2.2. Moisture Content Calculation

Try these first

1. 1.

   Define moisture content.

   Hint

   Think about what components are involved in this definition.

2. 2.

   What is K_oc?

   Hint

   Consider how contaminants behave in different phases.

3. 3.

   What is the definition of moisture content?

   • Mass of water to mass of dry solids
   • Mass of water to total mass
   • Mass of dry solids to total mass

   Hint

   Focus on the specific components of the definition.

4. 4.

   True or False: K_oc helps in determining the partitioning of contaminants.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Recall the significance of this constant in the chapter.

5. 5.

   If a chemical with a K_oc value of 3 is added to a soil with a water volume of 500 m^3, and you start with 200 kg of the chemical, how much would be expected to partition into the soil and water?

   Hint

   Use the mass balance and K_oc relationship for contaminants.

6. 6.

   Evaluate the environmental impact when 100 kg of a pollutant is released into an area where the moisture content is estimated at 0.25. Determine the total water mass in the soil if the dry mass is 400 kg.

   Hint

   Apply moisture content definitions directly.