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Treatment Of Polychlorinated Biphenyls In Two Surface Soils Using Catalyzed H2O2 Propagations
Citation:
Ahmad, M., M. A. SIMON, A. SHERRIN, M. Tuccillo, J. L. Ullman, A. L. Teel, AND R. J. Watts. Treatment Of Polychlorinated Biphenyls In Two Surface Soils Using Catalyzed H2O2 Propagations. CHEMOSPHERE. Elsevier Science Ltd, New York, NY, 84(7):855-862, (2011).
Impact/Purpose:
To evaluate the feasibility of using CHP to treat PCB-contaminated soil samples from two sites in the northeastern United States and to determine the most effective process conditions, including hydrogen peroxide concentration, type of stabilizer, stabilizer concentration, and pH.
Description:
Two surface soils contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) collected from Superfund sites in the New England region of the United States, Fletcher Paints and Merrimack Industrial Metals, were evaluated for field treatment at the bench level using catalyzed H2O2 propagations (CHP-modified Fenton's reagent). The two soils were first evaluated for the potential for in situ treatment based on two criteria: 1) temperature (< 40oC after CHP reagent addition), and 2) hydrogen peroxide longevity (> 24 hr). In situ CHP remediation was more applicable to the Fletcher soil, while the Merrimack soil was better suited to ex situ treatment based on temperature increases and hydrogen peroxide lifetimes. Using the highest hydrogen peroxide concentrations appropriate for in situ treatment in each soil, PCB destruction was 94% in the Fletcher soil but only 48% in the Merrimack soil. However, 98% PCB destruction was achieved in the Merrimack soil using conditions more applicable to ex situ treatment (higher hydrogen peroxide concentrations with temperatures > 40oC). Analysis of degradation products by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy showed no detectable chlorinated degradation products, suggesting that the products of PCB oxidation were rapidly dechlorinated and degraded. The results of this research document that the two PCB-contaminated soils studied can be effectively treated using aggressive CHP conditions, and that such a detailed bench study provides important information before implementing field treatment.
