Impact of cultivating Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Presl. on PAHs dissipation in diesel-contaminated soils

Bioremediation of PAHs in three contaminated levels (L1, L2, L3) with diesel-treated soils was investigated with planting or unplanting Chinese subtropical tree Cinnamomum camphora for 12 months. The mean residual PAHs concentrations in soils with planted and unplanted treatments were 78.2% and 63.6%, respectively. Significant differences were observed in PAHs concentrations between planted and unplanted treatments with L2 and L3 contaminated soils. It concluded that Cinnamomum camphora had ability to accelerate the dissipation of PAHs. PAHs generated from petrol-driven or diesel-driven vehicles were also confirmed by the higher concentrations of PAHs in the outside soils than that in the inside soils.