Figure 1. Flowchart for implementation

ERDC TN-DOER-C12

February 2000

been extremely successful and has impressed interested parties that contaminated sediment can be

used beneficially in both a manufactured topsoil for use on restricted sites such as landfills, mineland

restoration sites, and Superfund site restoration and in construction materials such as building blocks

and flowable fill. However, additional concerns have been raised related to the risk of producing

these kinds of materials for these specific uses. Additional environmental testing has been requested

prior to implementation of these beneficial uses.

INTRODUCTION: In order to determine the suitability of dredged material for beneficial uses,

some basic data are required. Characterization tests described in Winfield and Lee (1999) can

provide data that could determine the suitability of a dredged material for a specific use. A

framework for testing and evaluating beneficial uses of dredged material was presented in Winfield

and Lee (1999) that expands Figure 3-4 of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)/U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Technical Framework (USACE/USEPA 1992). That

framework will be further expanded in this technical note as shown in Figure 1. Case studies on

the application of the characterization tests to determine beneficial uses were described in Lee

(1999). Manufactured soil technology as a beneficial use of dredged material was described in

Sturgis and Lee (1999). Testing the potential for reclamation of contaminated dredged material has

been described in Price and Lee (1999) and Price, Lee, and Simmers (1999) for phytoreclamation

and Frederickson et al. (1999) for bioreclamation processes. These technical notes give the details

on how to test contaminated dredged material to determine if contaminants can be processed so that

the dredged material could then be used for beneficial purposes. A working group of experts that

was convened concluded that phytoreclamation was achievable for certain contaminants currently

and that additional research and demonstration were required for other contaminants (Price, Lee,

and Simmers 1999).

Identify markets

Determine quality, quantity, and availability of appropriate materials

Conduct Characterization Tests

Conduct Preliminary Product Tests to meet required specifications

Present test results to local authorities

Acquire any and all permits, if required

Coordinate local entities requiring product

Develop commercialization plan

Submit plan to appropriate entity controlling dredged material

Figure 1. Flowchart for implementation

Implementation of these innovative technologies for reclaiming and using contaminated dredged

material will be discussed in this technical note. It is important to assess the potential markets for

manufactured products and the availability of local waste materials for the implementation of