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LAND DISPOSAL OF HEXACHLOROBENZENE WASTES CONTROLLING VAPOR MOVEMENT IN SOIL
Citation:
Farmer, W., M. Yang, J. Letey, AND W. Spencer. LAND DISPOSAL OF HEXACHLOROBENZENE WASTES CONTROLLING VAPOR MOVEMENT IN SOIL. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/2-80/119.
Description:
Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) is a persistent, fat-soluable organic compound of low aqueous solubility present in some industrial wastes. Transport in water moving through soil will be negligible but its long term persistence and appreciable vapor pressure allows significant volatilization to occur. Conditions for soil covers that would control the movement of HCB out of landfills and other disposal/storage facilities into the surrounding atmosphere were studied. The volatilization fluxes of HCB from industrial wastes (hex wastes) were determined in a simulated landfill under controlled laboratory conditions. Coverings of water and soil were found to be highly efficient in reducing volatilization. Polyethylene film was less efficient when compared on a cost basis. Volatilization flux through a soil cover was directly related to soil air-filled porosity and was greatly reduced by increased soil compaction and water content. An organic liquid phase associated with the hex waste was heavier than water and contained 1.4% HCB by weight. The presence of HCB in this liquid phase creates the potential for rapid transport of HCB in porous media. A procedure is proposed for using the results of this study to design a landfill cover that will limit the volatilization flux of HCB and other compounds.