Mechanisms of pentachlorophenol adsorption by soils

The precipitation and adsorption of pentachlorophenol (PCP) on allophane was confirmed by adsorption experiments carried out at various pll values. The precipitation of PCP took place around base-unsaturated clay particles when the concentration of PCP exceeded solubility. The adsorption of PCP involves anion exchange reaction as well as physical adsorption due to van der Waals' force, and the PCP adsorbed as anions is released with greater when washed with deionized water.

Allopbane of Andosols appears to adsorb PCP largely as anions, while humus, balloysite, and allophane (molar SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio about 2) seem to adsorb PCP mostly as molecules. The precipitation of PCP in mlcell might participate in the adsorption. PCP mixed with layer silicate day minerals such as illite, montmorillonite, and kaolinite sublimated by about 200°C. In contrast to this, PCP mixed or adsorbed on allophane did not sublimate by 200°C but burnt out between 250 and 500°C showing a strong exothermic reaction.