JP2009526238A - Geomorphology for environmental restoration processes and systems, including sediment surveys - Google Patents

Abstract

  The present invention maps flow path sedimentation in three dimensions using one or more sediment surveying techniques. Sediment surveying techniques produce a definition of sediment that may be used to identify sediment bands (either area or volume) that may contain contaminants. This may be based on the substance of the sediment, the position of the sediment in the channel, the depth of the sediment and / or the thickness of the sediment layer. In one aspect, the sediment surveying technique, and the resulting sediment definition, may be used in combination with topographic techniques to calculate the corrected contaminant concentration of the sediment band. Based on on-site corrected contaminant concentrations, selective sediment removal can be used to achieve the most effective contaminant removal with minimal sediment removal or sediment testing.

Description

[Priority] [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of US patent application Ser. No. 11 / 090,538, filed on Mar. 25, 2005, and US patent filed on Feb. 7, 2006. Claim the benefit of application 60 / 765,899.

  [0002] The present invention relates generally to areas of remediation of contaminated sediment, and more specifically to processes and systems relating to exploration and remediation based on the geomorphology of the field to be rehabilitated.

  [0003] Environmental restoration of water bodies is often a very expensive and time consuming process of removing contaminated sediment. There are a great many problems in the conventional technology. Historically, dredging or drilling methods have been used to remove all sedimentation at the restoration site. Such a method is ultimately effective, but has two major drawbacks.

  [0004] The first is excessive removal of sediment. Not only highly contaminated sediment, but also relatively uncontaminated sediment will be removed. Since all dredged or excavated sediments must be treated as if they were contaminated, excessive removal of sediments leads to increased processing costs. Since sedimentation is one of the major costs of remediation, it is preferable to limit the amount of sediment removed.

  [0005] The second is habitat destruction. Dredging or drilling methods are rather inaccurate means and will significantly destroy the natural characteristics of the restored area, the natural habitat. This is especially true for channels such as streams, rivers, ponds and lakes. A dredging or excavation that flushes and exposes the entire area and removes all contaminated sediment can be compared to open-pit mining.

  [0006] Although progress has been made, there is still a need for techniques that can help to minimize the amount of sediment removed while being effective in remediating contamination.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The present invention maps channel sediment in three dimensions using one or more sediment survey techniques. Sediment survey techniques are used to define sediment and use it to identify zones (in either area or volume) of sediment that may contain contaminants. Also good. This technique may be based on the nature of the sediment, the position of the sediment in the channel, the depth of the sediment and / or the thickness of the sediment layer. In one aspect, the sediment survey technique, and the resulting sediment definition, may be used in combination with geomorphological techniques to calculate the corrected contaminant concentration of the sediment belt. Based on on-site corrected contaminant concentrations, selective sediment removal can be used to achieve the most effective contaminant removal with minimal sediment removal or sediment testing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0012] The present invention further properly removes contaminants from the field while helping to minimize the amount of contaminated sediment that must be removed during remediation of flow paths and surrounding areas. Including methods. The selective removal of sedimentation reduces the cost of restoration and further minimizes the impact of restoration on the natural environment.

  [0013] After the ongoing contamination has been removed, flow path repair can begin. Repair is generally planned to remove contaminants from the flow path itself and to ensure that the flow path is not re-contaminated in the future. To achieve these dual objectives, the method of the present invention involves identifying sediment bands along the flow path that need to be rehabilitated. Sedimentary belts may require remediation because they contain unacceptable levels of contaminants in channels (eg, in river channels, on riverbanks, high water beds, etc.). The sediment band may also require remediation in order to contain contaminants that may be reintroduced into the channel in the future.

  [0014] Regardless of whether navigation is possible, the flow path is typically a river, stream, creek, estuary, delta, wetland, and the like. Channels also include ponds, lakes, reservoirs, ponds, and the like. In addition, the channels also include adjacent areas that are in contact with water, previously covered by water, or that may be covered in the future, such as riverbanks, high water beds, floodplains, and the like.

