Persistence and Fate of Anthracene and Benzo(a)pyrene in Municipal Sludge Treated Soil

Greenhouse studies using pots and microcosms were conducted to investigate the persistence and fate of nonlabeled and 14 C‐labeled anthracene (ANT) and benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) in sludge treated soil. Results indicated that ANT degraded rapidly ( t 1/2 ≈ 3 wk) from the experimental systems, but that B(a)P was persistent. Cropping did not affect the persistence of either compound. On completion of the experiments (≤21 wk), ≤ 10% of the ANT added to soil was recovered intact, whereas 78% of the B(a)P added to soil was recovered intact. Most (≥ 85%) of the 14 C added to soil as labeled ANT and B(a)P was accounted for. Recoveries of 14 CO 2 indicated significant mineralization of ANT, but not of B(a)P. Trivial amounts (≤0.2%) of were recovered as volatile organics and in plant materials, but large amounts were recovered from soil. A considerable proportion of the ANT derived 14 C in soil was not extracted with acetone/hexane, which indicated that it had been converted to bound residue. A much smaller proportion of B(a)P than of ANT derived 14C in soil was converted to bound residue. No evidence was obtained for uptake of intact ANT or B(a)P by ryegrass ( Lolium multiflorum Lam.), soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.], and cabbage ( Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.).