The behaviour of hexachlorobenzene in pine forest microcosms: Transport and effects on soil processes

Abstract

Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) is an organic contaminant with a potential of ecosystem level impacts. Using pine forest microcosms, the transport and effects of HCB on soil processes were studied. HCB-contaminated litter (0, 0·085, 0·730, 7·42 mg/cm³) was applied to replicate soils in filtered, flow-through microcosm systems. Transport of HCB as H¹⁴CB and two soil process parameters—CO₂ efflux and Ca loss—were monitored. HCB was mobilised from litter-soil systems by both volatisation and leaching. Both process parameters were altered by HCB: CO₂ efflux decreased and Ca loss increased in the HCB-treated microcosms.