The rainfall effect onto solidification and stabilization of heavy metal-polluted sediments

Rainfall makes impacts on the process of solidification/stabilization (S/S) and the long-term safety of solidified matrix. In this study, the effect of rainfall on solidification/stabilization process was investigated by the rainfall test. The unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) were adopted to characterize the properties of S/S sediments before and after the rainfall test. The samples cured for 28 days were selected for semi-dynamic leaching tests with a simulated acidic leachant prepared at pH of 2.0, 4.0 and 7.0. The effectiveness of S/S treatment was evaluated by diffusion coefficient (D(e)) and leachability index (LX). The results indicated that UCS decreased at maximum deterioration rate of 34.23% after 7 days of curing, along with the minimum rate of 7.98% after 28 days by rainfall, with greater than 14 days referred. The rainfall had little effect on the leaching characteristics of heavy metals during the curing process. However, the simulated acid rain made significant impacts on the leaching behaviours of the heavy metals in the S/S materials. All the values of cumulative fraction of leached heavy metals were less than 2.0%, exhibition of good stabilization of cement. Furthermore, the calculated diffusion coefficient (D(e)) for Cu was 1.28 × 10(1) cm(2) s(–1), indicating its low mobility of heavy metal ions in S/S sediments. Furthermore, the calculated diffusion coefficients (D(i)) for Cd, Cu and Pb were 7.44 × 10(−11), 8.18 × 10(−12) and 7.85 × 10(−12) cm(2) s(–1), respectively, indicating their relatively low mobility of heavy metal in S/S sediments.