Study of Heavy Metals in Dredged Spoil

Abstract

There is a possibility that dredged sediments can be contaminated with heavy metals because of the recent industrial development and rapid population increase along the coastal regions of the world. Hence there is a need to examine the extent of contamination before disposal. In the present investigation, an attempt has been made to study the distribution of selected heavy metals in the dredged samples collected along such southern coastal regions of Singapore as Pasir Panjang Wharf, Marina Bay, and Empire Dock. The test results showed that heavy metals concentration in dredged spoil was low, and they can be categorized into uncontaminated/slightly contaminated levels. It is likely that the dredged spoil may be safely disposed of either for land reclamation or for geotechnical applications without further treatment.