Abstract
We examined levels of soil contamination by trichloroethylene (TCE) at an industrial complex in Wonju, Korea. The examination was focused on the surrounding area of an asphalt laboratory where TCE had been used as a solvent for testing the asphalt quality. TCE contamination in soil was found at depths of 1∼5 m and ranged between 0.13 and 14,702.82 mg/kg. However, the soil contamination was restricted in immediate proximity of the laboratory. Batch isotherm experiments showed that there was a linear relationship between the sorbed concentration and the aqueous TCE concentration, which is typical for non-polar organic chemicals such as TCE. The distribution coefficient (Kd) ranged between 0.375 and 0.639 L/kg and increased with depth. Considering TCE concentration in deep soil, Kd and higher groundwater level, TCE concentration in groundwater can reach up to 19.36 mg/L. In addition, highly weathered and fractured rocks, where groundwater level formed, underlain by the contaminated soil zone can facilitate vertical TCE movement and form an extensive groundwater plume in the downgradient area. As a source removal measure, the contaminated soil at the presumably hot source zone had been remediated in 2004.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Baek, W. and Lee, J.Y., 2010, Source apportionment of trichloroethylene in groundwater of an industrial complex in Korea: a 15-year dispute and perspective. Water and Environment Journal (in press).
Brown, M.J. and Burris, D.R., 1996, Enhanced organic contaminant sorption on soil treated with cationic surfactants. Ground Water, 34, 734–744.
Chambers, J.E., Loke, M.H., Ogilvy, R.D., and Meldrum, P.I., 2004, Noninvasive monitoring of DNAPL migration through a saturated porous medium using electrical impedance tomography. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 68, 1–22.
Chiou, C.T., Porter, P.E., and Schmedding, D.W., 1983, Partition equilibria of nonionic organic compounds between soil organic matter and water. Environmental Sciences and Technology, 17, 227–231.
Curtis, G.P., Roberts, P.V., and Reinhold, M., 1986, A natural gradient experiment on solute transport in a sand aquifer: 4. Sorption of organic solutes and its influence on mobility. Water Resources Research, 22, 2059–2068.
Davidson, E.A., Belk, E., and Boone, R.D., 1998, Soil water content and temperature as independent or confounded factors controlling soil respiration in a temperate mixed hardwood forest. Global Change Biology, 4, 217–227.
Fitts, C.R., 2002, Groundwater Science. Academic Press, London, 450 p.
Gangwon Province, 2005, Detailed investigation and basic remediation design for contaminated soil and groundwater in the Woosan industrial complex, Wonju city. Gangwon Province, Korea, 309 p.
Jackson, R.E., 1998, The migration, dissolution, and fate of chlorinated solvents in the urbanized alluvial valleys of the southwestern USA. Hydrogeology Journal, 6, 144–155.
Johnson, R.L. and Pankow, J.F., 1992, Dissolution of dense chlorinated solvents into groundwater: 2. Source functions for pools of solvent. Environmental Science and Technology, 26, 896–901.
Kamon, M., Endo, K., and Katsumi, T., 2003, Measuring the k-S-p relations on DNAPLs migration. Engineering Geology, 70, 351–363.
Kim, G.H., Kim, G.Y., Kim, J.K., Sa, D.M., Seo, J.S., Son, B.K., Yang, J.E., Eem, G.C., Lee, S.E., Jeong, G.Y., Jeong, D.Y., Jeong, Y.T., Jeong, J.B., and Hyun, H.N., 2007, Soil Science. Hyangmoonsa, Seoul, 471 p. (in Korean)
Lee, J.Y. and Lee, K.K., 2004, A short note on investigation and remediation of contaminated groundwater and soil in Korea. Journal of Engineering Geology, 14, 123–130 (in Korean with English abstract).
Lee, J.Y., Yi, M.J., and Hwang, D., 2005, Dependency of hydrologic responses and recharge estimates on water-level monitoring locations with a small catchment. Geosciences Journal, 9, 277–286.
Lenczewski, M., Jardine, P., McKay, L., and Layton, A., 2003, Natural attenuation of trichloroethylene in fractured shale bedrock. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 64, 151–168.
Morel, F.M.M. and Hering, J.G., 1993, Principles and Applications of Aquatic Chemistry. Wiley and Sons, New Work, 608 p.
Rivett, M.O., Feenstra, S., and Cherry, J.A., 2001, A controlled field experiment on groundwater contamination by a multicomponent DNAPL: creation of the emplaced-source and overview of dissolved plume development. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 49, 111–149.
Russell, H.H., Mattews, J.E., and Sewell, G.W., 1992, TCE removal from contaminated soil and groundwater. EPA/540/S-92/002, USEPA, 10 p.
Schwarzenbach, R.P. and Westall, J., 1981, Transport of nonpolar organic compounds from surface water to groundwater. Environmental Science and Technology, 15, 1360–1367.
Wiedemeier, T.H., Rifai, H.S., Newell, C.J., and Wilson, J.T., 1999, Natural Attenuation of Fuels and Chlorinated Solvents in the Subsurface. John Wiley & Sons, New York, 504 p.
Wonju City and Environmental Management Corporation (EMC), 2003, Detailed investigation report on contaminated soil and groundwater in the Woosan industrial complex and Joongangdong area in Wonju city. Wonju City, Korea, 140 p.
Yang, J.E., Kim, H.G., and Kim, D.J., 2003, Final research report on investigation of potential soil contaminated area and its management plan in Wonju city. Kangwon Regional Environmental Technology Development Center (KETeC), Korea, 163 p.
Yu, S.Y., Chae, G.T., Jeon, K.H., Jeong, J.S., and Park, J.G., 2006, Trichloroethylene contamination in fractured bedrock aquifer in Wonju, South Korea. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 76, 341–348.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Jo, YJ., Lee, JY., Yi, MJ. et al. Soil contamination with TCE in an industrial complex: contamination levels and implication for groundwater contamination. Geosci J 14, 313–320 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12303-010-0022-4
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12303-010-0022-4