Title: Surfactant-enhanced remediation of soils contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons

Authors: S.K. Singh; Siby John

Addresses: Department of Civil Engineering, PEC University of Technology, Chandigarh 160012, India ' Department of Civil Engineering, PEC University of Technology, Chandigarh 160012, India

Abstract: An experimental programme was undertaken to reclaim the soils contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons. Two types of locally available soils, clay with low compressibility and poorly graded sand, were chosen for the study. Both the soils were contaminated with varying percentages of used engine oil and gasoline. Anionic surfactant Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS) was used to reclaim the contaminated soil. Geotechnical properties of virgin (uncontaminated) and contaminated and reclaimed soil were determined. It was observed that original geotechnical properties of soil could be restored on decontamination with SDS at optimum dose. The Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR) spectra on contaminated and decontaminated samples confirmed the physical removal of contaminants from soil matrix on washing.

Keywords: remediation; soil contamination; petroleum hydrocarbons; surfactants; sodium dodecyl sulphate; optimum dose; reclamation potential; environmental pollution; clay; sand; used engine oil; gasoline; petrol.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2013.051843

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2013 Vol.11 No.2, pp.178 - 192

Published online: 20 Sep 2014 *

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