Title: Assessment of physico-chemical behaviour and geotechnical management of pharmaceutical effluent laden clay soils

Authors: Vijayarangam Murugaiyan, Raman Saravanane, T. Sundararajan

Addresses: Department of Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory, Pondicherry Engineering College, Pondicherry 605 014, India. ' Department of Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Pondicherry Engineering College, Pondicherry 605 014, India. ' Department of Civil Engineering, Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics Laboratory, Pondicherry Engineering College, Pondicherry 605 014, India

Abstract: Single soil-column studies were carried out to understand the influence of industrial pharmaceutical effluent on the physico-chemical behaviour and index and strength properties of commercial and natural soils, due to artificial contamination extending to a period of 250 days. Two modes of operation, two HRTs and two concentrations of effluents, were the parameters considered. The unique role played by the effluent in influencing the physico-chemical behaviour and the index properties of soils are highlighted. It is found that the strengths of the soils were reduced by 20%, within the period of concentration and suitable remedial measures were suggested.

Keywords: pharmaceutical effluent; natural; commercial soils; artificial contamination; physico-chemical behaviour; geotechnical management; clay soils; remediation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2011.037372

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2011 Vol.7 No.1/2, pp.132 - 141

Published online: 24 Jan 2015 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article