Microbially-mediated fate of {sup 14}C-pyrene in soil organic matter
- Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC (United States)
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants that result from both natural and anthropogenic combustion processes. Several microbial processes are known to influence the fate of PAH in soil. Their effect on PAH structure and mobility can affect the potential health risk exposure to humans and indigenous organisms in soil. Microbial metabolism of PAHs can result in the accumulation of more polar by-products or the formation of by-products that may be further metabolized or mineralized by other microorganisms. A third possible fate is the incorporation of PAHs into soil organic matter via various sorption/binding processes. Experiments were conducted to determine the extent of {sup 14}C-pyrene associations with soil organic matter (SOM) in adapted and non-adapted soils. Changes in microbial respiration (CO{sub 2} efflux), {sup 14}C volatile organics, {sup 14}C water soluble metabolites and {sup 14}C SOM were measured in aerated soil systems treated individually with 100 mg/kg [4,5,9,10-{sup 14}C] pyrene over time. Mass balances were generated based on V products in water extracts, CO{sub 2} efflux. SOM, {sup 14}C-volatiles, and residual soil. The {sup 14}C products in SOM were further fractionated into humic acids (HA), fulvic acids (FA), and humin. The presence of an adapted, microbial community enhances {sup 14}C-pyrene mineralization and increases the {sup 14}C product accumulation in water extracts and fulvic acids (FA).
- OSTI ID:
- 203607
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9511137--; ISBN 1-880611-03-1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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