Thermal treatment of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans from contaminated soils

Thermal treatment technology was used to remove polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) from heavily contaminated soil. For a soil with an original PCDD/F content of 35,970ng International Toxic Equivalents (I-TEQ)/kg, >99.99% PCDD/F removal efficiency was obtained with a primary furnace at two different treatment temperatures (750 degrees C and 850 degrees C), while a secondary furnace at 1200 degrees C gave >98% decomposition efficiency. The total PCDD/F I-TEQ contents in treated soils at 750 degrees C and 850 degrees C were 1.56ngI-TEQ/kg and 2.15ngI-TEQ/kg, respectively, which were far below the soil pollution standard of Taiwan (1000ngI-TEQ/kg soil). Although air pollution control devices had significant effects on the removal of PCDD/Fs, the total I-TEQ concentrations in the upstream flue gas of PUF cartridge at 750 degrees C and 850 degrees C (2.61ngI-TEQ/Nm(3) and 2.38ngI-TEQ/Nm(3), respectively) were still higher than the stationary emission limit of the Taiwan EPA (0.5ngI-TEQ/Nm(3)). The above results also suggested that additional APCDs, such as activated carbon injection in front of the filter are needed to enhance PCDD/F removal efficiency.     

Atmospheric dry deposition of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in the vicinity of municipal solid waste incinerators

This study focuses on the atmospheric dry deposition flux of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in the vicinity of the two municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWIs) located in southern Taiwan. PCDD/Fs in ambient air were taken and analyzed for seventeen 2,3,7,8-substituted PCDD/Fs during November 2004 and July 2005. Results show that the mean concentrations of PCDD/Fs in the ambient air near MSWI-GS and MSWI-RW were 0.090 and 0.097pg I-TEQ/Nm(3), respectively. Dry deposition fluxes of total PCDD/Fs were 18.0 and 23.5pg I-TEQ/(m(2)d) in the ambient air near MSWI-GS and MSWI-RW, respectively, which were considerably higher than that measured in Guangzhou, China. Annual dry deposition fluxes of total PCDD/Fs in the ambient air near MSWI-GS and MSWI-RW were 189 and 217ng/(m(2)year), respectively, which were also much higher than dry deposition of total PCDD/Fs to the Atlantic Ocean. The results of the present study strongly suggest that exposure to PCDD/Fs in this area should be reduced. In addition, parametric sensitivity shows that dry deposition flux of PCDD/Fs is most sensitive to dry deposition velocity of the particle-phase, followed by air temperature and concentration of total suspended particulate but least sensitive to dry deposition velocity of the gas-phase.     

Significance of biomass open burning on the levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in the ambient air

In southern Taiwan, two areas (L- and Y-) with/without biomass open burning were selected to compare the PCDD/F concentrations and their congener profiles in the ambient air. The results of this study indicate that biomass (rice straw) open burning exhibited a significant impact on the PCDD/F concentration level in the ambient air. During the biomass burning season, the total PCDD/F I-TEQ concentrations in the ambient air of L- and Y-areas were approximately 4 and 17 times higher than those without biomass open burning, respectively. When 10% mass fraction of rice straw was burned, the contribution fraction of biomass burning on annual total PCDD/F I-TEQ emission was 3.28 and 8.11% for KC County and for Taiwan, respectively; however, when the calculation was on a weekly basis, the contribution fraction of biomass burning on weekly total PCDD/F I-TEQ emission was 30.6 and 53.4% for KC County and for Taiwan, respectively. The results of this study imply that during the week of biomass burning, it appears to be the most significant source of total I-TEQ PCDD emission. The results of this research can be applied to the study of other agricultural areas.     

