Tenax-TA extraction as predictor for free available content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in composted sewage sludges

Abstract

The usability of the solid phase extraction method with Tenax-TA adsorbent for the forecasting of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon losses during sewage sludges composting has been evaluated in the present study. Four municipal sewage sludges were composted for 76 days. The PAH content in the sludges ranged from 3674 to 11 236 μg kg⁻¹. After composting, a significant reduction of PAH content was observed. The range of the PAH sum loss ranged from 29.3 to 48.6%. The share of fraction extracted by Tenax-TA in the sludges at the onset of the composting ranged from 28.1 to 54.0% in relation to the PAH sum, and from 0.31 to 100% for individual PAHs. After 76 days of composting, the presence of Tenax-TA extracted PAHs was still observed in the sludges. A significant reduction of this fraction was noted in the case of three sewage sludges. PAH’s Tenax-TA fraction in the case of one sewage sludge did not undergo any changes during composting. A satisfactory prediction of PAH losses by the Tenax-TA method was rarely observed. The best reflection of the PAH losses was observed in the case of fluoranthene, anthracene and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene.