Effect of bioremediation technique on engineering properties of crude oil-contaminated soil

Abstract

Crude oil plays an important role in maintaining national energy security and economic development, with the expansion of population, expanding income, and rapid urbanization. However, in industrial regions, crude oil leaks and penetration into the soil can alter soil engineering features and trigger environmental disasters. Also, restoring contaminated sites to their original condition and reusing contaminated material in construction fields after treatment necessitates remediation procedures that are both environmentally benign and geotechnically sound. Bioremediation is an effective, low cost & no harmful side effect technique will be used in this research study. In this study, two different types of soils from different locations such as poorly graded sand and highly plastic clayey soil are artificially contaminated with crude oil at 4%, 8% and 12% with the dried weight of soil. As the purpose of bioremediation, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus (MTCC-2409) bacterial strain used as a reference of oil-degrading bacteria and the other strains are identified from the natural soils by biological study, which have the capability to degrade crude oil. In the present study, for better understand to change in geotechnical properties, Atterberg limits, compaction, unconfined compressive strength and permeability test were conducted and from the results comparison is to be done for these strains. Also, gravimetric analysis were used as determination of total petroleum hydrocarbon. Biofilms developed in the presence of crude oil acquire more biomass and have larger thickness than biofilms formed in the presence of glucose as the sole carbon source, according to microscopic research. Generally, the application of bio-treated soil as utilized in the construction of liners, road construction, manufacturing portland cement, and erosion control projects.