Quantification of volatile organic compound losses from sludge amended soil: A pilot scale study

A pilot scale column was used to quantify volatile organic compound (VOC) (namely toluene, ethyl benzene and xylene) losses from sewage sludge amended soil. Emissions, leaching losses with water and soil concentrations were quantified over time and used to assess the overall fate and distribution within the system following sludge amendment. Results indicated that losses with water were negligible and that a certain proportion remained in the soil (23 % of ΣVOCs after 150 hours Measured emissions accounted for only 9 % of ΣVOC loss from the soil column after 150 hours with biodegradation possibly accounting for much of the remaining 68 %. However, some modification to experimental design is suggested to accurately quantify the extent of biodegradation.