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Martijn van Praagh. Photo.

Martijn van Praagh

Adjunct senior lecturer

Martijn van Praagh. Photo.

Organic compounds in concrete from demolition works.

Author

  • Martijn van Praagh
  • H Modin
  • J Trygg

Summary, in English

This study aims to verify the effect of physically removing the outer surface of contaminated concrete on total contents and on potential mobility of pollutants by means of leaching tests. Reclaimed concrete from 3 industrial sites in Sweden were included: A tar impregnated military storage, a military tar track-depot, as well as concrete constructions used for disposing of pesticide production surplus and residues. Solid materials and leachates from batch and column leaching tests were analysed for metals, Cl, F, SO4, DOC and contents of suspected organic compounds (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, PAH, and pesticides/substances for pesticide production such as phenoxy acids, chlorophenols and chlorocresols, respectively). In case of PAH contaminated concrete, results indicate that removing 1 or 5mm of the surface lead to total concentrations below the Swedish guidelines for recycling of aggregates and soil in groundwork constructions. 3 out of 4 concrete samples contaminated with pesticides fulfilled Swedish guidelines for contaminated soil. Results from batch and column leaching tests indicated, however, that concentrations above environmental quality standards for certain PAH and phenoxy acids, respectively, might occur at site when the crushed concrete is recycled in groundwork constructions. As leaching tests engaged in the study deviated from leaching test standards with a limited number of samples, the potential impact of the leaching tests' equipment on measured PAH and pesticide leachate concentrations has to be evaluated in future work.

Department/s

  • Centre for Environmental and Climate Science (CEC)

Publishing year

2015

Language

English

Pages

186-193

Publication/Series

Waste Management: international journal of integrated waste management, science and technology

Volume

45

Issue

Online 09 July 2015

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Elsevier

Topic

  • Environmental Management

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1879-2456