The use of cardboard factory sludge in the remediation of zinc contaminated sediment

Abstract

Paper and cardboard factory sludges are generated by various processes during pulp, cardboard and paper production, and the increasing quantities produced make the disposal of this sludge a problem. This study investigates the use of cardboard factory sludge as a stabilizing agent in the solidification/stabilization (S/S) treatment of zinc polluted sediment. Semidynamic and toxicity leaching tests were conducted to assess the effectiveness of the solidification/stabilization treatment and long-term zinc leaching behaviour. A diffusion-based model was used to elucidate the controlling leaching mechanisms. The applied S/S treatment was effective in immobilizing zinc, and the controlling leaching mechanism appeared to be diffusion, which indicates that a slow leaching of zinc could be expected when cardboard mill sludge is applied as a S/S agent.