Cosolvent effects of oxygenated fuels on PAH solubility
- Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL (United States). Dept. of Environmental Engineering Science
Cosolvents have been recognized to have a significant impact on the redistribution and movement of hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs) in the environment. The cosolvent effect of oxygenated compounds (methanol, ethanol, and methyl tert-butyl ether) on the solubility of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was examined by laboratory experiments. Coal-tar-contaminated sediment was used to study the redistribution and facilitated solubilization of 18 PAH compounds in both sediment and aqueous phases caused by cosolvent effects when oxygenated fuel spills occur. A batch dilution experiment was designed to represent the dilution effect of the cosolvent in a simulated river system. The results indicate that PAH solubility increased essentially in a long-linear manner with an increased volume fraction of methanol and ethanol. Deviations from a log-linear relationship were observed for methyl tert-butyl ether due to its limited aqueous solubility, and the cosolvent effect was seen only at the simulated fuel spill site. A linear relationship between the cosolvency power and logarithm of octanol/water partition coefficient was observed.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 477250
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Environmental Engineering, Vol. 123, Issue 4; Other Information: PBD: Apr 1997
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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