Effect of modified Fenton treatment on the thermal behavior of contaminated harbor sediments

This study presents the results of experimental Fenton-like treatments conducted on marine sediment slurries (2 g sediment vs. 20 ml liquid). The sediment was collected in a harbor situated in a high density industrial area, characterized by a great hydrocarbon C > 12 and PAHs contamination. The investigated parameters were: the H2O2 dose, the reagent’s pH and the effect of a phosphate salt and ferrous iron addition. To evaluate sediment’s characteristics COD, particle size, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses were performed under N2 and O2 atmosphere while dissolved organic carbon and COD analyses were performed on the filtrate. Results indicate that the treatment was able to change the organic matter to a less hydrophobic state, to destroy part of the organic carbon (up to 78% decrease of the 200–400 °C labile organic matter), to lower the COD of the sediment (60% COD removal maximum) and to increase the cumulated distribution undersize. In addition as the treated sediment showed easier-to-handle characteristics, reduced caking and lower aggregation capacity, the modified Fenton treatment could also be considered a pre-treatment of a successive thermal treatment.