Effects of hydrogen peroxide and temperature on removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (Pahs) from soil during photodegradation applications

Abstract

This study investigated the removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from soils around a cement factory in Bursa-Turkey. UVA and UVA-H2O2 applications were carried out with the particular apparatus. The evaporated PAHs were collected with the polyurethane foam (PUF) column in this apparatus. UVA applications were carried out simultaneously at two temperatures (18 degrees C and 35 degrees C) to determine the effect of temperature on PAHs' removal. Evaporated PAH amounts and PAH removal efficiencies were calculated. In UVA applications (without using H2O2), n-ary sumation (12) PAH removal efficiency was calculated as 90%, and this value increased to 95% with the use of H2O2. The highest PAH removal ratio (95%) was obtained with UVA-H2O2 (1% H2O2) application. An increase in temperature did not contribute significantly to the removal of PAHs (except for 20% H2O2). During the experiments, the amount of evaporated PAHs from soil to air increased depending on the temperature. It was observed that 80% of evaporated PAHs were formed 3 ring compounds (Phe, Ant) at 35 degrees C. It was concluded that only low H2O2 dose (1%) was effective on the removal of PAHs from soils at 18 degrees C and 35 degrees C.