Showing papers on "Waste disposal published in 1978"

Migration of radioactive wastes: radionuclide mobilization by complexing agents. [/sup 60/Co migration at ORNL burial grounds]

Abstract: Ion exchange, gel filtration chromatography, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses have demonstrated that ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), an extremely strong complexing agent commonly used in decontamination operations at nuclear facilities, is causing the low-level migration of cobalt-60 from intermediate-level liquid waste disposal pits and trenches in the Oak Ridge National Laboratory burial grounds. Because it forms extremely strong complexes with rare earths and actinides, EDTA or similar chelates may also be contributing to the mobilization of these radionuclides from various terrestrial radioactive waste burial sites around the country.

THE ADDITIVITY OF THE TOXIC EFFECTS OF Cu, Ni AND Zn IN YOUNG BARLEY

Abstract: SUMMARY As part of a study on the use of young barley plants to monitor accumulations of toxic elements arising from sludge or waste disposal, we have examined the interactions between Cu, Ni and Zn in young barley. We find that Cu has little effect on the amount of Ni or Zn that reaches the shoots or vice versa: Ni uptake is raised by critical levels of Zn; Zn uptake is raised by sub-critical and critical levels of Ni. These effects are small and may be ignored when monitoring sub-toxic accumulations. At higher concentrations the interactions are larger and more complex. A significant part of the quantity of any one of these elements that has been translocated to the photosynthesising tissues of the barley test plant, up to a threshold concentration [T]x, is not toxic, alone or in combination with the other two elements. Toxic effects become apparent from a critical tissue concentration [T]c, above which yield decreases in proportion to increases in log [T]. [T]x/[T]c∼ 1/2 – 2/3. Values of [T]x and [T]c are presented. The toxic effects of Cu and Zn appear to be antagonistic (effect less than expected) when the tissue concentrations of both are above their critical levels. Apart from this the toxic effects of the elements above their threshold concentrations are directly additive or slightly less than additive. Values are presented for K, k, M and m and the critical values of Ia and Ib. In their general form these results are very similar to those of similar studies on the toxicity of mixed solutions to fish.

Report to the American Physical Society by the study group on nuclear fuel cycles and waste management

Abstract: Utilization of nuclear fuels and management of nuclear wastes have become major topics of public discussion Under the auspices of the American Physical Society this study was undertaken as an independent evaluation of technical issues in the use of fissionable materials in nuclear fuel cycles, together with their principal economic, environmental, health and safety implications Reprocessing and recycling in light water reactors were examined, along with technical measures proposed as possible safeguards; advanced reactor fuel cycles were also studied for their resource and safeguards implications Much of the work of the group centered on the principal alternatives for disposal of radioactive wastes and control of effluents The group examined the research and development programs sponsored by government agencies along with associated relationships among agencies and between government and private industry Available information was also considered on nuclear fuel resources, and on important economic and environmental aspects of the various fuel cycles in order to strive for a balanced comparative study The report presents many conclusions on various aspects of the nuclear fuel cycles and also provides recommendations concerning present utilization and future improvement of fuel cycle technology

Geological characterization report: Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) site, southeastern New Mexico

Abstract: This volume covers hydrology, geochemistry, resources, special studies of WIPP repository rocks, and continuing studies. (DLC)

Geologic disposal of high-level radioactive wastes: Earth-science perspectives

Abstract: The long term storage of radioactive waste and its geological, biological, physical, and chemical effects are considered. The development of acceptable waste repositories are outlined: (1) identification of sites that meet broad criteria for tectonic stability, slow ground-water movement, and long flow paths to the surface; (2) intensive subsurface exploration of such sites to determine the hydrologic and geologic conditions in and around the potential repository; (3) predictions of repository behavior based on the initial conditions and on various assumptions about the future; (4) evaluation of the risk associated with these predictions; and (5) a judgement whether these risks are acceptable. Some of the key earth-science questions involved in the first four steps are discussed.

Acetone/butanol/ethanol fermentation

Abstract: A review on the National Chemical Products process of acetone/butanol/ethanol fermentation from molasses, dealing with microbiological and biochemical aspects of the process as well as plant procedure, waste disposal, and byproduct utilization.

