Diffusion mechanism of chloride ions in sodium montmorillonite

For safety assessment of geological disposal of HLW, it is necessary to understand the diffusion mechanism of radionuclides in compacted bentonite. In this study, the diffusion behavior of chloride ions in compacted montmorillonite was studied from the viewpoints of the activation energy for apparent diffusion and the basal spacing of the compacted montmorillonite. A unique change in the activation energy as a function of the dry density of the montmorillonite was found. The activation energy decreased from 17.4 to 13.5 kJ mol-1 as the dry density increased from 0.7 to 1.0 Mg m-3 and increased to 25.1 kJ mol-1 at dry densities above 1.0 Mg m-3. The basal spacing of 1.88 nm, corresponding to the three-water layer hydrate state, was not observed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) until the dry density increased to 1.0 Mg m-3, where the minimum activation energy was obtained. On the other hand, a basal spacing of 1.56 nm, corresponding to the two-water layer hydrate state, was observed at the dry densities of 1.4 Mg m-3 and above, where the activation energies were more than 22 kJ mol-1. These experimental results suggest that there are at least two additional diffusion processes that can raise or reduce the activation energy and are affected by water in the region adjacent to the montmorillonite surfaces. If the "Grahame model" can be introduced to describe the electrical double layer, surface diffusion will be considered the possible predominant diffusion process, even for anions like chloride ions.     

Effect of silica sand on activation energy for diffusion of sodium ions in montmorillonite and silica sand mixture

The effect of silica sand on the diffusion of sodium ions in mixtures of montmorillonite and silica sand was studied by measuring the apparent diffusion coefficients, activation energies for diffusion, and the basal spacing of the mixed samples. These diffusion experiments suggest that the apparent diffusion coefficients of sodium ions in the mixed samples were almost the same as those of pure montmorillonite samples having the same partial dry densities of montmorillonite. The activation energy dependence for diffusion of sodium ions on the partial dry density was different between the mixed samples and the pure montmorillonite samples. The activation energy increased by adding silica sand at the partial dry density of 1.0 Mg m(-3), and decreased by adding silica sand at the partial dry densities higher than 1.2 Mg m(-3). A change in the XRD profile was observed after adding silica sand at the partial dry density of 1.6 Mg m(-3). Here, a three-water-layer hydrate state of montmorillonite was found in the mixed sample whereas only a two-water-layer hydrate state was observed in the pure montmorillonite sample. These experimental results suggest that silica sand changed the montmorillonite microstructure in the mixed samples, which then altered the sodium-ion diffusion process.     

Study on anisotropy of effective diffusion coefficient and activation energy for deuterated water in compacted sodium bentonite

To quantify the effects of temperature on the diffusivity of deuterated water (HDO) in compacted sodium bentonite, through-diffusion experiments were conducted at elevated temperatures ranging from 298 to 333 K. Kunipia F (Na-montmorillonite content>98 wt.%; Kunimine Industries) was compacted to a dry density of 0.9 or 1.35 Mg/m(3). As montmorillonite particles were oriented perpendicular to the direction of compaction, the anisotropy of diffusivity was investigated both parallel and normal to the preferred orientation of the montmorillonite. The effective diffusion coefficient D(e) of HDO was larger when the diffusional direction was parallel as opposed to normal to the preferred orientation for both dry densities. The magnitude of D(e) and the anisotropy for HDO were in good accordance with previously reported results for tritiated water at room temperature. Activation energies of D(e) were isotropic and increased with increasing dry density over the range of 19-25 kJ/mol. This relationship was considered to be due to both pore structure development and the high activation energy of water near the montmorillonite surface.     

Experimental and modeling studies on sorption and diffusion of radium in bentonite

