Decontamination of soil through enhanced formation of bound residues

• Published in: Environmental science & technology Vol. 19; no. 11; pp. 1132 - 1133
• Main Authors: Berry, Duane F, Boyd, Stephen A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 01.11.1985
• Subjects: 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine; Applied sciences; CARCINOGENOS; CARCINOGENS; CONTAMINACION DEL SUELO; Decontamination. Miscellaneous; Exact sciences and technology; HIGIENE; HYGIENE; Pollution; POLLUTION DU SOL; RESIDU; RESIDUES; RESIDUOS; Soil and sediments pollution; SOIL POLLUTION; SUBSTANCE CANCERIGENE; Decontamination; Soil pollution; Hydrogen Peroxides; Bound form
• ISSN: 0013-936X; 1520-5851
• DOI: 10.1021/es00141a020

Soil contaminated with the potent carcinogen 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine (DCB) was treated with various reagents in an attempt to enhance the formation of bound (non-extractable) DCB residues. When ferulic acid and H sub(2)O sub(2) were added to the contaminated soil, a significant decrease in the level of free DCB was observed. Additions of peroxidase to soil did not affect the binding of DCB. Vanillic acid and glucose were also tested in the same fashion as ferulic acid but produced no effect. Additions of ferulic acid and H sub(2)O sub(2) are believed to accelerate the natural process of humus formation which is mediated by indigenous peroxidase enzymes and which leads to the formation of bound residues in soil. These results may provide the basis for development of a rapid and inexpensive method for the containment of certain hazardous contaminants in soil.