  [0015] The identification of the sediment band may include identifying where the sediment is deposited and where the sediment is eroded within the flow path of interest. Geomorphological principles may be used to identify channel deposition, erosion and stability zones. “Applied River Morphology” by Dave Rosgen provides the basic background of geomorphology. This textbook is incorporated by reference as it is. Beyond its normal meaning, an erosion zone can cause a component (eg, sediment) over the indicated period regardless of whether the period is hours, days, weeks, months or years. It also refers to the area of the flow path that tends to lose. In addition to its usual meaning, a deposition zone also refers to an area of a flow path that tends to acquire components over a period of time. The stability band is therefore an area where no components are lost or gained over the period indicated. The sedimentary belt may be an erosion zone during one period (eg, during a flood) and a sedimentation zone during another period.

  [0016] In one aspect, identification of deposition and erosion zones involves comparing images of flow paths at different points in time; preferably for many years (eg, between 5 and 5 images Several images that have been recorded over 20 years) are compared. More preferably, the image is a digital image or a digitized image to facilitate use by a computer. An aerial image showing a large-scale situation of the channel is preferred.

  [0017] If possible, by comparing aerial photographs, it is possible to confirm how the flow path has changed as the contamination progressed. Over time, streams and rivers meander to create a favorable flow pattern, for example, because sediment deposits on the riverbed and move sideways or due to flooding. Such changes in the flow path may be important for flow path deposition, erosion and stability band identification. Deposits that are not near the river channel of the current channel may be near at some time, meaning that the previous sedimentary zone may be distant from the current sedimentary zone.

  [0018] In addition to using images, topographic data (eg, maps) of flow paths and surrounding areas are preferably used to identify sediment bands. For example, the slope of a river channel can determine whether it is in a sedimentary zone, an erosion zone or a stable zone. Also, using other data and data collection techniques, such as visual observation of the channel, sediment survey (discussed below), identification of the type of sediment in the channel channel, and explanation of soil properties. , Can help identify the deposition zone. On the ground surface that has been exposed to similar parameters such as flooding, erosion, or sedimentation, the transition of soil strata is similar. These may be combined to draw the collected information on a map to produce an output (eg, a map, graph or chart) that describes deposition, erosion and stability zones. The identification output may be in the form of a concrete medium (eg, paper) or intangible medium (eg, computer readable medium) or information sent to the repair site (eg, used by a GPS receiver) It may be a position for making a different map).

  [0019] The present invention also includes using one or more sediment surveying techniques to map or image the in situ sedimentary zone where remediation is intended. Appropriate surveying techniques include the application of electromagnetic energy to on-site sedimentation. After application of electromagnetic energy, the reflected energy is monitored. Any frequency of electromagnetic energy may be used, but some frequencies are more suitable for use in sediment surveying techniques. For example, sonar, radar, lidar, etc. may be used, among others their use in technologies such as acoustic measurement, surface exploration sonar, side scan sonar, ground radar, light detection and ranging, continuous frequency modulation. Can be mentioned.

  [0020] Other suitable sediment surveying techniques monitor fluctuations in ambient electromagnetic energy throughout the site to obtain information about the sediment. For example, monitoring fluctuations in the field in the field may be used; such monitoring techniques may include the use of magnetometers and / or gradiometers. Of course, other ambient condition monitoring, such as radioactivity monitoring or sediment temperature monitoring, may also provide useful information.

  [0021] The sediment surveying techniques discussed herein are useful for surveying sediment bands that are preferably below the surface of the water (eg, in a channel valley). However, surveying survey techniques may also be applied to all sedimentary belts on site, whether underwater or not. Surveys in these areas are particularly preferred because sediment below the surface is not suitable for visual inspection and is otherwise difficult to test. Moreover, these techniques can be provided in an efficient manner such that large areas of sediment in the channel may be surveyed for a reasonable period of time. For example, a sonar system secured to a boat is preferably longer than about 0.5 km, longer than about 1.0 km, longer than about 2.0 km, longer than about 5.0 km, longer than about 10 km, or longer than about 20 km. Used to survey the flow path. Of course, shorter or longer distance sediment surveys may also be performed.

