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Pollutant Partitioning

Explore the behavior of pollutants in water and soil, distinguish between dissolved and suspended pollutants, learn about pollutant partitioning, and assess environmental impact through laboratory exercises. Understand adsorption, solubility, mobility, and impact assessment.

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Pollutant Partitioning

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  1. Pollutant Partitioning Theodore G. Cleveland Civil and Environmental Engineering University of Houston

  2. Introduction • This laboratory qualitatively explores the partitioning behavior of different pollutants in water and soil. • Three non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) with distinctive colors and different properties are used.

  3. Background • Many cases of pollution involve chemicals dissolved or suspended in water. • Suspended pollutants only partially mix in water (like oil + vinegar) • Dissolved pollutants completely mix in water (like sugar+water).

  4. Suspended Pollutants • Pollutants added to water are suspended as small distinct drops. • In time, may separate back into two parts

  5. Dissolved Pollutants • Pollutants added to water are completely mixed and become “part” of the water

  6. Fate of Pollutants • The pollutants can either stay in water, or stick to soil. • The difference in behavior affects how engineers treat the water and soil to control pollution.

  7. Adsorbtion • Certain pollutants prefer to stick to soil instead of remain in water. • A good predictor of this behavior is the solubility of the pollutant • Low solubility: (like suspended pollutants) stick to soil. • High solubility: (like dissolved pollutants) stay in water.

  8. Partitioning • The amount of a pollutant in different environments (water or solid) is called partitioning. • If the pollutant sticks to soil we say it has partitioned onto the soil phase (a small amount always remains in the water phase).

  9. Mobility • Water flowing through soil may transfer the pollutants to the soil.

  10. Environmental Impact • Impact depends on distance from source of pollution to receptor A B C D

  11. Impact Assessment • Samples are used to determine how much pollutant remains in the water • What would the samples look like if pollutant does not stick to soil? Safe level C A B D

  12. Laboratory Exercise: Part 1 • Water Solubility • Determine which pollutants (red,green,blue) are soluble in water. • Rank the pollutants in order of increasing solubility.

  13. Laboratory Exercise: Part 2 • Sorbtion to sand • Determine which of the soluble pollutants adsborb (stick) to sand. • Rank the pollutants in order of increasing mobility.

  14. Interpretation of Results • Which pollutant would be the most mobile in the environment? • Which pollutant would reach a “safe level” in the shortest distance?

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