Hazardous Substance Research Centers/South & Southwest

Project Overview

A webcam image from the Anacostia river active capping demonstration site. You can view regularly updated images on this page.

The Hazardous Substance Research Centers/South & Southwest is leading a federally funded project to demonstrate innovative sediment capping technology on the Anacostia River. The Anacostia flows from Maryland to the District of Columbia and is one of the nation's 10 most endangered rivers.

Sand caps are often used to reduce the release of contaminants from sediments by physically separating contaminants from organisms and the water column. But in the Anacostia demonstration, researchers will cover contaminants with layers of alternative materials that can degrade or control sediment-bound contaminants more efficiently than sand.

The general approach to be used in the project is termed "active capping" because it combines sediment sequestration with contaminant treatment. Most of the technologies being considered for Anacostia demonstration involve treatment of any contaminants that may attempt to migrate through the cap, and in some cases, treatment of contaminants that may settle onto the cap from the overlying water.

Objectives of the research demonstration include:

Better technical understanding of controlling parameters;
Technical guidance for proper remedy selection and approaches; and
Broader scientific, regulatory and public acceptance of innovative approaches.