  [0022] Information about the entity of the sediment is obtained based on the wavelength of energy applied and the reflection of that energy, or based on fluctuations in environmental energy. For example, silt can be identified as a pea gravel. In addition, the location of various types of sediment in the channel can be drawn on a map. For example, silts in the main valleys can be identified and identified from the pebbles closer to the channel bank. Initially, a sediment survey survey provides a 2D representation (eg, a map) of various sediments at the bottom of the channel. This information may be obtained, for example, from side scan sonar mapping at the bottom of the flow path.

  [0023] In addition, the sediment survey can similarly indicate the position of the sediment in three dimensions. This identifies sedimentation below the surface of the channel and / or below the bottom of the channel (eg, sub-bottom profiling). The advantage of this type of sediment survey is that it also identifies the thickness of the sediment layer. Along with other information, the sediment volume of a particular type of sediment may be identified.

  [0024] Accordingly, as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, various sediment layers, and the depth and thickness of each layer may be identified. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the first layer on the bottom surface is about 2.3 feet thick and is silt. The next lower layer is also about 2.3 feet thick silt. Below this is a siltrome about 1.7 feet thick and a sandy loam about 0.9 feet thick. The last layer listed is the lake bottom loam. The top two layers contain the highest concentrations of contaminants of 9.4 and 16 ppm, respectively, compared to the remaining layers. Because these layers are exposed to or near water, they are probably a source of contaminants that can erode during the fast flow and therefore be reintroduced. As a result, these layers may exhibit a high risk reduction factor of 1.0. The layers below these two layers contain relatively small amounts of contaminants (eg <0.01 ppm) and therefore represent a high risk of reintroducing the contaminants, whether they are eroded or not. No. For these layers, a risk reduction factor of 0.1 or 0.01 may be applied, depending on whether they are located in the erosion, deposition, or stability zones. Similarly, FIG. 2 shows a silt layer (about 3.4 feet), followed by a siltrom (about 0.5 feet), a sandy loam (about 0.9 feet) and another siltrom (about 1.1 feet). . Most layers on the top contain a relatively high concentration of contaminants of about 18 ppm and are therefore reintroduction sources. It would be appropriate to assign a risk reduction factor of 1.0. The second layer has a low contaminant concentration of 0.25 ppm and may therefore be assigned a risk reduction factor of, for example, 0.25. The remaining layer contains a much lower concentration level of about <0.01 ppm. As mentioned above, these layers depend on the type of zone in which the layer is located. A risk reduction factor of 0.1 or 0.01 may be assigned.

  [0025] From the contaminant entity and the sediment entity, it is possible to identify the possibility that the sediment in a particular sediment zone will contain the contaminant. For example, silt or organics are more likely to retain pollutants than peas. Combining information from sediment surveys together allows for a reduction in the number of samples that need to be collected and allows corrections for corrected contaminant concentrations and / or risk reduction factors discussed below. To do. Sediment surveying is another technique for reducing the amount of sediment removed.

  [0026] One outcome of channel deposition and erosion zone identification is the ability to limit the amount of sample testing that needs to be performed. By understanding where the sediment is eroded and deposited, the test can be limited to sediment that may contain contaminants. By understanding the flow path deposition environment, fewer test samples are used. Focusing on the deposition area is equivalent to reducing exploration and repair costs. For example, in the erosion zone, any contaminants may have been washed away downstream, so testing may not be necessary there.

[0027] Another outcome of the identification of sedimentation and erosion zones is the ability to identify sediments that may be eroded in the future. Future erosion may cause contaminants to be reintroduced into the flow path.
[0028] The identification of the sediment zones may include calculating a corrected concentration of contaminants in each sediment zone. The corrected concentration for a particular zone incorporates a number of factors, including known or estimated contaminant concentrations (measured in ppm), area of the zone in square feet, erosion factors, and risk reduction factors .