The sorption and desorption behavior of radium on bentonite and purified smectite was investigated as a function of pH, ionic strength and liquid to solid ratio by batch experiments. The distribution coefficients (Kd) were in the range of 10(2) to > 10(4) ml g-1 and depended on ionic strength and pH. Most of sorbed Ra was desorbed by 1 M KCl. The results for purified smectite indicated that Ra sorption is dominated by ion exchange at layer sites of smectite, and surface complexation at edge sites may increase Ra sorption at higher pH region. Reaction parameters between Ra and smectite were determined based on an interaction model between smectite and groundwater. The reaction parameters were then used to explain the results of bentonite by considering dissolution and precipitation of minerals and soluble impurities. The dependencies of experimental Kd values on pH, ionic strength and liquid to solid ratio were qualitatively explained by the model. The modeling result for bentonite indicated that sorption of Ra on bentonite is dominated by ion exchange with smectite. The observed pH dependency was caused by changes of Ca concentration arising from dissolution and precipitation of calcite. Diffusion behavior of Ra in bentonite was also investigated as a function of dry density and ionic strength. The apparent diffusion coefficients (Da) obtained in compacted bentonite were in the range of 1.1 x 10(-11) to 2.2 x 10(-12) m2 s-1 and decreased with increasing in dry density and ionic strength. The Kd values obtained by measured effective diffusion coefficient (De) and modeled De were consistent with those by the sorption model in a deviation within one order of magnitude.     

In situ anion diffusion experiments using radiotracers

Diffusion experiments in compacted bentonite have been carried out in situ using the borehole laboratory CHEMLAB. The "ordinary" anion iodide and the redox-sensitive pertechnetate ion have been investigated. In spite of strongly reducing groundwater conditions, technetium was found to diffuse mostly unreduced as TcO4-, although in some spots in the compacted clay, the activity was significantly higher, which may be explained by reduction of some TcO4- by iron-containing minerals in the bentonite. The measured concentration profiles in the clay cannot be accommodated by assuming one single diffusion process. The experimental data are modeled assuming two diffusion paths, intralamellar diffusion and diffusion in external water. The apparent diffusivity for the intralamellar diffusion was found to be 8.6 x 10(-11) m2 s(-1) for iodide with a capacity factor of 0.1, while the apparent diffusivity for the diffusion in external water was found to be 5 x 10(-14) m2 s(-1) with alpha=2.26. The corresponding values for Tc were found to be Da= 6 x 10(-11) m2 s(-1), alpha=0.1 and Da= 1 x 10(-13) m2 s(-1), alpha=0.46, respectively. The diffusion constants and capacity factors obtained in this study are in accordance with data from laboratory experiments.     

超临界水氧化活性艳红M-2B染料废水动力学研究

用H2O2作为氧化剂,在595～704 K、18～30 MPa条件下,对活性染料废水进行超临界水氧化反应.实验结果表明,COD去除率随温度、压力、停留时间和氧化剂量的增加而上升,在704 K、28 MPa时,COD去除率可达到98.4%,停留时间小于35 s.COD、H2O2和水的反应级数分别为1、0和0;反应活化能Ea为37.21 kJ/mol;指前因子A为76.69 s-1.     

An integrated sorption-diffusion model for the calculation of consistent distribution and diffusion coefficients in compacted bentonite

A thermodynamic sorption model and a diffusion model based on electric double layer (EDL) theory are integrated to yield a surface chemical model that treats porewater chemistry, surface reactions, and the influence of charged pore walls on diffusing ions in a consistent fashion. The relative contribution of Stern and diffuse layer to the compensation of the permanent surface charge represents a key parameter; it is optimized for the diffusion of Cs in Kunipia-F bentonite, at a dry density of 400 kg/m3. The model is then directly used to predict apparent diffusivities (Da) of Cs, Sr, Cl-, I- and TcO4- and corresponding distribution coefficients (Kd) of Cs and Sr in different bentonites as a function of dry density, without any further adjustment of surface chemical and EDL parameters. Effective diffusivities (De) for Cs, HTO, and TcO4- are also calculated. All calculated values (Da, De, Kd) are fully consistent with each other. A comparison with published, measured data shows that the present model allows a good prediction and consistent explanation of (i) apparent and effective diffusivities for cations, anions, and neutral species in compacted bentonite, and of (ii) Kd values in batch and compacted systems.     

Catalytic dechlorination kinetics of p-dichlorobenzene over Pd/Fe catalysts

p-Dichlorobenzene (p-DCB) was dechlorinated using Pd/Fe bimetallic catalytic reductants synthesized by chemical deposition. Batch experiments demonstrated that the Pd/Fe bimetallic particles could effectively dechlorinate p-DCB, p-DCB and its intermediate chlorobenzene were removed completely at a Pd loading of 0.02% (weight ratio of Pd to Fe) and Pd/Fe power to solution ratio about 4g 75 ml-1 in 90 min. Dechlorination was affected by various factors such as the reaction temperature, pH, Pd loading percentage over Fe and the introduction of Pd/Fe catalysts et al. Chlorobenzene represents partially stable dechlorinated intermediates in the generation of benzene and part of p-DCB was dechlorinated to benzene indirectly on the surface of Pd/Fe. The dechlorination of p-DCB took place on the surface of the Pd/Fe bimetallic particles in a pseudo-first-order reaction, the activation energy of the dechlorination reaction was determined to be 80.0 kJ mol-1 at the temperature range of 287-313 K.     

