Landfarming in a PAH-contaminated soil

J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng. 2001;36(9):1579-88. doi: 10.1081/ese-100106243.

Abstract

The present work describes a coke oven soil treatability study by land-farming, conducted on-site in a field scale facility covering 100 m2. The soil contamination was mainly due to high concentrations of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) up to 1,140 mg/Kg dry weight (sigma EPA). Along the treatment process the soil was characterised at the chemical, microbiological and ecotoxicological levels. After 3 months a reduction of 63% in total PAHs concentration was observed, being detected a more pronounced reduction for PAHs with 2, 3 and 4 rings (79%). Concomitantly, a change in the composition of the microbial population was observed with a significant increase in the PAHs degrading and total heterotrophic colonies. Concerning the ecotoxicity and genotoxicity data no effect was detected in the treated soil samples eluates.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biodegradation, Environmental
  • Mutagenicity Tests
  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / chemistry*
  • Portugal
  • Soil Microbiology*
  • Soil Pollutants / analysis*

Substances

  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
  • Soil Pollutants