SEDL / STP / STP933-EB / STP23075S

Pentachlorophenol Adsorption on Soils and Its Potential for Migration into Ground Water

Banerji, SK
Professor, and professor and chairman, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

Piontek, K
Environmental engineer, CH2M Hill, Denver, CO

O'Connor, JT
Professor, and professor and chairman, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

Pages: 20    Published: Jan 1986

Download this paper for $25 PDF (260K)          View License Agreement
Abstract

The adsorption of pentachlorophenol (PCP) on Missouri soils was studied to determine its potential for migration into ground water. The adsorption data obtained, using low concentrations (0.1 to 10 mg/L) of pentachlorophenol, fit the Freundlich isotherm form. Pentachlorophenol, a weak organic acid, was found to adsorb more completely to Missouri soils as pH decreased, converting PCP to its acid form. High soil organic content was found to strongly increase PCP adsorption. However, most (84%) of the PCP adsorption was reversible. Overall, at the pH values observed (5.7, 6.7), Missouri soils would be expected to retard the movement of pentachlorophenol through adsorption.