土壤中多环芳烃的分布特征及其来源分析

利用气相色谱法分析了南充市10个不同功能区表层土壤中美国环保署规定的16种优控多环芳烃（PAHs）的含量和组分特征,运用同分异构体比率揭示了其污染来源。研究表明,该区土壤中PAHs的含量在9.1～2269.1μg·kg-1之间,而且工业区的残留量大于农业区和居民区的残留量。按PAHs的环数来分,在工业污染区PAHs的含量总的趋势是四环〉二环〉三环〉五环〉六环;农业和居民区二环〉三环〉五环〉四环〉六环。该污染状况与国内外相关研究比较,处于中等污染水平。煤、木材和化石的燃烧是该地区土壤中PAHs污染的主要来源,苯并（a）蒽和菲是主要的超标化合物。     

Relationship Between Soil Concentrations of PAHs and Their Regional Emission Indices

Actual information on the level of accumulation of PAHs in soils, their inputs/outputs and fate is still unsatisfactory. The regional scale of data collection is important from practical point of view, since decisions regarding environment protection often require proper assessment of soil information aggregated on this level. The objective of the study was to define the regional levels of PAHs in soils and to examine the relationship with the parameters related to their inputs (emission factors) and to natural conditions (soil properties, geographical localisation). The territory of Poland, comprising 16 regions, was chosen as a model area representing the Central/East European countries. The concentrations of 16 PAH compounds were determined in 266 soil samples collected from 0 to 30-cm upper soil layer from agricultural lands. The data were supplemented with basic soil properties. The regional concentrations of Σ16PAHs were within the limits of 125–756 μg kg^?1 (geometric means) and did not exceed the limit values specified in Polish regulations. They complied also with European soil screening values for intermediate or negligible risk. The key variable affecting the accumulation of PAHs in soils was the regional emission of those contaminants, which described soil concentrations of PAHs in at least 50%; the results suggest time-dependent (delayed) reaction of soil environment to the emission changes. The effect was sensitive to PAH compositions in soils and was most pronounced in the case of higher molecular weight compounds (≥4 rings) transported predominantly with atmospheric particles. The regression models, comprising actual regional emission data, did not indicated on the increasing risk of PAHs accumulation in soils. The evaluations based on the regional content of benzo(a)pyrene in soils implied significant discrepancies between Polish and other internationally accepted criteria in soil contamination. The natural factors (soil characteristics and climate) affected the regional PAH concentrations in very small extent.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in atmospheric particulate depositions and urban soils of Moscow,Russia

Purpose

The study was conducted to quantify the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) accumulation in urban soils from different functional areas via atmospheric inputs with particulate matter.

Materials and methods

PAH concentration and pattern were measured in the particulate matter of snow depositions, in the upper layers of artificial soils from densely built-up areas and in the undisturbed natural soils (Umbric Retisols) from green park area. Samples were collected in 2011–2013 at 58 sites with different traffic activities located at the territory of the Eastern Administrative Okrug of Moscow. The soil samples and filters with particulate matter were extracted by pressurized liquid extraction using Dionex ASE200. Clean-up analyses were performed on SPE cartridges filled with silica gel. Concentrations of PAHs were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography using an Agilent 1100 System equipped with fluorescent detector.

Results and discussion

Mean values of PAH input with snow particles were 45–57 μg/m² for recreational and residential zones, and 140–264 μg/m² for traffic zones. The samples of depositions from different functional areas showed a similar PAH pattern and consisted primarily of 3–4-ring PAHs. Total PAH concentrations in upper layers of artificial soils showed similar mean values of 1.43–2.21 μg/g for all functional zones. The PAH content in soils from the park area was twofold lower than that from the built-up area (0.34–0.63 μg/g), despite equal levels of atmosphere contamination on these territories. The upper layers of natural soils from recreational and traffic zones showed slight differences in PAH content, though PAH input with snow was fivefold higher in the traffic zone. Compared with airborne depositions, soils contained significant amounts of 5–6-ring PAHs.

Conclusions

A high level of soil PAH contamination in urban areas of Moscow, several orders of magnitude higher than the current PAH input to them from the atmosphere, indicates a lack of direct connection of the PAH pool in soils with this source. The high PAH content in the upper layer of constructed soils can be the result of repeated use of materials subjected to a constant technogenic impact for the production of artificial soils.

