Spatial Distribution of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Soils around the Coal Waste Rock Dumps

Abstract

We select a large coal waste rock dumps in Guangxi Heshan , study the characteristics of the distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in its surrounding soil and carry on a soil quality evaluation. Soil samples were collected in different distance and different depth from the dumps. After drying and filtrating the samples, we use the gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC - MS) technology for quantitative analysis of 16 kinds of priority pollutions of PAHs. The results show that in the plane, from the near to the distant, the content of PAHs in soil is from much to little. In vertical, from shallow to deep, the content of PAHs degressive changes. And the trend of change is from fast to slow in vertical and level. The plane distribution of PAHs in soil is mainly controlled by wind direction and slope, vertical distribution is controlled by its solubility in water and soil properties.Many kinds of PAHs in soils out of limit, which is poor soil.The 6 kinds of heavy ring PAHs which is carcinogenic is distributed in 5~15 cm of the topsoil.