Fenton-like and potassium permanganate oxidations of PAH-contaminated soils: Impact of oxidant doses on PAH and polar PAC (polycyclic aromatic compound) behavior.

Potassium permanganate and Fenton-like oxidations were applied on two PAH-contaminated soils collected on former coking plant and gas plant sites. The impact of oxidant dose on the polycyclic aromatic compound (PAC) evolution, including 16 US-EPA PAHs, 11 oxygenated- and 4 nitrogen heterocyclic-PACs (O- and N-PACs) was studied for both treatments. The content of extractable organic matter and PACs was determined prior and after oxidation.

Behavior of PAH/mineral associations during thermodesorption: impact for the determination of mineral retention properties towards PAHs.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) associated with two minerals (silica sand and bentonite) presenting opposite retention properties were analyzed with a thermodesorption (Td)-GC-MS coupling in order to validate this technique as a new and rapid way to evaluate the solid sorption properties. Two analysis modes were used, evolved gas analysis (EGA) and Td with cryo-trap. EGA allowed a real-time monitoring of the compounds desorbed during a temperature program and gave a first screening of the samples while Td gave more precise indications on compound abundances for selected temperature ranges.

Adsorption of phenanthrene on activated carbon increases mineralization rate by specific bacteria.

Bioavailability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in soil is affected by PAH sorption to solid phase. We studied the influence of activated carbon (AC) on phenanthrene (PHE) mineralization by five degrading bacterial strains isolated from contaminated soil. PHE adsorption on AC was important and reduced PHE aqueous concentration up to 90%.

Evaluation of matrices for the sorption and biodegradation of phenanthrene.

Permeable reactive barriers (PRBs), a new cost effective technology for the remediation of contaminated groundwater, have rarely been considered for PAH contamination. We evaluated three candidate matrices (activated carbon (AC), pouzzolana coated (PzF) or not (Pz) with heavy fuel oil) for phenanthrene (PHE) sorption capacity and the biodegradation of adsorbed PHE. Adsorption-desorption batch experiments showed higher sorption capacity of AC than PzF (60 fold) and Pz (1,500 fold).

A nonlinear parametric model for phenanthrene sorption.

Two models for phenanthrene sorption prediction are discussed and checked against experimental data. The first model, based on a two-site Langmuir expression, displays too large uncertainties. The second is based on a modified Langmuir relation and provides a better description of the whole dataset.