     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in background podzolic and gleyic peat-podzolic soils

The qualitative and quantitative composition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has been determined in the background podzolic and gleyic peat-podzolic soils of the middle and northern taiga zones of northeastern Europe using the methods of highly efficient liquid chromatography and chromato-mass spectrometry. The distribution of polyarenes in the soil profiles follows the eluvial-illuvial pattern. Organic and illuvial horizons are the biogeochemical barriers for PAHs migrating in the soils. The revealed regularities of the accumulation and redistribution of PAHs in the soil profiles are in agreement with the character of the soil-forming processes in the northern and middle taiga zones.     

上海市主要道路绿地土壤中多环芳烃的分布特征

以上海市延安高架、中环和外环3条主要道路的交通繁忙地带绿地土壤为研究对象,调查研究了其多环芳烃(PAHs)的分布状况.结果表明,3条道路绿地土壤中∑16PAHs的含量在538 ～ 2.19×104 μg/kg之间,与国外Maliszewska-Kordybach建立的标准相比,3条道路绿地土壤均受到PAHs的污染,尤其是4 ～ 6环PAHs,其含量占∑16PAHs的90%,分析认为有机质是影响其分布的重要因素之一.3条道路污染程度有所不同,大小顺序为:外环＞延安高架＞中环,这主要与道路建成年限和允许的通车车辆类型有关,通车年限越长,大型卡车越多,土壤所受PAHs污染的程度越严重.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils of Moscow

The contents of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the upper horizons of Moscow soils range up to 1400 mg/kg for individual compounds and up to 10000 mg/kg for their sum. The concentration coefficients of PAHs in the soil vary from 0.7 to 200 depending on individual polyarene properties and land use. The heavy polynuclear structures of technogenic origin have the highest concentration coefficients. The highest accumulation of PAHs is observed for the soils of dumping sites, residential-transport areas, and industrial zones. According to the state sanitary norms set in the Russian Federation for the content of benzo[a]pyrene in soils, more than one-third of the urban soils studied are classified as pure, and about half soils are classified as acceptable.     

Redistribution of organic pollutants in river sediments and alluvial soils related to major floods

Background, Aims, and Scope  More frequent occurrence of stronger floods in Europe as well as in other parts of the world in recent years raises major concern about the material damages, but also an important issue of contamination of the affected areas through flooding. The effects of major floods on levels and distribution of contamination with hydrophobic organic pollutants were examined from the continuous set of data for floodplain soils and sediments from a model industrial area in the Czech Republic where a 100-year flood occurred in 1997. The goal of this study was to evaluate the risk related to contamination associated with such extensive natural events and characterize the spatial and temporal distribution and dynamics of pollutants related to a major flooding shortly after the floods and also in the time period several years after floods. Methods  Sediments and alluvial soils from fourteen sites each were repeatedly sampled during the period from 1996 until 2005. The sampling sites represented five regions. Collected top-layer sediment and soil samples were characterized and analyzed for hydrophobic organic pollutants PCBs, OCPs and HCB using GC-ECD and PAHs using a GC-MS instrument. Spatial and temporal differences as well as the relative distribution of the pollutants were examined in detail by statistical analysis including multivariate methods with special emphases placed on the changes related to floods. Results  The organic pollutants levels in both alluvial soils and sediments exceeded the safe environmental limits at numerous sites. Pollutants concentrations and relative distribution as well as organic carbon content in both sediment and floodplain soils were significantly affected by the flooding, which resulted in a decrease of all studied contaminants in sediments and significant rise of the PAH pollution in the flooded soils. There was a unique and highly conserved PAH pattern in soils regardless of the floods and greater changes in PAH pattern in sediments related to floods. The relative distribution of individual PAHs reflected a combustion generated PAH profile. PAH levels in the river sediments rose again at the sites with continuous sources several years after floods. Discussion  The results showed different dynamics of PAHs and PCBs during the floods when PAHs were redistributed from the sediments to alluvial soils while PCBs have been washed out of the study regions. The data reveal longer contamination memory and consistent contamination pattern in soils, whereas sediments showed more dynamic changes responding strongly to the actual situation. The stable PAH pattern within the regions also indicates that a relative amount of all compounds is comparable across the samples and, thus, that the sources at different sites have similar character. Conclusions  Sediments have the potential to function as a secondary source of contamination for the aquatic ecosystem, but also for the floodplain soils and other flooded areas. The floods served as a vector of PAHs contamination from sediments to soils. The reloading of river sediments in time, namely with PAHs, due to present sources increases their risk as a potential source in the next bigger flood event both to the downstream river basin and affected alluvial soils. Recommendations and Perspectives  The results stress the importance of including the floodplain soil contamination in the risk assessment focused on flood effects. Floodplain soils have stable long-term environmental memory related to contamination levels, pattern and distribution, whereby they can provide relevant information on the overall contamination of the area. The sediments will continue to serve as a potential source of contaminants and alluvial soils as the catchment media reflecting the major flood events, especially until effective measures are taken to limit contamination sources. ESS-Submission Editor: Dr. Henner Hollert (Hollert@uni-heidelberg.de) This article is openly accessible!     

