Effects of the Release of Soil Organic Matter on Phenanthrene Sorption by Sediments

The release of soil organic matter (SOM) has been frequently studied, while its effects on sorption kinetics and on the capacity of phenanthrene (PHE) on sediments have seldom been studied. In this study, sodium chloride (NaCl, 0-0.1 mol/L) was introduced to adjust the release of SOM, and three sediments were prepared: a raw sediment (S1), an eluted sediment (S2), and an SOM-removed sediment (S3). The release of SOM , with dissolved organic matter (DOM) formed in solution, was confirmed in sediment 1. Sorption kinetics on sediment 1 showed atypical results as three stages: rapid sorption, pseudo sorption with partial desorption, and slow sorption. Also, a defined "sorption valley" occurred in the kinetic curve, which can be qualitatively determined by the characteristics of the release of SOM, including its amount, rate and sequence in each SOM fraction. Sorption capacity on sediments 1 and 2 was negatively correlated with aqueous DOM concentrations. By changing sediment characteristics and solution properties, the release of SOM significantly impacts polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) sorption behaviors. These results help clarify the transport of PAHs in sediment-water systems.