Effect of geochemical conditions on fate of organic compounds in groundwater

J.J.W. Higgo, P.H. Nielsen, M.P. Bannon, I. Harrison, T.H. Christensen

    Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

    Abstract

    In situ microcosms were successfully used to study the degradation of a range of organic compounds in two pristine aquifers, one aerobic (Vejen) and one anaerobic (Villa Farm). Degradation and sorption behavior in the laboratory column microcosms packed with Villa Farm sediment was very similar to that in the in situ microcosms. However, when the columns were packed with quartz and equilibrated with aerated Villa Farm groundwater, behavior mirrored that at Vejen, indicating that oxygen rather than sediment or groundwater composition was the critical parameter. The aromatic and polyaromatic compounds (benzene, toluene, o-xylene, naphthalene) degraded under aerobic conditions only. The organochlorine compounds (trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, 1,4- dichlorobenzene and 1,2-dichlorobenzene) showed little or no sign of degradation either aerobically or anaerobically. Interpretation of the data was complicated by strong sorption to the Villa Farm sediment but tetrachloromethane, nitrobenzene, and o-nitrophenol appeared to degrade under anaerobic conditions only. Phenol degraded rapidly under both sets of conditions.
    Original languageEnglish
    JournalEnvironmental Geology
    Volume27
    Issue number4
    Pages (from-to)335-346
    ISSN0943-0105
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1996

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Effect of geochemical conditions on fate of organic compounds in groundwater'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this