某氮肥厂场地土壤PAHs污染特征研究

采用现场采样及室内测试方法对广州某氮肥厂原料车间和油库区土壤中16种优控多环芳烃（PAHs）的含量进行调查研究,分析了EPAHs含量及其组成特征和垂直分布特征,并在此基础上进行了源解析。结果表明,分析样品中∑PAHs范围在10-7795μg·kg,原料车间土壤中的∑PAHs小于油库区土壤中的,菲、芘、荧蒽、并（b）荧蒽、苯并（a）芘为主要污染物;油库土壤0-40cm的样品中16种PAHs均有检出,∑PAHs和单体分布基本一致;原料车间土壤∑PAHs和单体浓度随着地面深度的增加而减少。通过对单组分比值（菲／蒽,荧蒽／芘）的分析可以看出油库区土壤中PAHs来源于石油和燃烧源,而原料车间污染源主要为燃烧源。     

Polychlorinated biphenyls in soils of Belarus: Sources,contamination levels,and problems of study

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in soils of Belarus were studied. The PCB concentrations in reference soils were determined. High accumulation levels of PCBs were found at the working and storage sites of PCB-containing electrical equipment. Soil contamination under PCB leakage from damaged capacitors and transformers was analyzed. Contamination of the Lakokraska plant site and adjacent areas (Grodno oblast) because of the long-term use of the Sovol was revealed. The structure of the PCB isomers in the soils was described depending on the contamination source.     

Availability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in aging soils

Purpose  

The soil contamination by hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs), such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), poses great threats to human health and ecological security and attracts worldwide concerns. The total HOC concentrations overestimate its available fraction to the soil biota. Increased understanding of the availabilities of PAHs in soil environment will have considerable benefits for their risk assessment and be very instructive to food safety and remediation strategies in contaminated sites. However, the availability of PAHs in aging soils and particularly the correlations of the availabilities with their forms in soils have yet to be elucidated. In this work, the availabilities of PAHs in aging soils were evaluated using a sequential mild extraction technique.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils and lower-layer plants of the southern shrub tundra under technogenic conditions

In soils and plants of the southern shrub tundra, 15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been detected by high-performance liquid chromatography. Polyarenes in emissions, soil organic horizons, and plants mainly include low-molecular-weight PAHs: naphthalene, fluorine, and pyrene. The contents of the total PAHs in soils and plants exceed the background levels by 3–5 times. The distribution of polyarenes among the organs of the studied plants is nonuniform and depends on the plant species and technogenic load on the area. The studied plants include both hyperaccumulators of polyarenes (Pleurozium schreberi) and indicators of PAHs in the soil (Polytrichum commune). Pleurozium schreberi is the most abundant species in the areas under study, and it accumulates the largest mass fraction of PAHs. The differences in the accumulation of PAHs by the plants of the tundra and taiga zones have been revealed.     

Enhanced bioremediation of PAH-contaminated soil by immobilized bacteria with plant residue and biochar as carriers

Purpose

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are largely accumulated in soils in China. The immobilized-microorganism technique (IMT) is a potential approach for abating soil contamination with PAHs. However, few studies about the application of IMT to contaminated soil remediation were reported. Due to recalcitrance to decomposition, biochar application to soil may enhance soil carbon sequestration, but few studies on the application of biochars to remediation of contaminated soil were reported. In this study, we illustrated enhanced bioremediation of soil having a long history of PAH contamination by IMT using plant residues and biochars as carriers.

