Kinetics of Reductive Dechlorination of DDT in Soil with Zero-Valent Iron

Abstract

In this study, reductive dechlorination of DDT compounds by zero-valent iron in Jiangxi red soil was investigated. DDT compounds were effectively dechlorinated by zero-valent iron. The pseudo-first-order kinetic model for 2,4¢-DDT and 4,4¢-DDT reduction with zero-valent iron was proposed. The reaction rate constants for 2,4¢-DDT and 4,4¢-DDT were 1.19´10 -2 (min -1 ) and 1.44´10 -2 (min -1 ), respectively. The dechlorination of 2,4¢-DDT and 4,4¢-DDT were mainly affected by the specific surface area of iron. The data from the variable-pH experiments (between 3.6 and 8.8) suggested that pH does not play a role in the rate-determination step.