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Mobility of sludge-borne 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine in soil columns

Journal Article · · J. Environ. Qual.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6217792

Fate of the carcinogen 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine (DCB) in sludge-amended soil was evaluated. Carbon-14-labeled DCB was used as a tracer to examine mineralization and mobility of DCB present in sludge. Dichlorobenzidine was shown to be very persistent in soil and sludge-amended soil with <2% of the added (/sup 14/C)DCB evolved as /sup 14/CO/sub 2/ during a 182-d incubation. Mobility of DCB was evaluated by using soil columns (5 by 45 cm) that were irrigated with 2.54 cm water d/sup -1/ for 84 d. The total /sup 14/C recovered in leachate water was from 0.16 to 0.063% of the total /sup 14/C added to the top 15 cm of the soil column at time zero. The strong binding of DCB to soil constituents rendered it highly immobile despite being placed in a sandy soil that was irrigated with large amounts of water. However, some finite, albeit small, quantity was apparently leached through the soil profile at a relatively constant rate. The immobilization of DCB presumably results from the formation of humus bound DCB residues and from its low water solubility.

Research Organization:
Michigan State Univ., East Lansing
OSTI ID:
6217792
Journal Information:
J. Environ. Qual.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States) Vol. 16:2; ISSN JEVQA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English