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Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon removal from contaminated soils using fatty acid methyl esters
Zongqiang Gong1, Xiaoguang Wang, Ying Tu
1Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, PR China.
Chemosphere
|February 13, 2010
Summary
Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) effectively removed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from contaminated soils. FAME demonstrated superior performance compared to conventional surfactants in ex situ soil washing applications.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Soil Remediation
Background:
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are persistent organic pollutants commonly found in manufactured gas plant (MGP) soils.
- Effective remediation strategies are crucial for managing PAH-contaminated sites.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) for solubilizing and removing PAHs from contaminated soils.
- To compare FAME performance against conventional surfactants and other agents.
Main Methods:
- Solubilization of PAHs from MGP and spiked soils using FAME.
- Comparison of PAH removal efficiencies using FAME, methanol, soybean oil, hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin, Triton X-100, and Tween 80.
- Investigation of FAME:MGP soil ratios on PAH removal.
Main Results:
- FAME demonstrated higher PAH removal efficiency from spiked soils compared to cyclodextrin and surfactants.
- FAME and market biodiesel showed better PAH removal from weathered MGP soil than other agents.
- Optimal FAME:MGP soil ratio varied, with 2:1 showing 51% total PAH removal.
Conclusions:
- Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) represent a promising alternative to conventional surfactants for ex situ washing of PAH-contaminated soils.
- FAME offers an effective and potentially more attractive approach for soil remediation.
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