Unique Interfacial Properties of the Chlorinated Solvent DNAPL at Savannah River National Laboratory

Conference · Wed Mar 31 04:00:00 EST 2004

OSTI ID:826036

Powers, S E; Omrane, K; Grimberg, S J

Tetrachloroethene and trichloroethene are the primary constituents in a DNAPL found in the unsaturated zone at the Department of Energy's Savannah River Site (SRS). Following equilibration of the SRS DNAPL with deionized water, the measured interfacial tension was less than 2 dynes/cm and the pH of the aqueous phase 3.8, thus indicating the presence of constituents other than chlorinated solvents. Based on contamination history at DOE facilities, we explored the potential for co-contamination by oils, surfactants or organic acids. Non-aqueous potentiometric titration techniques revealed a high acid content (4 mg (as KOH)/g of DNAPL). Surrogate mixtures of TCE with the hydraulic oil, dibutylbutylphosphonate (DBBP) and tributylphosphate (TBP), which were used in the plutonium production process, also had low interfacial tension but not as low as the value measured for the SRS DNAPL. Research to identify the constituents and mechanisms responsible for the low interfacial tension of this DNAPL is on-going.

• Research Organization: Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC) (US)
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-96SR18500; FG07-99ER15006; FG02-03ER63660
• OSTI ID: 826036
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CONTAMINATION
HYDRAULICS
MIXTURES
ORGANIC ACIDS
PLUTONIUM
PRODUCTION
SOLVENTS
SURFACTANTS
TITRATION
WATER