Evaluation of the Elutriate Test as a Method of Predicting Contaminant Release During Open-Water Disposal of Dredged Sediments and Environmental Impact of Open-Water Dredged Material Disposal Volume II. Data Report

Abstract: : The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency developed the elutritate test for the purpose of predicting the release of chemical contaminants from dredged sediments upon open-water disposal. This study was conducted to evaluate the factors influencing the results of the elutriate test and the reliability of this test in predicting the release of contaminants during actual open-water dredged material disposal operations. Sediment samples were taken from waterways located at or near Duwamish River-Elliott Bay-Puget Sound, Washington; San Francisco Bay, Mare Island, Rodeo Flats, Oakland Harbor, and Los Angeles Harbor, California; Calveston Bay Entrance Channel, Galveston Channel, Texas City Channel, Houston Ship Channel, and Port Lavaca, Texas; Mobile Bay, Alabama; Apalachicola Bay, Florida; Wilmington, North Carolina; James River, Virginia; Perth Amboy, New Jersey; Bay Ridge and Foundry Cove, New York; Newport; Rhode Island; Norwalk and Stamford Harbors, Connecticut; Menominee River, Michigan; Upper Mississippi River near St. Paul, Minnesota, and the U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station Lake, Vicksburg, Mississippi. These samples were subjected to the standard and modified elutriate tests in order to examine the influence of various operating conditions on the results of the test. In addition, field studies were conducted at Elliott Bay-Puget Sound, Washington; Galveston Bay Entrance Channel Disposal Area, Texas; Mobile Bay, Alabama; Apalachicola Bay, Florida; James River, Virginia.

Radionuclide adsorption by manganese oxides and implications for radioactive waste disposal

Abstract: COBALT-60 and certain transuranics such as 244Cm, 241Am and 238Pu are migrating in trace amounts from original intermediate-level waste disposal pits and trenches in the radioactive waste burial grounds of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Tennessee1. These radionuclides are transported in trace amounts from the trench 7 area and are to some extent adsorbed by soil and shale along the route of migration. We show here that the adsorbed radionuclides, which are very strongly bound in the soil, are being retained primarily by manganese oxides in the soils. Our data illustrate the importance of the manganese oxide component of soils and sediments in general in controlling 60Co and actinide mobility. Certain implications of these results for the field of radioactive waste management will also be discussed.

Districting and Routing for Solid Waste Collection

Abstract: The theory and procedure of an heuristic algorithm that routes a known number of solid waste collection vehicles on a street network is presented. The network is assumed to be planar and connected, consisting of undirected streets. Each street has a travel cost and solid waste load associated with it. The purposes of the procedure are to determine collection districts. The districts must be such that the sum of solid waste loads within each district does not exceed vehicle capacity. Since the vehicle will necessarily traverse some streets where collection is not required and retraverse other streets more times than necessary for collection, the proposed algorithm attempts to minimize the sum of travel costs for these retraced streets. The algorithm determines districts and tours simultaneously. For each tour it lists a sequence of streets and specifies whether the street is merely traveled or also serviced.

Method and compositions for coating aluminum

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and compositions for coating aluminum in order to improve both corrosion resistance and paint adhesion. By using a coating composition consisting essentially of (a) polyacrylic acid or esters thereof and (b) at least one acid selected from the group consisting of H2 ZrF6, H2 TiF6, and H2 SiF6, the characteristics of the treated aluminum surfaces are improved, while process waste disposal problems associated with conventional chrome/phosphate coating are avoided.

The Disposal of Hazardous Wastes

Abstract: The Fifth Life Sciences Symposium entitled Hazardous Solid Wastes and Their Disposal on October 12 through 14, 1977 was summarized. The topic was the passage of the National Resources Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 will force some type of action on all hazardous solid wastes. Some major points covered were: the formulation of a definition of a hazardous solid waste, assessment of long-term risk, list of specific materials or general criteria to specify the wastes of concern, Bioethics, sources of hazardous waste, industrial and agricultural wastes, coal wastes, radioactive wastes, and disposal of wastes.

