Abel, S., Ph.D. dissertation, University of Eastern Finland, 61 pp, 2019

This thesis studied different activated carbon (AC) amendments for their remediation efficiency and adverse effects to allow a balanced view of the potential and risks of the method. A 14-month pilot-scale field study was conducted in a hydrophobic organic contaminant (PCB)-contaminated lake in Finland and complemented by laboratory trials. Field study results revealed several shortcomings of AC-based sediment remediation, including poor retention of the AC cap on site and ongoing recontamination with sediment from adjacent, untreated sites during storm events. A novel, low-buoyancy AC-based material (ACC-G) was developed to improve the sorbent's applicability from the water surface and increase its resistance to water turbulence. Initial laboratory tests showed high contaminant-binding capabilities of the novel material. Adverse effects were reduced compared to powdered ACs by granulating the ACC-G. This prevents the ingestion of AC particles by organisms, which has been suggested to be one of the major causes of AC-induced adverse effects. http://epublications.uef.fi/pub/urn_isbn_978-952-61-3001-9/urn_isbn_978-952-61-3001-9.pdf