Numerical modeling of sorption kinetics of organic compounds to soil and sediment particles

Journal Article · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · Water Resour. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/WR024i008p01373· OSTI ID:6769908

Wu, S C; Gschwend, P M

A numerical model is developed to simulate hydrophobic organic compound sorption kinetics, based on a retarded intraaggregate diffusion conceptualization of this solid-water exchange process. This model was used to ascertain the sensitivity of the sorption process for various sorbates to nonsteady solution concentrations and to polydisperse soil or sediment aggregate particle size distributions. Common approaches to modeling sorption kinetics amount to simplifications of our model and appear justified only when (1) the concentration fluctuations occur on a time scale which matches the sorption timescale of interest and (2) the particle size distribution is relatively narrow. Finally, a means is provided to estimate the extent of approach of a sorbing system to equilibrium as a function of aggregate size, chemical diffusivity and hydrophobicity, and system solids concentrations.

• Research Organization: National Taiwan Univ., Taipei
• OSTI ID: 6769908
• Journal Information: Water Resour. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Water Resour. Res.; (United States) Vol. 24:8; ISSN WRERA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520200* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
DIFFUSION
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
HYDROLOGY
MASS TRANSFER
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PARTICLE SIZE
PARTICLES
PARTICULATES
POLLUTION
SEDIMENTS
SIZE
SORPTION
WATER POLLUTION