Extraction of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) from Sand Using Vegetable Oil

摘要

The occurrence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soils has drawn increasing public health and environmental concerns because of their mutagenic and carcinogenic properties. Characterized by their palpable hydrophobic nature, these toxic pollutants are highly resistant to environmental degradation. This paper aims to study the extraction of PAHs from sand using vegetable oil, a non-toxic and biodegradable alternative to conventional solvents and surfactants. Batch extraction experiments using spiked sand samples were carried out to compare the extraction efficiency of both highly saturated palm kernel oil (PKO) and highly unsaturated soybean oil (SO) at three different temperatures of 30°C, 50°C, and 70°C. The results showed that PKO is a better extraction solvent than SO with extraction efficiencies within the range of 73.8% to 89.5%. Maximum removal efficiencies of 80.2% and 89.5% for phenanthrene (PHE) and fluoranthene (FLT) respectively are attainable using PKO at 70°C. Elevated temperatures resulted in increased extraction efficiencies of both PAHs, with more pronounced increases using PKO compared to SO. This study highlights the potential of using vegetable oil in solvent extraction of PAH-contaminated soils as a replacement for more toxic and costly solvents and surfactants.