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.     

Trace elements and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in road gully sediments from different land uses,Hong Kong

Purpose

This study investigated the concentrations of cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments collected from gully pots for road drainage in Hong Kong. The presence and intensity of anthropogenic contamination of road gully sediments were assessed. Identifications of potential sources of trace elements and PAHs were performed to help understand the situation for future control of pollution to the land and aquatic environments.

Materials and methods

Gully sediment samples were collected from gully pots of 18 roads that are potentially exposed to different pollution sources in Hong Kong. The selection of roads considered different road features, adjacent land uses, and traffic volumes. Composite samples were collected for the analysis of trace elements (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni, and Zn) and PAHs by an accredited environmental testing laboratory. Geo-accumulation index (I_geo), contamination factor (C_f), modified degree of contamination (mC_d), ecological risk factor (Er), and pollution load index (PLI) were used to assess the level of ecological risk of trace element contamination. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) and PAH diagnostic ratios were applied to identify the sources of trace elements and PAHs.

Results and discussion

Elevated trace element concentrations were commonly found in gully sediments. The concentrations of Zn (267–3700 mg kg^?1) were the highest compared to the other trace elements. Noticeable high concentrations of Cu (27–1020 mg kg^?1), Pb (21–332 mg kg^?1), and Cr (14–439 mg kg^?1) were found in all samples. The PAH contents were moderate to high (0.6 to 24.7 mg kg^?1). Commercial/industrial emissions and road features that cause frequent acceleration-deceleration and turning events showed important influences on the contaminant levels. Strong correlations between the concentrations of Cd, Cr, Pb, and Zn were identified, implying that these trace elements are likely from common sources. The contamination assessment indices reflect significant sediment pollution. The ecological risk ranges from the considerable/moderate-risk class to over the high-risk class.

Conclusions

The collected gully sediments are identified as highly contaminated and need to be isolated from the environment upon final disposal. Through the comprehensive analysis of the collected data, this study provides a detailed insight into the contaminant levels of road gully sediments and potential sources of contamination. Disposal of gully sediments and potential impacts due to release of contaminants into the downstream aquatic environment during rainstorm events should receive attention and need further investigation.

     

The history of airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and perylene as recorded in dated lake sediments

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were analyzed in sediment cores from five small forest lakes in Finland. The catchments of the lakes were undisturbed (2 lakes) or only very slightly disturbed by human activity (3 lakes). None of the lakes had runoff delivery of PAH from their shores. Lead-210 dating of four lakes enabled the calculation of individual PAH fluxes over the past 100 to 150 yr. The sedimentary distribution of abiotic PAH in these lakes appears to be indicative of the development of combustion-generated energy production in Finland and adjacent countries. This development is reflected in an overall increase in sedimentary PAH since about 1850. After World War II the rate of accumulation of PAH continues to increase. The large variation between the PAH fluxes of different lakes indicates different trapping efficiencies and/or different preservation of the PAH compounds due to limnological differences between the lakes.     

Determination of monocyclic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fish tissue

An analytical method is presented in which fish tissue is analyzed for neutral monocyclic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (AHs) and aromatic sulfur heterocycles (ASHs) by capillary column gas chromatography (CGC) with photoionization detection. The sample enrichment procedure includes saponification with aqueous KOH, acidification of the digestates, and extraction of the aromatic compounds into cyclopentane-dichloromethane. Adsorption chromatography on tandem segments of potassium silicate and silica gel removes 99% of the coextracted lipid. Final enrichment by gel permeation chromatography eliminates residual biogenic material and potentially interfering alkanes. Relatively volatile monoaromatics are included among the analytes by virtue of the efficiency of the complementary enrichment steps, the use of small quantities of only low-boiling solvents, and the selectivity of the detector. Most targeted compounds (AHs ranging in size from C3-alkylbenzenes through benzo[g,h,l]perylene and ASHs within the same size range) can be determined in 5 g (wet weight) samples of fish tissue at concentrations as low as 20 ng/g. Comparisons are made of recoveries of selected AHs under ordinary and gold fluorescent lighting conditions.     

Remediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-contaminated soils using microbes and nanoparticles: A review

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon(PAH) pollution is a global concern because of their toxicity to environment and ecosystem, which induces adverse effects on plants, animals, and humans. Hydrocarbons are mainly released from natural and anthropogenic activities, such as incomplete fuel combustion, leakages in oil pipelines, and the extensive use of pesticides; PAH contaminants include petroleum hydrocarbons(PHCs), halogenated hydrocarbons, chlorophenols, and pesticides. Bioremediation using microo...     

Distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the soil-plant system

The content and composition of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the conjugated systems of [arable soil]-[above-ground plant organs] in background (reference) and contaminated regions were studied. The coefficients of the biological uptake of PAHs by plants (K _bPAH) were determined for different PAH concentrations in the soil. Correlations of the PAH accumulation rate in plants with the physicochemical properties of the PAHs—the solubility, hydrophobicity, volatility, and chemical activity (polarizability and ionization potential)—were revealed. The high accuracy, sensitivity, and information value of the standardized parameters K _b were shown (with K _bPAH as an example) for the quantitative study of the accumulation mechanisms of substances by plants compared to the average arithmetic values of their concentrations in the plants.     

Sorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to mineral surfaces

Minerals contribute crucially to the retention of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in subsurface environments. To investigate the sorption behaviour to mineral surfaces batch sorption experiments were conducted using three PAHs (phenanthrene, pyrene, benzo(a)pyrene) and three mineral sorbents that were representative of subsurface materials (quartz, goethite‐coated quartz, quartz‐montmorillonite mixture). Sorption kinetics showed an instantaneous, considerable PAH sorption to all minerals, except for phenanthrene sorption to quartz at small aqueous‐phase concentrations. Apparent sorption equilibrium was achieved after 4 hours of contact time. The sorption characteristics were fitted to six isotherm models by applying Monte Carlo simulation and nonlinear regression. Best‐fit models were obtained by a model discrimination approach. Phenanthrene and pyrene sorption were best described by the Freundlich isotherm model, with the exception of phenanthrene sorption to quartz (linear isotherm). Good fit results for quartz were also obtained for the combined linear‐Freundlich isotherm. Benzo(a)pyrene sorption to all minerals followed linear high‐affinity isotherms. In the case of phenanthrene and pyrene, the Monte Carlo simulations resulted in mean values with small standard deviations for the isotherm parameters, indicating a negligible influence of the experimental uncertainties on the accuracy of the fitted parameters. For phenanthrene, (i) linear isotherms to quartz and goethite‐coated quartz and (ii) a nonlinear concave‐shaped isotherm to quartz–montmorillonite, assuming a pore‐filling process to micropores formed by clay aggregates, were confirmed. For pyrene, nonlinear convex‐shaped isotherms to the mineral surfaces were assessed. A specific sorption affinity of pyrene to the goethite surface indicated a non‐covalent cation‐π interaction. Small sorption affinities to quartz–montmorillonite support an unfavourable partitioning into the adjacent water.     

Phytotoxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to willow trees

The toxicity of PAH to willow trees(Salix alba, S. viminalis, S. viminalis x schwerinii) was investigated. Willow cuttings were grown in PH-saturated hydroponic solution (naphthalene NAP, phenanthrene PHEN and benzo(a)pyrene BaP). Toxicity was related to aqueous solubility and was highest for NAP. PHEN did not show significant effects, except in one case. Exposure of trees to BaP showed no effect in two cases, but increased transpiration and growth in two others. High dosages of NAP were fatal for the trees, the lowest dosage significantly stimulated growth. Soil samples were taken from several PAH contaminated sites, among them gas works sites and a former sludge basin. The PAH contents ranged from 1.76 mg/kg to 1451 mg/kg. None of the soils was lethally toxic to the trees, and difference between growth in control soils and growth in PAH contaminated soils was not apparent. Growth and water use efficiency were positively, but not significantly correlated to the PAH content of the soils. Outdoor growth of willows and poplars on the former sludge basin in Valby was monitored, with willows growing faster than poplars(Fopulus trichocarpa). Phytotoxic effects could be observed at some willows at the Valby sludge basin, but it is not sure whether these effects can be contributed to PAH.     

多环芳烃微生物降解机理研究进展

主要阐述了微生物降解PAHs的机理,比较了典型微生物种类芽孢杆菌(Bacillus)和分支杆菌(M.vanbaalenii PYR-1)对同种PAHs菲的代谢过程不同之处,并分析了分支杆菌(M.vanbaalenii PYR-1)对菲和芘的代谢机理,指出微生物氧化降解PAHs主要从其K区和湾区开始,而K区氧化是有毒PAHs降解的主要可能途径,资料显示真菌比细菌对苯并[a]芘的降解能力更强,同时给出了微生物代谢菲、芘和苯并[a]芘的降解图,以便做进一步研究。     

Extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from spiked soil

A homogenization method was evaluated for extracting polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from soils. Fifteen PAHs were spiked and recovered from 2 soils at concentrations ranging from 1 to 1000 micrograms/g, using the homogenization method and a Soxhlet extraction method. Each extraction method performed well in removing the 15 PAHs from both soils over a broad range of concentrations. In general, Soxhlet extraction yielded slightly but significantly (P less than 0.05) higher recoveries than did the homogenization method. The homogenization method, however, was easy to use, and the extraction step turnaround time was less than 15 min/sample. The method should be suitable for other applications requiring the extraction of hydrophobic organic compounds from soils.     