Evaluating the environmental impact of an old municipal waste incinerator: PCDD/F levels in soil and vegetation samples

In order to determine the temporal variation in the levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in the vicinity of an old municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) (S. Adrià del Besòs, Barcelona, Spain), 24 soil and vegetation samples were collected at the same sampling points in which samples had been taken 1 year before. Each sample was analyzed for PCDDs and PCDFs by high-resolution gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry. While in the previous study PCDD/F concentrations in soil ranged from 1.22 to 34. 28 ng I-TEQ/kg (median and mean values: 9.06 and 12.24 ng I-TEQ/kg), in the present study, PCDD/F levels ranged from 1.33 to 54.23 ng I-TEQ/kg (median and mean values: 11.85 and 14.41 ng I-TEQ/kg). On the other hand, in the previous study, PCDD/F levels in vegetation ranged from 0.33 to 1.98 ng I-TEQ/kg (median and mean values: 0.58 and 0.70 ng I-TEQ/kg), whereas in the present study, PCDD/F levels ranged from 0.32 to 2.52 ng I-TEQ/kg (median and mean values: 0.82 and 0.97 ng I-TEQ/kg). During the last 12 months, PCDD/F levels increased in 16 of the 24 soil samples and in 17 of the 24 vegetation samples analyzed. However, no significant differences in the median I-TEQ concentrations of both studies were found either in soil or vegetation samples.     

Emissions of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans from a heavy oil-fueled power plant in northern Taiwan

We measured the concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) from the flue gas and the ambient atmosphere of a power plant fueled by heavy oil in northern Taiwan. The mean emission concentration and I-TEQ concentration of total PCDD/Fs were 0.292 ng/Nm(3) and 0.016 ng I-TEQ/Nm(3), respectively. All PCDD/F emission concentrations in the flue gas were supposed to meet the Environmental Protection Administration Executive Yuan, R.O.C. standard (1.0 ng I-TEQ/Nm(3) from 2008). Furthermore, the mean I-TEQ concentration in the ambient atmosphere was 0.011 pg I-TEQ/Nm(3), which was much lower than the environmental quality standards for dioxins in Japan (0.6 pg TEQ/Nm(3)). Also, the PCDD/F emission factor was 0.188 ng I-TEQ/L fuel, which was comparable to the data issued in US EPA [EPA, Locating and estimating air emissions from sources of dioxins and furans, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Research Triangle Park, NC, DCN No. 95-298130-54-01, 1997] (0.2 ng I-TEQ/L of fuel). Also, the result of the correlations of PCDD/Fs and operational parameters illustrated that the positively significant correlation (r=0.502, p=0.048) was found only between PCDD/Fs (I-TEQ) and the flue gas emission temperature (125-157 degrees C). However, PCDD-TEQ/PCDF-TEQ ratios were statistically significantly associated with the decreased flue gas flow (r=-0.659, p=0.006), moisture (r=-0.612, p=0.012) and flue gas temperature (r=-0.503, p=0.047). For proper environmental management of dioxins, it is necessary to establish a complete emission inventory of PCDD/Fs, and, in particular, the government should pay more attention to power plants to address the information shortage.     

Comparisons of levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans in the surrounding environment and workplace of two municipal solid waste incinerators

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in the surrounding environment (outdoor) and workplace air of two municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWIs, T and M) were characterized and compared. T and M represented two typical municipal solid waste incinerators in the north of Taiwan, which have different processes for controlling the PCDD/F emissions. The results of this study are summarized as follows. (1) The total PCDD/F and the total PCDD/F WHO-TEQ concentrations in the workplace air were 5-13 and 5-15 times higher than those in the outdoor air, respectively. Obviously, it is worthwhile to explore more on health risk assessment for exposure of PCDD/Fs emitted from MSWIs, particularly in the workplace air. (2) Mean total PCDD/F I-TEQ concentrations in the outdoor air ranged between 0.0216 and 0.155 pg I-TEQ/Nm(3) and averaged 0.0783 pg I-TEQ/Nm(3) (0.0828 pg WHO-TEQ/Nm(3)) during two seasons for two MSWIs, which were 6.5-fold higher than that of a remote site (0.0119 pg I-TEQ/Nm(3) or 0.0132 pg WHO-TEQ/Nm(3)) in Taiwan. However, the above outdoor air concentration levels in the MSWIs were still much lower than the air quality limitation of PCDD/Fs (0.6 pg I-TEQ/Nm(3)) in Japan []. (3) PCDFs were the primary toxicity distributors for PCDD/Fs in the outdoor air, since the ratios of PCDDs/PCDFs (I-TEQ) at all sampling sites ranged from 0.180 to 0.492 and were less than unity. (4) The OCDD, OCDF, 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD and 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDF were the four dominant species in both workplace and outdoor air near MSWIs. (5) By spraying water on and wetting both the fly and bottom ashes, the mean total PCDD/F I-TEQ concentration in the workplace air was reduced 86.9% in the T MSWI. The above results indicate an appropriate improving action did inhibit the fugitive emission of PCDD/Fs and reduce the health risk of workers during work handling ashes in MSWIs.     

