Abstract
Gas-particle partitioning of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), and biphenyls (PCBs) was evaluated in flue gases emitted from two municipal solid waste incinerators. Total PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs in the flue gas were presented, in decreasing order, within gas phases, particulate phases, and aqueous phases. PCDD/F concentrations in the flue gas ranged from 0.75 to 15 ng m(-3), while in the particulate phase they ranged from 0.14 to 8.1 ng m(-3). Dioxin-like (dl-) PCBs had concentrations of 0.18-28 ng m(-3) in the flue gas, and 0.041-1.3 ng m(-3) in the particulate phase. PCDD/F and dl-PCB levels were associated with specific size ranges of particles, increasing as particle size decreased. More than 54% (81%) of PCDD/Fs and 49% (79%) of dl-PCBs were associated with fine particles of less than 2.5 (10) mu m-diameter. In addition, average levels of PCDD/Fs, PCBs, and dl-PCBs were 0.15 +/- 0.11 ng m(-3), 11 +/- 11 ng m(-3), and 0.21 +/- 0.20 ng m(-3), respectively. Levels of non-2,3,7,8-chlorinated PCDD/Fs were much higher than 2,3,7,8-chlorinated PCDD/Fs in PCDD/F homologue patterns. This suggests that more attention should be paid to non-2,3,7,8-chlorinated PCDD/Fs in the environment, given their potential to transform to more toxic species.
Highlights
Incineration is commonly used around the world as an effective, sanitary and practical method of waste disposal, leading to the establishment of more municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWIs) (Zhang et al, 2014)
Gas-particle partitioning of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), and biphenyls (PCBs) was evaluated in flue gases emitted from two municipal solid waste incinerators
Total concentrations of dl-polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the flue gas were in the range of 0.18–28 ng m–3, with an average concentration of 11 ng m–3
Summary
Incineration is commonly used around the world as an effective, sanitary and practical method of waste disposal, leading to the establishment of more municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWIs) (Zhang et al, 2014). Concentrations of PCDD/Fs and PCBs released in flue gases from MSWIs primarily increase with increasing incineration temperature, and are typically adsorbed onto atmospheric particles (Cetin et al, 2017). PCDD/Fs and PCBs released from the flue gas can spread through air, soil, water bodies, sediments, and enter plant and animal systems through atmospheric deposition (Du et al, 2011; Suryani R et al, 2015; Chang et al, 2016). They occur as both gas and particulate phases in the atmosphere. Fine particles (with aerodynamic diameter (D) less than 2.5 μm; PM2.5) have longer atmospheric lifetimes in the atmosphere than larger ones, and a higher ability to adsorb and retain PCDD/Fs and PCBs, because of their larger specific surface areas and more porous surfaces (Zhu et al, 2016)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
