Document Type
Thesis
Date of Award
8-30-1989
Degree Name
Master of Science in Environmental Science - (M.S.)
Department
Chemical Engineering, Chemistry and Environmental Science
First Advisor
Arthur Greenberg
Second Advisor
Barbara B. Kebbekus
Third Advisor
Richard B. Trattner
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons ( PAH ) are quite persistent and some of them are potent carcinogens in mammals. They have been found in many environmental media including air, water, soil, fly ash, sediment, sewage sludge, food and plants. This thesis is a study of PAH sampled from incinerator emissim particulates, air, soil, and earthworms raised in artificially contaminated soil.
In Section I, a method is described for the analysis of PAH, nitro-PAH and quinones extracted from filters and detected by HPLC. They were collected on particulate filters which were sampled using the EPA Modified Method 5 regime from incinerator emissions. The results were that particulate pollutant levels were extremely low. It was possible that pollutants volatilized at the 100°C temperature sampling temperature at the filter. In the future, Modified Method 5 samples collected on XAD will be analyzed and these may provide higher levels of these pollutants.
In Section II, a monitoring method was designed, constructed and tested to indicate the levels of benzo(a)pyrene ( BAP ) in BAP-contaminated soils, and to attempt to use earthworms as a biological indicator. The results suggested that BAP levels extracted from earthworm tissues correspond with BAP levels extracted from the surrounding soils in which the earthworms lived. Some improvements may still be needed to get more representative data. Although the method is not yet completely developed, we have tested the capability of monitoring BAP levels in contaminated soils by earthworms as indicators. This study might provide a way to study soil pollution at sites such as coal gasfication and smelting industries as well as at Former gasoline stations.
Recommended Citation
Juang, Chin-Fang, "HPLC analysis of PAH and selected substituted derivatives in waste incinerator emission particles. Section I. Analysis of uptake of BAP by earthworms living in BAP-contaminated soils. Section II" (1989). Theses. 2796.
https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/theses/2796
