Selective removal of organic contaminants from sediments: a methodology for toxicity identification evaluations (TIEs)

Aqueous slurries of a test sediment spiked with dibenz[a,h]anthracene, 2,4, 5,2',4',5'-hexachlorobiphenyl, p,p'-DDE, or phenanthrene were subjected to decontamination experimentation. The spiked sediments were agitated at elev ated temperatures for at least 96 h in the presence of either of the two co ntaminant-absorbing media: clusters of polyethylene membrane or lipid-conta ining semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs). The effects of treatment temp erature and surface area of media on the removal of contaminants were explo red. This work is part of a larger methodology for whole-sediment toxicity identification evaluation (TIE). A method is being sought that is capable o f detoxifying sediments with respect to organic contaminants while leaving toxicity attributable to inorganic contaminants unaffected. (C) 2000 Elsevi er Science Ltd. All rights reserved.