Polymer Innovations To Help Detox Sydney Harbour

Australia's Sydney Harbour is arguably the most beautiful harbour in the world but lurking beneath it's shiny blue surface is a very dark & toxic secret indeed.

In January 2006, NSW Health surprised many Sydneysiders when they issued an advisory telling people not to consume seafood caught from Sydney Harbour due to high levels of Dioxin found in marine life living in Port Jackson estuaries & harbour.

As a result commercial fishing in Sydney Harbour was banned in February 2006.

Some fisherman were concerned about their own Dioxin levels so testing of Serum Dioxin levels was offered to commercial fishers & their families.

It was found that Serum Dioxin levels in these fisherman were higher than Australian background levels, but comparable with other international high fish-eating communities.

Recreational fishing is still allowed but only a certain amount of seafood can be consumed.

As a precautionary measure people are advised to eat only one 150gm serve of fish caught from Sydney Harbour per month. This quantity is based on a 70kg adult.

More information here: http://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/consumers/keeping-food-safe/special-care-foods/sydney-harbour-seafood/

Dioxins are a group of chlorinated chemicals that originate from industrial pollution or are generated in natural processes such as bush fires. Dioxins are chemically stable & stay in the environment for a long time which accumulate in the body fat of animals & humans.

Now in 2010 levels are higher & the mud that sits at the bottom of this harbour has transformed into an anoxic (no oxygen present) sludge that has killed off 40% of the harbour's invertebrates!

This lifeless sludge contains high levels of organochlorine pesticides like DDT, heavy metals like lead & the highest concentrations of toxic hydrocarbons to be found anywhere in the country.

The industrial dumping of toxins has been banned for decades but these toxic hydrocarbons still enter the harbour via Sydney's storm water system into it's estuaries that continuously move these toxic clusters about the harbour.

Hydrocarbons are an organic compound consisting entirely of hydrogen & carbon. A common example of a hydrocarbon is crude oil. So this sludge is like toxic crude oil!

In June, the ABC's Catalyst program ran a very informative story regarding these toxic sediment concerns in Sydney harbour.
This program can be viewed here: http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/2917562.htm

Polymer Innovations was approached about this problem in the harbour & were asked to make a submission to the contractors working for the NSW government with a number of other competing firms.

Depending on the type of polymer used & it's blend ratio; the toxic sludge will still retain a certain amount of moisture turning from a glossy consistency to a a matte consistency when the water is absorbed & held stable.

This is important to keep the integrity of the mixture so it holds together while it is being handled & moved.

The perfect balance of sludge & moisture is required to reduce the weight added by the polymer while maintaining it's structural integrity.

 The above photo stream shows some tests & initial application of these experimental SAP blends.

There are a number of parameters that this unique reclamation project presented:

• All work is to be done offshore.
• Suitable for long haul transportation to Queensland.
• Eliminate double handling of sludge.
• Minimisation of active ingredient to reduce weight & costs.
• Reduce heavy machinery use.

These parameters were addressed by our new unique SAP blend:

• The polymer is packaged & applied easily in 500kg - 1000kg bulk bags. So it can be mechanically added to the sludge in any location or conditions.
• When applying the polymer at the correct blend ratio, the sludge will hold firm enough to 'stand' for long haul transportation to Queensland.
• Once the polymer is applied to the sludge it can be loaded directly to awaiting transportation if required.
• This polymer has reduced the active ingredient down to 2.5% of the load. Current methods & those of our competitors add 50% to the load! It is estimated that this will reduce weight & costs by at least 50%.
• Due to the increased structural integrity of the sludge, lighter or more specific machinery can be used. In fact it can be loaded manually ie. spadable.

Utilising a SAP:

• Reduces hazardous spillage, CO2 & pollution emissions, 
• Reduces man hours, extra handling activity & traffic on roads. 
• Improves safety & efficiency for the dredging contractors. 
• Direct improvements to the environment of Sydney Harbour's wildlife & it's citizens.

Recently, Polymer Innovations developed a specific new blend of super absorbent polymer based on our HPF blend to tackle large amounts of watery toxic sludge from local mines in the Hunter.

This new blend named 'P4' was trialled by us along with other blends to come up with the best solution for extracting, loading & transporting this toxic sludge from Sydney harbour.

Polymer Innovations SAP HPF P4 contains very small polymers for an accurate application to the targeted area, for a more effective removal of water affected slimes & slurries.
HPF P4 is particularly well suited for dredging work.

Polymer Innovations sales & support staff will tailor the best solution for the removal of dangerous mud, slimes, slurry or sludge.

Our SAP HPF range available online.

More information regarding our SAP range is available from previous blog posts here.

For a copy of this SAP HD & HPF information please View/Download Catalogue.

Call to order/inquire on: +612 65 715 177 or email: info@polymerinnovations.com.au so we can help you manage these problems for you ASAP!