Nitrous oxide in fresh water systems - An estimate for the yield of atmospheric N2O associated with disposal of human waste

Abstract: The N2O content of waters in the Potomac and Merrimack Rivers was measured on a number of occasions over the period April to July 1977. The concentrations of dissolved N2O exceeded those which would apply in equilibrium with air by factors ranging from about 46 in the Potomac to 1.2 in the Merrimack. Highest concentrations of dissolved N2O were associated with sewage discharges from the vicinity of Washington, D. C., and analysis indicates a relatively high yield, 1.3 to 11%, for prompt conversion of waste nitrogen to N2O. Measurements of dissolved N2O in fresh water ponds near Boston demonstrated that aquatic systems provide both strong sources and sinks for atmospheric N2O.

Fixation of radioactive materials in a glass matrix

Abstract: This invention relates to radioactive materials which are fixed, stored, entrapped, encapsulated, or otherwise rendered immobile in a glass matrix for extremely long periods of time. Radioactive material such as radioactive wastes are incorporated into a glass matrix by a process of "molecular stuffing" a porous glass either with a radioactive gas which is tapered in the porous glass by dissolution during sintering of the pores of the glass, or with a salt solution containing radioactive material such as CsNO 3 , Sr(NO 3 ), etc., or with a combination of both salt solution and radioactive gas, followed by drying and sintering of the pores of the glass whereby these radioactive materials upon chemical change to their oxides, excepting of course the noble gases which remain in molecular form, become a part of the integrated glass structure. The resulting glass article may have the radioactive material dispersed essentially homogeneously throughout the glass article, or there may be a layer free of such radioactive waste material over the entire surface of the glass article. In either case such glass articles demonstrate an extremely slow diffusion of the encapsulated radioactive material to the surrounding area.

Geochemistry of mercury in Palos Verdes sediments

Abstract: Research report:A complete understanding of the fate of heavy metals depends on detailed information of the behavior of individual sewage constituents (and their natural counterparts) prior to, during, and subsequent to sedimentation. Sediments affected by a major submarine wastewater outfall in the Palos Verdes shelf were analyzed for total mercury and organic mercury to assess the bioavailability of mercury to local marine life. Chemical leaching studies were also performed to determine the phase partitioning of mercury in these sediments. Results indicate that a small decrease in surface sediment concentrations of mercury off Palos Verdes has occurred during 1972-75. This decline may be due to several factors, including the reduced emission of wastewater solids. In the most contaminated sediments, mercury appears to be accumulating in a refractory phase, and is therefore largely unavailable for introduction into the tissues of local marine life. (6 graphs, 2 maps, 28 references, 4 tables)

Prediction and Control of Dredged Material Dispersion around Dredging and Open-Water Pipeline Disposal Operations.

Abstract: : In response to the concern over the potential impact of dredged Material dispersion, Task 6C of the Dredged material Research Program was established to develop the capability for predicting the nature, degree, and extent of dredged material dispersion in the vicinity of dredging and open-water pipeline disposal operations. In addition, methods for controlling this dispersion were evaluated. This report synthesizes the results of eight contract research studies and summarizes the available literature concerned with turbidity generation by different types of dredging operations. Water-column turbidity generated by dredging operations is usually restricted to the vicinity of the operation and decreases rapidly with increasing distance from the operation due to settling and horizontal dispersion of the suspended material. Turbidity levels around dredging operations can be reduced by improving existing cutterhead dredging equipment and operational techniques, using watertight buckets, and eliminating hopper dredge overflow or using a submerged overflow system. During open-water pipeline disposal of fine-grained dredged material slurry, 97 to 99 percent of the material descends rapidly to the bottom of the disposal area where it forms a low gradient fluid mud mound. The relative degree of dredged material dispersion at open-water pipeline disposal operations can be best controlled by using different discharge configurations. Water-column turbidity can be all but eliminated by using a submerged diffuser system at the end of the pipeline.

Disposal Alternatives for Contaminated Dredged Material as a Management Tool to Minimize Adverse Environmental Effects.

