Characterisation of relevant sorption domains in aquifers for soluble aromatic organic contaminants by means of a acidic phenol and a basic aniline (DFG- LI 1314/2-1)

The project aims at identifying the difference in adsorption and thus transport behaviour of readily water soluble acidic and basic compounds. An acidic short chained alkylphenol (2.4 DMP) and a basic short chained alkylaniline (2.4 DMA) where selected as examples. The sorption domains selected for the study are well characterised in terms of the surface properties. They include oxides, carbonates and silicates, which are predominately found in natural aquifer systems.

The questions to be answered by the project include:

• To what extend does the aquifer material determine the transport and attenuation of readily soluble compounds?
• Is there a difference between the transport behaviour of acidic and basic soluble organic compounds in the subsurface?
• Can transport principles derived from acidic compounds readily be transferred to basic compounds?
• How important is the PZC of the aquifer material for its retardation capacity?

A potential result of this study should be a better understanding and predictability of the transport behaviour and natural attenuation capacity of readily soluble organic compounds.

For more information please contact tlicha@gwdg.de