Distribution Coefficient of Trichloroethylene in Soil-Water Systems

ABSTRACT The distribution coefficient of trichloroethylene (TCE) was obtained from field and theoretical methods. The field method was based on measuring TCE concentrations in the soil samples and in the adjacent ground water. The theoretical method was based on using the organic carbon content of the soil and the octanol/water partition coefficient for TCE. The average distribution coefficient for 19 field samples and four methods of calculation was 0.18 ml/g which is in agreement with literature data and octanol/water partition coefficients results. For soils containing greater than 0.1 percent organic carbon, the theoretical methods of calculating the distribution coefficient appear to be valid. For soils low in organic carbon content, laboratory determinations of the distribution coefficient can provide reasonable estimates for predicting actual migration rates. Field determinations of distribution coefficients are, however, preferred because they integrate the effect of various factors on partitioning of TCE.