Organic phase resistance to dissolution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compounds
- Carnegie Mellon Univ., Pittsburgh, PA (United States). Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering
The dissolution of naphthalene, phenanthrene, and pyrene from viscous organic phases into water was studied in continuous-flow systems for time periods ranging from several months to more than 1 year. By selecting nonaqueous phases ranging from low viscosity to semisolid, i.e., from a light lubricating oil to paraffin, the governance of mass transfer was shown to vary from water phase control to nonaqueous phase control. An advancing depleted-zone model is proposed to explain the dissolution of PAHs from a viscous organic phase wherein the formation of a depleted zone within the organic phase increases the organic phase resistance to the dissolution of PAHs. The experimental data suggest the formation of a depleted zone within the organic phase for systems comprising a high-viscosity oil, petrolatum (petroleum jelly), and paraffin. Organic phase resistance to naphthalene dissolution became dominant over aqueous phase resistance after flushing for several days. Such effects were not evident for low viscosity lubricating oil. The transition from aqueous-phase dissolution control to nonaqueous-phase dissolution control appears predictable, and this provides a more rational framework to assess long-term release of HOCs from viscous nonaqueous phase liquids and semisolids.
- OSTI ID:
- 318712
- Journal Information:
- Environmental Science and Technology, Vol. 33, Issue 2; Other Information: PBD: 15 Jan 1999
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Epigenetic toxicity of a mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on gap functional intercellular communication before and after biodegradation
Sorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by aquia aquifer materials