In the present laboratory study, batch experiments were performed to degrade polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and aliphatic hydrocarbons (AHs) by magnetite catalyzed Fenton�like (FL) and activated persulfate (AP) oxidation. Degradation of hydrocarbons was studied at circumneutral pH in two PAH polluted soils originating from coking plant sites and one AH polluted soil from petrol contaminated site. Organic analyses were performed by GC�MS, GC-FID and ��FTIR. Significant abatement of hydrocarbons (80-90%) was achieved by both FL and AP while soluble FeII was unable to act as catalyst. No significant by�products were formed during experiment. No selective degradation was observed for FL with almost similar efficiency towards all hydrocarbons. However, AP showed less reactivity towards higher molecular weight PAHs and n-alkanes. Results demonstrated that magnetite�catalyzed chemical oxidation can effectively degrade hydrocarbons. This study has important implications for in-situ remediation of contaminated soils and water at circumneutral pH.

Advanced oxidation processes to remove aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons in contaminated soils

245th National Meeting (2013)

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