Organic Pollutants in Aqueous-Solid Phase Environments: Types, Analyses and Characterizations

Abstract

In order to study the chemodynamic behavior (i.e., fate and transport) of organic pollutants in the environment and their interactions with various solid phase systems, our goals in this chapter are to address these aspects. The first is to present a review of the most toxic organic pollutant types which are present in both aqueous and solid phase environments. These pollutants include petroleum hydrocarbons, pesticides, phthalates, phenols, PCBs, organotin compounds, and surfactants as well as complex organic mixtures (COMs) of pollutants leached from solid waste materials (SWMs) in landfills and disposal sites. The term solid phase system is used here to indicate soil-particulate matter, sediment, suspended, and biological materials. The second goal is to provide a comprehensive review of the different analytical techniques used for the determination of these organic compounds. The third objective is to discuss and evaluate the current instrumental developments and advances for the identification and characterization of these organic compounds. This chapter serves as the backbone for the subsequent chapters in the present volume, and aids in understanding the various interaction mechanisms between organic pollutants and diverse solid phase surfaces, their chemistry, and applicable modeling techniques.