DEGRADATION OF 2-CHLOROANILINE, 3-CHLORONITROBENZENE AND 1,2,4-TRICHLOROBENZENE IN RIVER SEDIMENTS

The disappearance kinetics of three chlorinated aromatic compounds (2- Chloroaniline, 3-Chloronitrobenzene and 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene) in a s ediment-water system are described. Analyte concentrations in three de finite compartments (water, interstitial water and sediment core) are indicated. Concentration versus time data for the reaction in the wate r phase complies with first-order kinetics, while for the analytes in the sediment phase disappearance kinetics do not follow first-order ki netics. A bi-exponential mathematical expression that takes into accou nt the two different initial concentrations and reaction rates in both the interstitial water and sediment core is used to fit data for anal yte concentration in the sediment phase. An overall expression is then used to model the kinetics in the entire sediment-water system. The h ighest degradation rate is found in the interstitial water. A descript ion is also given of the effects of the temperature on the disappearan ce kinetics observed. Two reaction products are also identified by GC- MS.