Abstract
Pipeline spills and pollution of the environment by crude oil pose a threat to natural resources, especially soil and water. One such incident occurred on 25 September 2018 in the area of Budrovac (Croatia; 46°00′14.6″ N 17°04′16.8″ E) on agricultural land as a pipeline spill. Bioremediation of the contaminated soil was carried out with organic pollutants using an environmentally safe absorbent Spill-Sorb (Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss) and a mineral fertilizer—nitrogen. The experiment was conducted in the greenhouse of the Faculty of Agriculture, Croatia, during a six-month (October 2018–April 2019) study. Samples of agricultural soils contaminated with total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were taken after the rupture of the local gas condensate pipeline. The experiment was conducted in five treatments in triplicate: I-control (clean soil); II-100% contaminated soil + organic absorbent + nitrogen; III-100% contaminated soil + organic absorbent; IV-50% clean soil + 50% contaminated soil + organic absorbent + nitrogen; and V-50% clean soil + 50% contaminated soil + organic absorbent. The soil properties studied were pH, organic matter content, carbon and nitrogen content and ratio, and changes in the concentration of potential organic contaminants—TPHs and individual PAHs. The results demonstrated that the mixture of organic absorbent and nitrogen efficiently removed organic pollutants from the contaminated soil within six months. However, the application of Spill-Sorb alone was more effective for the degradation of hydrocarbons. The effectiveness of the absorbent studied was dependent on the concentration of organic pollutants and nitrogen application.
Highlights
All phases of crude oil and gas exploration and production, from drilling operations to the manufacture of underground pipeline canals, to transportation, refinement, and storage, involve environmentally hazardous interventions and processes [1]
Soil contamination with total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from crude oil is of increasing concern because it can be the cause of soil and groundwater contamination [24,25]
We have demonstrated the effects of nitrogen and Spill-Sorb on the rate of degradation of total petroleum and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil polluted by condensate
Summary
All phases of crude oil and gas exploration and production, from drilling operations to the manufacture of underground pipeline canals, to transportation, refinement, and storage, involve environmentally hazardous interventions and processes [1]. One of the most widely used techniques for cleaning soil contaminated by organic pollutants is bioremediation [2,3] In this applied method, the proliferation of soil microbes is the main factor for faster degradation of different hydrocarbons. According to some authors [19], bioremediation is a slow process and requires time for the best effects; it requires additional costs in the long term Another very common method is the application of nitrogen fertilization to contaminated soils. When petroleum and crude oil accidentally ends up on soil surface they are manifested as soil contaminants They are composed of a large number of hydrocarbons, from light, volatile, short-chain to heavy, long-chain, branched components [21]. There is still a need to consider and explore remediation measures based on different approaches to mitigate soil contamination [17,19]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
