Effects of solution, sorbate, and sorbent chemistries on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon sorption to hydrated mineral surfaces

Solution chemistry, sorbate chemistry, and sorbent chemistry were widely investigated to find important factors that affect PAH sorption on mineral surfaces and to elucidate its microscopic mechanism. The solution chemistry, pH and ionic strength caused measurable change of HOC sorption reaction to minerals. The detectable change of Ka occurred at a pH region crossing the PZC (Point of Zero Charge) of each mineral. The PAH hydrophobicity, one of sorbate chemistry, was observed to have a strong correlation with PAM sorption to mineral. Mineral surface area was not found to be a predominant factor controlling PAH sorption. The mineral type might be more likely to play a crucial role in controlling the PAH sorption behavior. The CEC (Cation Exchange Capacity) of mineral, representing surface charge density, has meaningful correlation with regression slope of sorption coefficients (log $K_{d}$) versus aqueous activity coefficients (log Υ$_{w}$).).).