Interactions between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and dissolved humic material: binding and dissociation

Journal Article · Fri Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es00141a008· OSTI ID:5621334

McCarthy, J F; Jimenez, B D

Binding of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH's) to dissolved humic material (DHM) was examined by using equilibrium dialysis and fluorescence techniques. There was a direct relationship between the hydrophobicity of the PAH and the affinity for binding to DHM. The binding affinity P/sub a/ for benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), benzanthracene, and anthracene decreased slightly as the concentration of DHM increased. The binding of BaP to DHM was completely reversible and the extent of reversibility was unrelated to the sorption time. The rate of binding of BaP to DHM, measured by the quenching to BaP fluorescence, was very rapid and was completed within 5-10 min. The results suggest that the presence of DHM, or other sorptive components of the dissolved organic pool, may affect binding to sediment or suspended particles and thus alter the fate and transport of organic contaminants in aquatic systems.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN
• OSTI ID: 5621334
• Journal Information: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 19:1; ISSN ESTHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520200* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
AROMATICS
BINDING ENERGY
DIALYSIS
DISPERSIONS
DISSOCIATION
ECOSYSTEMS
ENERGY
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FLUORESCENCE
HUMUS
HYDROCARBONS
LUMINESCENCE
MASS TRANSFER
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
SEDIMENTS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOLUTES
SORPTION
SORPTIVE PROPERTIES
SURFACE PROPERTIES
SUSPENSIONS