Effect of natural dissolved organic matter found in groundwater on soil adsorption and transport of pentachlorophenol

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) adsorption and mobility in water-saturated soil columns was quantified through kinetic, transport, and equilibrium experiments. Results showed that natural dissolved organic matter (NDOM) does not influence the PCP adsorption rate on soil at a hydrogen-ion concentration (pH) of 5.4 and 6.3 and minimally affects isotherm parameter estimates at pH 5.2, 5.4 and 6.1. It was concluded that NDOM does not induce nor inhibit PCP adsorption and transport in soil columns under conditions found in groundwater-soil systems exposed to nonpoint source contamination.