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in water and suspended particulate matter from the Xijiang River, China

Concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in water and suspended particulate matter (SPM) collected from the Xijiang River, China, were measured by the quarter from September 2005 to June 2006. Total PCDD/F concentration ranged from 2.659 to 4.596pg/L for water and from 562.4 to 3259.5pg/g for SPM. Concentrations were high in summer and low in winter. I-TEQ values in water and SPM were low, ranging from 0.012 to 0.075pg/L, with a mean value of 0.039pg/L. Calculated annual loadings of total PCDD/Fs and I-TEQ were 8.55kg and 0.026kg, respectively. Composition and homologue distribution of PCDD/Fs were varied because of large seasonal differences in discharge from the Xijiang River into the South China Sea. Comparison of the PCDD/Fs homologue and congener profiles of atmospheric deposition, soil, and water revealed that soil was the dominant source of PCDD/Fs in the Xijiang River. Industrial effluents were also possible sources of PCDD/Fs. A good correlation between logK(oc) and logK(ow) was observed for 2,3,7,8-substituted PCDDs and PCDFs and correlation coefficients were 0.71 and 0.84, indicating organic matter in SPM played a dominant role in PCDD/Fs partition between SPM and water.     

Identification of dioxin and dioxin-like polychlorbiphenyls in plant tissues and contaminated soils

The environmental analysis laboratory (EAL) of the Taiwan environmental protection administration (TEPA) has been monitoring certain sites polluted in southern Taiwan by pentachlorophenol manufacture. The analytical results revealed peculiarities in the concentration distributions in plant tissues. There are no available data on dioxin and dioxin-like polychlorbiphenyls (DL-PCBs), which can be taken up from contaminated soils by plant tissues. Thus, the aims of this study were to identify, understand, and to validate these dioxin and DL-PCBs concentrations in plant tissues of the contaminated soils. This research analyzed ten species of plant tissues, including tappa (Boussonetia papyrifera) and common jasmin orange (Murraya paniculata) from sites in southern Taiwan, with different levels of contamination. Dioxin concentrations in these plant tissues ranged from 12.7 to 2919 ng WHO-TEQ(DF)/kg dry weight (d.w.), with average of 463 ng WHO-TEQ(DF)/kg d.w. (n=16). The DL-PCBs concentrations ranged from 0.236 to 1.75 ng WHO-TEQp/kg d.w., with an average of 0.605 ng WHO-TEQp/kg d.w. (n=8). Tappa is one of the most common and fastest growing plants in Taiwan. It also shows the highest tolerance to environmental contaminants and accumulates dioxin and DL-PCBs. This is one of the best species to take up dioxins and DL-PCBs effectively. It can be recommended as a candidate for dioxin and DL-PCB phyto-remediation. These data are useful to evaluate bioaccumulation of dioxin and DL-PCBs, and to study the capability of phyto-remediation in contaminated soils.     