Rapid reductive dechlorination of atrazine by zero-valent iron under acidic conditions

The dechlorination of atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-1,3,5-triazine) via reaction with metallic iron under low-oxygen conditions was studied using reaction mixture pH values of 2.0, 3.0, and 3.8. The pH control was achieved through addition of sulfuric acid throughout the duration of the reaction. The lower the pH of the reaction mixture, the faster the degradation of atrazine. The surface area of the sulfuric acid-treated iron particles was 0.31 (+/- 0.01) m2 g-1 and the surface area normalized initial pseudo-first order rate constants (kSA, where rate = kSA x (surface area/l) x [Atrazine]) at pH values of 2.0, 3.0, and 3.8 were equal to, respectively, 3.0 (+/- 0.4) x 10(-3) min-1 m-2 l, 5 (+/- 3) x 10(-4) min-1 m-2 l, and 1 (+/- 1) x 10(-4) min-1 m-2 l. The observed products of the degradation reaction were dechlorinated atrazine (2-ethylamino-4-isopropylamino-1,3,5-triazine) and possibly hydroxyatrazine (2-ethylamino-4-isopropylamino-6-hydroxy-s-triazine). Triazine ring protonation may account, at least in part, for the observed effect of pH on atrazine dechlorination via metallic iron.     

Concentrations of ammonia and nitrogen dioxide at roadside verges, and their contribution to nitrogen deposition

Bimonthly integrated measurements of NO2 and NH3 have been made over one year at distances up to 10 m away from the edges of roads across Scotland, using a stratified sampling scheme in terms of road traffic density and background N deposition. The rate of decrease in gas concentrations away from the edge of the roads was rapid, with concentrations falling by 90% within the first 10 m for NH3 and the first 15 m for NO2. The longer transport distance for NO2 reflects the production of secondary NO2 from reaction of emitted NO and O3. Concentrations above the background, estimated at the edge of the traffic lane, were linearly proportional to traffic density for NH3 (microg NH3 m(-3) = 1 x 10(-4) x numbers of cars per day), reflecting emissions from three-way catalysts. For NO2, where emissions depend strongly on vehicle type and fuel, traffic density was calculated in terms of 'car equivalents'; NO2 concentrations at the edge of the traffic lane were proportional to the number of car equivalents (microg NO2 m(-3) = 1 x 10(-4) x numbers of car equivalents per day). Although absolute concentrations (microg m(-3)) of NH3 were five times smaller than for NO2, the greater deposition velocity for NH3 to vegetation means that approximately equivalent amounts of dry N deposition to road side vegetation from vehicle emissions comes from NH3 and NO2. Depending on traffic density, the additional N deposition attributable to vehicle exhaust gases is between 1 and 15 kg N ha(-1) y(-1) at the edge of the vehicle lane, falling to 0.2-10 kg N ha(-1) y(-1) at 10 m from the edge of the road.     

Diffusive transport through compacted Na- and Ca-bentonite

The effect of exchangeable cation — Na⁺ and Ca ²⁺ — on the diffusive transport of I⁻, Sr ²⁺ and ³H (as HTO) in compacted bentonite was examined using a through-diffusion method. Total intrinsic diffusion coefficients, D_i, were determined from the steady-state flux of the diffusants through the clays, and apparent diffusion coefficients, D_a, were obtained from the time lag technique. The clays were compacted to a dry bulk density of 1.3 Mg/m³, and Na-bentonite was saturated with a solution of 100 mol NaCl/m3 and Ca-bentonite with one of 50 mol CaCl₂/m³. The D_i values for all diffusants are 2 to 6 times higher in the Ca- than Na-clay. We attribute this to the larger quasicrystal, or particle, size of Ca- compared to Na-bentonite. Hence, Ca-bentonite has a greater proportion of relatively large pores; this was confirmed by Hg intrusion porosimetry. This means the diffusion pathways in Ca-bentonite are less tortuous than those in Na-bentonite. Moreover, in some cases the effective porosity, or the porosity available for diffusive transport, may be greater in Ca-bentonite. The D_a values are inversely proportional to the distribution coefficients of the diffusants with the clays.     

