Chromatographic methods in determination of the soil-water partition coefficient

The soil-water partition coefficient normalized to the soil organic carbon content (K-OC) is one of essential properties governing the fate of organic chemicals in the soil-water compartment. It is a parameter of utmost importance when it comes to the removal of toxic organics in the waste water management facilities or placing a new chemical on the market. Since direct determination of K-OC based on tests involving soil-sorption measurements are expensive, time-consuming, tedious, and subject to different experimental difficulties and artifacts, different alternative methods have been developed for rapid indirect experimental determination and estimation of K-OC values. In the scope of the present work, we provide critical and historical overview of development and application of the main chromatographic methods, both high-performance liquid chromatography and thin-layer chromatographic techniques for indirect experimental determination of the soil-water partition coefficient as well as mobility assessment of environmentally important compounds in the soil. Chromatographic methods proved to be promising in this field, which is clearly demonstrated by their implementation in official guidelines for testing the chemicals.