Removal characteristics of PCDD/Fs by the dual bag filter system of a fly ash treatment plant

In this study, a dual bag filter system was established to decrease the concentration of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in the stack flue gases of a fly ash treatment plant, which retained zinc from the fly ash of electric arc furnaces. Compared to the original single bag filter system with activated carbon injection (ACI) of 40 kg h(-1), the PCDD/F concentrations in the stack flue gas after the plant was equipped with the dual bag filter system dropped enormously from 3.38-7.73 ng I-TEQNm(-3) to 0.03 ng I-TEQNm(-3), and the total PCDD/F I-TEQ removal efficiency increased from 97.6% to 99.3% with ACI of 16 kg h(-1), that is, about 40% of the original AC usage. The AC utilization efficiency (0.560 mg I-TEQ absorbed kg ACI(-1)) of the dual bag filter system (AC: 16 kg h(-1)) was estimated about three times higher than that (0.192 mg I-TEQ absorbed kg ACI(-1)) of single bag filter system with ACI (40 kg h(-1)). The reason is that the particulate phase PCDD/Fs and some gas phase PCDD/Fs (captured by the recycled AC/ash mixture) were removed first by the first bag filter, and the rest of the gas phase PCDD/Fs were able to be adsorbed more completely by the AC/ash mixture due to a lower fly ash load, and then were removed by the second bag filter.     

Evaluation of PCDD/Fs emission from fluidized bed incinerators co-firing MSW with coal in China

The levels and homologue profile of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) from stack gas of three typical fluidized bed incinerators co-firing municipal solid waste (MSW) with Chinese coal were measured. The PCDD/Fs emission was in the range of 0.0054-0.1961 ng I-TEQ/N m(3). Comparison of PCDD/Fs detection results by HRGC/HRMS and HRGC/LRMS suggested that it was feasible to detect fly ash with high PCDD/Fs concentration by HRGC/LRMS. Several factors on PCDD/Fs emission were discussed. The primary reason for the lower PCDD/Fs emission was the inhibition mechanism of relatively high sulfur in feeding coal on PCDD/Fs formation. The emission results also showed that there was no directly correlation between PCDD/Fs levels and CO, O(2) and HCl concentration in flue gas. It was estimated that about 0.1034 g I-TEQ was annually emitted to atmosphere from the tested three MSW incinerators (total daily treatment capacity is 800 tonnes MSW).     

Distribution of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in the landfill site for solidified monoliths of fly ash

One landfill site, which co-treated solidified monoliths of fly ash and bottom ash, was investigated comprehensively to characterize its PCDD/F distribution. The solidified monoliths, soil, banyan leaves, groundwater in the monitoring wells and the treated landfill leachates in this landfill site for solidified monoliths of fly ash were all sampled to clarify their PCDD/F characteristics. Although the PCDD/F leaching concentrations were extremely lower than the Taiwan PCDD/F TCLP regulation of solidified monoliths, the PCDD/F contents in the surface soils of the landfill site are 460 times higher than that of urban soils and the highest value is 2.8 times higher than the Taiwan soil regulation (1000 ngI-TEQkg(-1)). The elevated PCDD/F contents in the soil reveal their potential for causing adverse health risk for humans, including the pathway of resuspension of soil particles and volatilization of PCDD/Fs from soil. The PCDD/F concentrations in the groundwater and the treated landfill leachates of the landfill site for solidified monoliths were both higher than that in the control samples, suggesting its potential to be a PCDD/F source of nearby water environment. Without proper control and management, landfill sites for solidified monoliths of fly ash can seriously hazard the surrounding environment, therefore, are important to consider.     

Characteristics of PCDD/F content in fly ash discharged from municipal solid waste incinerators

Different from most previous studies with quantity-limited data, this paper presents PCDD/F content characterization in the fly ash discharged from sixteen large-scale commercial MSWIs. From the results with over hundreds of data using periodically sampling and analysis, it was found that the PCDD/F contents in the fly ash were from 9.07 to 46.68 ng/g, d.w., and if based on international toxicity equivalent quantity, they were from 0.78 to 2.86 ng I-TEQ/g, d.w. The higher chlorinated PCDDs likely dominated more than lower chlorinated PCDDs, but this tendency was not for PCDFs. The OCDD had the highest contribution to the total PCDD/F content, but if based on I-TEQ content, 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF is the PCDD/F congener with the highest toxicity contribution. Moreover, the PCDD/F characteristic index (DCI) is suggested using the representative congener content of 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF to characterize the fly ash. The DCI is 0.875 ± 7.6% for the fly ash discharged from the MSWI with the APCD assembly of SD, AC and BF. The findings obtained in this work provide overview information on the PCDD/F content characterization in fly ash. They will provide PCDD/F fingerprint information to distinguish from other PCDD/F sources, like steel refinery industry, hazardous waste incinerators, or cement kilns, and thus be applied to fly ash management in the environment.     

