Description of Contaminant Sediment-Water Interactions Using RECOVERY
Abstract
Bedded sediments serve as sinks for many contaminants. Deposition of contaminants into the sediment begins a series of processes that may cycle contaminants back into the water column creating potentially adverse ecological impacts on aquatic biota. Sorption processes influence the mobility of contaminants from the sediment. Sorption is a general term referring to chemical binding that may be both reversible and irreversible. Desorption quantifies the reversibility of contaminants and is important because the availability of contaminants for uptake depend on the rate of desorption. The overall objective of this study was to use experimental data and a model simulation to predict desorption kinetics of organic contaminants and to assess the potential effect of contaminated sediment on the overlying water. In the experimental phase, several PAHs and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) 153 were quantified. Radiolabeled PAHs and PCB 153 were selected as tracers to determine the rate and magnitude of contaminant mobilization from five reservoir sediments. Data from the experimental phase will be used to verify and assess the applicability of the RECOVERY model in predicting desorption
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA266385
Entities
People
- Carlos E. Ruiz
- Douglas Gunnison
- Judith C. Pennington
- Thomas C. Sturgis