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U.S. Department of Energy
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PCBs and related compounds in Lake Hartwell. Technical completion report 1 May 86-30 May 88

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5404232
To obtain necessary data for modeling and assessments of PCBs in the Lake Hartwell (SC, GA) system, the research concerned (1) analyses for individual congeners, (2) information on PCBs and lake characteristics that affect PCB distributions, (3) PCB sediment concentrations, (4) factors affecting horizontal and vertical distributions, including physical, chemical and biological 'weathering', (5) values for physical/chemical parameters required for fate models, (6) laboratory studies of PCB sorption on sediments, and (7) radionuclides as tracers and markers to calibrate models. Segmented sediment cores (95) were collected from Lake Hartwell over the period 1984 to 1987. Total PCB sediment concentrations (dry basis) ranged from < 0.01 microgram/g to > 100 micrograms/g, generally decreasing with distance from the known source. Horizontal and vertical variations were related to inputs and weathering. The total inventory of PCBs in sediments was estimated to be approximately 41,000 (+ or - 15,000) kg. Congener specific data indicated weathering of PCBs resulted in significant fractionation between congeners. Values for solubility, Henry's Law constants and vapor pressures were measured for selected congeners and predicted for all 209 congeners by quantitative structure-property relationships (QSPRs). Extensive investigations of sorption of PCBs on sediments indicated slow desorption rates influence the fate and effects of PCBs.
Research Organization:
Clemson Univ., SC (United States). Water Resources Research Inst.
OSTI ID:
5404232
Report Number(s):
PB-92-161447/XAB; CNN: DI-14-08-0001-G1488
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English