Extensive chemical and bioassay analysis of polycyclic aromatic compounds in a creosote-contaminated superfund soil following steam enhanced extraction.

Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) are organic compounds commonly found in contaminated soil. Previous studies have shown the removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in creosote-contaminated soils during steam enhanced extraction (SEE). However, less is known about the removal of alkyl-PAHs and heterocyclic compounds, such as azaarenes, and oxygen- and sulfur-heterocyclic PACs (OPACs and PASHs, respectively).

Formation of PAH Derivatives and Increased Developmental Toxicity during Steam Enhanced Extraction Remediation of Creosote Contaminated Superfund Soil.

Steam enhanced extraction (SEE) is an in situ thermal remediation technique used to remove and recover polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from contaminated soils. However, limited studies have been conducted on the formation of PAH derivatives during and after SEE of PAH contaminated soils. Creosote contaminated soil samples collected from the Wyckoff-Eagle Harbor Superfund site were remediated with laboratory scale SEE.

Abiotic degradation of trichloroethylene under thermal remediation conditions.

The degradation of trichloroethylene (TCE) to carbon dioxide (CO2) and chloride (Cl-) has been reported to occur during thermal remediation of subsurface environments. The effects of solid-phase composition and oxygen content on the chemical reactivity of TCE were evaluated in sealed ampules that were incubated at 22 and 120 degrees C for periods ranging from 4 to 40 days. For all treatments, no more than 15% of the initial amount of TCE was degraded, resulting in the formation of several non-chlorinated products including Cl-, CO2, carbon monoxide, glycolate, and formate.