Abstract
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using a multiphase batch equilibrium system with a mixture of compounds to determine environmental distribution coefficients. Six volatile organic compounds were used in this study: 1,1,1-Trichloroethane, Benzene, Toluene, 1,1,2-Trichloroethane, p-Xylene, and m-Dichlorobenzene. The distribution coefficients among soil system compartments (air, water, soil, and non-aqueous phase liquid) using individual compounds and their mixtures in two-phase and multiphase analyses are presented. No statistically significant differences were observed between mixture and single compound results in two-phase batch equilibrium studies. However, representative distribution coefficients among air, water, soil and non-aqueous phase liquid compartments in a simulated soil system could only be determined from multiphase batch equilibrium experiments. Air/soil partitioning determinations showed that the mechanisms of compound vapor sorption by soils, and the effect of soil organic matter, clay content and soil moisture on this partitioning requires further evaluation.
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