Abstract: : This report is a guidelines manual to assist in selecting disposal alternatives for contaminated dredged material to minimize adverse environmental effects. It is directed to the small percentage of contaminated sediments that are believed to present a high potential for environmental harm, rather than the great majority of dredging projects that involve uncontaminated or slightly contaminated sediments. The contaminants and potentially nuisance substances considered in this report include: mercury, cadmium, lead, zinc, copper, nickel, chromium, arsenic, chlorinated hydrocarbons,petroleum hydrocarbons, iron, manganese, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur. Individual contaminants, and in some cases groups of contaminants that behave similary, are discussed under separate headings. Many of the contaminants respond differently to physical, chemical, and biological conditions at a disposal site. The approach taken in this report is to point out the relative environmental risks of different disposal methods by identifying the possible disposal alternatives and discussing the problems associated with specific contaminants and disposal methods. Certain management practices that may be applicable to some disposal alternatives that will further reduce the environmental risk are also presented.

Waste disposal method using microwaves

Abstract: Waste such as sludge containing poisonous substances is processed into a safe article by removing water in a usual manner, drying the waste to substantial dryness by microwave heating, mixing the dry waste powder with a thermoplastic resin, irradiating the mixture with microwaves to encapsulate the waste particles with the resin and to heat polymerize the resin, and molding the resin encapsulated particles into an article.

The Effects of Smothering a 'Spartina alterniflora' Salt Marsh with Dredged Material.

Abstract: : A study of the capability of high salt marsh to recover from disposal of dredged material indicates that smothering high marsh could be a feasible disposal alternative but should be used with caution and should only be employed when other alternatives are economically or physically infeasible. The study investigated the impact of smothering short form Spartina alterniflora in Glynn County, Ga., with three types of dredged material (coarse sand, sand and clay mixed, and clay), at six depths (8, 15, 23, 30, 61, and 91 cm), and at different stages of plant growth (february, July, and November) over two growing seasons. Spartina alterniflora was able to penetrate up to 23 cm of each type of dredged material and exhibited biological growth and production nearly equal to that in undisturbed marsh. These depths, being within the elevational range of the marsh, indicate that accurate tidal and elevational data should be collected before disposal on a marsh and that deposition should not exceed the elevational limit of the existing marsh. The study also assessed the impact of smothering on selected species of crabs and snails. Crabs were able to recolonize areas covered with up to 23 cm of clay dredged material and 15 cm of sand. Snails rapidly recolonized material placed 8 and 15 cm deep. Faunal recovery may depend on the proximity of the disposal area to natural populations and the extent of the smothered areas.

Fate of Nutrients During Aerobic Digestion

Abstract: Laboratory scale aerobic digestion experiments were performed and nutrient balances were maintained in order to evaluate nutrient transformations during digestion of waste activated sludge. Reactors loaded at 0.03 ft³ and 0.081 lb VS/day/ft³, were operated under both batch and daily feed conditions. Significant nitrification occurred, resulting in substantial reductions in pH and alkalinity. Denitrification occurred when dissolved oxygen concentrations dropped below 1.0 mg/l. Phosphorus and nitrogen were released to the liquid in approximately a stoichiometric ratio to the volatile solids destroyed. As much as 37% of the phosphorus and 41% of the nitrogen in the feed sludge was found in the supernatant after digestion. The solid phase of aerobically digested waste activated sludge had a nitrogen content of 7% of the suspended solids and a phosphorus content of 2% of the suspended solids.

Guidelines for Dewatering/Densifying Confined Dredged Material.

Abstract: : Primary emphasis of Task 5A research was oriented toward dewatering fine-grained dredged material resulting from maintenance operations and placed in confined disposal areas. Based on results of research, as synthesized herein, it was determined that: (a) Use of progressive surface trenching concepts to remove disposal area ponded surface water and precipitation and enhance evaporative dewatering of fine-grained dredged material is the most cost-effective dewatering alternative. (b) When existing constraints make it impossible to implement a surface trenching dewatering program, a surface trenching program alone will not produce dewatering at necessary rates, or it is desired to obtain maximum possible dewatering effects, various concepts of either gravity- or vacuum-assisted under-drainage may be applied. (c) Implementation of any program of fine-grained dredged material dewatering and densification will be conducted most effectively as part of an overall confined disposal area management plan. The main technical unknown in application of concepts synthesized in the report is the exact rate at which dewatering will occur. State-of-the-art prediction methods given and referenced in the report are satisfactory for feasibility determinations, and, in many instances, use in final design.

A Field Study of Fluid Mud Dredged Material. Its Physical Nature and Dispersal.

