ECN publication
Title:
Harmonization of leaching/extraction tests and leaching of organic contaminants
 
Author(s):
 
Published by: Publication date:
ECN 1-12-1998
 
ECN report number: Document type:
ECN-RX--98-068 Other
 
Number of pages: Full text:
11 Download PDF  

Abstract:
In the framework of the Standards, Measurement and Testing Programme(DGXII) of the European Community, a Network for the Harmonization of Leaching/Extraction Tests has been initiated in 1995. The direct results from this activity are a book on 'Harmonization of Leaching/Extraction Tests' published in 1997 (Elsevier), the project 'Technical Work in Support of the Network' (SMT4-CT96-2066) and the project 'Leaching of Organic contaminants' (SMT4-CT97-2160). In the framework of the Network 'Technical work in support of the Network of Harmonization of Leaching/Extraction Tests', sample of soil, contaminated soil, compost, sewage sludge, sediments, wastes, stabilized wastes, construction materials (concrete, drinking water pipes, bricks, asphalt), aggregates (demolition debris, MSWI bottom ash) and impregnated wood have been subjected to various leaching tests and the extracts have been analysed. The data processing (>25000 data points) is in full progress and is already leading to interesting conclusions on the comparability between tests and consistent behaviour of elements between the different materials resulting in cross-fertilization of experiences in different fields. In the context of the project 'Leaching of Organic contaminants', the main emphasis so far has been on the performance of the analytical methods for measuring PAHs in extracts obtained after leaching and on determining the role of Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) in the leachability of organic contaminants from contaminated soils and sediments. For the higher PAHs, the common factor DOC appears to be a key parameter driving release from soil sediments.


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