Oxidation of industrial dyeing wastewater by supercritical water oxidation in transpiring-wall reactor.

Industrial dyeing wastewater was oxidized in supercritical water in a transpiring-wall reactor, using hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant. Experiments were performed at 595 to 704 K and 18 to 30 MPa, with an oxidant dosage ratio ranging from 0.6 to 2.0. A chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal of more than 98.4% was achieved at 704 K and 28 MPa, with a retention time less than 35 seconds, which increased with the temperature, pressure, and oxidant. A modified first-order rate expression was regressed from experimental data, taking into account the influence of induction time. The resulting pre-exponential factor, A, and activation energy, Ea, were 1.07 seconds(-1) and 12.12 kJ x mol(-1), respectively, while the reaction order for feed wastewater (based on COD) and oxidant were assumed to be 1 and 0, respectively. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis for effluents indicated that carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen were the main reaction products, and phenol; benzenecarboxylic acid; 1, 2-benzenedicarboxylic acid; and isoquinoline were detected as intermediates.     

Assessment of the potential for soil acidification in North India using the critical load approach and locally derived data for acidic and basic inputs

Major ions (Cl-, NO3(-), SO4(2-), Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+ and NH4(+)) were analysed in wet and dry deposition samples collected for 2 years using a polyethylene bottle and funnel collector at Agra in India. The deposition of ionic components (Ca2+ and Mg2+) derived from natural sources i.e. soil were higher than those of anthropogenic origin. In rainwater samples, non-sea-salt fraction was found to be 60-90%. In both wet and dry deposition Ca2+ was found to be the dominant ion which may be due to its large particle diameter. Results suggest that most of the acidity, which occurs due to NO3(-), SO4(2-) and Cl- is neutralized by alkaline constituents, which originate from airborne local soil and dust transported from the Thar desert. Acid neutralizing capacity of soil has also been quantified and found to be 33 x 10(3) neqg(-1). Using deposition data, the critical load for acidity of soil with respect to Ashoka and Eucalyptus was evaluated. The present level of deposition of S and N was found to be much lower than critical loads calculated for S and N. Critical load of exceedance in terms of deposition acidity was also calculated and found to be negative. This indicates that with respect to these species, the ecosystem is protected at the current level of deposition.     

Performance of a semi-industrial scale gasification process for the destruction of polychlorinated biphenyls

A semi-industrial scale test was conducted to thermally treat mixtures of spent oil and askarels at a concentration of 50,000 ppm and 100,000 ppm of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) under a reductive atmosphere. In average, the dry-basis composition of the synthesis gas (syngas) obtained from the gasification process was: hydrogen 46%, CO 34%, CO2 18%, and CH4 0.8%. PCBs, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDDs/PCDFs) in the gas stream were analyzed by high-resolution gas chromatography (GC)-mass spectrometry. The coplanar PCBs congeners 77, 105, 118, 156/ 157, and 167 were detected in the syngas at concentrations < 2 x 10(-7) mg/m3 (at 298 K, 1 atm, dry basis, 7% O2). The chlorine released in the destruction of the PCBs was transformed to hydrogen chloride and separated from the gas by an alkaline wet scrubber. The concentration of PCBs in the water leaving the scrubber was below the detection limit of 0.002 mg/L, whereas the destruction and removal efficiency was > 99.9999% for both tests conducted. The concentration of PCDDs/PCDFs in the syngas were 8.1 x 10(-6) ng-toxic equivalent (TEQ)/m3 and 7.1 x 10(-6) ng-TEQ/m3 (at 298 K, 1 atm, dry basis, 7% O2) for the tests at 50,000 ppm and 100,000 ppm PCBs, respectively. The only PCDD/F congener detected in the gas was the octachloro-dibenzo-p-dioxin, which has a toxic equivalent factor of 0.001. The results obtained for other pollutants (e.g., metals and particulate matter) meet the maximum allowed emission limits according to Mexican, U.S., and European regulations for the thermal treatment of hazardous waste (excluding CO, which is a major component of the syngas, and total hydrocarbons, which mainly represent the presence of CH4).     

