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“STA-M” Heavy Metal Insolubilizer

What is STA-M?

  • Form: White powder of 1 mm or less in size
  • Composition: Insolubilized and solidified material composed mainly of magnesium oxide (MgO) made from natural magnesite (magnesium carbonate) calcined at approximately 800°C.
STA-M

STA-M Characteristics

  • Demonstrates an insolubilizing effect via hydration reaction of MgO.
  • Material does not contain any calcium-based material so that the post-treatment pH is 10.5 or less, which means that using this material does not cause high alkalinity issues.
  • Large specific surface area for good reactivity with soil particles and heavy metal ions.
  • pH is low in comparison to cement-based solidifiers, which minimizes risk of heavy metal re-dissolution.

Conceptual Diagram Illustrating pH Dependency of Elution Concentration of Lead Compound Ions, etc.

Conceptual Diagram Illustrating pH Dependency of Elution Concentration of Lead Compound Ions, etc.

Comparison of Insolubilization Effects on Contaminated Soil

Comparison of Insolubilization Effects on Contaminated Soil

*The provided data is the result of laboratory testing performed according to internal testing methods. Corresponding performance at actual sites is not guaranteed.

  • STA-M can insolubilize heavy metals certainly and reduce the risk of re-elution of heavy metals by not causing high alkalization.

Initial Pollution Level

As Content (mg/kg) 1,530
Elution (mg/L) 3.8

Comparison of Post-treatment Pollution Levels

Insolubilizing agent
Solidifying agent
Additive
(kg/m3)
Arsenic
elution (mg/L)
qU7
kN/m2
pH
STA-M 150 0.046 1,625 9.7
B-type blast furnace 150 1.0 2,534 10.7
200 0.61 3,211 11.2

* Post-insolubilization (Second Dissolution Standards are used as insolubilization goals)

*The provided data is the result of laboratory testing performed according to internal testing methods. Corresponding performance at actual sites is not guaranteed.

  • Insolubilization effect lasts for extended periods of time.

Acidic/Alkaline Additive Leach Testing *1 Example Results (100 kg/m3 of STA-M additive)

Heavy metal/other Soil dissolution
(mg/L)
Dissolution after insolubilization processing (mg/L)
Environmental Report 46 Acidic additive Alkaline additive
Lead 5.7 < 0.005 < 0.005 < 0.005
Hexavalent chromium 0.15 0.01 0.02 0.01
Arsenic 0.036 < 0.002 < 0.002 < 0.002
Fluorine 1.4 0.05 0.05 0.07
Boron 0.65 < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05
Cyan 1.0 < 0.1 < 0.1 < 0.1

*1 "Relative Evaluation Method of Stability in pH Changes of Soil that Has Undergone Heavy Metal Insolubilization Treatment - Sulfuric Acid Additive Dissolution Testing Method/Slaked Lime Additive Dissolution Testing Method" from the Geo-Environmental Protection Center Technical Standards

*The provided data is the result of laboratory testing performed according to internal testing methods. Corresponding performance at actual sites is not guaranteed.

Case Study of Using STA-M On-site

Case Study of Using STA-M on Soil Highly Contaminated with Multiple Pollutants

  • Plant site
  • Amount of soil: 12,000 m3
  • After pollutants are insolubilized to Second Dissolution Standards, soil is transported to controlled landfill sites.
Concentration of Contamination in Soil Concentration of Pollutants in Treated Soil
Heavy metal/other Elution (mg/L) Elution after insolubilization (mg/L)
100kg/m3 150kg/m3
Arsenic 43.3 0.155 0.132
Lead 2.33 0.015 < 0.005
Cadmium 0.067 0.015 < 0.005
Mercury 0.008 0.0005 < 0.0001
Selenium 0.371 0.045 0.015

*The provided data is the result of laboratory testing performed according to internal testing methods. Corresponding performance at actual sites is not guaranteed.

Case Study of Insolubilization and Backfilling of Soil Contaminated with Multiple Pollutants

  • Plant site
  • Amount of soil: 550m3
  • After pollutants are insolubilized to Second Dissolution Standards, soil is backfilled at original location.
Concentration of Contamination in Soil Concentration of Pollutants in Treated Soil
Heavy metal/other Elution (mg/L) Elution after insolubilization (mg/L)
60kg/m3 80kg/m3 100kg/m3
Fluorine 4.5 0.4 0.2 0.15
Lead 0.20 0.007 < 0.005 < 0.005

*The provided data is the result of laboratory testing performed according to internal testing methods. Corresponding performance at actual sites is not guaranteed.

Mixed with soil improver

Mixed with soil improver

Conceptual diagram of backfilling at original location

Conceptual diagram of backfilling at original location

Contact Environment Project Dept.
TEL: +81-3-5445-5208 FAX: +81-3-5445-5220
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