Effect of wetting and drying on the bioavailability of organic compounds sequestered in soil

Journal Article · Tue Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1998 · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620171203· OSTI ID:305454

White, J C; Alexander, M ^[1]

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

A study was conducted to determine whether cycles of wetting and drying alter the availability of organic compounds that have aged in soil. Subjecting soil to wetting-and drying cycles during periods of aging <60 d decreased the biodegradability, extractability, and uptake by earthworms of phenanthrene and reduced the extractability of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) sequestered in soil compared with soil aged at constant moisture. The mineralization of sequestered DEHP was greater in soil that was wet and dried during a 41-d period of aging than in soil incubated at constant moisture. Wetting and drying soil during periods of aging of 100 or more days had no effect on the biodegradability or assimilation by Eisenia foetida of sequestered phenanthrene and DEHP. Subjecting soil containing previously sequestered phenanthrene to one, three, or four wetting-and-drying cycles increased the biodegradability of the compound. The extractability of sequestered phenanthrene was greater in soil that was wet and dried once after aging than in soil maintained at constant moisture, but three wetting-and-drying cycles did not affect extractability. The biodegradability of sequestered DEHP was unaffected by wetting and drying. The authors suggest that wetting and drying may be useful in the remediation of contaminated soils.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 305454
• Journal Information: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Journal Name: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 17; ISSN ETOCDK; ISSN 0730-7268
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BIODEGRADATION
BIOLOGICAL AVAILABILITY
DRYING
HYDRATION
PHENANTHRENE
PHTHALATES
REMEDIAL ACTION
SOILS