Chloroanisoles (CAs) are compounds that have similar properties to chlorophenols (CPs), but have a higher tendency to bioaccumulate and resist degradation because of their lipophilicity. They are not manufactured for commercial use, but exist in equilibrium with CAs in the environment through biological transformation. Due to the toxicity of both compounds; pentachloroanisole (PCA) and pentachlorophenol (PCP), a strategy for remediation is highly sought after. This study has served to develop an approach to meet the needs for this treatment, based on the successful previous treatment of PCP using zero-valent magnesium/graphite (ZVMg/C). The results of the method, which makes use of ZVMg/C in acidified ethanol, are compared for both target analytes. Both substrates were degraded to less-chlorinated byproducts within the first four hours; however PCP degraded at a faster rate with no detection at seven minutes. The more heavily-chlorinated byproducts showed faster degradation rates for both compounds, which also had 2,4-dichlorinated congeners in common as major byproducts. The mole balances of PCA and PCP were 92.6% and 94.8%, respectively. Further studies were done to enhance degradation kinetics by re-spiking with acetic acid after two weeks. Although complete dechlorination was still not achieved, a slight improvement was observed for both compounds, more so with respect to PCP. Kinetic data followed pseudo first-order trends for the degradation of both PCA and PCP. This methodology shows promise for the development of an economic and sustainable field application for the treatment of other chlorinated aromatic compounds. In further work, developments will be made in the modification of the system to allow for the implementation of field-scale applications.  <br/>

Degradation comparison of pentachlorophenol (PCP) versus pentachloroanisole (PCA) using zero-valent magnesium/graphite (ZVMg/C) in an acidified ethanol

255th National Meeting (2018)

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