ZINC- is a metal that is normally found in small amounts in nature. It is used in many commercial industries and can be released into the environment during mining and smelting (metal processing) activities. Mining, smelting metals (like zinc, lead and cadmium) and steel production, as well as burning coal and certain wastes can release zinc into the environment. A common use for zinc is to coat steel and iron as well as other metals to prevent rust and corrosion; this process is called galvanization. High levels of zinc in soil may result from the improper disposal of zinc-containing wastes from metal manufacturing industries and electric utilities. Industries also can release dust containing higher levels of zinc and thec dust will settle out onto the soil and surface waters. Rain and snow also can remove zinc dust from the air. Most of the zinc in lakes, rivers and streams does not dissolve, but settles to the bottom. Some fish in these waters may contain high levels of zinc. High levels of zinc in the soil, water and air are often found along with high levels of other metals like lead and cadmium.

NICKEL - Coins, jewelry, nickel-cadmium batteries, some paints and ceramics, magnetic tapes, computer components, stainless steel (sinks, cooking utensils, cutlery) are all products containing nickel. Nickel is an abundant element. It is naturally found in soils, waters, and foods, and is emitted from volcanoes. It mainly occurs in combination with arsenic, antimony and sulfur in the environment. Pure nickel is found alloyed with iron in many meteors and the earth's core is believed to contain substantial quantities. Combustion of coal and other fossil fuels leads to release of nickel to the atmosphere. Other sources of atmospheric nickel include emissions from mining and refining operations, steel production, nickel alloy production, electroplating, and municipal waste incineration.

MERCURY- is generated naturally in the environment from the degassing of the earth's crust and from volcanic emissions. It exists in three forms: elemental mercury and organic and inorganic mercury. Mining operations, coal fired power plants, chloralkali plants, and paper industries are significant producers of mercury. Atmospheric mercury is dispersed across the globe by winds and returns to the earth in rainfall, accumulating in aquatic food chains and fish in lakes. Mercury compounds were added to paint as a fungicide until 1990. These compounds are now banned; however, old paint supplies and surfaces painted with these old supplies still exist. Mercury continues to be used in thermometers, thermostats, and dental amalgam. Algaecides and childhood vaccines are also potential sources.

LEAD- is a very soft metal and was used in pipes, drains, and soldering materials for many years. Millions of homes built before 1940 still contain lead (e.g., in painted surfaces), leading to chronic exposure from weathering, flaking, chalking, and dust. Every year, industry produces about 2.5 million tons of lead throughout the world. Most of this lead is used for batteries. The remainder is used for cable coverings, plumbing, ammunition, and fuel additives. Other uses are as paint pigments and in PVC plastics, x-ray shielding, crystal glass production, pencils, and pesticides.

COPPER- Man has made use of copper as a plumbing material since the time of the Pharaohs and experts date earliest use of native copper at 7000 to 9000 B.C. According to the Copper Development Association, plumbing, heating and building wiring are the three most important uses of copper and its alloys. Copper occurs naturally in most soils and in fruits and vegetables. Both humans and animals need some copper in their diet. In humans, it helps in the production of blood hemoglobin. Copper is a pliable, malleable metal, having a bright reddish metallic luster and is an excellent conductor of both electricity and heat. Copper occurs naturally in a wide range of mineral deposits. It is used in making textiles, marine paints, electrical conductors and wires, plumbing fixtures and pipes, as well as coins and cooking utensils. Copper is very toxic to fungi and algae, which is why copper based - compounds are widely used as a wood preservative and fungicide.

CHROMIUM- is a naturally occurring metal which has a steel-grey color when pure. Chromium is a hard metal which has important application in the production of steel. The major sources of emissions to air and water may result from iron and steel producers, coal-fired power plants, leather tanning industries, chemical manufacturing industries (e.g. dyes for paints, rubber and plastic products), metal finishing industries (e.g. chrome plating), manufacturers of pharmaceuticals, wood, stone, clay and glass products, electrical and aircraft manufacturers, steam and air conditioning supply services, cement producing plants (cement contains chromium), incineration of refuse and sewage sludge, and combustion of oil and coal. Since chromium is also a naturally occurring element in the earth's crust it is also present in rocks, soils, sediments and some natural waters at low levels.

CADMIUM- Pure cadmium is a soft, silver-white metal found naturally in small quantities in air, water and soil. Cadmium is not mined, but it is a byproduct of the smelting of other metals such as zinc, lead and copper. Cadmium does not have a definite taste or odor. Cadmium is used in nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries and for metal plating. It also is used in some paints, PVC plastics and metal solders. Some metal containers, such as ice cube trays, pitchers, bowls or ceramic ware can contain small amounts of cadmium. The main industries that use cadmium are metal smelting, electronics, nuclear power, paint pigment production, and other metal working and refining companies. It can be found in soils because insecticides, fungicides, sludge, and commercial fertilizers that use cadmium are used in agriculture. Cadmium may be found in reservoirs containing shellfish. Cigarettes also contain cadmium. Lesser-known sources are dental alloys, electroplating, motor oil, and exhaust.

