Impact of Turbidity on TCE and Degradation Products in Ground Water

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Abstract
Elevated particulate concentrations in ground water samples can bias contaminant concentration data. This has been particularly problematic for metal analyses where artificially increased turbidity levels can affect metals concentrations and confound interpretation of the data. However, few studies have been conducted to determine the impact of particulates on trichloroethylene (TCE), cis‐dichloroethylene (c‐DCE), and vinyl chloride concentrations.Laboratory batch studies and field investigations were conducted to evaluate the effects of suspended solids on VOC concentrations in ground water samples analyzed by purge‐and‐trap gas chromatography. Three different solids were used to assess the effects of suspended particulates. The solids were aquifer material from a field site in North Carolina and two reference clay minerals (kaolinite and Namontimorillonite). During the laboratory portion of this study, the solids were used to determine effects on TCE concentrations under controlled laboratory conditions.The same solids were used in a field study to compare the laboratory results with field results. Solids were added to the sample vials prior it) sample collection to intentionally increase turbidity levels in the water samples. Results of the study indicate essentially no decrease in TCE, c‐DCH, or vinyl chloride concentrations due to increased turbidity levels.