Effect of PAH-Contaminated Soil on some Plants and Microorganisms

Abstract

A very difficult task in bioremediation processes is verification of the start-up and the end points. Establishing SQC values requires not only human risk characterisation but also the availability of ecotoxicological information. The aim of the studies was to evaluate THE effect of soil artificially contaminated with mixture of PAHs on plants and soil microorganisms. Phytoxicity studies included two kinds of tests: acute toxicity tests (PAH concentration range 1-100 mg/kg) and chronic tests (initial PAH content in soil 100 mg/kg). The effect of PAHs on soil microbiological properties was assessed on the basis of pot experiments carried out for 90 days at the initial level of soil contamination with PAHs 10 and 100 mg/kg. Different parameters of soil microbial activity were determined periodically and related to PAH content changes in soils. Effect data a (NOEC, LOEC, ECx) were derived when possible