Effect of fermentation on hydrophobic compound partitioning

This study aims to determine whether the addition of carbon and corresponding fermentation of carbon affected the mass transfer of a hydrophobic compound, trichloroethene (TCE), and by which mechanism(s) this enhancement occurs. Also, an evaluation on whether fermented liquid alters the soil partitioning of TCE, thereby, affecting the sorptive behavior of hydrophobic compounds in soil, was performed. The results indicate that both the addition and subsequent fermentation of carbon affected the mass transfer of hydrophobic compounds. The mechanism by which this occurs varied between fresh and fermented fluids. Fresh molasses affected mass transfer by increasing the solubility and associated concentration gradient of TCE. Fermented fluids affected the surface area of NAPL, thereby increasing the mass transfer. The soil partitioning coefficient of TCE was affected by fermented liquid, thus, the addition of carbon also affected the residual sorbed mass.