Assessing the transfer of pentachlorophenol through soil columns using 13[C]isotope.
The transfer of organic pollutants was studied through soil columns using 13[C]-labelled pentachlorophenol (PCP) as a model compound. The organic carbon content and the 13[C]/12[C] ratio were measured in two soil sections, 0-3 cm and 3-6 cm, and in percolated water using an Elemental Analyser coupled with a Magnetic Mass Sector. The mass balance of carbon was evaluated and the amount of PCP was calculated in each compartment of the soil-water systems. The results show that more than 80% of the PCP-derived 13[C] remained in the upper layer of the soil column. Approximately 20% was transferred to the lower soil layer, and less than 1% was found in the water leachates. The 13[C]-labelled tracers may thus be used as an alternative to radioactive compounds to follow the fate of organic pollutants in soil and water under field conditions.
Dousset
S
S
UMR GéoSol-Microbiologie des Sols INRA A111, Université de Bourgogne, Centre des Sciences de la Terre, Dijon, France. sdousset@u-bourgogne.fr
Leveque
J
J
Jault
S
S
Milloux
M J
MJ
Andreux
F
F
D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D010416:Pentachlorophenol / Q000737:chemistry*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis; D012995:Solubility
D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive; D010416:Pentachlorophenol