Sorption Equilibria of Vapor Phase Organic Pollutants on Unsaturated Soils and Soil Minerals
Final rept. Mar 85-Mar 89,
CORNELL UNIV ITHACA NY DEPT OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
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Most groundwater pollutants are volatile organic compounds however, there is relatively little understanding of the sorption reactions that control the transport and fate of organic vapors in the vadose zone. This investigation identified the physicalchemical properties of the soil matrix and organic vapors which control vapor-solid phase distribution. The dominant property which regulates vapor sorption in the unsaturated zone is the moisture content of the soil. Under very dry conditions, soil mineralvapor interactions are regulated by specific surface area, indicating the dominance of a relatively non-specific physical adsorption process. However, at moisture contents exceeding an average surface coverage of four to eight layers of water, vapor uptake is controlled by partitioning reactions into soil moisture and soil organic matter.
- Environmental Health and Safety