Humic Acid Toxicity in Biologically Treated Soil Contaminated with Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Pentachlorophenol

Authors

J. K. Nieman
Ronald C. Sims, Utah State UniversityFollow
D. L. Sorensen
J. E. McLean

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title

Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology

Publication Date

2005

Volume

49

Abstract

Contaminated soil from a land treatment unit at the Libby Groundwater Superfund Site in Libby, MT, was amended with ¹⁴C pyrene and incubated for 396 days to promote biodegradation and the formation of soil-associated bound residues. Humic and fulvic acids were extracted from the treated soil microcosms and analyzed for the presence of pyrene residues. Biologic activity promoted ¹⁴C association with the fulvic acid fraction, but humic acid–associated ¹⁴C did not increase with biologic activity. The Aboatox flash toxicity assay was used to assess the toxicity of humic and fulvic acid fractions. The fulvic acid gave no toxic response, but the humic acid showed significant toxicity. The observed toxicity was likely associated with pentachlorophenol, a known contaminant of the soil that was removed by solvent extraction of the humic acid and that correlated well with toxicity reduction.

Comments

Originally published by Springer Verlag. Publisher’s PDF and HTML fulltext available through remote link. May require fee or subscription.

Recommended Citation

Nieman, J. K.; Sims, Ronald C.; Sorensen, D. L.; and McLean, J. E., "Humic Acid Toxicity in Biologically Treated Soil Contaminated with Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Pentachlorophenol" (2005). Biological Engineering Faculty Publications. Paper 11.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/bioeng_facpub/11