SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 2000
STP10265S

Development of a Method to Estimate the Mass and Toxic Bioavailabilities of Pentachlorophenol during its Transport through Saturated Porous Media

Source

Bioavailability of organic contaminants in soil has recently been a focus of interest but a lack of knowledge of its behavior during contaminant transport through saturated porous media, such as aquifers, is observed. This research presents a method, based on a generally accepted definition of bioavailability, that quantifies mass and toxic bioavailabilities of organic contaminants during their transport in terms of bioavailability rates. Elutions of pentachlorophenol (PCP) were performed using inoculated laboratory columns at two different pore-water velocities and on two different media. Both PCP and the toxic response (Microtox) were monitored at the exit of the columns for quantification of the rates. Results show that the non-dimensional mass bioavailability rate decreased with increasing pore-water velocity (from 0.52 to 0.15) and with increasing retention (from 0.15 to 0.02). The non-dimensional toxic bioavailability rate decreased with increasing retention (from 0.59 to 0.22). Results indicate that this method shows a potential for quantifying contaminant bioavailability according to both outcomes: biodegradation and toxicity.

Author Information

Dudal, Y
NSERC Industrial Chair for Site Remediation and Management, École Polytechnique de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
Deschênes, L
NSERC Industrial Chair for Site Remediation and Management, École Polytechnique de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
Price: $25.00
Contact Sales
Related
Reprints and Permissions
Reprints and copyright permissions can be requested through the
Copyright Clearance Center
Details
Developed by Committee: E47
Pages: 337–352
DOI: 10.1520/STP10265S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-5448-3
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-2886-6