PCDD/F concentrations of agricultural soil in the vicinity of fluidized bed incinerators of co-firing MSW with coal in Hangzhou, China

The concentrations of 17PCDD/F congeners as well as tetra- to octa-homologues were determined in 33 soil samples collected within a radius of 7 km from a municipal solid waste (MSW) incineration plant that is equipped with three fluidized bed incinerators (FBIs) of co-firing MSW with coal in Hangzhou, China. The total PCDD/F concentrations ranged from 0.39 to 5.04 pg I-TEQ g(-1) (54-285 pg g(-1)), with an average and a median value of 1.22 and 0.84 pg I-TEQ g(-1) (105 and 86 pg g(-1)), respectively. A systematic decrease of PCDD/F levels was observed with the increasing distances and with the decreasing downwind frequencies from the plant. The comparisons of homologue and congener patterns and multivariate analysis of soil and flue gas samples strongly indicated that most of the soil samples were influenced by the FBIs. Apart from the incineration plant, historical PCDD/F emissions of hazardous waste incinerator (HWI) and motor vehicles as well as the application of 1,3,5-trichloro-2-(4-nitrophenoxy) benzene (CNP) seemed to play an important role in soil samples adjacent to these potential sources.     

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans distributions in ash from different units in a municipal solid waste incinerator

This study determined the polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) contents in ash in the super heater (SH), economizer (EC), semi-dryer absorber (SDA), fabric filter (FF), fly ash pit (FAP) and bottom residue (BR) in a municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI). A high-resolution gas chromatograph/high-resolution mass spectrometer (HRGC/HRMS) was utilized for analyzing 17 PCDD/F species. Experimental results showed that average PCDD/F contents in ash samples from the SH, EC, SDA, FF, FAP and BR were 0.102, 0.788, 0.210, 1.95, 2.04 and 0.0218 ng I-TEQ g(-1), respectively. PCDD/F content was very low in the SH and BR due to high temperatures (around 461 degrees C in the SH and 914 degrees C in combustion chamber). Conversely, total PCDD/F content was significantly high in ash samples from the EC (around 340 degrees C), mainly because the temperature is within the favorable range of 250-400 degrees C for PCDD/F formation due to de nova reformation mechanisms. Although the SDA operated at 245 degrees C, the PCDD/F content decreased very significantly, mainly because the temperature was relatively low and because calcium carbonate was introduced into flue gases to dechlorinate and dilute chlorine-containing species. PCDD/Fs were captured by the active carbon in the FF. Furthermore, the duration that fly ash remained in the FF was longer than that for other incinerator units, and thus causing an increasing trend of PCDD/Fs level downstream (except the SDA). Total PCDD/Fs emission factors (microg tonnes-waste(-1); microg I-TEQ tonnes-waste(-1)) in ash samples from different units were: SH (42.3; 0.846), EC (326; 6.12), SDA (58.1; 1.10), FF (1540; 61.3), FAP (2950; 107) and BR (537; 4.31). Most PCDD/Fs in ash were contributed by the FF (about 56%), and the generation of PCDD/Fs in ash was significant (about 35%) during the transfer process from different units to the FAP. A strong and positive correlation in a logarithmic form existed between PCDD/Fs and chlorine (Cl(-1)) contents in ash. In Taiwan, the government policy for incineration residues advocates their reuse as road sub-bases or secondary building materials provided that total PCDD/Fs content is below the legal limit (1 ng I-TEQ g(-1)). Thus, ash with total PCDD/Fs content below the legal limit, such as that from the SH, EC, SDA and BR, can be collected and transferred to the FAP and reused. Ash with total PCDD/Fs content exceeding the legal limit, such as that from the FF, should be collected separately and be treated properly before being disposal in a landfill.     

