Description of time-varying desorption kinetics. Release of naphthalene from contaminated soils

Journal Article · Mon Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1993 · Environmental Science and Technology; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es00048a013· OSTI ID:5210098

Connaughton, D F; Stedinger, J R; Lion, L W; Shuler, M L ^[1]

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1. Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY (United States)

Release rates of naphthalene from suspensions of freshly contaminated (days to weeks) and aged (approximately 30 years) soil samples were obtained using a gas purge method. A continuously increasing resistance to desorption was observed with increasing purge time. Initial desorption rates were similar to those estimated using available empirical relationships, but subsequent desorption rates were lower by more than 1 order of magnitude. A model incorporating a continuum of compartments with a gamma ([Gamma]) distribution of rate coefficients was postulated to describe the experimental data. An analytical equation with two adjustable parameters was obtained for the mass fraction desorbed. Release profiles with this [open quotes][Gamma] model[close quotes] were able to describe the experimental release profiles for long term desorption experiments. An implication of the gamma model is that increased incubation time will allow organic compounds to be sorbed to compartments or regions in the sorbent that exhibit slow adsorption/desorption kinetics. This has important implications for the fate and remediation of sites that have been contaminated with hydrophobic organic compounds for extended time periods. 31 refs., 6 figs., 3 tabs.

• OSTI ID: 5210098
• Journal Information: Environmental Science and Technology; (United States), Vol. 27:12; ISSN 0013-936X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
COAL TAR
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
LAND POLLUTION
MONITORING
NAPHTHALENE
ADSORPTION
DESORPTION
SOILS
SURFACE PROPERTIES
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
CONTAMINATION
LAND POLLUTION CONTROL
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
SUSPENSIONS
AROMATICS
CONDENSED AROMATICS
CONTROL
DISPERSIONS
HYDROCARBONS
MANAGEMENT
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
POLLUTION CONTROL
SORPTION
TAR
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
010900* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Environmental Aspects
540220 - Environment
Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
400201 - Chemical & Physicochemical Properties