The Port of Gothenburg announced that is planning to make use of contaminated clay from the seabed, to build a new freight terminal. The method is currently being tested, as part of large-scale field trials, using dredging spoils from the Göta Älv river. The first barges loaded with spoils arrived on March 28.
The new freight terminal will be at the outer port area at Hisingen. The terminal, covering 220,000 square metres, will be built using clay spoils from the Göta Älv river, taken up as part of routine dredging to maintain the river depth.
Dredging spoils in the river are contaminated by a variety of substances, including TBT, tributyltin, an environmental toxin that can disrupt hormone levels. Until 2008, it was included as an antibiocide in antifouling paints used on the hulls of ships and boats. To ensure the spoils can be enclosed safely without seeping into the surroundings, exhaustive trials are being conducted, the Port says.
“There is no suitable landfill site for contaminated spoil volumes of this size. This is a good way of using the spoils and at the same time helping to clean up the river,” explained Eduardo Epifanio, project manager at Gothenburg Port Authority.
The Port explains that the method has already been tested in the laboratory. Large-scale field trials are about to commence using dredging spoils taken from the area around the Göta Älv Bridge.
The field trials include testing two different combinations of materials. The first involves mixing the spoils with cement and slag, and the other involves mixed the spoils with cement, slag and fly ash – a considerably cheaper and eco-friendlier alternative.
“It worked well in the laboratory and now it will be tested on a larger scale. It is important to ensure that no environmental toxins escape into the water and that the strength and durability specifications are met,” said Eduardo Epifanio.
The field trials will continue until Easter. The results will then be evaluated.
The Port also informs on the ways it conducts the procedure. Specifically, contaminated dredging spoils from the area around the Göta Älv Bridge are transported by barge to Arendal Bay. There the spoils are mixed with different combinations of binding agents (cement, slag and fly ash). The spoils are then pumped into two cells, which are compared with each other. The spoils are enclosed by a stone embankment and sheeting to prevent the contaminants from seeping into the river. The spoils will then be covered by a superstructure that will be 1.2 m thick.
Source & Image credit: Port of Gothenburg