Assessment of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans contribution from different media to surrounding duck farms

Since the "Toxic Egg Event" broke out in central Taiwan, the possible sources of the high content of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in eggs have been a serious concern. In this study, the PCDD/F contents in different media (feed, soil and ambient air) were measured. Evaluation of the impact from electric arc furnace dust treatment plant (abbreviated as EAFDT plant), which is site-specific to the "Toxic Egg Event", on the duck total-PCDD/F daily intake was conducted by both Industrial Source Complex Short Term model (ISCST) and dry and wet deposition models. After different scenario simulations, the worst case was at farm A and at 200 g feed and 5 g soil for duck intake, and the highest PCDD/F contributions from the feed, original soil and stack flue gas were 44.92, 47.81, and 6.58%, respectively. Considering different uncertainty factors, such as the flow rate variation of stack flue gas and errors from modelling and measurement, the PCDD/F contribution fraction from the stack flue gas of EAFDT plant may increase up to twice as that for the worst case (6.58%) and become 13.2%, which was still much lower than that from the total contribution fraction (86.8%) of both feed and original soil. Fly ashes contained purposely in duck feed by the farmers was a potential major source for the duck daily intake. While the impact from EAFDT plant has been proven very minor, the PCDD/F content in the feed and soil, which was contaminated by illegal fly ash landfills, requires more attention.     

A seasonality study of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in ambient air in Kaohsiung (Taiwan) clustered with metallurgical industries

As a comprehensive monitoring survey on polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in Kaohsiung, 40 ambient air samples taken from 10 locations in four seasons were studied. PCDD/F concentrations at 0.312-4.58pgNm(-3) and I-TEQ values, ranging from 0.0319 to 0.256pgNm(-3) were determined for these samples, which were comparable to those of other urban cities. However, unlike studies on some other urban cities, the ambient air in Kaohsiung did not exhibit regular seasonality in PCDD/F concentrations. All samples were predominated, in common, by congeners OCDD, 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDF, 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD, OCDF and 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF. The congener profiles of the samples generally did not display any seasonal trend, either. The insignificant seasonality and constancy of congener profiles with time were attributed to the constant influence by emission sources in a metal-producing center, thereby resulting in high atmospheric dioxin levels in the nearby district. Principal component analyses identified that dioxin emissions in ambient air of the city originated from electric arc furnaces (EAFs) and sinter plants in the center. Concentration isopleth analyses assessing pollution sources and ambient air of the district also confirmed that its atmosphere was affected largely by the EAFs and sinter plants.     

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and dibenzofuran emissions from an industrial park clustered with metallurgical industries

Emissions of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) from an industrial park operated as Taiwan's center of metallurgical industries were investigated. The characteristics of mean PCDD/F I-TEQ concentrations, congener profiles and emission factors of each source were studied over samples of stack flue gases of individual sources. Different characteristics of congener profiles and large variations of emission factors of secondary aluminum smelters (ALSs) were observed. The mean emission factors of electric arc furnaces were comparable to those for ALSs and much greater than those of municipal solid waste incinerators and sinter plants, but still less than that of clinical waste incinerators. Annual PCDD/F emission contribution of each source was estimated, raising critical concerns over the overall PCDD/F emissions from metallurgical processes. The metallurgical industries altogether contributed approximately 98.1% of the total annual emissions, while waste incinerators only 1.9%. The contributions by sinter plants and metallurgical industries to the total annual emissions of the Park were much higher than the corresponding national averages of Taiwan. The combined dioxin emissions from the entire metallurgical processes and their controls should be seriously envisaged by industrial parks devoted to metal productions.     

