Slow Release of PCB, TNT, and RDX From Soils and Sediments

Authors: James E. Brannon; Donald D. Adrian; Judith C. Pennington; Tommy E. Myers; ARMY ENGINEER WATERWAYS EXPERIMENT STATION VICKSBURG MS ENVIRONMENTAL LAB

Abstract:

One of the contaminant/soil interactions that can profoundly affect contaminant mobility and biodegradation is slow adsorption/desorption into soil and sediment micropores or the interior of stable aggregates. This process results in contaminants becoming less mobile over the short term, but allows the soil or sediment to serve as a long-term, slow-release source of the contaminant. This phenomenon greatly complicates the prediction of leaching and microbial degradation rates. This study explored the adsorption/desorption of PCB, TNT, and RDX onto activated carbon and soils over time and the implications for contaminant mobility. Presented herein is an evaluation of the mechanisms, kinetics, and effects of slow adsorption/desorption on contaminant mobility in soils, sediments, an activated carbon. Algorithms for describing the magnitude and rate of slow adsorption/desorption have also been evaluated.... Adsorption, PCB, Desorption, RDX, Fractionation, TNT, Internal diffusion.

Limitations:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE