PARTITIONING OF NAPHTHALENE, METHYLNAPHTHALENES AND BIPHENYL BETWEEN WASTEWATER TREATMENT SLUDGES AND WATER

Partition coefficients (Kp) describing the partitioning of naphthalene, methylnaphthalenes and biphenyl between organic-rich wastes and water were determined using 14C-tracer techniques as well as high performance liquid chromatographic analysis of the wastes and their aqueous extracts. Results of the two procedures were in good agreement. The concentrations of the specific organics in the wastes were not good predictors of concentrations in aqueous extracts, since Kp varied among the materials tested. Predictions of Kp based on organic carbon partition coefficient (Koc) and organic carbon content of the sludges were well below observed values. Oil content of the wastes and oil-water partition coefficients appeared to be important factors in determining Kp.