Heavy Metals and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a Rural Community Leewards of a Waste Incineration Plant

Suitable indicators to determine tsunami impact on coastal areas in Northern Japan, Aomori Prefecture

The 2011 Tohoku-oki tsunami released and mobilized many anthropogenic and natural organic compounds and, hereby, left a clear signature in its sedimentary remnants. In this study, a wide variety of organic marker substances were analyzed in 15 sediment profiles from the Aomori coast (Northern Japan). Total organic carbon (TOC) and fine grain fraction normalization have been tested with the wide dataset, and the already more frequently used TOC normalization was proven to be the more suitable one. Concentration profiles and specific ratios have been interpreted using two different approaches. Differentiation of marine and terrestrial matter characterized mixing processes due to the tsunami impact. Linking constituents to anthropogenic emission sources pointed not only to pollution revealed by the tsunami damages but also to dispersion processes, in particular erosion, transport, mixing and redeposition of particle-associated contaminants. Both approaches have been proved to identify unambiguously tsunamites in sedimentary archives and to reveal detailed insights into the tsunami-driven dispersion of particle-associated organic matter. Generally, the organic geochemical proxies as tested in this study can be reliably used to identify and characterize tsunami deposits in the sedimentary record. Finally, this strategy can be transferred to other locations affected by tsunamis for an in-depth characterization of the destruction and environmental changes induced by tsunami events.

Impact of forest fires on PAH level and distribution in soils

Surface (0-5 cm) and subsurface (-5 to 15 cm) soils from burned forest areas in South of France were analyzed to determine contents of 14 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their distribution profile. The sampling procedure allowed us to study the effect of the frequency of fire as well as the influence of the time elapsed since the last fire. The contribution of forest fires to the content of PAHs in soils was demonstrated, as well as the decrease of their total level with time. The hypothesis is that a natural remediation takes place a few years after the last fire event. The lowest molecular weight studied PAHs (naphthalene, acenaphtene, fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene and pyrene) appear to be the major ones produced by forest fire. Naphtalene levels are remarkably high in burned soils (more than 70 μg kg(-1), i.e. more than 20 times higher than in the control soils) and still remain important years after the last fire event. The time elapsed since the last fire appears to be a more influencing factor than the fire frequency. The index defined from the PAH levels shows values reflecting the time elapsed since the last fire.

An investigation into the occurrence and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in two soil size fractions at a former industrial site in NE England, UK using in situ PFE-GC-MS

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations were determined in 16 topsoils (0-10 cm) collected across the site of a former tar works in NE England. The soils were prepared in the laboratory to two different particle size fractions: <250 μm (fraction A) and >250 μm to <2 mm (fraction B). Sixteen priority PAHs were analysed in the soils using in situ pressurised fluid extraction (PFE) followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The average total PAH concentration in the soils ranged from 9.0 to 1,404 mg/kg (soil fraction A) and from 6.6 to 872 mg/kg (soil fraction B). These concentrations are high compared with other industrially contaminated soils reported in the international literature, indicating that the tar works warrants further investigation/remediation. A predominance of higher-molecular-weight compounds was determined in the samples, suggesting that the PAHs were of pyrogenic (anthropogenic) origin. Statistical comparison (t-test) of the mean total PAH concentrations in soil fractions A and B indicated that there was a significant difference (95% confidence interval) between the fractions in all but two of the soil samples. Additionally, comparisons of the distributions of individual PAHs (i.e. 16 PAHs × 16 soil samples) in soil fractions A and B demonstrated generally higher PAH concentrations in fraction A (i.e. 65.8% of all individual PAH concentrations were higher in soil fraction A). This is important because fraction A corresponds to the particle size thought to be most important in terms of human contact with soils and potential threats to human health.

