POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBON DEGRADATION FROM WASTE STREET SWEEP BY COMPOST

Abstract

In this study the degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) present in waste street sweeping by aerobic treatment was assessed using four different samples of compost quality. It was possible to reduce the concentration in the samples ƩHAPs reaching removal rates of greater than 80% within 120 days of aerobic treatment, samples of compost with anaerobic pretreatment promote further degradation of PAHs reaching higher removals than 90%, this may influenced by the presence of microorganisms capable of degrading organic matter and humic substances produce. The toxic effect evaluated as BaPeq is reduced by over 66% in the first 30 days of treatment for waste shows similar percentages sweep streets can be achieved in more than 90 days of treatment. The ecotoxicological effects assessed on Daphnia magna and Lactuca sativa, indicate that PAH metabolites being produced cometabolizados more ecotoxicological effect mainly between 30 and 60 days, reducing its effect over 90 days of treatment.