  [0029] The concentration of contaminants in a zone may be known by the sample tested for the sediment of interest. Alternatively, the pollutant concentration in a zone may be estimated. One estimation technique includes the use of a proxy. Known concentrations of pollutants in a proxy area are similar sediment types, similar relationships with channels (eg, in river channels, riverbanks or high water beds), similar locations relative to channels (eg, to folds and meanders) Based on proximity, river channel slope, channel width, etc.). Soft sediment is a loosely structured inorganic / organic material that settles and accumulates in the flow path and can be easily moved in the flow path under high bank or flood discharge conditions. is there. Non-soft sediments are solid inorganic / organic matter present on the river bed and cannot easily move in the channel under high water level or flood season discharge conditions. In certain preferred embodiments, an estimated concentration of 0.5 ppm may be used in river channels, non-flexible sediment zones, and an estimated concentration of 0.05 ppm may be used in bedrock or boulders and boulders . The technique is preferred because the use of estimated or proxy concentrations reduces the amount of sampling required.

  [0030] The erosion factor quantifies the likelihood that sediment will be reintroduced into the channel at some time in the future. A high erosion factor indicates that sedimentation is in the channel of the channel or is likely to come into contact with water, thus increasing the risk of recontaminating the channel. On the other hand, a low erosion factor indicates a low chance that sediment will be reintroduced into the water in the future.

  [0031] The assignment of erosion factors takes into account the geomorphology of the channel in question. For areas in contact with water and outside the relatively steep fold, erosion factor 1 (high) is used. These areas have the highest erosion factors due to the erosive nature of the channel valleys. The valley line is the part of the flow path having the fastest speed, and in the straight watershed, it is placed at the center of the flow path. In the folds, the valleys are pushed outside the fold, causing maximum erosion outside the fold.

  [0032] In the case of a more gentle fold, the maximum force in the valley is not applied to the outside of the fold, so an erosion factor of 0.5 (medium) is used. Erosion factor 0.25 (low) is used on riverbanks, inside folds, and high water basins in fairly straight watersheds; there is some erosion risk in these areas during the flood season. The inside of the fold is usually a deposition zone, but is listed here as being layered. Finally, areas away from the flow path, and protected areas in the flow path (eg, boulders, crate, revetment, split stone, gabion, etc.) are given an erosion factor of 0.01 (very low) . Also, lower erosion factors may be used in certain riverside areas that are protected by boulders, crate, revetment, quarry stone, gabion and other techniques.

  [0033] Another factor considered in the corrected concentration is a risk reduction factor. Remediation activities may shift the pollutant test or estimated concentration in a given sedimentary belt. This is especially true for sedimentary belts in high water areas where there is a risk of reintroducing contaminants into the channel after repair.

  [0034] Ideally, only uncontaminated material is used to cover the contaminated sediment and bring the contaminant concentration to zero. However, because of the stratification, risk reduction factors are applied as follows. If less than 2 inches of soil cover or crushed stone is used, risk reduction factor 1 (no reduction) may be applied; meaning that the soil cover is not considered to provide a reduction in the risk of reintroduction. If a 2-6 inch soil cover is used, a risk reduction factor of 0.5 (low reduction) is applicable, meaning that the risk of reintroduction is halved. A risk reduction factor of 0.1 (moderate reduction) is applicable if a soil cover thicker than 6 inches or cracked stone is used. If a soil cover or cracked stone thicker than 6 inches is used in combination with geotextile, a risk reduction factor of 0.01 (high reduction) may be applied. For example, permanent roads constructed to enter a repair site may use uncontaminated soil and / or geotextiles, thus reducing the risk of reintroduction to a significant degree (eg, 0.01).

  [0035] A typical corrected concentration of the sand belt is as follows. As a result of testing a sample collected from a zone in the channel of the channel, the concentration was 1.2 ppm. Since the zone was in the river channel, erosion factor 1 (high) was applied. Similarly, risk reduction factor 1 was again applied because cover soil was not used in this area. In this example, the corrected density is the same as the starting density. In another example, a sample taken from an uncovered zone at an initial concentration of 2.6 ppm has an erosion factor of 0.1 and a risk reduction factor of 0.1, so 0.026 ppm It has a corrected density.

  [0036] In one aspect, the sediment surveying technique is combined with topography to further identify sediment bands that may need to be removed. For example, the sediment entity is included as a factor in the corrected contaminant concentration of the sediment band. Sediment that may contain contaminants is given a relatively high factor or weight (eg, 1.0), while sediment that may not contain contaminants is given a relatively low factor or weight (eg, 0). .1 or 0.01).