Export of toxic chemicals - a review of the case of uncontrolled electronic-waste recycling

This paper reviews the concentrations of persistent organic pollutants such as flame retardants (PBDEs), dioxins/furans (PCDD/Fs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and heavy metals/metalloid concentrations of different environmental media at Guiyu, a traditional rice-growing village located in southeastern Guangdong Province (PR China), which has turned into an intensive electronic-waste (e-waste) recycling site. Incomplete combustion of e-waste in open air and dumping of processed materials are the major sources of various toxic chemicals. By comparing with existing data available in other areas and also guidelines adopted in different countries, it is obvious that the environment is highly contaminated by these toxic chemicals derived from the recycling processes. For example, the monthly concentration of the sum of 22 PBDE congeners contained in PM(2.5) (16.8ngm(-3)) of air samples at Guiyu was 100 times higher than published data. In order to safeguard the environment and human health, detailed investigations are urgently needed, especially on tracking the exposure pathways of different toxic chemicals which may affect the workers and local residents especially mothers, infants and children.

Distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils at Guiyu area of China, affected by recycling of electronic waste using primitive technologies

The concentration, distribution, profile and possible source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil were studied in Guiyu, an electronic waste (E-waste) recycling center, using primitive technologies in Southeast China. Sixteen USEPA priority PAHs were analyzed in 49 soil samples (0-10 cm layer) in terms of individual and total concentrations, together with soil organic matter (SOM) concentrations. The concentrations of a sum of 16 PAHs ranged from 44.8 to 3206 microgkg(-1) (dry weight basis), in the descending order of E-waste open burning sites (2065 microgkg(-1))>areas near burning sites (851microgkg(-1))>rice fields (354 microgkg(-1))>reservoir areas (125microgkg(-1)). The dominant PAHs were naphthalene, phenanthrene and fluoranthene, which were mainly derived from incomplete combustion of E-waste (e.g. wire insulations and PVC materials), and partly from coal combustion and motorcycle exhausts. All individual and total PAH concentrations were significantly correlated with SOM except for naphthalene and acenaphthylene. Principal component analysis was performed, which indicated that PAHs were mainly distributed into three groups in accordance with their ring numbers and biological and anthropogenic source. In conclusion, PAH concentrations in the Guiyu soil were affected by the primitive E-waste recycling activities.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in urban soil from Beijing, China

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (EPA-PAHs) in the urban surface soils from Beijing were determined using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). It is significantly complementary for understanding the PAHs pollution in soil of integrated Beijing city on the basis of the information known in the outskirts. The total concentration of 16 EPA-PAH was from 0.467 to 5.470 microg/g and was described by the contour map. Compound profiles presented that the 4-, 5- and 6-ring PAHs were major compositions. The correlation analysis showed that PAHs have the similar source in the most sampling sites and BaP might be considered as the indicator of PAHs. Characteristic ratios of anthracene (An)/(An+ phenanthrene (Phe)), fluoranthene (Flu)/(Flu+ pyrene (Pyr)) and benzo [a]pyrene (BaP)/benzo [g,h,i]perylene (BghiP) indicated that the PAHs pollutants probably mainly originated from the coal combustion and it was not negligible from vehicular emission. The level of PAHs in our study area was compared with other studies.

Persistent organic pollutants in soil density fractions: distribution and sorption strength