Materials and methods

Two PAH-degrading bacteria, Pseudomonas putida and an unidentified indigenous bacterium, were selected for IMT. The extractability and biodegradation of 15 PAHs in solution and an actual PAH-contaminated soil amended with immobilized-bacteria materials were investigated under different incubation periods. The effects of carriers and the molecular weight of PAHs on bioremediation efficiency were determined to illustrate their different bio-dissipation mechanisms of PAHs in soil.

Results and discussion

The IMT can considerably enhance the removal of PAHs. Carriers impose different effects on PAH bio-dissipation by amended soil with immobilized-bacteria, which can directly degrade the carrier-associated PAHs. The removal of PAHs from soil depended on PAH molecular weight and carrier types. Enhanced bio-dissipation by IMT was much stronger for 4- and 5-ring PAHs than for 3- and 6-ring ones in soil. Only P400 biochar-immobilized bacteria enhanced bio-dissipation of all PAHs in contaminated soil after a 90-day incubation.

Conclusions

Biochar can promote bioremediation of contaminated soil as microbial carriers of IMT. It is vital to select an appropriate biochar as an immobilized carrier to stimulate biodegradation. It is feasible to use adsorption carriers with high sorptive capabilities to concentrate PAHs as well as microorganisms and thereby enhance dissipation of PAHs and mitigate soil pollution.     

石油污染土壤鞘氨醇单胞菌遗传多样性16S rDNA-PCR-DGGE分析

鞘氨醇单胞菌是降解多环芳烃(PAHs)的重要功能微生物。然而,采用属特异引物直接从PAHs污染土壤中检测鞘氨醇单胞菌进而研究鞘氨醇单胞菌在污染土壤中的多样性、种群结构及其与PAHs污染的关系鲜有报道。本研究自行设计鞘氨醇单胞菌属特异性引物,通过16S rDNA-PCR-DGGE技术对沈抚灌区石油污染土壤鞘氨醇单胞菌遗传多样性进行了研究。结果表明,自行设计的鞘氨醇单胞菌属引物732f-982r能够特异、灵敏的从环境样品中检出鞘氨醇单胞菌。当沈抚灌区原位污染土壤的PAHs浓度小于5 mg kg-1时,鞘氨醇单胞菌多样性随着PAHs浓度的增加而增加;而初始PAHs浓度高的实验室模拟实验土壤,其鞘氨醇单胞菌多样性较低。鞘氨醇单胞菌种群结构受污染土壤总石油烃(TPH)含量的影响,TPH含量接近的土壤,鞘氨醇单胞菌的群落结构较为相似。     

多环芳烃在岩溶区上覆土壤中的垂直迁移及控制因素

选取典型表层岩溶泉域内的土壤剖面为研究对象,分析土壤样品的主要理化指标,并采用气相色谱-质谱联用仪对土壤中的多环芳烃(Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons,PAHs)进行定量分析,研究16种PAHs在土壤剖面中的垂直迁移规律及控制因素。结果表明,所研究的5个土壤剖面中,16种PAHs均被检测出,其多环芳烃含量范围为161～3 285 ng g-1,平均值为987 ng g-1。兰花沟泉域水稻田和水房泉泉域土壤剖面中,PAHs的组成均以低环PAHs为主,后沟泉泉域土壤剖面中以高环PAHs为主,柏树湾泉域马尾松林地和兰花沟泉域马尾松林地土壤剖面中,0～2 cm表层土壤中以高环PAHs为主,2 cm以下土层中以低环PAHs为主。从剖面PAHs含量和组成变化可以判断,低环PAHs较易迁移,但在土层较薄的后沟泉泉域土壤剖面中,由于翻耕等人为的扰动,高环PAHs也较易迁移。5个剖面中,PAHs在水房泉泉域土壤剖面的迁移能力最强。由于岩溶区较薄的土壤层,使得PAHs较易迁移并污染表层岩溶泉水。对土壤理化性质和PAHs总量进行多元回归分析,表明土壤总有机碳(TOC)是控制后沟泉、兰花沟泉和柏树湾泉泉域土壤中PAHs迁移的主要因子,而在水房泉泉域土壤中,无主要影响因子。     