  [0037] In addition, a sediment survey may be used to correct the risk reduction factor of the corrected contaminant concentration. In the case of sediments (eg silt) in the erosion zone that may contain contaminants, a high risk reduction factor (eg 0.5 or 1.0) may be assigned. This is because the pollutants in the sand belt may be reintroduced into the flow path. On the other hand, sediments that may contain contaminants but are underneath uncontaminated sediments (eg, pebbles) are low risk reducing factors (eg, 0.1 or 0.01). May be given. This is because the risk of reintroduction of this sediment is lower. Similarly, sediments that are in sedimentary zones and that may contain contaminants may still be given a low risk reduction factor. This is because the sediment may be covered by a conforming uncontaminated sediment and therefore the risk of reintroduction is lower.

  [0038] One advantage of using the sediment surveying technique is that the volume of sediment in the sediment zone can be more easily measured. These techniques identify the position of the sediment within the vertical sediment layer of the channel. For example, the amount of sediment removed may be reduced by calculating the concentration corrected for volume. Because it is relatively uncontaminated and / or stable while removing the most heavily contaminated sediment, or sediment that is disturbed or more likely to reintroduce contaminants into the flow path This is because the sediment layer can be selectively removed while leaving the sediment.

  [0039] As will be appreciated, when quantifying the effective amount of contaminants in the sediment, the corrected contaminant concentration calculation takes into account flow path deposition and erosion characteristics. Using standardized and compared concentrations corrected against applicable standards (eg, site-specific requirements, local government, state or federal laws, ordinances or regulations), sedimentation It can be determined whether the band requires repair or is fully repaired.

  [0040] The identification of the sedimentary band may also include calculating the area-concentration of each sedimentary band from the corrected concentration of each sedimentary band and the area expressed in square feet. Good. The area of the sand belt may be obtained using Thiessen's polygon method. Area-concentration quantifies the amount of contaminants on the surface of the sedimentary belt and provides the total amount of contaminants in the sedimentary belt.

[0041] Area-concentration calculations are summarized in the following formula:
C × EF × RAF × A = PA,
In the formula:
C = tested or estimated concentration,
EF = erosion factor,
RAF = risk reduction factor,
A = area of sedimentary belt (sq.ft.), and PA = area-concentration (ppm ^* sq.ft.)
[0042] The area-concentration may be compared to a standard to determine if the sediment band needs to be removed or to determine whether the sediment has been fully restored.

  [0043] The pre-repair calculation of the area-concentration of the sediment band may be used to determine whether it is worth removing the sediment. In addition, post-repair calculations of area-concentration may be used to determine whether the repair was effective.

  [0044] For example, the area-concentrations of adjacent sediment bands may be combined together to provide the surface weighted average concentration (SWAC) of a specific channel section or basin. Comparing the SWAC before and after repair is one way to determine or anticipate the effectiveness of the basin repair project.

[0045] SWAC is calculated by dividing the total area-concentration of the sedimentary zone of the basin by the total area of the zone of the basin and is represented by the following formula: ΣPA / ΣA.
[0046] Some or all of the steps of the methods discussed herein may be performed or supplemented by a computer system. A computer system for performing any and all functions that may be necessary or preferred to perform the disclosed method steps or to operate the disclosed system, It may include instructions executable on a suitable computer. The computer system may include computer-executable instructions, computer-readable media, and communication media. Computer-executable instructions (eg, software and software updates), such as program modules (eg, routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc.), may be executed by one or more computers or other devices. Well, it may perform a specific task or implement a specific abstract data type. Computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, may be implemented on or associated with various computer-readable media. Communication media typically includes computer-executable instructions in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave or another transport mechanism, and includes any information delivery media. Examples include, but are not limited to, wired media such as a wired network or direct wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF infrared, infrared, etc. Combinations of any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

  [0047] The method and system of the present invention can be applied to a variety of contaminants such as polychlorinated biphenyls, insecticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, petroleum hydrocarbons, metals, or any other organic, inorganic or organometallic compound. Appropriate and they may be associated with sedimentation by one mechanism or another.