The sorption strength of persistent organic pollutants in soils may vary among different soil organic matter (SOM) pools. We hypothesized that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were unevenly distributed and had different soil organic carbon (SOC)-water partition coefficients (K(OC)) among soil density fractions. We determined the concentrations and K(OC) values of 20 PAHs and 12 PCBs in bulk samples and three density fractions (light, <2.0, medium, 2.0-2.4, and heavy, >2.4 g cm(-3)) of 11 urban topsoils (0-5 cm) from Bayreuth, Germany. The K(OC) values were determined using sequential extraction with methanol-water mixtures (35% and 65% methanol) at 60 degrees C. The sum of 20 PAH concentrations in bulk soil ranged 0.4-186 mg kg(-1), and that of 12 PCB concentrations 1.2-158 microg kg(-1). The concentrations of all PAHs and PCBs decreased in the order light>medium>heavy fraction. When normalized to the SOC concentrations, PAH concentrations were significantly higher in the heavy than in the other density fractions. The K(OC) values of the PAHs in density fractions were 3-20 times higher than those of the PCBs with similar octanol-water partition coefficients (K(OW)). The K(OC) values of individual PAHs and PCBs varied up to a factor of 1000 among the studied soils and density fractions. The K(OC) values of 5- and 6-ring PAHs tended to be highest in the heavy fraction, coinciding with their enrichment in this fraction. For the other PAHs and all PCBs, the K(OC) values did not differ among the density fractions. Thus, there is no relationship between sorption strength and distribution among density fractions, indicating that density fractionation is not a suitable tool to distinguish among differently reactive PAH and PCB pools in soils.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, black carbon, and molecular markers in soils of Switzerland

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were analysed in 23 soil samples (0-10 cm layer) from the Swiss soil monitoring network (NABO) together with total organic carbon (TOC) and black carbon (BC) concentration, as well as some PAH source diagnostic ratios and molecular markers. The concentrations of the sum of 16 EPA priority PAHs ranged from 50 to 619 microg/kg dw. Concentrations increased from arable, permanent and pasture grassland, forest, to urban soils and were 21-89% lower than median numbers reported in the literature for similar Swiss and European soils. NABO soils contained BC in concentrations from 0.4 to 1.8 mg/g dw, except for two sites with markedly higher levels. These numbers corresponded to 1-6% of TOC and were comparable to the limited published BC data in soil and sediments obtained with comparable analytical methods. The various PAH ratios and molecular markers pointed to a domination of pyrogenically formed PAHs in Swiss soils. In concert, the gathered data suggest the following major findings: (1) gas phase PAHs (naphthalene to fluorene) were long-range transported, cold-condensated at higher altitudes, and approaching equilibrium with soil organic matter (OM); (2) (partially) particle-bound PAHs (phenanthrene to benzo[ghi]perylene) were mostly deposited regionally in urban areas, and not equilibrated with soil OM; (3) Diesel combustion appeared to be a major emission source of PAH and BC in urban areas; and (4) wood combustion might have contributed significantly to PAH burdens in some soils of remote/alpine (forest) sites.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in agricultural soil and vegetables from Tianjin

Several types of vegetables were collected from two contaminated sites in Tianjin, China. The bulk soil and the rhizosphere soil samples were also collected from the same plots. Sixteen PAHs in the samples were measured. The total concentrations of PAH16 in the bulk soil from the two sites were 1.08 and 6.25 microg/g, respectively, with similar pattern. The concentrations of PAH16 and individual compounds in the rhizosphere were significantly higher than those in the bulk soil with mean values of 2.25 and 7.82 microg/g for the two sites, respectively. The contents of both total and dissolved organic matter in the rhizosphere were also higher than those in the bulk soil. Almost all PAH compounds studied were detected in both roots and aerial parts of the vegetables studied. Abundance of higher molecular weight PAHs in vegetable, however, was lower than that in soil. Concentrations of PAH16 in vegetable were higher than those reported in the literature for other areas. It appears that agricultural soils and vegetables in Tianjin, especially those from the site located immediately next to an urban district and irrigated with wastewater for several decades, are severely contaminated by PAHs. Among the eight types of vegetable studied, the highest concentration of PAHs was found in cauliflower. By average, the concentration of PAH16 in the aerial part of vegetables was 6.5 times higher as that in vegetable root, suggesting that foliar uptake is the primary transfer pathway of PAHs from environment to vegetables.