Abstract: : Open-water disposal of dense suspensions of fluid mud with concentrations of 10 to 480 g/1 was studied at field sites in Mobile Bay, Alabama, and the James River, Virginia The study aimed to determine the significance of fluid mud in dispersal of dredged material and in generation of turbidity The bulk of the dredged material, more than 99 percent at the Mobile Bay site was dispersed in the form of fluid mud near the bottom, whereas less than 1 percent was dispersed through the water column As suspended solids flocculate and settle, they contribute to the fluid mud In turn, fluid mud resists resuspension and reduces turbidity Disposal created a deposit that spread over an area 5 to 13 times the dredged area in the channel Disposal raised the bed, forming dense layers in mounds 08 to 22 m high having slopes 1:125 to 1:2000 Broad spreading at the Mobile Bay site was associated with a high discharge rate over a short period, a low discharge angle, and muds with high plastic and liquid limits Mounding at the James River site was associated with a moderate discharge rate over a long period, a vertically oriented discharge configuration, and muds with a moderate plastic limit and a relatively low liquid limit After disposal, the fluid mud consolidated, bulk density increased, and slopes decreased Height and volume of the James River mound decreased about 50 percent in a year More field investigations of the movement of fluid mud are needed for a detailed understanding of its dynamics (Author)

Attenuation of pollutants in municipal landfill leachate by clay minerals. Final report Dec 72-Aug 75

Abstract: The first part of this project was a laboratory column study of attenuation of pollutants in municipal solid waste landfill leachate by mixtures of sand and calcium-saturated clays K, NH4, Mg, Si, and Fe were moderately attenuated; and the heavy metals Pb, Cd, Hg, and Zn were strongly attenuated even in columns with small amounts of clay Precipitation was the principal attenuation mechanism for the heavy metals; cation exchange was responsible for any attenuation of the other elements The clays, in order of increasing attenuation capacity, were Kaolinite, Illite, Montmorillonite The second part of the project involved batch studies of adsorption of Cr, Cu, Pb, Cd, Hg, and Zn by Montmorillonite and Kaolinite from water solutions and from landfill leachate Adsorption of the cations Cr(III), Cu, Pb, Cd, Hg, and Zn increased with increasing pH; adsorption of the anions Cr(VI), As, and Se decreased with increasing pH Above pH about 53 precipitation of the cations was an important mechanism while adsorption was the principal mechanism for the anions over the pH range studied Because adsorption/mobility of any element was affected by other solutes in leachate, adsorption information on one leachate may not be directly applied to predicting adsorption of themore » same element at the same concentration in another leachate« less

Exploratory analyses of trichlorofluoromethane (F‐11) in North Atlantic water columns

Abstract: Seawater samples collected at four stations in the Gulf of Maine, three on the Scotian Shelf, and at a single station in the Sargasso Sea (Sept.-Oct., 1977) were analyzed for CCl3F-content using a rapid gas Chromatographic technique carried out on board ship. The concentrations observed in the Gulf average 2.9 × 10−12moles/liter, corresponding to significant supersaturation with regard to the overlying atmospheric concentrations and surface temperatures. Not all the excess can be attributed to prior equilibration at the colder temperatures prevailing at higher latitudes, and it seems likely that waste disposal activities may contribute to the local excess. Lower concentrations are observed at stations on the Scotian Shelf and in the Sargasso Sea, with observed stratifications in the CCl3F concentrations being well-correlated with previously described oceanographic features.

Effects of Turbidity and Suspended Material in Aquatic Environments Literature Review.

Abstract: : This literature review of the effects of turbidity and suspended material in aquatic environments covers the following subjects: definitions, units of measure, and methods of measurement; origins; and effects in aquatic environments. Turbidity, regardless of the multiplicity of definitions, units of measure, and methods of measurement, is an expression of the optical properties of water that cause light to be scattered and absorbed rather than transmitted in a straight line. Turbidity is not the same as siltation, although the terms have been used synonymously in the past. The various units of measure include the Jackson Turbidity UNIT (JTU), Formazin Turbidity Unit (FTU), and Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU). The methods of measuring percent transmission or the weight per volume concentration of suspended particulates are based on either gravimetric or optical techniques.