SediMite™ is the low-impact method for delivering activated carbon to contaminated sediment for in-situ remediation. SediMite™ pellets are comprised of 50% powdered activated carbon by weight, allowing for a high dose of activated carbon to contaminated sediment with relatively little bulk material or effort.

Activated carbon delivered via SediMite™ can effectively bind persistent, hydrophobic sediment pollutants such as PCBs, PAHs, dioxins, furans, mercury, and methylmercury.  Once adsorbed to activated carbon in sediment, these bioaccumulative pollutants are effectively removed from the bioavailable fraction of sediment, reducing the toxicity, bioaccumulation, and associated ecological risk.

SediMite™ is applied at the water surface.  The pellets rapidly sink to the contaminated sediments, forming a thin, non-suffocating layer.  SediMite™ pellets can be formulated to break down over a period of a week to several months, depending on the site characteristics and project requirements, releasing activated carbon for incorporation into the biologically active zone while minimizing loss to the water column.

Over time, the activated carbon delivered via SediMite™ becomes incorporated into the sediment bioactive zone, adsorbing and sequestering hydrophobic organic chemicals and blocking their toxiciological effects and bioaccumulative potential.

Activated carbon delivered as required.

 

In-situ sediment remediation using activated carbon is most appropriate for sites where the site conditions do not clearly require removal or capping.  Low chemical concentrations, low bioavailability, sensitive habitat, or near existing infrastructure are examples.

SediMite™ is designed to cause minimal environmental impact for delivering activated carbon to surficial sediments for in-situ remediation.  It may be applied to lakes, ponds, wetlands, streams, rivers, or estuaries.  SediMite has been shown to cause minimal impacts on the benthic community and sediment characteristics, making it ideal for use for Enhanced Monitored Natural Restoration (EMNR) or as an alternative to dredging and capping.

 

 

Low Effort, Low Impact Delivery

The high activated carbon content of SediMite pellets allows for effective dosing using relatively little material.  The initial layer of SediMite required to dose six inches of contaminated sediment to 5% activated carbon is often a half-inch or less, making SediMite ideal for application to sensitive environments such as wetlands, floodplains, SAV beds, and navigable waters.

Retention and Incorporation

Activated carbon delivered via SediMite is bound within the pellet matrix.  Slow break-down allows the activated carbon to become mixed within the contaminated sediment column via natural processes such as bioturbation and sediment accretion.

 

Activated Carbon Caps

SediMite provides a ready solution for installing sediment caps with fine granular activated carbon.  SediMite pellets are easily handled and mixed with sand for caps where activated carbon alone would be impossible.

Reactive Barrier

SediMite may be used to form a reactive barrier between contaminated sediment and a sand cap.  At 50% powdered activated carbon, even a thin layer of SediMite™ will provide a highly adsorbtive layer to prevent the movement of chemicals in contaminated sediment or groundwater into the overlying environment.

Design, Planning, Implementation.

 

Sediment Solutions provides clients our extensive expertise in the use of activated carbon for in-situ sediment remediation.  Our founders and co-owners, Drs. Upal Ghosh and Charles Menzie, are recognized experts in the environmental sciences and engineering fields.

Dr. Ghosh performed some of the foundational research behind the use of activated carbon for in-situ sediment remediation while an Engineering Research Associate and Lecturer at Stanford University.  He continued this research after becoming a Professor at UMBC in 2007 and has published over 50 articles in the scientific literature on the topic, as well as performing dozens of innovative research projects using activated carbon, biofilms, and passive samplers to assess and remediate sediment contaminants.

Dr. Menzie has over 40 years of experience in environmental consulting and is regarded as a primary expert in the fields of ecological risk assessment and causal analysis for evaluating the environmental fate and effects of chemical contaminants.  Dr. Menzie has co-authored many of the publications considered to be fundamental to the use of activated carbon for in-situ remediation of sediments.

Our combined experience provides clients with unrivaled expertise in performing sediment remediation projects using activated carbon, from selecting the correct activated carbon for the site-specific contaminants, designing and implementing a scientifically viable pilot study, to installing the remedy.