Practical Method to Extract and Dechlorinate PCBs in Soils

Abstract

In this paper some of the practical issues involved in the development and application of an extraction-photodegradation remediation technology for polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) impacted weathered soils are addressed. The extraction of PCBs from weathered soils was investigated using the conventional Soxhlet extraction and by shake extraction using different solvents. The shake extraction has the potential for up-scaling to a field technology. The photodegradation of the extracted PCBs was investigated under direct ultraviolet light at 254 nm wavelength as well as under photosensitized light at 350 nm. The production of biphenyl, a by-product of the dechlorination of PCBs was investigated and it was found to degrade in the same ultraviolet system.