Organic Contaminants in Urban Soils

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference paperChapterpeer-review

Abstract

Organic pollutants are predominantly synthetic compounds made or extracted by humans, and it is therefore not surprising that they are common contaminants in urban soils. This chapter provides details of the immense range of potential organic pollutants in urban soils, including their types, physical properties, chemical structures, and sources. The behaviour of non-polar, polar, and ionic organic compounds in soils is explained in terms of their key chemical reactions, including abiotic and biological degradation, and transport phenomena are also addressed, before a brief discussion of toxicity. Sampling, extraction, and chemical analysis methods are covered briefly, together with background concentrations, regulatory contamination thresholds, and contamination indices. A comprehensive case study is focused on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in the highly urbanised Pearl River Delta region of China. This case study uses the PAH family of compounds to illustrate many of the concepts needed to understand the behaviour of persistent organic pollutants in urban soils, concluding with their fluxes and a conceptual PAH cycle.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationUrban Soils
Subtitle of host publicationPrinciples and Practice
EditorsAndrew Rate
Place of PublicationCham, Switzerland
PublisherSpringer Nature Switzerland AG
Chapter7
Pages201-242
ISBN (Electronic)978-3-030-87316-5
ISBN (Print)978-3-030-87315-8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 10 Jan 2022

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