DETERMINATION OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC-COMPOUNDS AND HEAVY-METALS IN SLUDGES FROM BIOLOGICAL SEWAGE-TREATMENT PLANTS

The procedure of the analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH s) and their derivatives in the sludges from biological sewage treatme nt plants has been worked out. The analysis included isolation of orga nic matter from sludges, separation of the extract into fractions of s imilar chemical character, qualitative-quantitative analysis of indivi dual PAHs and their nitrogenated and oxygenated derivatives. Liquid-so lid chromatography, solid-phase extraction and semipreparative band th in-layer chromatography techniques were used for the separation. Capil lary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the separated fr actions enabled identification of more than 21 PAHs, including hydroca rbons which contained 2-6 aromatic rings as well as their alkyl deriva tives, 10 oxygen derivatives, 9 nitroarenes, aminoarenes and over 20 a zaarenes and carbazoles. Using the capillary gas chromatography-flame ionization detection technique the content of 17 dominant PAHs was det ermined. The content of heavy metals was determined in investigated sl udges with the use of atomic absorption spectrometry. The concentratio ns of the respective metals could be ranked in the order Cd<Co<Ni<Pb<C r less than or equal to Cu<Mn<Zn<Fe. The sludges were analysed for the first time in Poland in view of their possible utilisation in agricul ture and in cultivating dumps of coal mine wastes, taking into conside ration the contents of toxic organic pollutants and heavy metals.