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Related Experiment Videos

Desorption kinetics for field-aged polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from sediments.

Leslie M Shor1, Karl J Rockne, Gary L Taghon

  • 1Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235, USA.

Environmental Science & Technology
|May 7, 2003
PubMed
Summary

Field-aged polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) desorption from estuarine sediments is controlled by diffusion. Hydrophobicity and sediment properties influence desorption rates, with macro-mesopore diffusion dominating for less hydrophobic PAHs.

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Geochemistry
  • Sedimentology

Background:

  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are persistent organic pollutants found in estuarine sediments.
  • Understanding PAH desorption kinetics is crucial for assessing their environmental fate and bioavailability.
  • Field-aged PAHs exhibit complex desorption behavior influenced by sediment characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the desorption kinetics of 12 field-aged PAHs from estuarine sediments.
  • To identify the key factors controlling PAH desorption rates.
  • To differentiate between diffusion mechanisms governing PAH release.

Main Methods:

  • Collection and fractionation of sediments from the New York/New Jersey Harbor Estuary.
  • Application of one-domain and two-domain diffusion models to describe PAH desorption.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Correlation analysis of PAH properties (hydrophobicity) and sediment characteristics (specific surface area) with diffusion parameters.

    • Main Results:

    • Desorption of highly hydrophobic PAHs (log Kow > 6) was accurately modeled by a one-domain diffusion model.
    • Less hydrophobic PAHs desorbed via a two-domain model, with a significant fast-diffusion fraction.
    • Fast-domain diffusivity was 100x greater than slow-domain diffusivity and correlated with PAH and sediment properties.

    Conclusions:

    • Macro-mesopore diffusion is a key mechanism controlling the mass transport of less hydrophobic PAHs in estuarine sediments.
    • PAH hydrophobicity and sediment specific surface area are critical parameters influencing desorption.
    • The findings provide insights into the environmental persistence and mobility of PAHs in harbor environments.