Abstract |
The distribution of either pyrene, phenanthrene, or naphthalene between several different sediment or soil solid phases (media) and aqueous phases containing dodecylsulfate (DS) micelles was determined. These experimental distributions were compared to distributions calculated from relationships describing the sorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to sediments and soils and PAH solubilization by DS micelles, reported in the literature or developed from literature data. The amount of aqueous-phase surfactant in micellar form was calculated from equations describing micelle-monomer equilibria in homogeneous solution. Experimental overall distribution coefficients of pyrene and phenanthrene, measured in five different media at two medium concentrations, generally were within a factor of 3 of the calculated distribution coefficients. The calculated and experimental distributions indicate that, on an organic-carbon-normalized basis (w/w), DS micelles and the natural media have approximately the same affinity or sorption potential for these nonpolar compounds. |