REBAR effects on the natural environment 1

[k9k2j2]

50 years ago, concrete and rebar was dump into a river. There are complaints and concerns about the effects of rebar and concrete on the water quality and fish habitat.

Can anyone tell me if these concerns are legitimate?

What are the environment impacts?

 

[BobPE]

k9k2j2:

As an environmental engineer I would think that this would be a beneficial thing in that the debris would provide a man made shelter for aquatic life in the river similar to what is done with artifical reef construction in the ocean. As long as it is not an impediment to the flow of the river I would look at it as such. Removing it may case more harm than good.

As for the materials affecting the river, concrete would serve to buffer the water pH due to the presence of lime and similar compounds in the original concrete mix. The rebar may be a danger to people or boats but I would think that the rusting of rebar would add no significant increase to the iron levels in the water than what is already naturally present.

Good question...

BobPE

 

[3ab2m4]

If those materials were dumped in a flowing and freshwater body, a river, concentrations of any kind of contaminant would be minimal to make a negative effect on the environment. But it depends on how much metal is there. If this went on for 50 years... all the impacts that can be done are done.. so why owrry

 

[jheidt2543]

The use of broken concrete as rip-rap along lakes and streams has been a common practice. Although it is not very aesthetic looking, the practice has been a cheap way to reduced erosion and dispose of broken concrete. I agree with the other comments, there are more benifits than bad effects.

 

[cvg]

as stated above, any damage has already been done. The only significant impact I can see is that the concrete may have had a coating of oil, grease or other contaminant depending on it's original use. This would have washed off in the first few years after dumping.