Reevaluation of general partitioning model for sorption of hydrophobic organic contaminants by soil and sediment organic matter

Journal Article · Sun Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1999 · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1897/1551-5028(1999)018<1617:ROGPMF>2.3.CO;2· OSTI ID:20012716

LeBoeuf, E J; Weber, Jr, W J

This evaluation of the polymer-based Flory-Huggins sorption theory has shown that the model predicts relatively concentration-independent {chi} values for rubbery matrices, concentration-dependent (chi) values for more glassy matrices, and highly concentration-dependent, largely negative interaction parameters for sorption of phenanthrene onto Green River kerogen, Ohio Shale II kerogen,, Illinois No. 6 and Wyoming coals, and poly(phenyl methacrylate). These greatly negative enthalpic contributions to the interaction parameter are only to be expected where specific sorbate-sorbent interactions exist, such as in polar sorbate-polar sorbent systems. The failure of the nonlinear partitioning model is explained in terms of its inability to predict these increased interactions of sorbing solutes within microvoids present within glassy matrices. Calculations of sorbent solubility parameters through use of this model do, however, provide good agreement with literature solubility parameter values for specific sorbents, it may thus prove useful for partial characterization of sorbents for which solubility parameters are unknown.

• Research Organization: Vanderbilt Univ., Nashville, TN (US)
• OSTI ID: 20012716
• Journal Information: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Journal Name: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 18; ISSN ETOCDK; ISSN 0730-7268
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
ORGANIC MATTER
PHENANTHRENE
SEDIMENTS
SOILS
SOLVENT PROPERTIES
SORPTION