Characterization and Partitioning Behavior of Creosote in Different Matrices: Soil, Water, and Air

• Published in: Water, air, and soil pollution air, and soil pollution, 2020-08, Vol.231 (8), Article 402
• Main Authors: Macêdo Aranha, Rayanne, A. Magalhães, Vivian M., P. Mendes, Gabriela, R. Soares, Lélia C., Muselli Barbosa, Alexandre, A. O. Nascimento, Claudio, M. G. R. Vianna, Marilda, Chiavone-Filho, Osvaldo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aquifers; Aromatic compounds; Aromatic hydrocarbons; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Chemical engineering; Chemical partition; Chromatography; Climate Change/Climate Change Impacts; Coal tar; Contaminants; Creosote; Decision making; Distillation; Distilling; Distribution; Earth and Environmental Science; Environment; Environmental monitoring; Environmental protection; Gas chromatography; Geology; Hydrogeology; Liquid phases; Mass spectrometry; Mass spectroscopy; Mass transfer; Molecular weight; Naphthalene; Nonaqueous phase liquids; Organic matter; Organic soils; Partitioning; Phase distribution; Pollutants; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Sandy soils; Scientific imaging; Soil; Soil contamination; Soil pollution; Soil Science & Conservation; Soil water; Vapors; VOCs; Volatile organic compounds; Water Quality/Water Pollution; Wood
• ISSN: 0049-6979; 1573-2932
• DOI: 10.1007/s11270-020-04772-y

Creosote is a multicomponent oil classified as a dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) produced from coal tar distillation. The concept of phase distribution is critical in decision-making to remediate contaminated sites. The creosote mass transfer between sorbed, aqueous, vapor, and DNAPL phases is controlled by physicochemical characteristics, geology of the site, and environment conditions. This study evaluated phase distribution of the main polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) of creosote in a sandy soil with low organic matter content. The creosote was collected from a contaminated site in São Paulo, Brazil, and was characterized by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Clean soil was collected upgradient from the same area. Initially, the soil was artificially contaminated with creosote. After, the contaminated soil was put in contact with clean water in sealed vials for 72 h. Samples of the soil, vapor, and liquid phases were collected and analyzed by GC-MS. In total, 50 compounds were identified in the creosote, and 9 PAHs were selected to be studied, which represented around 30% of total creosote mass. The major contaminant concentration was detected in the sorbed phase. For instance, naphthalene mass was distributed in sorbed (33.0%), DNAPL (1.5%), aqueous (3.4%), and vapor (0.2%) phases. The results provided an understanding of the contaminant species partitioning that occurs in a real contaminated site.