  [0048] For example, the contaminant may include one or more compounds from the following classes: acrylamide, acrylic acid and its esters, aldehydes, aliphatic imines, alkanolamines, alkenes, alkylbenzenes, aluminum and compounds thereof, Aminoazobenzene, azobenzene, antimony and its compounds, arsenic and its compounds, aryl sulfonic acids and salts, aryl phosphates, azides, inorganics, benzene polycarboxylate, benzotriazole, beryllium and its compounds, biphenyl oxide, boron and its compounds, bromine Dibenzo-p-dioxin, brominated diphenyl ether, brominated aromatic compounds, bromobenzene, bromochloromethane, cadmium and its compounds, chlorofluorocarbons , Chlorofluoroethylene, chlorinated dibenzofuran, chlorinated paraffin, chlorinated naphthalene, chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin, chlorinated benzene, chloropentadiene, chlorophenol, chloropropene, chlorotoluene, chromium and its compounds, cobalt and its compounds , Copper and its compounds, creosote, cyclic alkene, cyclopentadiene, dinitrophenol, dinitrotoluene, dinitrocresol, epoxide, ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, ethyl fluorocarbon, fluoride, fluorocarbon, glycol, glycol ether, glycidyl ether, halo Alcohol, haloethane, haloether, halomethane, halon, haloethylene, halounsaturated ethane, hydrochlorofluoro Carbon, iron and its compound, indium and its compound, inorganic chlorine, inorganic sulfur, ketone solvent, lead and its compound, lithium and its compound, manganese and its compound, metallocene, mercaptan, mercaptobenzothiazole, methacrylic acid and its ester, Molybdenum and its compounds, methylfluorocarbon, methylethylbenzene, nickel and its compounds, nitroparaffin, nitroaromatic compounds, nitrile, nicotine and salts, nitrobenzene, nitroparaffin, nitrophenol, nitrotoluene, organic acids, organic anhydrides, organic peroxides , Organic silicon compounds, organic arsenic compounds, organic isocyanates, organic lead compounds, organic mercury, organic phosphate compounds, palladium and its compounds, insecticides, perfluorinated compounds (E.g. perfluorinated carbon), petroleum hydrocarbons, phthalate esters, platinum and compounds thereof, polychlorinated biphenols, polychlorinated biphenyls, polycyclic organics, polyethylene glycols, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, polypropylene glycol, selenium and compounds thereof, Silicon, siloxane, silver and its compounds, tellurium and its compounds, tetramethylbenzene, thallium and its compounds, thiourea, titanium and its compounds, trichlorobenzene, trimethylbenzene, trinitrophenol, uranium and its compounds, xylenol, zinc and its Compounds, as well as combinations thereof.

[0049] Examples [0050] Table 1 shows data before repair of the high watershed area of the flow path shown in FIG. Each polygon number is displayed in FIG. 1 like each sample ID. As can be seen from the table, each polygon has a pollutant concentration, an erosion factor, and a risk reduction factor. From these, the corrected contaminant concentration is calculated. The polygon area density is calculated for each polygon area. In order to determine SWAC, the area density of the total polygon is divided by the area of the total polygon. For this particular flow path section, the pre-repair SWAC is 0.35.
[0051]

[0052] Table 2 shows data after restoration of the high watershed area of the flow path shown in FIG. As shown in Table 1, each polygon number is displayed in FIG. 2 like each sample ID.
[0053]

[0054] For a particular portion of the high-floor compartment of this flow path, the post-repair SWAC is 0.15, thus suggesting an improvement (ie reduction) in the amount of contaminants in that section of the flow path.
[0055] Further, the functions or structures of a plurality of components or processes may be combined and integrated into a single component or process, or the function or structure of one process or component is divided into a plurality of processes or components. It will be appreciated that it may be. The present invention contemplates all these combinations. Unless stated otherwise, the scale and shape of the various structures shown herein are not intended to limit the invention and other scales or shapes are possible. Multiple structural components or processes may be provided by a single integrated structure or process. Alternatively, a single integrated structure or process may be divided into separate components or processes. Furthermore, while features of the invention may be described in connection with only one of the described aspects, for any particular application, such features may be combined with one or more other aspects of another aspect. May be combined with features. It will also be appreciated from the above that the construction and operation of the structure unique to this specification constitutes a method according to the present invention.

