflow concentration.

period of at least 15 days to provide and to obtain data for prediction The procedures dures described

This test should be continued for a

data for estimating volume requirements

suspended solids concentrations. of the proceand Poindexter

of effluent

described below include those modifications (1978) and Palermo, process Montgomery, governing

by Montgomery

(1978) required

to define the flocculent

the sedimentation

of suspended solids above the interface. ified consists of measuring

The flocculent settling test as modof suspended solids at various

the concentration

depths and time intervals by withdrawing timing the fall of liquid/solids Step 1 - Slurry preparation desired suspended

samples from the settling column and

interface. and loading. Mix the sediment slurry to the with sufficient volume

solids concentration

in a container

to fill the test column. C; selected to

The test should the

be performed

at the concentration of the dredged in 150

represent

anticipated indicate

concentration

material

influent.

Field studies the

that for maintenance will average

dredging about

fine-grained g/L.

material,

disposal C;

concentration

This value may be used for

if no better data are available. For sediments exhibiting the more concentrated The has first sample zone settling settled mateshould be exthe

Step 2 - Settling and sampling. behavior, rial and

an interface will form between the clarified supernatant the

water.

tracted uppermost within

immediately port to hours

after allow after

interface

fallen

sufficiently

below

extraction. initiation

This of the

sample test,

can usually depending

be extracted initial

a few

on the

slurry concentration

and the spacing of ports.

As the interface continues to fall, extract samples from all ports above the interface at regular time intervals. solids will occur during the early part Substantial of the reductions but of suspended will

test,

reductions

lessen at longer retention times. the test progresses. 24, 48, 96 hr, etc. A suggested Continue

Therefore, sequence

the intervals can be extended as

of intervals would be throughout

2, 4, 8, 12,

to take

samples

the 15-day test or

until the suspended solids concentration crease. Record the time of extraction

of the extracted samples shows no deand the port height for each port sam-

ple taken (Figure 3). 9

I
(1)
TIME HR t (2) SAMPLE DEPTH Z
FT

COLUMN

SETTLING DATA
(3) (4) PERCENT OF INITIAL CONCENTRATION @

TOTAL SUSPENDED SOLIDS SS mg/L!

0.2 1.0

93 169 100 105

45 43 50 19 18 20 15 7 4

1.0 2.0

14
;:: 3.0 24 1.0 2.0 3.0 48 1.0 2.0 3.0

NOTES:

COLUMNS1

AN D2-RECORD

FOR EACH PORT SAMPLE. OF

COLUMN 3- COMPLETE FROM TEST RESULTS. COLUMN 4- COMPUTE USING THE HIGHEST SUSPENDED SOLIOS CONCENTRATION THE FIRST PORT SAMPLE AS THE INITIAL CONCENTRATION SS..

Figure 3

. .,

EEDP-04-2 References

American Public Health Association (APHA). 1985. Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 16th cd., American Water Works Association, Water Pollution Control Federation, APHA, Washington, DC. Environmental Effects Laboratory. 1976. Ecological Evaluation of Proposed Discharge of Oredged Material into Navigable Water, Miscellaneous Paper D-76-17, US Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, Miss. Environmental Protection Agency. Methods for Chemical Analysis of 1979. Water and Wastes, EPA 600/4-79-020, Office of Technology Transfer, Washington, DC. Analysis of Pesticide Residues in Environmental Protection Agency. 1980a. Human and Environmental Samples, EPA 600/8-80-038, Environmental Toxicology Division, Research Triangle Park, N.C. 1980b. Guidelines for Specification of Environmental Protection Agency. Disposal Sites for Dredged or Fill Material, Federal Register, Vol 45, No. 249, 24 December 1980, pp 85336-85358. 1977. Environmental Protection Agency/Corps of Engineers. Ecological Evaluation of Proposed Discharge of Dredged Material into Ocean Waters; Implementation Manual for Section 103 of Public Law 92-532 (Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972), US Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, Miss. Laboratory Study of the Release of Pesticide and PCB Fulk, R., et al. 1975. Materials to the Water Column During Dredging and Disposal Operations, ConMilwaukee, Wisconsin, tract Report No. D-75-6, prepared by Envirex, Inc., under contract to the US Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, Miss. Methodology for Design of Fine-Grained Dredged Montgomery, R. L. 1978. Material Containment Areas for Solids Retention, Technical Report D-78-56, US Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, Miss. Palermo, M. R., Montgomery, R. L., and Poindexter, M. 1978. Guidelines for Designing, Operating, and Managing Dredged Material Containment Areas, Technical Report DS-7S-1O, US Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, Miss. Procedures for Handling and Chemical Analysis of SediPlumb, R. H. 1991. ment Water Samples, EPA/CE Technical Committee on Criteria for Dredged and Fill Material, US Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, Miss.