Effect of Flooding on Contamination of Agricultural Soils with Metals and PAHs: The Middle Vistula Gap Case Study

During the intensive flood in May–June 2010, the floodplains in Little Poland Vistula Gap, used mostly for agriculture, were waterlogged for a period of over 1 month. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of the flood on the level of contamination of the soils in this region. The analysis included basic physicochemical soil properties, contents of ten metals, and concentrations of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The studies cover two territories on opposite sites of the river Vistula (Wilkow and Janowiec) differing in their areas (70 and 4.6 km²) and time of water logging (30 and 10 days). Forty soil samples were collected from both areas immediately after the flood event from the upper (0–30 cm) soil layer together with four samples from the 30–60-cm depth layer. This was supplemented by eight samples from the flood-deposited sediment layer (thickness, 2 cm). The concentrations of identified metals (As, Ba, Cr, Sn, Zn, Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb) at all the sampling points were below the Polish legal limits for the upper layer of soils for agriculture use. The same regarded the median contents of nine PAHs compounds specified in the Polish regulations. In both areas, the median contents of Σ16 PAHs (0.21–0.35 mg kg⁻¹), Zn (10.3–10.6 mg kg⁻¹), Pb (9.2–10.7 mg kg⁻¹), and Cd (0.03 mg kg⁻¹) were much below the mean concentrations of those contaminants in arable soils on the national and European levels. The results show that this severe flooding episode in “clean” agricultural area had no immediate negative impact on the soils as regards the basic physicochemical properties (organic matter content, acidity, nitrogen content) and did not result in excessive soil contamination.     

太原小店污灌区农田土壤多环芳烃的污染特征及其来源

[目的]对太原小店污灌区农田土壤多环芳烃(PAHs)的污染特征及来源进行分析,为该区农田土壤环境质量评价及土壤污染防治对策的制定提供科学依据。[方法]采集太原小店污灌区15个表层土壤样品,利用GC/MS分析16种US EPA优控多环芳烃(PAHs)的含量,并对其来源和生态风险进行探讨。[结果]所有样品的16种PAHs均被检出,其检出率为100%。研究区农田土壤中总PAHs的浓度为0.315~7.661μg/g,平均值为3.568μg/g。在组成上,2,3环含量约占总量的64.2%,4环含量约占总量的14.2%,5,6环含量约占总量的21.6%,低环和中环PAHs含量所占的比例较高。根据特征比值法及调查结果判定,农田土壤中PAHs污染来源一方面与灌溉水质及灌溉历史有很大的关系,另一方面,主要通过燃煤或化石燃料产生的PAHs在大气干湿沉降和风力输送作用下进入到土壤环境中。[结论]与国内外其他地区的相关研究比较,小店污灌区农田土壤PAHs含量处于中高等污染水平。依据Maliszewska-Kordybach建议的分级标准评价,该区域所有采样点PAHs总量均超标;但基于我国《土壤环境质量标准(征求意见稿)(GB15618-2008)》提出的16种多PAHs污染物总量的农业用地标准值,该区域均未超出此标准。     

北京东南郊再生水灌区土壤PAHs污染特征

采用Eijkelkamp土壤采样器对北京东南郊再生水灌区进行了3个钻孔剖面采样,同时采集了灌溉用水及地下水样品,并采用气相色谱-质谱联用仪对16种多环芳烃（PAHs）进行定量分析。结果表明,表层土壤中有14种PAHs检出,浓度在0.4-53.1 μg·kg-1之间,∑PAHs平均含量为206.7 μg·kg-1,达到了土壤污染临界值;表层以下PAHs的检出种类和含量显著减少,以中、低环的萘、菲、芴、荧蒽、芘为主,∑PAHs仅占表层的3.8%-12.0%,从剖面PAHs含量变化可以判断,低环PAHs较易迁移,迁移性强弱顺序为萘、芴〉菲〉芘、荧蒽;污灌区表土中PAHs组成与大气降尘接近,但与再生灌区有明显差异,这种差异主要由于灌溉用水不同所造成;再生水灌区表土以下土壤剖面检出的PAHs与再生水中的PAHs一致,说明再生水灌溉是导致土壤剖面PAHs污染的主要原因,同时地下水中检出的PAHs种类也与土壤剖面基本一致,但含量较高,可能是早期污水灌溉所造成。     

