Treatment of Pentachlorophenol-Contaminated Soils Using Fenton's Reagent

Abstract

The Fenton's reagent (hydrogen peroxide and iron (II)) treatment of pentachlorophenol (PCP) was investigated as a basis for the on site and in situ treatment of contaminated surface soils. Mineralization of PCP was demonstrated in a silica sand system by the removal of the parent compound and total organic carbon with corresponding stoichiometric recovery of chloride. The treatment of PCP was investigated in two natural soils of varying organic carbon content. Pentachlorophenol was degraded in the soils with and without iron (II) addition. The optimum treatment conditions were found at pH 2 to 3.