1. Polycyclic
Aromatic
Hydrocarbons
(PAH’s) in Soil
Located Near
Fassnight Creek
Meagan Nunn
Shaina Dunn
Megan Walcher
Carl Hendrix
Dan Dougherty
December 3, 2012

2. Background of PAH’s
 Definition
 Group of organic contaminants that
form from the incomplete combustion
of hydrocarbons, such as coal and
gasoline
 A compound that is formed from two or
more benzene rings

3. Why are PAHs a Concern?
 Most of the compounds are highly
carcinogenic at relatively low levels.
 They are relatively insoluble in water
 Toxic to aquatic life
 Several are suspected human
carcinogens
 Stay in the environment for a long period
of time
 All vary in behavior

4. Exposure Possibilities for PAH’s
 Breathing air contaminated by coal tar or
wild fires
 Eating foods that have been grilled
 Transportation (roads and fume exhaust)
 Smoking tobacco
 Open trash burning

5. Our Exposure Focus
 Coal tar sealants are used to seal
roadways and parking lots and believed
to release PAHs into soil and ultimately
waterways.

6. Possible PAH’s
 Nonpolarorganic molecules that
comprise two or more benzene rings
arranged in various configurations

7. The Goal of Our Study
 Todetermine if there are any PAHs
present in the soil near Fassnight Creek.
This is strictly a qualitative study to
determine whether or not any are
present.

8. Method
 Collect 100 gram soil samples from 3
different locations along Fassnight Creek.
 Source: National and Bennet
 Control: Near Art Museum
 Fort and Linwood
 Parkview Christian Church
 Allsamples are about 3 yards from runoff
 Allow the samples to air dry for 48 hours

10. Method Continued…
 In the lab, remove any debris (leaves,
stones, roots, etc)
 Use a mortar and pestle to grind the soil to
a fine powder
 Store in plastic bottles

11. Method Continued…
 Take about 5g portions of the samples and
place the portions in beakers
 Add 50mL of a 50-50 mix of acetone+ hexane
 Cover with watch glass and put on hotplate
and simmer for 10-15 minutes
 Let cool and filter into flasks
 Add anhydrous sodium sulfate (about 5g) to
remove excess water
 Filter the solution again

12. Method Continued…
 Cook each sample down to about 2 mL

13. Future Studies
 Quantitative
study determine the kinds of
PAHs present and the amount present

14. Thank You
 We would like to send out a special thank
you to Dr. Biagioni for helping us with the
experiment and providing the lab area to
do it.

15. Sources
 thetruthwins.com (Danger Sign Picture)
 http://www.medterms.com/script/main/a
rt.asp?articlekey=24287
 http://toxics.usgs.gov/definitions/pah.html
 maine.gov (Cigarette Picture)
 http://www.epa.gov/wastes/hazard/wast
emin/minimize/factshts/pahs.pdf
 spellboundlabs.co.za (Mortar and Pestle
Picture)