Evaluating potential non-point source loading of PAHs from contaminated soils: A fugacity-based modeling approach

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) Vol. 196; pp. 1 - 11
• Main Authors: Luo, Xiaolin, Zheng, Yi, Lin, Zhongrong, Wu, Bin, Han, Feng, Tian, Yong, Zhang, Wei, Wang, Xuejun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2015
• Subjects: Contamination; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Environmental Pollution; Fugacity; Modeling; Models, Theoretical; Non-point source pollution; PAHs; physicochemical properties; polluted soils; pollution; Pollution abatement; Pollution sources; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons - analysis; rain; sediments; Soil; Soil - chemistry; Soil Pollutants - analysis; Soils; Strategy; Uncertainty; Watershed; Watersheds; Soil; PAHs; Uncertainty; Non-point source pollution; Modeling; Watershed
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2014.09.011

Soils contaminated by Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are subject to significant non-point source (NPS) pollution during rainfall events. Recent studies revealed that the classic enrichment ratio (ER) approach may not be applicable to PAHs. This study developed a model to estimate the ER of PAHs which innovatively applies the fugacity concept. The ER model has been validated with experimental data, which suggested that the transport of PAHs not only depends on their physicochemical properties, but on the sediment composition and how the composition evolves during the event. The modeling uncertainty was systematically examined, and found to be highly compound-dependent. Based on the ER model, a strategy was proposed to practically evaluate the potential NPS loading of PAHs in watersheds with heterogeneous soils. The study results have important implications to modeling and managing the NPS pollution of PAHs (or other chemicals alike) at a watershed scale. •A new model to calculate the enrichment ratio of PAHs based on the fugacity concept.•Successful interpretation of the complex enrichment behavior of PAHs with the model.•A novel strategy to evaluate non-point source loading of PAHs from polluted soils. The fugacity concept was innovatively applied to develop an enrichment ratio model with which potential NPS loading of PAHs can be assessed.