Potential colloidal input of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from groundwater to a small stream was investigated at a Superfund site in Pickens County, SC.  The methods included characterization of colloids collected from two bedrock wells and the stream, gas chromatographic analysis of dissolved PCBs collected by passive samplers, location of groundwater input using distributed temperature sensing (DTS), and mapping of the geology and hydrogeology along the stream.  Modeling groundwater flow and temperature differences along with geological mapping suggests that groundwater could enter through exposed bedding planes or fractures present along the stream bed.  Colloids in groundwater were identified as montmorillonite using FT-IR and manganese grains were identified using SEM.  Surface water FT-IR scans found gibbsite and kaolinite, and iron grains and coated minerals were identified with SEM.  PCBs were found at high nanograms per liter in dissolved and colloid samples providing evidence of continuing inputs of PCBs to the stream.

Role of inorganic colloids in the transport of PCBs from groundwater to surface water

244th National Meeting (2012)

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