Surf-washing (in situ)
Surf-washing (in situ)
Type of treatment: Treatment
Description:Cleaning of the polluted sand and pebbles by moving the sediments into the breaking waves zone.
Waste:
Medium to lightly polluted sands
Medium to lightly polluted pebbles & stones
Situation/Possibilities in the country:
May be tested in every country, requires marine geologist advice and testing in situ.
Interest:
Use of the “natural” energy of the waves and return of the sediments on the beach.
Low cost and no specific, costly equipment required.
Entry criteria:
Usable only for sediments that will remain on the beach and that are lightly to medium polluted.
Operational constraints:
Requires personnel and earth moving equipment (to push the polluted sediment in the wave breaking zone and sorbent material to recover the oil.
Impacts:
Minimal if the oil is correctly recovered using sorbent.
Legal constraints:
Refer to those applying to the management of oily water and quality of coastal water (however, special authorisation should be delivered for such work).
Efficiency:
Depending on viscosity and weathering of oil, temperature, exposition to waves.
Cost:
CAPEX : none (if local equipment is rented)
OPEX for one working site and team: daily cost of one or two mechanical shovel, team of one supervisor, 10 personnel, PPE and sorbent.