A COLUMN TECHNIQUE FOR DETERMINING SORPTION OF ORGANIC SOLUTES ON THE LITHOLOGICAL STRUCTURE OF AQUIFERS

Because there are apparent problems of the batch sorption determination and uncertainties of the indirect octanol-water partition, organic-carbon method, an alternative sediment-column technique was investigated. Readily available high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) equipment was used to conduct these studies, thus permitting automation of the elution and effluent monitoring. It was found that the sorption behavior of organic solutes in aquifer material can be readily determined by evaluation of the elution histories of sediment columns. This heretofor difficult technique has been made practical by use of modern HPLC technology. Additionally, the ability to select a solution concentration of a difficulty soluble compound by moderating the flow from the 'saturator' column to the sediment test column permits wide flexibility for evaluation. Refs.