Composition,distribution and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments of the western harbour of alexandria,egypt

Aim and Background  Little data are available on the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the sediments of the Mediterranean Sea Coast of Egypt in general and the Alexandria coastal zone in particular. It was therefore deemed necessary to set up a monitoring programme to determine the current concentrations of PAHs in bottom sediments, and to identify any area where high concentrations of these potential hazardous contaminants were present in the Western Harbour of Alexandria. Methods  The composition, distribution and the source of PAHs in surficial sediments of the harbour were investigated. To document the spatial PAH input, surficial sediment samples from 23 locations throughout the harbour were analysed. as]Results and Discussion The total PAH load determined in the surficial sediment samples ranged from 8 to 131150 ng g¹ dry wt, generally with most of the samples having total concentrations of PAHs greater than 5000 ng g¹ dry weight. The highest concentration of total PAHs was recorded in sediments of the inner harbour. Ratio values of specific compounds such as phenanthrene to anthracene, fluoranthrene to pyrene, methyl-phen-anthrene to phenanthrene, methyl-dibenzothiophenes to dibenzothiophenes, alkylated to non-alkylated and high molecular weight to low molecular weight PAH, were calculated to evaluate the possible source of PAH contamination in the harbour sediments. Conclusions  Two main sources of PAH in the study area have been found: pyrolytic and petrogenic. Interferences of rather petrogenic and pyrolytic PAH contaminations were noticed for most samples. The dominant sources of PAH appear to be the combustion processes through run-off, industrial and sewage discharges, and atmospheric input. The concentrations of PAHs were generally above levels expected to cause adverse biological effects. Recommendations and outlook  Information from this study and any other relevant studies should be useful in designing future strategies for environmental protection and management of the harbour.     

Enchytraeid worms retard polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon degradation in a coniferous forest soil

In this study the fate of naphthalene, fluorene and pyrene were investigated in the presence and absence of enchytraeid worms. Microcosms were used, which enabled the full fate of ¹⁴C-labelled PAHs to be followed. Between 60 and 70% of naphthalene was either mineralised or volatilised, whereas over 90% of the fluorene and pyrene was retained within the soil. Mineralisation and volatilisation of naphthalene was lower in the presence of enchytraeid worms. The hypothesis that microbial mineralisation of naphthalene was limited by enchytraeids because they reduce nutrient availability, and hence limit microbial carbon turnover in these nutrient poor soils, was tested. Ammonia concentrations increased and phosphorus concentrations decreased in all microcosms over the 56 d experimental period. The soil nutrient chemistry was only altered slightly by enchytraeid worms, and did not appear to be the cause of retardation of naphthalene mineralisation. The results suggest that microbial availability and volatilisation of naphthalene is altered as it passes through enchytraeid worms due to organic material encapsulation.     

Liquid chromatographic determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fish and shellfish

A simple and accurate analytical method for determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in fish and shellfish is presented, which is considered to be useful for routine analyses and for screening purposes. The procedure involves alkaline digestion, extraction with n-hexane, silica gel column chromatography, and liquid chromatographic (LC) determination with fluorometric detection. During development of the analytical method for determination of PAHs, it was found that benzo[a]pyrene, a representative PAH, was decomposed easily by the analytical procedure, and this tendency was investigated for the experimental conditions used. Benzo[a]pyrene was decomposed by the coexistence of alkaline conditions, light, and oxygen; by peroxides in aged ethyl ether; and by oxygen when absorbed on silica gel. Thus, to obtain good recoveries and precise analytical results, these decomposition conditions must be avoided. The following precautions are recommended: protection from light through all analytical steps; addition of Na2S to alkaline digestion mixture as an antioxidant; complete removal of peroxides from ethyl ether just before use; quick column chromatography on silica gel; and prevention of air from contact with adsorbent. When this simple method was applied to fish and shellfish samples, very good recoveries of PAHs from fortified fish samples were obtained, and no serious interferences were observed in fish and shellfish extracts.     

Formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in northern and middle taiga soils

An integrated study of the qualitative and quantitative composition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the atmospheric precipitation-soil-lysimetric water system was performed using high performance liquid chromatography. It was shown that the accumulation of low-molecular PAHs (phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benz[a]anthracene, and chrysene) in soils is due to the transformation of organic matter and the regional transport and deposition of PAHs with atmospheric precipitation on the underlying surface. High-molecular polyarenes (benz[b]fluoranthene, benz[k]fluoranthene, benz[a]pyrene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene, benzo[ghi]perylene, and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene) mainly result from the decomposition of soil organic matter.     

