• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.24 no.5
• /
• pp.11-16
• /
• 2019

In this study, a reliable number of soil samples for TPH fractionation was investigated in order to perform risk assessment. TPH was fractionated into volatile petroleum hydrocarbons (VPH) with three subgroups and extractable petroleum hydrocarbons (EPH) with four subgroups. At the study site, concentrations of each fraction were determined at 18 sampling points, and the 95% upper confidence limit (UCL) value was used as an exposure concentration of each fraction. And then, 5 sampling points were randomly selected out of the 18 points, and an exposure concentration was calculated. This process was repeated 30 times, and the results were compared statistically. Exposure concentrations of EPH obtained from 18 points were 99.9, 339.1, 27.3, and 85.9 mg/kg for aliphatic $C_9-C_{18}$, $C_{19}-C_{36}$, $C_{37}-C_{40}$, and aromatic $C_{11}-C_{22}$, respectively. The corresponding exposure concentrations obtained from 5 points were 139.8, 462.8, 35.1 and 119.4 mg/kg, which were significantly higher than those from 18 points results (p <0.05). Our results suggest that limited number of samples for TPH fractionation may bias estimation of exposure concentration of TPH fractions. Also, it is recommended that more than 30 samples need to be analyzed for TPH fractionation in performing risk assessment.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.10-22
• /
• 2011

Human health risk assessment for petroleum, oil and lubricant (POL) contaminated sites is challenging as total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) is not a single compound but rather a mixture of numerous substances. To address this concern, several TPH fractionation approaches have been proposed and used as an effective management tool for the POL-contaminated sites in many countries. In Korea, there are also recognized needs to establish a reliable and cost-effective human health risk assessment strategy based on the TPH fractionation method. In order to satisfy the social and institutional demand, this study suggested that the comprehensive risk assessment strategy based on a newly modified TPH fractionation method with 10 fractions, the Korean Standard Test Method (KSTM)-based analytical protocol and a stepwise risk assessment framework should be introduced into the domestic contaminated land management system. Under the proposed strategy, POL-contaminated sites can be effectively managed in terms of human health protection, and remedial cost and time can be determined reasonably. In addition, more researches required to increase our understanding of environmental risks and improve the domestic management system were proposed.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.23 no.6
• /
• pp.54-72
• /
• 2018

This study reviewed standard operation procedures for fractionation and analytical methods of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in north america and european countries to aid proper establishment of risk assessment protocols associated with TPH exposure in Korea. In current, the TPH fraction methods established by Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon Criteria Working Group (TPHCWG) are most frequently employed worldwide. Both methods were developed on the basis of direct exposure of TPH from soil, although the method by TPHCWG also took into account the mobility of TPH. Volatile and extractable fractions of petroleum hydrocarbons were analyzed either separately or together. TPH fractionation methods were evaluated based on conservative toxicity values considering the uncertainty of risk assessment in light of current standard protocol for analyzing soil contaminants in Korea, and it was concluded that the method developed by MassDEP is more appropriate.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.23 no.5
• /
• pp.26-36
• /
• 2018

Total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) is a mixture of various oil substances composed of alkane, alkene, cycloalkane, and aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, etc.). In this study, we investigated 92 groundwater wells around 36 gas stations to evaluate distribution characteristics of petroleum hydrocarbons. Groundwater in the wells was sampled and monitored twice a year. The fraction analysis method of TPH was developed based on TNRCC 1006. The test results indicated aliphatic and aromatic fractions accounted for 28.6 and 73.8%, respectively. The detection frequencies of TPH in the monitoring wells ranged in 21.6 - 24.2%. The average concentration of TPH was 0.11 mg/L with the concentration range of 0.25~0.99 mg/L. In the result of TPH fraction analysis, in aliphatic fractions were 19% (C6-C8 : 0.2%, C8-C10 : 0.4%, C10-C12 : 0.4%, C12-C16 : 0.5%, C16-C22 : 1.0%, C22-C36 : 16.6%), and aromatic fractions were 81% (C6-C8 : 1.1%, C8-C10 : 0%, C10-C12 : 2.9%, C12-C16 : 0.3%, C16-C22 : 4%, C22-C36 : 66.8%). Fractions of C22-C36 were detected in about 83% of the monitoring wells, suggesting non-degradable characteristics of hydrocarbons with high carbon content.