EFFECT OF PHYSIOCHEMICAL CONDITIONS ON ANAEROBIC SORPTION OF CHLOROPHENOLS

Sorption tests based on factorial design were conducted to screen out important physicochemical factors affecting the sorption of chlorophen ols to anaerobic granules. The factors considered were pH, temperature , ionic strength, and type of chlorophenol. Two level factorial design was applied and 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) and pentachlorophenol (P CP) were used as model chemicals in the tests. The results show that, other than the type of chlorophenol, pH is the most significant factor affecting anaerobic sorption of chlorophenols. The effect of temperat ure on sorption is negligible within the temperature limits in the sor ption tests. Ionic strength has a minor effect on PCP sorption but not on 2,4-DCP.