You are here:
MIGRATION OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES THROUGH SOIL
Citation:
Dotson*, G. K. MIGRATION OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES THROUGH SOIL. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/S2-91/017, 1991.
Impact/Purpose:
information
Description:
Factorlally designed column and batch leaching studies were conducted on samples of various Industrial wastes, flue gas desulfurlzatlon sludges, and coal fly ash to determine the effect of leaching solution composition on release of hazardous substances from waste samples, and the effect of soil properties and leaching solution composition on subsequent migration through soils. The wastes studied came from: Electroplating; Secondary Zinc Refining; Inorganic Pigment; Zinc-Carbon Battery; Titanium Dioxide Pigment; Nickel-Cadmium Battery; Hydrofluoric Acid; Water-Based Paint; White Phosphorus; Chlorine Production; Oil Re-refining; Flue-Gas Desulfurlzatlon; Coal Fly Ash. Seven different soils and two leachIng solutions (water and municipal landfill leachate) were used. Waste characteristics, such as pH and total metal content, were marginally useful predictors of metal concentrations In water or municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill leachate extracts of the waste. However, no satisfactory substitute for leaching tests, whether by batch or column procedure, was found. Waste and extract characteristics such as pH, electrical conductivity, and metal content were useful predictors of metal movement in soils. Leaching solution composition was highly significant. MSW leachate solublllzed greater amounts of metals from all wastes than did distilled water, and metals contained In MSW leachate moved more rapidly through soils than those contained In water. Serial batch extractions gave leachIng data that were quite similar to data obtained from the slower and less convenient column leaching procedure. Both procedures require long-term extraction because some waste do not begin to release significant amounts of metals until several void volumes of leaching solution have been passed. The results of the project have been documented in three reports published by the U.S. Army. These reports are identified as Parts II, III, and IV. Part I was an unpublished interim report that was later incorporated Into the larger Part II report.