Decomposition of PCB's and other polychlorinated aromatics in soil using microwave energy

Conditions are described whereby hexachlorobenzene, pentachlorophenol, 2,2',5,5'-tetrachlorobiphenyl, and 2,2',4,4',5,5'- hexachlorobiphenyl are decomposed in soil using microwave energy. The most efficient decompositions are achieved in the presence of Cu2O or Al powder and 10N NaOH. Minute amounts of mixtures of decomposition products are extractable from the soil following remediation, but the vast majority of the decomposition products are not, and are probably either mineralized or very tightly bound to the soil. The higher the chlorine content of the biphenyl, the less efficient the decomposition. A modified ceramic alumina bomb is described which allows the bomb walls to remain much cooler than the one used earlier.