Remediation of contaminated soil by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs): a study using nanostructured materials iron metal and plants

• Grant number: 12/18341-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2012
• End date: October 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Sandra Regina Rissato
• Grantee: Jéssica Vieira Roza
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências (FC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Bauru. Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Polychlorinated Biphenyls or PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) are part of 12 persistent organic pollutants (POPs) also known as the "dirty dozen" (dirty dozen, in English) related by the United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP, held in May 2001 in the capital Sweden, Stockholm. Due to its properties, these compounds were used in technical mixtures in various applications such as electrical and thermal insulating fluids for transformers and electrical capacitors, hydraulic fluids, flame retardants in electrical and electronic equipment; plasticizers in adhesives, resins, and tissues; cutting oils in machining, lubricants, and additives for paints. The frequent use of PCBs coupled with improper practices of handling, disposal, and industrial accidents resulted in contamination from various environmental matrices by these compounds. The main purpose of this study is to evaluate two methods of remediation of PCBs foccused in soil: phytoremediation using pintoi Arachis (peanut) and the addition of iron nanoparticles. The studies will be conducted in a greenhouse under controlled humidity and temperature. For the evaluation of PCBs in matrices of soil and plant extract are used methodologies and "clean-up" by preparative liquid chromatography columns using adsorbents or by liquid-liquid partition. Identification and quantification of the compounds studied will be performed by gas chromatography coupled with a high-resolution mass spectrometer detector (GC-MS). The results should help not only in the development of techniques for removal/remediation of contaminated soils, but especially in expanding the technological appeal which involves the use of a biomarker validation process applied to the environment and human health as a consequence.(AU)