ARSENIC- is present in more than 200 mineral species, the most common of which is arsenopyrite. Arsenic is released into the environment by the smelting process of copper, zinc, and lead, as well as by the manufacturing of chemicals and glasses. Mining, smelting of non-ferrous metals and burning of fossil fuels are the major industrial processes that contribute to anthropogenic arsenic contamination of air, water and soil. Elemental arsenic is produced by reduction of arsenic trioxide with charcoal. It has been estimated that 70% of the world arsenic production is used in timber treatment as copper chrome arsenate, 22% in agricultural chemicals, and the remainder in glass, pharmaceuticals and non-ferrous alloys. Historically, use of arsenic-containing pesticides has left large tracts of agricultural land contaminated. The use of arsenic in the preservation of timber was also widespread historically.

Marine and Waterways Solutions can create a market advantage for your project.

Not only is the MBS® Technology a low cost long term permanent solution, but it can help in the marketing of a project as the case study below demonstrates.

“Molecular Bonding System (MBS®) Technology Plays Key Role In Licensee Winning Brownfield Of The Year Award”

East Providence Pointe Project, Brownfield Remediation, Project Site Former Washburn Wire Company; a large industrial complex with most of its buildings erected during one or more of the following periods: 1893, 1900-1902, 1926-1928, and 1930-1936.

MBS® is formulated into different delivery media depending on the application.

For an in-line manufacturing process which may generate a leachable heavy metal waste stream, MBS® is a perfect solution to prevent pollution from ever reaching the environment.

In a lagoon environment where metals are being held for long term storage, MBS® could be intermixed with the waste stream prior to its placement in the lagoon and the metals will be rendered un-leachable.

This material is now available for beneficial reuse and does not need long term storage, however if the lagoon are already in place, MBS® can be added to the lagoon waste and allowed to react over time.

This process can prevent the metals from ever leaching out of the lagoon storage area.

Marine and Waterways Solutions is focused on delivering the MBS^® Technology to engineering companies and remediation contractors in a way that provides them with a competitive advantage to secure new projects or save existing clients money.

M&W Solutions will provide training and certification to companies who want to utilize the MBS^® Technology to their advantage.

Contact us to explore our low cost to no cost certification program and to learn more about what MBS^® Technology can do for your bottom line.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marine & Waterway Solutions (M&W Solutions) is the exclusive worldwide source for the MBS® Technology in marine and waterway environments. If a project involves the production handling, treatment or disposal of leachable hazardous heavy metal waste streams, the patented MBS® Technology is the most cost effective solution on the market.

MBS® stands for Molecular Bonding System which utilizes a patented solid-phase chemical stabilization* process to eliminate the leachability of heavy metals in soils, sludge's, slags, ashes and solid industrial wastes.

*USEPA DEFINITION - Stabilization: Conversion of the active organic matter in sludge into inert, harmless material.

MBS® Technology has successfully passed all of EPA’s Leachate Tests, including the Multiple Extraction Procedure (MEP) test which simulates 1000 years of exposure and determines the long term stability of treated wastes.

-ARSENIC, CADMIUM, CHROMIUM, COPPER, LEAD, MERCURY, NICKEL, and ZINC are rapidly converted to less soluble metallic sulfides.

The MBS® Technology treats metals into a form that is not easily absorbed by plants, animals, or people to eliminate their adverse effects to human health and the environment.

The MBS® Technology is also used for waste minimization and pollution prevention with “Timed-Release” applications.

MBS® Technology Advantages:

• Provides a Permanent Cost-Effective Solution
• Treats Multiple Metals Concurrently
• Works in Presence of Other Contaminants
• Not pH Sensitive
• Ex-Situ & In-Situ Application
• Reactions are Immediate with No Cure Times
• No Change to Physical Characteristics of Processed Soils
• Contractor Friendly - Simple, Fast, Easy, Conventional, Safe
• Multiple Application Alternatives
• Processed Materials Reused for Contour, Cover, Roadbed or Fill
• Reuse Eliminates Transportation Costs
• Works for Multiple Industrial Wastes
• Pollution Prevention Through In-Line Treatment
• Minimizes Long Term Liabilities
• Provides for Reduced Insurance Costs

MBS® Technology Cost Effectiveness:
The MBS® Technology is the most cost effective ex-situ or in-situ solution on the market for projects producing, handling, treating or disposing of leachable hazardous heavy metal waste streams.

Soils treated with MBS® Technology are rendered non hazardous and can be repurposed for a beneficial use on site saving time and money.

Hazardous soil transportation and disposal can cost $250 / Ton.  MBS® treated soils stay on site as fill and cost $30-$50 / Ton.

Where the MBS® Technology is used in-situ (in place) the process doesn’t disrupt the environment or generate hazardous wastes and is considered a “Green Best Management Practice **.”

** USEPA DEFINITION - Green Remediation: The practice of considering all environmental effects of remedy implementation and incorporating options to maximize the net environmental benefit of cleanup actions.