Impact of Slow-Rate Land Treatment on Groundwater Quality, Toxic Organics
Abstract
The removal efficiency for 16 organic substances in wastewater was studied on an outdoor, prototype slow-infiltration system. The initial concentration of each of these substances in the wastewater was approximately 50 micrograms/L. Removal was via volatilization during spray application and subsequent adsorption in the soil. The percent removal during spraying could be estimated from the liquid-phase transfer coefficient; losses were up to 70% for the most volatile components. The total percent removal for the system, based on the concentration in the percolate, was more than 98% for all substances. Only chloroform, which has a low octanol-water coefficient and according to the literature is not degradable aerobically, was continuously detected in the percolate. The major final removal mechanisms are believed to be volatilization and biodegradation-biotransformation. Breakthrough of several other organics in early spring as a result of application during the colder months was also observed. The two substances that were most persistent in the soil were PCBs and diethylphthalate. PCBs were apparently slowly lost from the system, probably by volatilization. The behavior of diethylphthalate was different in the two soils tested but was more recalcitrant than expected.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA153253
Entities
People
- B. T. Foley
- L. V. Parker
- T. F. Jenkins
Organizations
- Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory