Trichloroethylene transformation in aerobic pyrite suspension: pathways and kinetic modeling.

The pathways and kinetics of trichloroethylene (TCE) degradation in aerobic pyrite suspension were investigated. The detection of hydroxyl radical in aqueous pyrite suspension suggested that TCE was degraded by this strong oxidant The reaction pathways of TCE degradation were proposed in which the degradation of TCE to formic acid and finally to CO2 was the main route. Degradation of TCE to oxalic acid and to dichloroacetic acid were found as minor pathways. Degradation rates of TCE to formic acid, glyoxylic acid, and dichloroacetic acid were obtained using kinetic model at 1.2 x 10(-2), 9.8 x 10(-4) and 4.6 x 10(-4) h(-1), respectively.