Degradation of tricloroethylene and carbon tetrachloride at iron oxides and basalt

The degradation of TCE and CCl₄ in aqueous solutions in the presence of iron oxides and minerals of basalt was investigated. TCE and CCl₄ degraded when reacted with Fe(II)-bearing materials. Degradation of CCl₄ was faster than TCE when reacted under the same conditions. The basalt samples were collected at or near the Idaho National Engineering & Environmental Laboratory. Mineral separates from the basalts (plagioclase, olivine, pyroxene and iron/titanium oxides) and iron oxides (FeO, Fe₂O₃, FeTiO₄, Fe₃O₄ and FeOOH) served as model basaltic materials. The basalt and model materials were exposed to 10 ppm aqueous solutions of TCE and CCl₄ under anaerobic conditions. Reaction products were monitored using solid phase microextraction and gas chromatography. . Differences in the results from TEC and CCl₄ for the model materials and field basalt samples are discussed.