Hg reactions in the presence of chlorine species: homogeneous gas phase and heterogeneous gas-solid phase

The kinetics of Hg chlorination (with HCl) was studied using a flow reactor system with an online Hg analyzer, and speciation sampling using a set of impingers. Kinetic parameters, such as reaction order (alpha), overall rate constant (k'), and activation energy (Ea), were estimated based on the simple overall reaction pathway. The reaction order with respect to C(Hg), k', and Ea were found to be 1.55, 5.07 x 10(-2) exp(-1939.68/T) [(microg/m3)(-055)(s)(-1)]. and 16.13 [kJ/ mol], respectively. The effect of chlorine species (HCl, CH2Cl2) on the in situ Hg capture method previously developed (28) was also investigated. The efficiency of capture of Hg by this in situ method was higher than 98% in the presence of chlorine species. Furthermore, under certain conditions, the presence of chlorine enhanced the removal of elemental Hg by additional gas-phase oxidation.     

Kinetic assessment of the potassium ferrate(VI) oxidation of antibacterial drug sulfamethoxazole

Sulfamethoxazole (SMX), a worldwide-applied antibacterial drug, was recently found in surface waters and in secondary wastewater effluents, which may result in ecotoxical effects in the environment. Herein, removal of SMX by environmentally-friendly oxidant, potassium ferrate(VI) (K(2)FeO(4)), is sought by studying the kinetics of the reaction between Fe(VI) and SMX as a function of pH (6.93-9.50) and temperature (15-45 degrees C). The rate law for the oxidation of SMX by Fe(VI) is first-order with respect to each reactant. The observed second-order rate constant decreased non-linearly from 1.33+/-0.08 x 10(3) M(-1)s(-1) to 1.33+/-0.10 x 10(0) M(-1)s(-1) with an increase of pH from 7.00 to 9.50. This is related to protonation of Fe(VI) (HFeO(4)(-) <==> H(+) + FeO(4)(2-); pK(a,HFeO(4)) = 7.23) and sulfamethoxazole (SH <==> H(+) + S(-); pK(a,SH)=5.7). The estimated rate constants were k(11)(HFeO(4)(-) + SH) = 3.0 x 10(4) M(-1)s(-1), k(12)(HFeO(4)(-) + S(-)) = 1.7 x 10(2) M(-1)s(-1), and k(13) (FeO(4)(2-) + SH) = 1.2 x 10(0) M(-1)s(-1). The energy of activation at pH 7.0 was found to be 1.86+/-0.04 kJ mol(-1). If excess potassium ferrate(VI) concentration (10 microM) is used than the SMX in water, the half-life of the reaction using a rate constant obtained in our study would be approximately 2 min at pH 7. The reaction rates are pH dependent; thus, so are the half-lives of the reactions. The results suggest that K(2)FeO(4) has the potential to serve as an oxidative treatment chemical for removing SMX in water.     

Polyurethane foam (PUF) disks passive air samplers: wind effect on sampling rates

Different passive sampler housings were evaluated for their wind dampening ability and how this might translate to variability in sampler uptake rates. Polyurethane foam (PUF) disk samplers were used as the sampling medium and were exposed to a PCB-contaminated atmosphere in a wind tunnel. The effect of outside wind speed on PUF disk sampling rates was evaluated by exposing polyurethane foam (PUF) disks to a PCB-contaminated air stream in a wind tunnel over air velocities in the range 0 to 1.75 m s-1. PUF disk sampling rates increased gradually over the range 0-0.9 m s-1 at approximately 4.5-14.6 m3 d-1 and then increased sharply to approximately 42 m3 d-1 at approximately 1.75 m s-1 (sum of PCBs). The results indicate that for most field deployments the conventional 'flying saucer' housing adequately dampens the wind effect and will yield approximately time-weighted air concentrations.     

Kinetics of OH radical reactions with dibenzo-p-dioxin and selected chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins

The pulsed laser photolysis/pulsed laser-induced fluorescence (PLP/PLIF) technique has been applied to obtain rate coefficients for OH + dioxin (DD) (k1), OH + 2-chlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2-CDD) (k2), OH + 2,3-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3-DCDD) (k3), OH + 2,7-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,7-DCDD) (k4), OH + 2,8-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,8-DCDD) (k5), OH + 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (1,2,3,4-TCDD) (k6), and OH + octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (OCDD) (k7) over an extended range of temperature. The atmospheric pressure (740 +/- 10 Torr) rate measurements are characterized by the following Arrhenius parameters (in units of cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1), error limits are 1 omega): k1(326-907 K) = (1.70+/-0.22) x 10(-12)exp(979+/-55)/T, k2(346-905 K) = (2.79+/-0.27) x 10(-12)exp(784+/-54)/T, k3(400-927 K) = 10(-12)exp(742+/-67)/T, k4(390-769 K) = (1.10+/-0.10) x 10(-12)exp(569+/-53)/T, k5(379-931 K) = (1.02+/-0.10) x 10(-12)exp(580+/-68)/T, k6(409-936 K) = (1.66+/-0.38) x 10(-12)exp(713+/-114)/T, k7(514-928 K) = (3.18+/-0.54) x 10(-12)exp(-667+/-115)/T. The overall uncertainty in the measurements, taking into account systematic errors dominated by uncertainty in the substrate reactor concentration, range from a factor of 2 for DD, 2-CDD, 2,3-DCDD, 2,7-DCDD, and 2,8-DCDD to +/- a factor of 4 for 1,2,3,4-TCDD and OCDD. Negative activation energies characteristic of an OH addition mechanism were observed for k1-k6. k7 exhibited a positive activation energy. Cl substitution was found to reduce OH reactivity, as observed in prior studies at lower temperatures. At elevated temperatures (500 K < T < 500 K), there was no experimental evidence for a change in reaction mechanism from OH addition to H abstraction. Theoretical calculations suggest that H abstraction will dominate OH reactivity for most if not all dioxins (excluding OCDD) at combustion temperatures (>1000 K). For OCDD, the dominant reaction mechanism at all temperatures is OH addition followed by Cl elimination.     

Profile of trace elements in Parasol Mushroom (Macrolepiota procera) from Tucholskie Forest

The aim of this study was to determine 19 elements contents and bioconcentration potential in fruiting bodies of Parasol Mushroom (Macrolepiota procera) collected from the Tucholskie Forest complex in Poland. Also discussed were Cd, Pb and Hg contents of edible caps in relation to the current regulatory standards. K, P and Mg were particularly abundant in caps and stipes, median values were 38-49, 13, and 1.6-1.6 mg/g dry weight, and followed by Ca, Na and Rb at 110-540, 44-240 and 20-50 μg/g dw, respectively. Concentrations of Al, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn were from less than 50 to 180 μg/g dw, while concentrations of other elements were ～l.0?μg/g dw or less. Cu, K, Ag, Cd, Na, Rb, Zn and Hg were bioconcentrated (BCF >1), while Al, Ba, Fe, Mn, Co, Sr, Pb and Cr were not bioaccumulated (BCF <1). Cd and Pb content of Parasol Mushroom's edible caps collected from some sites in the Tucholskie Forest exceed the maximum levels set in the EU for cultivated mushrooms.     

Biological treatment of a contaminated gaseous emission from a leather industry in a suspended-growth bioreactor

A suspended-growth bioreactor (SGB) was operated for the treatment of a gaseous stream mimicking emissions generated at a leather industrial company. The main volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in the gaseous stream consisted of 1-methoxy-2-propanol, 2,6-dimethyl-4-heptanone, 2-butoxyethanol, toluene and butylacetate. A microbial consortium able to degrade these VOCs was successfully enriched. A laboratory-scale SGB was established and operated for 210-d with an 8h cycle period and with shutdowns at weekends. Along this period, the SGB was exposed to organic loads (OL) between 6.5 and 2.3 x 10(2) g h(-1) m(-3). Most of the compounds were not detected at the outlet of the SGB. The highest total VOC removal efficiency (RE) (ca 99%) was observed when an OL of 1.6 x 10(2) g h(-1) m(-3) was fed to the SGB. The maximum total VOC elimination capacity (1.8 x 10(2) g h(-1) m(-3)) was achieved when the OL applied to the SGB was 2.3 x 10(2) g h(-1) m(-3). For all the operating conditions, the SGB showed high levels of degradation of toluene and butylacetate (RE approximately equal to 100%). This study also revealed that recirculation of the gaseous effluent improved the performance of the SGB. Overall, the SGB was shown to be robust, showing high performance after night and weekend shutdown periods.