Soil contamination by PAHsin the vicinity of a heat-generating plant

Abstract

The investigated object is a coal-fired heat and power generating plant which serves the needs of Radom, a medium-sized municipality in central Poland.Soil and fly-ash samples were collected in the vicinty of the plant and analyzer for the presence of PAHs.PAH concentrations were measured by the HPLC method,according to the USEPA list (16 PAH were determined ). The PAHs identified in the proximity to the plant differed from those determined in the soil samples polluted by car emissions.The soil concentrations of PAHs near the heat and power generating plant were found to be comparatively low,which means that the soil can be used for agricultural needs,as there is no risk of PAH peneration into the food chain