Model simulation of environmental profile transformation and fate of polychlorinated dibenzo- p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans by the multimedia environmental fate model

Abstract

Environmental profile transformation and fate of polychlorinated dibenzop-dioxins (PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF) were studied using the fugacity-based multimedia environmental fate model. Mass fluxes between compartments were estimated by the steady-state modeling. From the model estimates, major mass fluxes coming from emission source were shown to go to the soil and water through wet/dry deposition, then go to degradation mainly in the soil and sediment. Simulation of homologue profile transformation was also performed and some controlling parameters were pointed out. Part of profile transformation phenomenon was simulated well at least qualitatively, which was the result of the difference in the physical/chemical properties of homologues. Long-term environmental fate of PCDD/PCDF was also studied using the non steady-state multimedia fate model.