Fate of volatile organic compounds in constructed wastewater treatment wetlands.
The fate of volatile organic compounds was evaluated in a wastewater-dependent constructed wetland near Phoenix, AZ, using field measurements and solute transport modeling. Numerically based volatilization rates were determined using inverse modeling techniques and hydraulic parameters established by sodium bromide tracer experiments. Theoretical volatilization rates were calculated from the two-film method incorporating physicochemical properties and environmental conditions. Additional analyses were conducted using graphically determined volatilization rates based on field measurements. Transport (with first-order removal) simulations were performed using a range of volatilization rates and were evaluated with respect to field concentrations. The inverse and two-film reactive transport simulations demonstrated excellent agreement with measured concentrations for 1,4-dichlorobenzene, tetrachloroethene, dichloromethane, and trichloromethane and fair agreement for dibromochloromethane, bromodichloromethane, and toluene. Wetland removal efficiencies from inlet to outlet ranged from 63% to 87% for target compounds.
Keefe
Steffanie H
SH
U.S. Geological Survey, 3215 Marine Street, Room E127, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USA.
Barber
Larry B
LB
Runkel
Robert L
RL
Ryan
Joseph N
JN
D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D014835:Volatilization; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*
D006838:Hydrocarbons; D009930:Organic Chemicals