Physico-chemical and thermal characteristics of sandy loam soils contaminated by single and mixed pollutants (mineral and vegetable oils).

Abstract

Samples of contaminated top soil (0-30cm) and uncontaminated soil (control) from two locations in Precambrian basement complex area were analyzed to assess the effects of single and mixed oil contaminants on the physico-chemical and thermal properties of soils. Pearson's correlation and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to study the interrelationships of the studied parameters as well as variation of studied soil characteristics under the different oil contaminants, respectively. Results showed insignificant impact of pollutant(s) on the textural class of contaminated soils. The highest and lowest mean soil resistivity (SR) values were found in petrol-contaminated and mixed surfactants (shampoo + conditioner) -contaminated soils, respectively. The least values of mean specific heat capacity (SHC), heat capacity (HC), and soil water diffusivity (SWD) were found in soils contaminated by mixed surfactants-contaminants. However, mixed mineral oils (petrol + diesel + engine oil) and mixed vegetable oils (palm oil + groundnut oil) had mean SHC values lower than those of control soils at the two sampling locations. The mixed surfactants-polluted soil is characterized by lowest mean bulk density (BD) and highest mean gravimetric water content (GWC) while lowest mean GWC and highest mean SWD characterized engine oil-contaminated soils. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) result revealed significant variation in % sand at 5% level (p < 0.05) for petroleum-derived contaminants but no significant differences in mean values of all analyzed soil properties under vegetable oil contaminants.