Degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a mixed contaminated soil supported by phytostabilisation, organic and inorganic soil additives

Abstract

In soil, mixed contamination with potentially toxic trace elements and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) may persist for a long time due to strong adsorption to the soil matrix and to its toxicity to microorganism. We conducted an incubation batch experiment to test the effect of soil amendments (biochar, gravel sludge, iron oxides) on the immobilisation of trace elements. To monitor microbial degradation, a 13C-PHE (phenanthrene) label was introduced to soil for 13C-PLFA (phospholipid fatty acid) analysis. Soil amendments increased soil pH, reduced mobility of NH4NO3-extractable trace elements Cd and Zn, and increased mobile Cu. A small consortium of PHE degraders was identified mainly in the microbial groups of gram-negative bacteria and actinomycetes. The degradation process of PHE peaked 9days after incubation start. PAH concentrations remained constant in the soil within the 30-day incubation, except for the easily available 13C-PHE in the amended treatment. In order to test the effect of plants and soil amendments under more realistic conditions, we also conducted an outdoor pot experiment with black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia Nyirsegi). Furthermore, soil amendments increased the mobility of soil Cu and As and decreased the mobility of Cd, Pb and Sb. The uptake of trace elements to leaves was low. Σ 16 U.S. EPA PAHs were significantly reduced only in the combined treatment of black locust and soil amendments after 12months of plant growth. Soil amendment-assisted phytoremediation showed a high efficiency in PAH dissipation and may be a useful remediation technique for mixed contaminated soils.