Fate and effect of residual hydrocarbons in the landfarming of oily sludge

Thesis/Dissertation · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:5869647

Bossert, I D

A long-term laboratory simulation of landfarming explored the fate of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PNA) components of oily sludges in soil. CO/sub 2/ evolution and periodic analyses for PNAs and total extractable hydrocarbon (HC) assessed biodegradation. Laboratory landfarming continued for 30 months, involving 7 sludge applications at 3-5 month intervals. A closure study simulating biodegradation processes in an inactive landfarm followed for an additional 12 months. A burst of CO/sub 2/ evolution followed each sludge addition that decreased to background levels with time. Analyses showed that 50-60% of applied HC remained, but these residues did not inhibit biodegradation. As a class, PNAs disappeared faster than total HC (85% biodegradation). This was due to the prevalence of readily biodegraded 3-4 ring PNAs versus persistent 5-6 ring PNAs. Straw amendments during the closure study failed to increase HC or PNA biodegradation. Ability of soil treated with oily sludge to support plant growth during revegetation of landfarm soil was assessed. Corn germination and growth were greatly reduced, whereas soybean emergence was totally inhibited. Phytotoxic components of DAF-treated soil were associated with asphaltic residues. These also appear to interfere with geotropic orientation of seedlings. Revegetation of landform soils will require long closure periods and/or especially hardy plant species.

• OSTI ID: 5869647
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560303* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Plants-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AROMATICS
BENZOPYRENE
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CEREALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CONDENSED AROMATICS
DECOMPOSITION
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
GLYCINE HISPIDA
GRASS
GROUND DISPOSAL
GROWTH
HYDROCARBONS
INHIBITION
LEGUMINOSAE
MAIZE
MANAGEMENT
MASS TRANSFER
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PLANT GROWTH
PLANTS
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
REVEGETATION
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT