Fate and transport of PCBs at the New Bedford Harbor Superfund site
Journal Article
·
· Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
- Texas A and M Univ., College Station, TX (United States)
A unique, holistic modeling approach, combining theoretical, empirical, and deterministic elements, was developed to define the ambient background transport of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) from New Bedford Harbor, to provide a baseline for remediation assessment of this Superfund site. Both empirical and deterministic elements characterized sediment processes. The deterministic section employed experimental data to describe flocculation through fluid shear, differential settling, and Brownian motion mechanisms, yielding a sediment settling velocity. The empirical portion of the model used this settling velocity, along with suspended solids, and flow field data to characterize sediment action. The remaining PCB transport mechanisms (volatilization and sorption) are theoretically considered to give a complete contaminant transport assessment. The PCBs in New Bedford Harbor tend to volatilize at the rate of 5.9 g/d; or sorb, with sorption coefficients increasing with percent chlorination from 10{sup {minus}2.2} to 10{sup {minus}0.4} m{sup 3}/g for Aroclors 1016 and 1260, respectively, rather than stay in solution. The deterministic model showed that fluid shear was the most significant flocculation mass removal mechanism contributing to the settling velocity calculation. From the empirical model, the dominant sediment action mechanisms, resuspension and deposition, were driven by the change in suspended solids concentration and tides. The cycling of PCB-laden sediment, indicated by the PCB sorption tendency and the presence and dominance of resuspension, and subsequent transport from the site, can lead to PCB contamination of the water column, atmosphere, or downstream (marine) areas.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 264321
- Journal Information:
- Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Journal Name: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 15; ISSN ETOCDK; ISSN 0730-7268
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Examination of dechlorination processes and pathways in new Bedford Harbor sediments
Dechlorinations of polychlorinated biphenyls in sediments of New Bedford Harbor. Book chapter
Determination of polychlorinated biphenyl levels in the serum of residents and in the homogenates of seafood from the New Bedford, Massachusetts Area: A comparison of exposure sources through pattern recognition techniques
Technical Report
·
Tue Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1991
·
OSTI ID:5216296
Dechlorinations of polychlorinated biphenyls in sediments of New Bedford Harbor. Book chapter
Technical Report
·
Mon Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1990
·
OSTI ID:6030575
Determination of polychlorinated biphenyl levels in the serum of residents and in the homogenates of seafood from the New Bedford, Massachusetts Area: A comparison of exposure sources through pattern recognition techniques
Technical Report
·
Fri Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1993
·
OSTI ID:6906368