Abstract |
The extent of reversibility of PCB bonding to sediments has been characterized in studies on the partitioning behavior of a hexachlorobiphenyl isomer. Linear non-singular isotherms have been observed for the adsorption and desorption of 2,4,5,2',4',5' hexachlorobiphenyl (HCBP) to 1100 ppm sediment suspensions. Evidence from consecutive desorption studies suggests that while HCBP adsorption may ultimately be reversible, release from sediments appeared to involve desorption along two distinct isotherms. These results have been interpreted in terms of possible similarities between the sorption properties observed in the distilled water systems of the present study and PCB bonding processes in natural water systems. |