Exposure of the roots of Populus nigra L. cv. Loenen to PAHs and its effect on growth and water balance

Poplar cuttings were cultivated for 4 weeks in a substrate, which consisted of a combination of sand and nutrient solution. The plants were treated for 24 days with BaP, Chr, Ant, Phen, P and Flt, single or in combination. The concentration of the PAHs ranged from 0.1-200 mg/kg substrate. The results of the pollution experiments can be summarized as follows: 1. The most significant deviations between the test groups and the control can be observed for transpiration, nutrient solution uptake, and root mass. 2. Although transpiration and nutrient solution uptake are significantly lower for all the treated groups than for the control group, the water content of the leaves was not affected by PAHs. 3. The biomass of the shoots and the growth in shoot length do not react as strongly to exposure to PAHs as transpiration, nutrient solution uptake and the volume of the roots. 4. The differences in leaf weight and leaf surface area are significantly less pronounced compared to the control groups. Growth inhibition is most evident with Flt. Growth and absorption of the nutrient solution dropped with just Flt 0.1 mg/kg substrate. When the substrate concentration was increased, growth and nutrient solution uptake dropped considerably and at a concentration of Flt 200, 5 of the 11 test plants died before the end of the period of exposure. Nutrient solution uptake and shoot development of the test plants decreased in the following order: BaP H approximately = Chr > Ant > Phen > Pyr > Flt.

Polychlorinated naphthalenes in urban soils: analysis, concentrations, and relation to other persistent organic pollutants

We determined the concentrations of 35 PCNs, 12 PCBs, and 20 PAHs in 49 urban topsoils under different land use (house garden, roadside grassland, alluvial grassland, park areas, industrial sites, agricultural sites) and in nine rural topsoils. The sums of concentrations of 35 PCNs (sigma35 PCNs) were <0.1-15.4 microg kg(-1) in urban soils and <0.1 to 0.82 microg kg(-1) in rural soils. The PCN, PCB, and PAH concentrations were highest at industrial sites and in house gardens. While rural soils receive PCNs, PCBs, and PAHs by common atmospheric deposition, there are site-specific sources of PCNs, PCBs, and PAHs for urban soils such as deposition of contaminated technogenic materials. The PCN, PCB, and PAH concentrations decreased from the central urban to the rural area. In the same order the contribution of lower chlorinated PCNs and PCBs increased because they are more volatile and subject to increased atmospheric transport. The PCNs 52+60, and 73 were more abundant in soil samples than in Halowax mixtures, indicating that combustion contributed to the PCN contamination of the soils.

Availability of arsenic, copper, lead, thallium, and zinc to various vegetables grown in slag-contaminated soils

To anticipate a possible hazard resulting from the plant uptake of metals from slag-contaminated soils, it is useful to study whether vegetables exist that are able to mobilize a given metal in the slag to a larger proportion than in an uncontaminated control soil. For this purpose, we studied the soil to plant transfer of arsenic, copper, lead, thallium, and zinc by the vegetables bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. 'dwarf bean Modus'), kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes L.), mangold (Beta vulgaris var. macrorhiza ), lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. 'American gathering brown'), carrot (Daucus carota L. 'Rotin', 'Sperlings's'), and celery [Apium graveiolus var. dulce (Mill.) Pers.] from a control soil (Ap horizon of a Entisol) and from a contaminated soil (1:1 soil-slag mixtures). Two types of slags were used: an iron-rich residue from pyrite (FeS2) roasting and a residue from coal firing. The metal concentrations in the slags, soils, and plants were used to calculate for each metal and soil-slag mixture the plant-soil fractional concentration ratio (CRfractional,slag), that is, the concentration ratio of the metal that results only from the slag in the soil. With the exception of TI, the resulting values obtained for this quantity for As, Cu, Pb, and Zn and for all vegetables were significantly smaller than the corresponding plant-soil concentration ratios (CRcontrol soil) for the uncontaminated soil. The results demonstrate quantitatively that the ability of a plant to accumulate a given metal as observed for a control soil might not exist for a soil-slag mixture, and vice versa.