Multimedia environmental analysis of PCBs fate and transport mechanism through a case study of transformer oil leakage

Transformer oil leakage having large quantity of PCBs is one of the most deplorable incidents resulting in huge negative impacts on the environment. In this paper, two different models, i.e. CHEMCAN and the hydrocarbon spill screening models, were applied to the case study adapted from a real case of PCBs in transformer oil spill in Montreal. The oil migration was examined in three dimensions including site-specific data, soil characteristics and hydrogeological properties. This study aims to investigate the fate, transport and transformation rates of PCB in the soil, the unsaturated and the saturated zones. The proposed modelling concept helps to define the processes to be used in characterization of soil and subsurface environment as a receptor of transformer oil spill. This study includes the simulation techniques for assessing the effect of PCBs on groundwater and soil. Results from multimedia environmental model and HSSM model verify with each other, and both show that 92.7 % of PCBs were found in soil as compared to groundwater. Considering decay and sorption processes at spill location, concentration of PCBs in soil was > 50 mg/kg. This study can serve as a basis for further analysis and assist in selection of remediation technique.

Keywords
Hydrocarbon spill screening model; Multimedia environmental model; CHEMCAN model; Transformer oil spill