Removal of phenanthrene and pyrene from contaminated sandy soil using hydrogen peroxide oxidation catalyzed by basic oxygen furnace slag

Soil contamination with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is a serious problem in Northeast China, especially in the steel industrial area. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using basic oxygen furnace (BOF) slag to activate the Fenton-like remediation of PAH-contaminated soil to achieve the objectives of “waste control by waste” and “resource recycling” in Chinese steel industry. The effects of BOF slag dosages, H₂O₂ concentrations, and exothermicity-driven evaporation were evaluated with respect to the removal efficiencies of phenanthrene (Phe) and pyrene (Pyr). Results indicated that PAH oxidation was proportional to the BOF slag dosages and was increased exponentially with H₂O₂ concentrations. Evaporation due to increasing temperature caused by exothermic reaction played an important role in total soil PAH losses. The sequential Fenton-like oxidation with a 3-times application of 15% H₂O₂ and the same BOF slag repeatedly used were able to remove 65.87% of Phe and 58.33% of Pyr, respectively. Soluble iron oxides containing in BOF slag were reduced, while amorphous iron oxide concentration remained stable during the repeated Fenton-like process. Column study mimics real field applications showing high removal efficiencies of Phe (36.05–83.20%) and Pyr (21.79–68.06%) in 30-cm depth of soil profile. The tests on soluble heavy metal concentrations after the reactions with high slag dosage or high H₂O₂ concentration confirmed that BOF slag would not cause heavy metal contamination. Consequently, BOF slag may provide an efficient way for enhancing the Fenton-like based remediation of heavily PAH-polluted soil with little risk on collateral heavy metal contamination. However, an external gas collection and purification equipment would be essential to eliminate the evaporated PAHs.