Acta Montanistica Slovaca (Dec 2006)
Biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil contaminated with coal tar
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of serious contaminants of air, water soil and sediments. Persistence and accumulation of PAHs in the environment is due to their hydrophobicity and hence low solubility and bioavailability to microbial action. This work presents an evidence of biodegradation of PAHs in a soil sample taken from a coal gasification plant contaminated with coal tar. The degradation of the contaminant by indigenous microorganisms was studied under aerobic conditions at 15 ºC in a laboratory glass column. The oxidation kinetic of organic carbon was monitored by measuring the oxygen consumption rate and the carbon dioxide production rate. The biodegradation rates observed were in the range of 0.2 to 7 mg C kg-1 h-1. Approximately 14 000 mg kg-1 of the total organic carbon was completely mineralized to CO2 during 6 months. The sum of 16 EPA PAHs decreased from the initial concentration of 21 331 mg kg-1 to the value of 2 774 mg kg-1after 6 months of biodegradation. The thermogravimetric analysis revealed a 34 % weight decrease of organic mater content during the 6-month degradation period.
