Congener-specific PCB chemical and physical parameters for evaluation of environmental weathering of Aroclors

Thesis/Dissertation · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:5283268

Dunnivant, F M

Aqueous solubility, Henry's law constant, and vapor pressure data for PCBs were experimentally determined. Experimental data were successfully used to develop quantitative structure-property relationship models to determine factors governing selected chemical parameters. Desorption kinetics of 8PCB congeners from sediment suspensions were investigated using a gas stripping technique. Data suggest that resuspension of contaminated lake sediments can result in short term releases of up to 70 percent of the total PCBs associated with the sediment. Detailed laboratory experiments showed significant changes in the composition of PCBs can result from a series of resuspension (mixing) events. Less-chlorinated PCBs were selectively removed from the sediments while higher-chlorinated PCBs were enriched. Chemical data were used to develop a qualitative model predicting environmental weathering of Aroclors in Lake Hartwell. Model predictions were in good agreement with the laboratory results and recent field data from Lake Hartwell. Results suggest that chemical and physical processes are the major environmental weathering factors acting on PCBs in Lake Hartwell, however, some congener specific biodegradation could also be occurring.

• Research Organization: Clemson Univ., SC (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5283268
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540320* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
AROMATICS
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
CONTAMINATION
DESORPTION
HALOGENATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
LAKES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
SEDIMENTS
SOLUBILITY
SURFACE WATERS
WATER POLLUTION
WEATHERING