TABLE OF CONTENTS


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS...... .......... ....................... ii

LIST OF TABLES......................................... v

LIST OF FIGURES........................................ vii

ABSTRACT............................................... x

CHAPTERS

 I INTRODUCTION..................................... 1

 II OBJECTIVES....................................... 6

III LITERATURE REVIEW ................................ 7

 3.1 Environment Significance of the Phenolic
 Compounds ............................... 7
 3.2 Sorption of the Phenolic Compounds.......... 9
 3.3 Degradation of the Phenolic Compounds....... 16
 3.3.1 Photolysis............................ 16
 3.3.2 Oxidation ........................... 18
 3.3.3 Hydrolysis. ........................... 19
 3.3.4 Volatilization........................ 19
 3.3.5 Biodegradation........... ............ 20
 3.3.6 PCP Degradation Mechanisms........... 31
 3.4 Summary..................................... 33

 IV MATERIALS AND METHODS....... ................ ... 34

 4.1 Materials.................................... 34
 4.1.1 Soil.................................. 34
 4.1.2 Chemicals ............................ 34
 4.1.3 Contaminated Water................... 35
 4.1.4 Microorganisms ..................... 35
 4.2 Analytical Methods... ....................... 35
 4.2.1 Chemical Concentration Determinations 35
 4.2.2 Soil Characterization................ 37
 4.2.3 Sludge Characterization.............. 40
 4.2.4 Biological Activity Measurement...... 41
 4.3 Experimental Design.......................... 42
 4.3.1 Batch Sorption Studies................ 42
 4.3.2 Column Sorption Studies............... 44
 4.3.3 Batch Biodegradation Studies.......... 48
 4.3.4 Column Biodegradation Studies........ 53