MODEL FOR PREDICTING PCE DESORPTION FROM CONTAMINATED SOILS

A mathematical model has been developed to assist in the evaluation of remediation options in case of a spill of volatile organic compounds, such as perchloroethylene (PCE), in a soil environment. This model has been verified to predict the adsorption, desorption, and leaching of PCE from four types of soil and adsorption media. Freundlich isotherm adsorption coefficients are used in the model. Using the mathematical model, typical nomographs for PCE have also been developed. These nomographs can be used to evaluate leaching of PCE with water as a remediation option in given contaminated soils. Application of the model is presented with an example. The generalized model can also be used for compounds similar to PCE in other soil environments provided that Freundlich isotherm adsorption constants for the particular chemical and the specific soil characteristics have been determined.