title: Degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in an aged coal tar contaminated soil under in-vessel composting conditions.
abstract: In-vessel composting of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) present in contaminated soil from a manufactured gas plant site was investigated over 98 days using laboratory-scale in-vessel composting reactors. The composting reactors were operated at 18 different operational conditions using a 3-factor factorial design with three temperatures (T, 38 degrees C, 55 degrees C and 70 degrees C), four soil to green waste ratios (S:GW, 0.6:1, 0.7:1, 0.8:1 and 0.9:1 on a dry weight basis) and three moisture contents (MC, 40%, 60% and 80%). PAH losses followed first order kinetics reaching 0.015 day(-1) at optimal operational conditions. A factor analysis of the 18 different operational conditions under investigation indicated that the optimal operational conditions for degradation of PAHs occurred at MC 60%, S:GW 0.8:1 and T 38 degrees C. Thus, it is recommended to maintain operational conditions during in-vessel composting of PAH-solid waste close to these values.
authors.affiliation: Imperial College London, Wye Campus, Department of Agricultural Science, Wye, Ashford, Kent TN25 5AH, UK. b.antizar@imperial.ac.uk
authors.forename: Blanca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Antizar-Ladislao
authors.forename: Joe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lopez-Real
authors.forename: Angus James
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Beck
mesh_terms: D003033:Coal Tar; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation / Q000379:methods*; D006812:Humic Substances; D006813:Humidity; D007220:Industrial Waste; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006812:Humic Substances; D007220:Industrial Waste; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D003033:Coal Tar