The polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) content of archived sewage sludges

摘要: Abstract Twenty nine anaerobically digested, lagoon dried sewage sludges were analysed for polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These had been applied to the plots of a long term agricultural experiment from 1942 1961. The exact dates sludge production and treatment are unknown, although they likely be 1–5 years prior application dates. mean ΣPAH (defined as sum compounds measured) concentration 50 mg/kg, with range 18–125 mg/kg. most abundant compound was benzo[ghi]perylene 10 A trend is apparent in content through time, increasing until 1948 over 125 then decreasing 29 mg/kg by changes tentatively attributed air quality smoke emissions. PAH contemporary also reviewed.