Elution Profiles of Three Chlorinated Hydrocarbons Leaching Through Sandy Soil

Abstract

This study investigates the elution of trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), and 1,1,1‐trichloroethane (TCA) from a sandy soil in a soil column system. Each chemical is applied to one of three soil columns. A fourth soil column serves as a control. Chemicals are applied to the soil in a nonaqueous form to simulate an accidental spill or discharge. The chemicals are then eluted from the soil with water, which was applied intermittently over a 68‐day period. The three chemicals investigated in this study achieve a 1% breakthrough in the following order: (1) TCE; (2) TCA; and (3) PCE. In terms of overall elution from the soil, the percentage of TCE leached through the soil (20.4%) is greater than the percentage for TCA (10.7%) and PCE (2.3%). The sequence and rate of elution of the three chemicals agrees best with predictions based on the octanol‐water distribution coefficient and the Henry's constant of each chemical. Volitalization of the chemicals has a major impact of the overall elution patterns of the chemicals.