Atmospheric concentrations, dry deposition and air-soil exchange of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in an industrial region in Turkey

Concurrent ambient air and dry deposition samples were collected during two sampling periods at the Aliaga industrial region in Izmir, Turkey. Sigma 15-PAH (particulate+gas) concentrations ranged between 7.3 and 44.8 ng m(-3) (average+/-S.D., 25.2+/-8.8 ng m(-3)) and 10.2-71.9 ng m(-3) (44.1+/-16.6 ng m(-3)) in summer and winter, respectively. Winter/summer individual ambient PAH concentration ratios ranged between 0.8 (acenaphthene) and 6.6 (benz[a]anthracene) indicating that wintertime concentrations were affected by residential heating emissions. In contrast to the ambient concentrations, summation operator(15)-PAH particle dry deposition fluxes were higher in summer (5792+/-3516 ng m(-2)day(-1), average+/-S.D.) than in winter (2650+/-1829 ng m(-2)day(-1)), probably due to large particles from enhanced re-suspension of polluted soil particles and road dust. Average overall dry deposition velocity of PAHs calculated using the dry deposition fluxes and particle-phase concentrations was 2.9+/-3.5 cm s(-1). summation operator(15)-PAH concentrations in soils taken from 50 points in the area ranged between 11 and 4628 microg kg(-1) in dry weight. The spatial distribution of these concentrations indicated that the urban Aliaga, steel plants, the petroleum refinery, and the petrochemical plant are the major Sigma 15-PAH sources in the area. Fugacity calculations in air and soil showed that the soil acts as a secondary source to the atmosphere for low molecular weight PAHs in summer and as a sink for the higher molecular weight ones in summer and winter.     

Effect of raw materials on emissions of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans from the stack flue gases of secondary aluminum smelters

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of raw materials on PCDD/F emission from secondary aluminum smelters (ALS). Four plants each of aluminum ingot smelters (over 50% ingot) and secondary ALS (over 70% waste or recycled aluminum) were selected and the results compared. The secondary ALS yield much higher PCDD/Fs than the aluminum ingot smelters, or 7.94-22.76ng/Nm(3) versus 0.57-2.67ng/Nm(3), due to the large percentage of waste or recycled aluminum used. As for air pollution control devices (APCDs), the wet scrubber system in one of the aluminum ingot smelters exhibits an adverse effect on PCDD/F removal, due to the continuous recycle of the contaminated water through the scrubber system. Another ingot plant equipped with cartridge filter, there is a significant reduction in PCDD/F TEQ (52%). The powdered activated carbon injection at 2kg/h (110mg/Nm(3)) in one ALS reduces 70% of the total PCDD/Fs. The average emission factor of four secondary ALS is much higher than that of aluminum ingot smelters, or 20-fold higher based on either raw materials or product. Consequently, more attention should be paid to the emission reduction of PCDD/Fs from the secondary ALS, including installation of a secondary burner, additional APCDs and the pre-cleaning of raw materials.     

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofuran mass distribution in both start-up and normal condition in the whole municipal solid waste incinerator

Although many researches focused on the polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofuran (PCDD/F) emissions from stack, in the bottom ash and in the surrounding environment, researches focused on PCDD/F mass distributions in the whole incineration plant have seldom been addressed. This study determined PCDD/F emissions in the whole plant. A high-resolution gas chromatograph/high-resolution mass spectrometer was utilized for analyzing 17 PCDD/F species. Experimental results displayed that PCDD/Fs were formed during fly ash from super heater (SH), economizer (EC), semi-dryer absorber (SDA) and fabric filter (FF) was transferred to fly ash pit. Mass distribution ratios of PCDD/Fs in g I-TEQ (Toxicity Equivalency Quantity) per week from stack, SH, EC, SDA, FF, generation and bottom residue (BR) in start-up operations were 14.6%, 0.1%, 8.3%, 1.0%, 41.7%, 33.4% and 0.9%, respectively. Above results indicated that main PCDD/F source in the MSWI was from fly ash. However, the fly ash is easily controlled and PCDD/F emitted from stack flue gases will be difficult to be handled. Therefore, we should pay more attention on PCDD/F emission from flue gases especially from start-up procedure. Besides, fly ash should be controlled by sodium hypophosphite before being landfilled. MSWI did require further detoxification treatments for the solid residues and flue gases.