Release kinetics of PAHs during resuspension of sediments at Wuhan section of Yangtze River
长江水系武汉段沉积物再悬浮过程中PAHs的释放动力学

Release kinetics of PAHs during the resuspension of sediment samples at Wuhan section of Yangtze River were determined using a particle entrainment simulator (PES). The relationship between the sediment composition and release characteristics of PAHs was also investigated. The results showed that release of PAHs into overlying water during sediment resuspension followed first-order reaction kinetics. The release rate constants for the initial phase (0~1 h) were greater than those for the second phase (1~12 h) and the release rate constants of 2~3-ring PAHs were greater than those of 4-ring PAHs. The release rates of PAHs increased with the increasing shear stress. The release rate constants of PAHs under 0.5 N·m-2 were greater than those under 0.2 N·m-2. Resuspension energy had larger effect on the release of 2~3-ring PAHs. There was no significant correlation between release rate constants and sediment compositional characteristics.