Adsorption and Desorption Kinetics of Pyrene onto a Great Lakes Sediment

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1994

Abstract

The rate of adsorption and desorption of hydrophobic pollutants with lake sediments, or other particulate matter, may influence the ultimate fate of these chemicals. This study examined the kinetics of pyrene adsorption onto, and desorption from, a Great Lake sediment. The data were evaluated by two separate mathematical models. The batch pore surface diffusion model (BPSDM) predicted initial kinetics much better than a radial diffusion model (RDM). This is because the BPSDM incorporates film diffusion which the RDM neglects. In nonturbulent environments, or systems of low particle concentration, film diffusion has been shown to be the rate limiting step for the initial adsorption rate. Hysteresis was experimentally observed for pyrene desorption; therefore, both models overpredicted the rate of pyrene desorption. These results indicate that 1) hydrophobic chemicals may be less available for biological degradation and 2) particle concentration may influence the initial rates of adsorption and desorption. © 1994, International Association for Great Lakes Research. All rights reserved.

Publication Title

Journal of Great Lakes Research

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS