Transformation pathways of hexachlorocyclopentadiene in the aquatic environment

-- An environmental assessment of the transformation and transport pathways of hexachlorocyclopentadiene (hex) in simulated aquatic ecosystems is presented. Hydrolytic and photolytic disappearance rate constants in distilled and natural waters and in sediment-water systems are given. Sediments in defined sediment-water systems do not significantly affect the disappearance rate constants, compared to distilled water values, for the hydrolytic and photolytic processes. Water solubility, octanol/water partition coefficient, and vapor pressure for hex are also reported and compared with literature values. Fate and transport assessment using an evaluative model indicates that hex will not likely reach substantial steady-state concentrations in the various compartments of the simulated ecosystems. The results also indicate that photolysis and, to a lesser extent, hydrolysis are the predominant degradation processes; export via the water column is the predominant transport process.