Model coupling intraparticle diffusion/sorption, nonlinear sorption, and biodegradation processes

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology
By: , and 

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Abstract

Diffusion, sorption and biodegradation are key processes impacting the efficiency of natural attenuation. While each process has been studied individually, limited information exists on the kinetic coupling of these processes. In this paper, a model is presented that couples nonlinear and nonequilibrium sorption (intraparticle diffusion) with biodegradation kinetics. Initially, these processes are studied independently (i.e., intraparticle diffusion, nonlinear sorption and biodegradation), with appropriate parameters determined from these independent studies. Then, the coupled processes are studied, with an initial data set used to determine biodegradation constants that were subsequently used to successfully predict the behavior of a second data set. The validated model is then used to conduct a sensitivity analysis, which reveals conditions where biodegradation becomes desorption rate-limited. If the chemical is not pre-equilibrated with the soil prior to the onset of biodegradation, then fast sorption will reduce aqueous concentrations and thus biodegradation rates. Another sensitivity analysis demonstrates the importance of including nonlinear sorption in a coupled diffusion/sorption and biodegradation model. While predictions based on linear sorption isotherms agree well with solution concentrations, for the conditions evaluated this approach overestimates the percentage of contaminant biodegraded by as much as 50%. This research demonstrates that nonlinear sorption should be coupled with diffusion/sorption and biodegradation models in order to accurately predict bioremediation and natural attenuation processes. To our knowledge this study is unique in studying nonlinear sorption coupled with intraparticle diffusion and biodegradation kinetics with natural media.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Model coupling intraparticle diffusion/sorption, nonlinear sorption, and biodegradation processes
Series title Journal of Contaminant Hydrology
DOI 10.1016/S0169-7722(00)00179-0
Volume 48
Issue 1-2
Year Published 2001
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Contributing office(s) Toxic Substances Hydrology Program
Description 21 p.
First page 1
Last page 21
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