Comparative study on polychlorinated biphenyl sorption to activated carbon and biochar and the influence of natural organic matter.

The sorption isotherms of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on carbons (coal based activated carbon named AC and hardwood derived biochar named BC) and natural organic matter (NOM) loaded carbons were examined and carbon-water partition coefficients (K) were calculated. The purpose was to accurately predict the effectiveness of in-situ carbon treatments on the sediment impacted with hydrophobic organic chemicals (HOCs). For 1 month sorption, AC K values were significantly higher than BC, corresponding to the much larger surface area (particularly in mesopores) for AC.