Seasonal variations of concentrations, profiles and possible sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments from Taihu Lake, China

Purpose

Obtaining a better understanding of the concentrations and origins of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the sediments Taihu Lake, China, is of paramount importance for the environmental protection and remediation of this lake. To investigate temporal and spatial variations in PAH concentrations, composition and possible source categories, 29 sediment samples were collected from Taihu Lake during both the flooding and dry seasons of the lake.

Materials and methods

Fifteen US Environmental Protection Agency priority PAHs were detected in 58 surface sediments (29 for each season) by gas chromatograph/mass selective detection, following extraction by accelerated solvent extraction.

Results and discussion

The concentrations of the total and individual PAHs in the flooding season were higher than those in the dry season, suggesting that high levels of fishing activity may be an important contributor to PAH pollution in the flooding season. The fractions of high molecular weight PAHs in the flooding season ranged from 63?% to 71?% and were higher than those in the dry season (which ranged from 52?% to 65?%). These results indicate that vehicle exhaust may be a more important pollutant source in the flooding season than in the dry season. Diagnostic ratios, principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis were used to study possible source categories in the different seasons. Consistent results were obtained for all techniques. Seasonal and spatial variations were also investigated by the coefficient of divergence method. The results of previous studies support the conclusion of source identification.

Conclusions

Vehicle emissions were the dominant contributor to PAHs in the flooding season, while PAHs in the dry season sediments may have come from multiple sources. The findings of this study may provide a theoretical basis for seasonal PAH control strategies for Taihu Lake.     

Analysis of the distribution of some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments and suspended matter in the River Seine (France)

Sixteen EPA chosen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were studied in the sediments and the suspended matter of the River Seine to determine existing pollution. Analyses were carried out by HPLC with coupled fluorimetric and UV detectors. PAH contents were found to be highly variable depending on many factors such as anthropogenic activities, weather and flow rate of the river, and occasionally they rose to alarming levels. Contents of 16 PAH ranged from 1.5 to 7.4 μg g^?1 in the sediments, but a peak at 60.7 μg g^?1. In the suspended matter the contents were usually below 10 μg g^?1. From these results and taking into account the mean content of suspended matter in the river downstream from Paris, the total adsorbed PAH concentration in the river Seine should be about 60 ng l^?1. Evidence has been established that storm drain discharges are a major source of pollution.     

A review of atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: Sources,fate and behavior

A review has been written to assess the sources, fate and behavior of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in the atmosphere. PAH are formed mainly by anthropogenic processes, especially the combustion of organic fuels. PAH concentration in air will reflect the location of source emitters, with high concentrations corresponding with urban and industrial areas. PAH are however ubiquitous contaminants of the environment having been detected in remote areas of the world. This is thought to be due to long term transport in the atmosphere. PAH can also be subjected to chemical and/ or photochemical change whilst resident in the atmosphere prior to their removal by either wet or dry deposition.     

大型海藻基生物炭中多环芳烃分布特征及毒性评价

研究大型海藻基生物炭中多环芳烃（Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons,PAHs）分布特征及毒性可为其资源化利用提供重要的依据。该研究利用索氏提取结合气相色谱质谱法分析了不同热解温度（200、300、400、500和600 ℃）的大型海藻（瓦氏马尾藻（Sagassum vachellianum）、羊栖菜（Sargassum fusiforme）、鼠尾藻（Sargassum thunbergii）、带形蜈蚣藻（Grateloupia turuturu）、粗枝软骨藻（Chondria crassicaulis）及孔石莼（Ulva pertusa））基生物炭中16种PAHs含量并对其毒性进行评价。结果表明,大型海藻基生物炭中均能检出PAHs（总量浓度为78.2～2 244.2 μg/kg）,且其生成量整体随热解温度升高先增加后降低。大型海藻基生物炭中PAHs含量均低于欧洲生物炭标准（European Biochar Certificate,EBC,10.1版）规定的EBC-AgroOrganic等级限量值（4±2）mg/kg。大型海藻基生物炭中PAHs以2环和3环为主,4环PAHs在所有生物炭中均存在,而5环和6环PAHs仅在部分生物炭中被检出。此外,不同大型海藻基生物炭呈现各异的苯并[a]芘毒性当量浓度（BaP- Toxic Equivalence Quantity, TEQBaP）（0.196～46.151 μg/kg）,其TEQBaP不仅依赖于生物炭中PAHs含量还与其环数和类型分布有关。在生物炭修复效果且潜在环境风险相近的基础上,结合产率及热解温度耗能,可选择热解温度较低的生物炭材料,为大型海藻基生物炭制备与应用的优化提供重要指导。