Study of the potential for reuse and chemical safety of a byproduct from the metallurgical industry (converter steel slag) for use in the marine environment
The DELTAMAR project aims to assess the technical feasibility and ecological effectiveness of using byproducts from the steel industry —specifically, converter slag— in modules submerged in the marine environment.
2021
Design and installation of 18 offshore storage tanks, each holding 2 tons of converter steel slag
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2022
Physicochemical monitoring: sediment quality, water quality, potential for release through leaching, potential for CO2 sequestration
2023
Biological monitoring: fish, sessile fauna, mobile fauna, acoustics
A two-year study was conducted at a pilot site in the Mediterranean (artificial reef concession, Leucate). The environmental impacts were assessed using two approaches: physicochemical monitoring and biological monitoring. The findings from these two years of monitoring are very interesting and validate the use of this material in the marine environment.
The physicochemical monitoring data show no impact on the environment, and the results obtained are consistently below either regulatory thresholds, natural thresholds, or control samples.
Biological monitoring reveals a potential for colonization, abundance, and faunal diversity, as well as acoustic biophony that is similar to—and in some cases even better than—what is observed when natural rock is used.
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This project opens up numerous possibilities for using this material as a substitute for the materials typically used in marine construction. Converter steel slag also has a significantly lower carbon footprint than natural rock extracted from quarries for this type of application, and is consistent with a circular economy and sustainable development approach.
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