Compound-specific carbon isotopic fractionation during transport of phthalate esters in sandy aquifer

The present paper aims to evaluate the carbon isotopic fractionation of phthalate esters (PAEs) during transport in an sandy aquifer. Breakthrough curves of di-methyl phthalate (DMP), di-ethyl phthalate (DEP), and di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) in mixed solution were determined by miscible displacement experiment, and simulated using HYDRUS-1D software. The stable carbon isotopes (δ(13)C) of 3 PAEs in effluent were analyzed at different times. Results showed that, in the transport process in sandy sediment, PAEs are mainly trapped into the pore space instead of being adsorbed on the surface of particles. At the initial stage of transport, PAEs with lighter carbon tend to run faster in the sandy sediment, and PAEs with heavier carbon run after. However, there is no priority for the transport of PAEs with different carbon isotopes at Stage Ⅱ with mainly time-limited sorption. So the transport-based isotope fractionation occurs in the front area of contaminant plume. This effect may be relevant for interpreting carbon isotope signatures in the real contaminant site.