Stabilization treatment applied using jet-grouting techniques was identified as a preferred remedy for soils contaminated with elevated concentrations of cadmium at an industrial site located in the State of New York. Past releases of hazardous substances, primarily cadmium, at the facility have been documented. Field investigations performed by the facility owner identified potential receptors of the cadmium-containing soils and surface run-off, and determined the extent of the cadmium contamination. These investigations revealed that a total of 4100 m³ of subsurface soil have been impacted by cadmium.
Prior to construction, a treatability study was performed to define and verify effective reagent and grout formulations. Total cadmium concentrations in the soil were approximately 130 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) with Toxicity Characteristics Leaching Procedure (TCLP) leachable cadmium concentrations of 2.2 milligrams per liter (mg/L). The concentrations exceeded the TCLP regulatory limit of 1.0 mg/L. The soil was relatively dense sand and gravel. Reagents evaluated for stabilization of the cadmium-impacted soils included Portland cement, blast furnace slag, fly ash, ferrous sulfate and potassium permanganate.