Sediment compounds

The data presented here indicates that the extent of binding for a particular compound is related to the octanol/water partition coefficient for that compound. This is very similar to the sorption of compounds from water to sediment. Compounds with log Kow values less than four (such as Lindane) will probably not be bound to an appreciable extent in the environment. Compounds with very high log Kow values (DDT and DEHP) may be bound to a significant extent. The extent of binding will depend on both the concentration of humic material and on the nature of the humic material. The humic materials used in this research showed dramatically different affinities for DDT. The reasons for this are poorly understood and deserve further study. 

TABLE 3.2.3 Suggested half-life classes of mononuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in various environmental compartments at 25 °C Air Water Soil Sediment Compound class class class class ... 

Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction [98] has been applied with 85% recovery to the organophosphorus insecticides from sediments. Compounds studied include Parathron ethyl, Methiadathion and Tetrachlorovinphos. 

Ferguson et al. [40] reported the analysis of APEO metabolites in estuarine water and sediments. Compounds like nonylphenols, octylphenols, their mono-, di-, and triethoxylates, halogenated nonylphenols, and NPEC were found in water samples after SPE. Individual APEO metabolite concentrations of 1-320 ng/1 in water and 5-2000 ng/g in sediment were found. 

Fig. 2. A proposed mechanistic pathway for the microbiological or chemically mediated degradation of sterols in seawater and sediments. Compounds in parentheses are intermediates not isolated.

The term "geolipid is used to denote sediment compounds that are the products of geological transformations of biolipids. The basis for this terminology is the implication diat geolipids are derived from biolipid precursors (33, 55), a presumption typically based on structural similarities between the two components. 

Complex environmental samples originate from diverse matrices (the predominant material of which the sample to be analyzed is composed). These matrices, usually either water or soil/sediment, can contain as many as 50 to 100 organic components at widely varying concentrations. The EPA approach to the analysis of these samples involves the analysis of specific (or target) compounds and the use of authentic standards for quality control. The current number of standards in the EPA repository is about 1500, and their analysis is covered by various approved methods. 

The EPA Contract Laboratory Program (CLP) has responsibility for managing the analysis programs required under the U.S. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). The approved analytical methods are designed to analyze water, soil, and sediment from potentially hazardous waste sites to determine the presence or absence of certain environmentally harmful organic compounds. The methods described here all require the use of GC/MS. 

Marsh and Pond S ediments. Herbicides and pesticides are detectable ia marsh and pond sediments, but intrinsic biodegradation is usually found to be occurting. Littie work has yet been presented where the biodegradation of these compounds has been successfully stimulated by a bioremediation approach. 

For many modeling purposes, Nhas been assumed to be 1 (42), resulting in a simplified equation, S = C, where is the linear distribution coefficient. This assumption usually works for hydrophobic polycycHc aromatic compounds sorbed on sediments, if the equdibrium solution concentration is <10 M (43). For many pesticides, the error introduced by the assumption of linearity depends on the deviation from linearity. 

Pollutant Distribution. Of particular importance for the aquatic ecosystem is the distribution of volatile substances, eg, gases and volatile organic compounds, between the atmosphere and water, and the sorption of compounds at soHd surfaces, eg, settling suspended matter, biological particles, sediments, and soils (41,42). 

Precipitation softening processes are used to reduce raw water hardness, alkalinity, siHca, and other constituents. This helps prepare water for direct use as cooling tower makeup or as a first-stage treatment followed by ion exchange for boiler makeup or process use. The water is treated with lime or a combination of lime and soda ash (carbonate ion). These chemicals react with the hardness and natural alkalinity in the water to form insoluble compounds. The compounds precipitate and are removed from the water by sedimentation and, usually, filtration. Waters with moderate to high hardness and alkalinity concentrations (150—500 ppm as CaCO ) are often treated in this fashion. 

Adsorption — An important physico-chemical phenomenon used in treatment of hazardous wastes or in predicting the behavior of hazardous materials in natural systems is adsorption. Adsorption is the concentration or accumulation of substances at a surface or interface between media. Hazardous materials are often removed from water or air by adsorption onto activated carbon. Adsorption of organic hazardous materials onto soils or sediments is an important factor affecting their mobility in the environment. Adsorption may be predicted by use of a number of equations most commonly relating the concentration of a chemical at the surface or interface to the concentration in air or in solution, at equilibrium. These equations may be solved graphically using laboratory data to plot "isotherms." The most common application of adsorption is for the removal of organic compounds from water by activated carbon. 

Precipitation is nonselective in that compounds other than those targeted may be removed. Both precipitation and flocculation are nondestructive and generate a large volume of sludge which must be disposed of. Coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, and filtration, are typically followed by chlorination in municipal wastewater treatment processes. 

In sedimentation the water to be treated flows slowly through a tank, allowing the suspended material in the water to fall to the base of the tank. The use of coagulating compounds, such as aluminum and ferric sulfate, increases the efficiency. 

Precipitation involves the alteration of the ionic equilibrium to produce insoluble precipitates. To remove the sediment, chemical precipitation is allied with solids separation processes such as filtration. Undesirable metal ions and anions are commonly removed from waste streams by converting them to an insoluble form. The process is sometimes preceded by chemical reduction of the metal ions to a form that can be precipitated more easily. Chemical equilibrium can be affected by a variety of means to change the solubility of certain compounds. For e.xample, precipitation can be induced by alkaline agents, sulfides, sulfates, and carbonates. Precipitation with chemicals is a common waste stream treatment process and is effective and reliable. The treatment of sludges is covered next. 

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