Catalyzed hydrogen peroxide treatment of octachlorodibenzo-p-oxin (OCCD) in surface soils

The treatment of soils contaminated with octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (OCDD) using a Fenton-like reaction was investigated using four soils, two hydrogen peroxide concentrations, and four temperatures. Loss of OCDD was inversely related to the soil organic carbon content, with 96% OCDD removed in a soil with 2% organic carbon. Use of 3.5% H2O2 and 35% H2O2 was equally effective in a natural soil, but 35% H2O2 was more effective in silica sand. In addition, increased loss of OCDD occurred at elevated temperatures. Analysis of extracts by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) showed no peaks other than the parent compound, including other dioxin congeners.