Hara

Mild extractability and bioavailability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil
Tang JX, Alexander M

ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY

18 (12): 2711-2714 DEC 1999

Abstract:

A study was conducted to determine the relationship between bioavailability of unaged and
aged polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil and the amounts detected by mild
solvent extraction. More aged than unaged anthracene remained in Lima foam following
introduction of earthworms (Eisenia foetida), a mixed culture containing anthracene-degrading
microorganisms, or earthworms or wheat after bacterial biodegradation of the compound.
Aging decreased the percentage of anthracene recovered by mild extraction with iz-butanol
from soil following introduction of earthworms, growth of wheat, biodegradation by bacteria,
or when maintained sterile. Biodegradation resulted in a marked decrease in the percentage of
aged and unaged anthracene recovered from soil by mild extraction with n-butanol or ethy]
acetate. Aging of fluoranthene and pyrene decreased the amount removed by mild extraction
with n-butanol, ethyl acetate, and propanol. The uptake of aged and unaged anthracene,
fluoranthene, and pyrene by earthworms was correlated with the amounts recovered from soil
by mild extraction with n-butanol, propanol, and ethyl acetate (r values in the range 0.911-
0.992). The retention of aged and unaged anthracene by wheat and barley was correlated with
the amounts recovered from soil by the same procedure (r values in the range 0.892-0.945).
We suggest that mild extraction with organic solvents can be used to predict the
bioavailability of PAHs in soil. Alexander M, Cornell Univ, Dept Soil Crop & Atmospher
Sci, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA

Dian Marke "(refer

San nits Mor ba seed} aak Arann

7
Professor Joshua Lederberg fx

The Rockefeller University
New York, N.Y. 10021-6399