Influences of humic acid and fulvic acid on horizontal leaching behavior of anthracene in soil barriers

The influences of humic acid (HA) and fulvic acid (FA) on horizontal leaching behaviors of anthracene in barriers were investigated. Soil colloids (≤1 μm) were of concern because of their abilities of colloid-facilitated transport for hydrophobic organic compounds with soluble and insoluble organic matters. Through freely out of the barriers in the presence of soil colloids with FA added, the higher concentrations of anthracene were from 320 μg L-1 (D1 and D3) to 390 μg L-1 (D2 and D4) with 1 to 20 cm in length. The contents of anthracene were distributed evenly at 25 ng g−1 dry weight (DW) (D1 and D3) and 11 ng g−1 DW (D2 and D4) in barriers. Therefore, anthracene leaching behaviors were mainly induced by soil colloids with soluble organic matters. The insoluble organic matters would facilitate anthracene onto soil colloids and enhance the movement in and through porous media of soil matrix.