Latin American and Caribbean Consortium of Engineering Institutions

Conference Track:  Engineering & Public Service

Keywords:         dredging, contaminant, flux, capping, water quality

Contact Title:    Dr.

Contact First Name: Carlos

Contact Last Name:  Ruiz

University:       ERDC-WES

Web:              www.wes.army.mil

Position:         Research Civil Engineer

Country:          USA

Email:            ruizc@wes.army.mil

Fax:              601-634-3129

Abstract Title: 

Evaluation of Contaminant Flux from CAD Sites in the San Jose Lagoon Using the CAP Model 

Abstract: 

This paper describes an application of the Capping Analysis Program (CAP) model to contained aquatic dredged material disposal (CAD) sites. CAD sites are an alternative for the disposal of dredged material not suitable for open water disposal.

Dredged material was placed in three existing pits with incompressible foundations, two in San José Lagoon and the other in Los Corozos Lagoon. San José Pit 1 contains dredged material from the Draving Dock in San Juan Bay and was capped using dredged material from the Cruise Ship Dock in San Juan Bay. Three different mechanically dredged materials from the Caño Martin Peña are being placed in the other two CAD sites: channel sediments, bank sediments and upland bank (fill) materials and capped with locally available clean sand. CAP has been developed by ERDC-WES to predict long term movement of contaminants through caps at CAD sites. San Juan and Martin Peña sediments contain a number of contaminants, but copper and selenium were determined to be the contaminant of concern (COC) for its potential water quality impact.  The analysis shows the flux of copper from the dredged material is reduced by nearly a factor of 50 by the capping material. Martin Peña CAD sites contribution of selenium to the water column is predicted to be less than 1 percent of the water quality standard.  The maximum concentration of selenium in the mixed layer pore water is predicted to be less than 20 percent of the water quality standard. 

Mailing Address: 

U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center-WES

3909 Halls Ferry Road

Vicksburg, MS  39180 

Phone: 

601-634-3784 

Authors: 

Carlos E. Ruiz, Research Civil Engineer, CEERD-EP-W, U.S. Army Engineer Research  and Development Center, Waterways Experiment Station, 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS, 39180.  (601) 634-3784, Carlos.E.Ruiz@erdc.usace.army.mil (P)

Paul R. Schroeder, Research Civil Engineer, CEERD-EP, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center. (601) 634-3709, Paul.R.Schroeder@erdc.usace.army.mil