Assessment of The Dioxins Leaching Potentials In Selected Soils Through Breakthrough Curves (BTCs) Model

The current study was to investigate the leaching and groundwater contamination potential of selected Dioxins, in local soil series. Solute transport was modelled through Breakthrough curve (BTC) plots, based on distribution coefficient (K d ), Retardation factor and Dispersivity, under normal velocity (20 cm day -1 ) and preferential or steady flow (50 cm day -1 ). In case of Dibenzo -p- Dioxin (DD), distribution coefficient values were found in order of Charsadda > Peshawar > Sultanpur series, while for 2 Chloro- p - Dioxin (2Cl-DD), the order was Charsadda > Sultanpur > Peshawar. However, the overall sorption was low. Under the normal velocity both of selected Dioxins (DD & 2Cl-DD), BTC plots relatively took longer time to reach the point of saturation as compared to high seepage velocity. However, the overall solute transport was found to be rapid. This behaviour showed that sorption of the Dioxins selected soil series is low and there is potential for leaching and groundwater contamination.