Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the mass fraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the soil of the Labin city area (west Croatia) as a consequence of the pollution caused by centuries old Raša coal mining and associated metal processing and foundry industries. Samples of topsoil down to 10-cm depth, following the removal of plant cover, were collected, air-dried, and sieved to <2 mm. Afterwards, they were extracted, and PAH levels were measured by high performance liquid chromatography using a fluorescence detector with a varying wavelength of excitation and emission (HPLC/FLD). The results showed substantially elevated levels of PAHs across the study area. The soil pollution with PAHs increased in the direction towards the Raša Bay, where a former coal separation unit was in operation decades ago. The results demonstrated the presence of pyrolitic PAHs that resulted from Raša coal combustion at high temperatures in power plants, and unburnt coal-derived PAHs formed by Raša coal carbonization. This paper for the first time reports levels of PAHs in soil of the Labin city area, establishing them as higher than the values set by Croatian legislation. Therefore, this study clearly calls for immediate clean-up measures in order to solve the environmental pollution issue of the vulnerable local karst area.
Highlights
The use of coal has driven human progress and changed society but has had multiple negative impacts on the environment, environmental pollution, anthropogenic climate change, and a decrease in resources (Mishra et al, 2019; Saha et al, 2017; Singh et al, 2015; Finkelman et al, 2021)
The levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the area of the Labin and Raša towns are reported for the first time in the context of the former Raša coal mining and associated industries
Eleven PAHs were detected in the analysed soil, ten of which are on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s list of the 16 most dangerous PAHs
Summary
The use of coal has driven human progress and changed society but has had multiple negative impacts on the environment, environmental pollution, anthropogenic climate change, and a decrease in resources (Mishra et al, 2019; Saha et al, 2017; Singh et al, 2015; Finkelman et al, 2021). Coal is the most common energy raw material, providing 23% of the world’s total primary energy, from an environmental point of view, it represents the most dangerous source of energy. With the development of industry, economy and technology, the need for electricity in the world has significantly increased in the last decades. The need for fuel is increasing, and the impact on the environment is growing significantly. The largest percentage in global electricity production is accounted for by coal with as much as 41%, which is more than any other raw material (WCA, 2012). The largest coal market is Asia, where over 50% of global coal consumption is currently
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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 call
