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Environmental concentrations of copper, chromium, and arsenic released from a chromated-copper-arsenate-(CCA-C-) treated wetland boardwalk

2005; Forest Products Society; Volume: 55; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

2376-9637

Stan Lebow, Daniel O. Foster,

Recycling and utilization of industrial and municipal waste in materials production

A study was conducted to evaluate environmental accumulation and mobility of total copper, chromium, and arsenic adjacent to a chromated-copper-arsenate- (CCA-C-) treated wetland boardwalk. The study was considered a severe test because it included a large volume of treated wood in a site with high annual rainfall. Soil and sediment samples were collected before construction and 0.5, 2, 5.5, 11, 24, and 60 months after construction. Increased concentrations of copper, chromium, and arsenic were detected in some soil and sediment samples. The environmental concentrations varied with time, proximity to the treated wood, and type of exposure. Concentrations of leached components in the soil developed slowly and were greatest at the 60-month sampling. Soil samples with elevated levels of copper and chromium were confined to directly under the dripline of the boardwalk, and arsenic appeared to be limited to within 0.3 m (1 ft.) of the structure. Concentrations of leached components in the sediments increased more quickly than those in the soil and reached maximum or near maximum levels within the first year. Elevated concentrations of copper, chromium, and arsenic were found in sediments as much as 3 m (10 ft.) from the boardwalk. Concentrations of these elements were also generally greater in sediment than in soil, suggesting that factors other than leaching, such as abrasion of treated wood fiber caused by foot traffic, may be contributing to environmental releases. In both soil and sediment samples, total copper and arsenic concentrations were consistently more elevated than chromium concentrations.