Leaching of selected pahʹs and hetero-analogues from an organic matrix into synthetic ground water. Influence of dissolved humic material

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as well as the corresponding heteroanalogues, i.e. azarenes, thiarenes and oxarenes, can be leached from organic matrixes into an aqueous phase. The compounds exhibiting the highest aqueous solubilities are leached to the highest extent. The presence of dissolved humic material causes an increased apparent aqueous solubility of the polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACʹs), the effect being more pronounced for the compounds with the highest aqueous solubilities. It is suggested that the interaction between dissolved humic material and PACʹs should be included in risk evaluations.