  [0056] The description and illustrations presented herein are intended to acquaint others skilled in the art with the invention, its principles, and its practical application. Those skilled in the art may adapt and utilize it in a great variety of forms of the invention so that it can be best suited to the particular use requirements. Accordingly, the specific embodiments of the invention as described are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention. The scope of the invention should, therefore, not be determined by reference to the above description, but should be considered as such along with the full scope of equivalents to which the appended claims are entitled. Should be determined by reference. The disclosures of all clauses and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes.

[0009] Shows the results of a hydrographic survey of the riverbed where different types of sediment are distinguished from each other along with sediment depth. [0009] Shows the results of a hydrographic survey of the riverbed where different types of sediment are distinguished from each other along with sediment depth. [0010] Indicates the repair site where the corrected contaminant concentration was calculated. [0011] Shows a repair site where the concentration of contaminants after repair is calculated.

Claims (20)

A method of surveying the site for possible selective removal of contaminated sediment including the following steps:
Perform sediment surveys of one or more sediment belts at the site including the channel;
The corrected pollutant concentration for each of the one or more sediment bands is:
Measuring the initial contaminant concentration of each of the one or more sediment bands;
Assigning an erosion factor to each of the one or more sediment zones; and calculating by assigning a risk reducing factor to each of the one or more sediment zones.   The method of claim 1, wherein the performing step comprises applying electromagnetic energy to the sand belt and monitoring the energy reflected by the sand belt.   The method of claim 2 wherein the electromagnetic energy is sonar or radar.   The method of claim 2, wherein the performing step further comprises identifying a sediment type, a sediment location, a sediment volume, and combinations thereof in each sediment belt.   The method of claim 4, wherein the assigned risk reduction factor is corrected based on sediment type, sediment location, sediment volume, and combinations thereof.   5. The method of claim 4, further comprising identifying whether the sediment belt is an erosion zone, a sedimentation zone or a stability zone.   The method of claim 1, further comprising determining whether the one or more sediment bands require remediation by comparing the corrected contaminant concentration with a standard.   8. The method of claim 7, wherein the standard is a site requirement, or local government, state or federal law, regulation or ordinance, and combinations thereof.   The method of claim 1, wherein the step of measuring the initial concentration comprises estimating the initial concentration or testing the sediment.   The method of claim 1, wherein assigning the erosion factor comprises identifying each of the one or more sedimentation zones as a sedimentation zone, an erosion zone, or a stability zone.   The method of claim 10, wherein identifying the sedimentary band comprises comparing field images separated in time, analyzing field topographic features, or a combination thereof.   The method of claim 11, wherein the identifying step further comprises applying electromagnetic energy to the sedimentary band and monitoring the energy reflected by the sedimentary band.   8. The method of claim 7, further comprising planning a remediation plan based on a determination of which of the one or more sedimentation belts requires remediation.   The method of claim 13, further comprising repairing the site in view of the repair plan.   The method of claim 1, wherein the contaminant comprises polychlorinated biphenyl. A method for the selective removal of polluted sediment including the following steps:
Identify one or more sedimentary belts in a channel and determine the location of sedimentary, erosive and stable zones in the channel by applying sediment surveying and topographical principles:
Calculating a corrected pollutant concentration for one or more sediment zones at the site;
Determining whether the one or more sediment bands require remediation by comparing the corrected contaminant concentration with a standard; and which of the one or more sediment bands need remediation; A repair plan should be planned based on this judgment.   The method of claim 16, further comprising executing a planned repair plan.   The method of claim 17, further comprising confirming execution of the repair plan.   19. The checking step includes sediment sediment sampling after restoration, calculating a corrected contaminant concentration after restoration of one or more restored sediment bands, sediment surveying, or a combination thereof. The method described in 1.   20. The method of claim 19, further comprising calculating a surface weighted average concentration of the compartment with the flow path before planning a repair plan.

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