SYNOPSIS Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Soil — a Review

PAHs are mainly produced by combustion processes and consist of a number of toxic compounds. While the concentrations of individual PAHs in soil produced by natural processes (e.g., vegetation fires, volcanic exhalations) are estimated to be around 1—10 μg kg⁻¹, recently measured lowest concentrations are frequently 10 times higher. Organic horizons of forest soils and urban soils may even reach individual PAH concentrations of several 100 μg kg⁻¹. The PAH mixture in temperate soils is often dominated by benzofluoranthenes, chrysene, and fluoranthene. The few existing studies on tropical soils indicate that the PAH concentrations are relatively lower than in temperate soils for most compounds except for naphthalene, phenanthrene, and perylene suggesting the presence of unidentified PAH sources. PAHs accumulate in C‐rich topsoils, in the stemfoot area, at aggregate surfaces, and in the fine‐textured particle fractions, particularly the silt fraction. PAHs are mainly associated with soil organic matter (SOM) and soot‐like C. Although the water‐solubility of PAHs is low, they are encountered in the subsoil suggesting that they are transported in association with dissolved organic matter (DOM). The uptake of PAHs by plants is small. Most PAHs detected in plant tissue are from atmospheric deposition. However, earthworms bioaccumulate considerable amounts of PAHs in short periods. The reviewed work illustrates that there is a paucity of data on the global distribution of PAHs, particularly with respect to tropical and southern hemispheric regions. Reliable methods to characterize bioavailable PAH pools in soil still need to be developed.     

Railway transportation as a serious source of organic and inorganic pollution

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metal (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Hg, Fe, Co, Cr, Mo) contents were established in soil and plant samples collected in different areas of the railway junction I?awa G?ówna, Poland. Soil and plant samples were collected in four functional parts of the junction, i.e. the loading ramp, main track within platform area, rolling stock cleaning bay and the railway siding. It was found that all the investigated areas were strongly contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The PAH contamination of the soil was the highest in the railway siding and in the platform area (59,508 and 49,670?μg?kg(-1), respectively). In the loading ramp and cleaning bay, the PAH concentration in soil was lower but still relatively very high (17,948 and 15,376?μg?kg(-1), respectively). The contamination in the railway siding exceeded the average control level up to about 80 times. In the soil of all the investigated areas, four- and five-ring PAHs prevailed. The concentrations of PAHs were determined in four dominating species of plants found at the junction. The highest concentration was found in the aerial parts of Taraxacum officinale (22,492?μg?kg(-1)) growing in the cleaning bay. The comparison of the soil contamination with PAHs in the investigated railway junction showed a very significant increase of the PAHs level since 1995. It was found that the heavy metal contamination was also very high. Pb, Zn, Hg and Cd were established at the highest levels in the railway siding area, whereas Fe concentration was the highest in the platform area. A significant increase in mercury content was observed in the cleaning bay area. The investigations proved very significant increase of contamination with PAHs and similar heavy metals contamination in comparison with the concentration determined in the same areas 13?years ago.     

Effect of Anthracene and Pyrene on Dehydrogenases Activity in Soils Exposed and Unexposed to PAHs

The effect of anthracene and pyrene on dehydrogenases activitywas compared between freshly spiked soils and soils previouslyexposed to PAHs. Four different soils (two soils from anunpolluted rural area and two soils from highly pollutedindustrial areas) were spiked with anthracene and pyrene atthe levels of 1, 10, 100 and 400 mg Σ2PAH per kg of soil (laboratory experiments). The soil samples were moisted to60% of water holding capacity and incubated in the dark at 18-20 °C. Dehydrogenase activity was determined after 7 and30 days. The results indicate that long-term exposure of soilfrom an industrial area to high level of PAHs (Σ13PAH = 40 mg kg^-1) caused the acclimatisation of soilmicroorganisms and lowered their sensitivity to these compounds.After the longer incubation period (30 days vs. 7 days)the soil microorganisms in the uncontaminated rural samples showed an increase in their tolerance to the freshly introduced PAH compounds; in the industrial soils the effect was less pronounced. However, this apparent adaptation of soil microorganisms may be also partly explained by the dissipation and/or ageing processes of anthracene and pyrene during incubation.