Measurement of contaminant adsorption on soils using cycling modified column tests

An innovative cycled column test with supporting batch equilibrium and kinetic analysis for adsorption or desorption were developed for evaluation of adsorption behavior of soils. Non-equilibrium adsorption was observed in the cycled column tests as the traditional testing methods. The isotherm of local equilibrium of the soil was conducted based on the testing results within a relatively short duration with simple analysis. The concentration curves of influent and effluent of the cycled column tests were simulated by dual-porosity (DP) model with a modified inlet boundary. Based on the modeling results, the isotherm of local equilibrium is close to that of the mobile phase adsorption capacity, whereas the immobile phase of the soil is nearly inactive in the retardation of the contaminants. The testing results from cycled column tests are hardly interfered by desorption or the sorption rate according to the modeling for corresponding scenarios. The cycled column test can be used as an alternative or supplementary method to the traditional column test for the determination of local equilibrium isotherm, with advantages of shorter testing duration and easier data analysis. • Cycled column test was firstly performed for the determination of adsorption behavior of the soils. • The test results from cycled column tests are hardly interfered by desorption or the sorption rate. • The adsorption capacity of immobile phase of the soil is hard to be fully activated in contaminant retardations. • The cycled column test is effective to gain the adsorption isotherm of local equilibrium within a relative short duration.