Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a group of 209 chemical congeners that are toxic and persistent organic contaminants---they have been present in the environmental for several decades. Sites contaminated with PCBs pose serious health and safety risks to the surrounding environment due to their toxicity, persistence and bioaccumulation in creature. Polychlorinated biphenyls were commercially produced complex mixtures for a variety of applications. Before production was discontinued world-wide in 1977, several million tons of PCBs have been directly disposed to the soil. Researchers have been encouraged to develop novel techniques/approaches to detoxify PCB compounds and PCB contaminated soil. Ideally, these methods would be inexpensive, rapid, efficient and environmentally benign. / This study investigated novel approaches/techniques for PCB hydrodechlorination with noble metal catalyst in a continuous hydrogenation system, using a reactor column filled with Pd0/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst. Appreciable quantities of PCB compounds or other aromatic compounds were hydrodechlorinated and/or hydrogenated under mild conditions (90°C). The reaction efficiency was virtually complete if sufficient H2 was included in the mobile phase either by pure H2 or supercritical CO 2 combined with 5% H2. / The study also optimized conditions to wash PCBs washing condition from contaminated soil by sonication mixing and outlined an environmentally benign industrial application that combined soil washing with an at line PCBs hydrodechlorination process. The techniques/approaches developed in this study would seem to have a broad application in PCB dechlorination/detoxification and in the remediation of historically contaminated soil/sediments.

Thesis (M.S.)--Auburn University, 2007. / Abstract. Includes bibliographic references (ℓ. 54-62)

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Nevada, Reno, 2006. / "August, 2006." Includes bibliographical references. Online version available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.Ag.Sc.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Soil and Water, Waite Agricultural Research Institute, 2000. / Bibliography: leaves 116-127.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Soil and Water, 2001. / Bibliography: leaves 177-191.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Soil and Water, 2002. / Bibliography: leaves 166-180.

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Auburn University, 2007. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references (p.168-192).

Thesis (M.Sc.). / Written for the Dept. of Natural Resource Sciences. Title from title page of PDF (viewed 2008/07/30). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Florida State University, 2004. / Advisor: Dr. Danuta Leszczynska, Florida State University, College of Engineering, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed Jan. 14, 2005). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Flinders University, School of Medicine. / Typescript bound. Includes bibliographical references: (leaves 190-203) Also available electronically.