Combustion Temperature and Soil Organic Horizons Composition Influence on the PAHs Content (Laboratory Experiment Results)

Fire induced changes in the content and composition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in organic horizons of the boreal zone soils are considered. Experiment of combustion under oxygen deficient conditions were conducted. The organic horizons of soils as peat (sphagnum oligotrophic) and two types of forests (lichen pine and green-moss spruce) were selected. The PAHs content was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. It was found that combustion conditions, composition of organic horizons and combustibility significantly affect the content and composition of PAHs. The formation of PAHs occurs to a greater extent at 300°C. Compared with the original samples, the content increases from 2.7 to 9.7 times. Compared with the peak PAHs content (in 300°C) samples, a decrease from 5.8 to 33.0 times is found at 500°C. It is likely that the significant decrease in the content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is due to the decomposition of substances to simpler ones. The ratio of low molecular to high molecular weight PAHs is indicated. The obtained ratio greater than 1.0 can serve as an indicator of pyrogenic origin of polyarenes.