Chemical Degradation of PCBs in Alaskan Soils
Abstract
Previous work suggested that the addition of lime could promote the removal of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), presumably by alkaline hydrolysis reactions. A study was conducted to determine if a modified process (substituting sodium hydroxide (NaOH) for lime) could be used to treat PCB-contaminated soils in remote areas of Alaska. Experiments in which soils were reacted with 2% NaOH and a NaOH/zero valent iron mixture resulted in an approximate 20 to 30% reduction of Aroclor concentration compared to the controls. Tests applying Tween 80 at 15% (w/w) with NaOH at 2% (w/w) indicated that the Tween 80 increased PCB release from soil, but no significant PCB degradation was found. An experiment was then conducted to investigate the use of persulfate to treat PCBs in solution. Heat-activated (50 C) sodium persulfate (Na2S2O8) removed >90% of the PCBs (Aroclor 1254), but lime-activated persulfate was ineffective. A final study was conducted to investigate the effect of hydroxide and lime on PCB extraction and the effect of pH neutralization. The study was inconclusive, as it did not appear any net losses were demonstrated. The overall study indicated that alkaline hydrolysis does not appear to be effective for the treatment of the subject Alaska soils. Some promise might be found for heat-activated persulfate treatment, although the more easily applied lime activation was not effective.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA541875
Entities
People
- Agnes B. Morrow
- Catherine C. Nestler
- Charles Coyle
- Scott Waisner
- Victor Frank Medina
Organizations
- Engineer Research and Development Center