title: Effect of humification processes on polyaromatic hydrocarbons concentration during wastewater treatment.
abstract: The aim of the present work was to compare the concentration changes of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and the course of humification processes during wastewater treatment. Studies of samples from a biological-mechanical wastewater treatment plant in Sosnowiec-Zagórze (Poland) were carried out. Determination of PAH was performed both for wastewater sludge and sludge water. Observations of the course of humification processes for humic acid fractions isolated from sludges were conducted. Analysis of PAH extracted from wastewaters and from sludge was performed by means of high-performance liquid chromatography. Investigations of humification processes were conducted by electron paramagnetic resonance and nuclear magnetic resonance methods. The elementary composition changes in the structure of the extracted humic acids were determined. It was found that polyaromatic hydrocarbons appear during the processes of humification. Their content in water decreased only after the process of sludge aeration; however, sludge water leaving the settlers was PAH-enriched.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Chemistry and Technology, Institute of Chemistry, University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland. wsulkows@uranos.cto.us.edu.pl
authors.forename: Wiesław W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Sułkowski
authors.forename: Justyna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Polak
authors.forename: Iwona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Miształ
authors.forename: Jarosław
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Miształ
authors.forename: Mariola
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bartoszek
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sułkowska
mesh_terms: D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004578:Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy; D006812:Humic Substances / Q000032:analysis*; D006841:Hydrocarbons, Aromatic / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011044:Poland; D012722:Sewage / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D006812:Humic Substances; D006841:Hydrocarbons, Aromatic; D012722:Sewage