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Distribution of degrading chlorocarbon solvents in water and soil in a contaminant plume. [Tetrachloroethylene; trichloroethylene; dichloroethylene]

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6411410

Data from a plume of chlorinated organic solvents located beneath the metallurgical fabrication area (M Area) of the Savannah River Plant (SRP) are discussed. The plume studies in M Area include: water samples from over 200 monitoring wells; continuous split spoon sampling from over 20 wells; and soil gas samples and other special samples. Analysis of chlorocarbon constituents, combined with geologic and hydrologic information, indicates that the transport and fate of these organics are influenced by degradation and sorption. Specifically, the mass remaining in the plume and the ratio of constituents suggest that the degradation rates are ordered: tetrachloroethylene (PCE) > = trichloroethylene (TCE), dichloroethylene (DCE) >> PCE or TCE. Using a very simple first order decay rate assumption, the degradation of PCE under ''natural'' conditions is on the order of 10%/y (k = 0.1 y/sup -1/). Further study is needed to determine if a coupling of sorption and degradation is occurring.

Research Organization:
Savannah River Lab., Aiken, SC (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC09-76SR00001
OSTI ID:
6411410
Report Number(s):
DP-MS-86-179; CONF-861138-1; ON: DE87010163
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English