Destruction of 1,1,1-trichloroethane and 1,2-dichloroethane DNAPLs by catalyzed H₂O₂ propagations (CHP)

Abstract

Catalyzed H₂O₂ propagations (CHP) was studied to treat 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA) and 1,1-dichloroethane (DCA) dense nonaqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) and to elucidate the reactive oxygen species responsible for their destruction. A TCA DNAPL was rapidly destroyed by CHP at a rate 3.5 times greater than its maximum rate of dissolution. Using systems that generate a single reactive oxygen species, the species responsible for TCA DNAPL destruction was found to be superoxide. Both hydroxyl radical and superoxide were responsible for the destruction of the DCA DNAPL. Both compounds were destroyed at equal rates in a mixed TCA/DCA DNAPL, which suggests that the rate of treatment is limited by a surface phenomenon at the DNAPL–water interface. The optimum pH for the destruction of TCA and DCA DNAPLs was near the pK_a of 4.8 for perhydroxyl radical–superoxide systems. The results of this research demonsrate that TCA and DCA DNAPLs are effectively destroyed by CHP and that superoxide generation is necessary for effective TCA DNAPL destruction, while both hydroxyl radical and superoxide are necessary for effective DCA DNAPL destruction.

Keywords:

• DNAPLs
• trichloroethane
• dichloroethane
• in situ chemical oxidation
• superoxide

Funding

Funding for this research was provided by the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program through Grant No. CU-1288.