Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon Concentration Research Articles

Pollution status determination using trace metals and organic contaminants of the water column in coastal areas of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba: A baseline assessment

Herein, we aim to provide a baseline assessment of the pollution status of the water column in coastal areas of Saudi Arabia (Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba), using trace metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn), total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), in seawater samples obtained from 71 sampling stations in June–July 2021. Concerning trace metals, the maximum concentrations for Co, Cu and Ni were detected in Al-Shuqaiq, whereas the highest Pb and Zn concentrations were found in the Jeddah lagoon waters. Elevated concentrations of TPHs and the highest sum of PAHs were recorded in surface waters of Al Lith, Jeddah lagoon and Jeddah Mena. Overall, the concentrations of all trace metals, TPHs and individual PAHs for which environmental standards have been stipulated for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia fall well below the threshold values.

Experimental Study and Parameter Optimization of Oily Sludge Treatment Through Ozonation Technology

AbstractOily sludge contains a large number of hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and other toxic and harmful substances, which not only pose a significant threat to human health but also severely impact the stability and sustainability of the ecological environment. Therefore, the development of a clean and efficient production process is urgently needed. The ozonation technology is a promising treatment method with high efficiency and no secondary pollution. In this study, ozonation technology was used to degrade the pollutants in the oily sludge, and the impact of different influencing factors on the treatment effect was discussed, and the operational parameters were optimized. Additionally, we investigated the mechanism of ozonation for oily sludge to provide a basis for a deeper understanding. The results demonstrated that after treatment, the total petroleum hydrocarbon content in the oily sludge was significantly reduced, and the residual oil rate decreased to 1.04 %, indicating the enormous potential of ozonation technology for oily sludge treatment.

Biodegradation of Petroleum Sludge by Methylobacterium sp. Strain ZASH.

A bacterium was isolated from sludge-contaminated soil in a petroleum refinery and tested for its ability to degrade aliphatic hydrocarbon compounds present in petroleum sludge. The isolate was grown on minimal salt media agar supplemented with 1% (w/v) petroleum sludge. The isolate was tentatively identified as Methylobacterium s p. s t rain ZASH based on the partial 16s rDNA molecular phylogeny. The bacterium grew optimally between the temperatures of 30°C and 35°C, pH 7 and 7.5, 0.5% and 1.5% (v/v) Tween 80 as the surfactant, and between 1% and 2% (w/v) peptone as the nitrogen source. The constants derived from the Haldane equation were μmax = 0.039 hr-1, Ks = 0.385% (w/v) total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) or 3,850 mg/L TPH, and Ki =1.12% (w/v) TPH or 11,200 mg/L. The maximum biodegradation rate exhibited by this strain was 19 mg/L/hr at an initial TPH concentration of 10,000 mg/L. Gas chromatography analysis revealed that after 15 days the strain was able to degrade all aliphatic n-alkanes investigated with different efficiencies. Shorter n-alkanes were generally degraded more rapidly than longer n-alkanes with 90% removal for C-12 compared to only 30% removal for C-36. The addition of sawdust did not improve bacterial degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons, but it assisted in the removal of remaining undegraded hydrocarbons through adsorption.

Ribosomal RNA gene operon copy number, a functional trait indicating the hydrocarbon degradation level of bacterial communities

The lack of universal indicators for predicting microbial biodegradation potential and assessing remediation effects limits the generalization of bioremediation. The community-level ribosomal RNA gene operon (rrn) copy number, an important functional trait, has the potential to serve as a key indicator of the bioremediation of organic pollutants. A meta-analysis based on 1275 samples from 26 hydrocarbon-related studies revealed a positive relationship between the microbial hydrocarbon biodegradation level and the community-level rrn copy number in soil, seawater and culture. Subsequently, a microcosm experiment was performed to decipher the community-level rrn copy number response mechanism during total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) biodegradation. The treatment combining straw with resuscitation-promoting factor (Rpf) exhibited the highest community-level rrn copy number and the most effective biodegradation compared with other treatments, and the initial TPH content (20,000 mg kg-1) was reduced by 67.67% after 77 days of incubation. TPH biodegradation rate was positively correlated with the average community-level rrn copy number (p = 0.001, R2 = 0.5781). Both meta and community analyses showed that rrn copy number may reflect the potential of hydrocarbon degradation and microbial dormancy. Our findings provide insight into the applicability of the community-level rrn copy number to assess bacterial biodegradation for pollution remediation.

Biomarker responses in the Coilia dussumieri exposed to petroleum hydrocarbons contamination in urbanized estuaries along the west coast of India.

The estuaries of Maharashtra are under continuous pressure due to uncontrolled dumping of persistent toxic organic pollutants into these regions and their impact on the marine environment. In this study, total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) in water, sediments, fish, and biomarker responses in the Coilia dussumieri exposed to TPHs were determined in seven urbanized tropical estuaries along the west coast of India during the winter and summer. The results of the cluster analysis highlighted that the concentration of TPHs in the water, sediment, and fish in the study area was spatially varied, with the highest concentration in the northern area of Maharashtra (NM) estuaries than in the southern region of Maharashtra (SM) estuaries during both seasons. The enrichment of TPHs in water and sediment in the middle part of most estuaries highlights the addition of anthropogenic organic matter. A higher concentration of TPHs in the muscle tissue of Coilia dussumieri observed in NM during the winter season, indicates the energetic intake and storage of large quantities of TPHs in their muscle tissue. The biochemical results showed decreased levels of total protein (PRT) under exposure to TPHs, under oxidative stress and reversing correlations was observed between catalase (CAT) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) activities with the respective TPHs. Similarly, reduced activity of the CAT antioxidant and increased glutathione-S-transferase (GST) under exposure to TPHs were more likely to occur under hydrocarbon stress. However, current results indicate that Coilia dussumieri actively produces oxidative stress and antioxidant reaction that can be used as biomarkers of pollution in the study area.

Analysis of Petroleum Products Spill Potential Impact (Gasoline and Diesel Fuels) on Soil Fertility Quality Around Pertamina Rewulu-Cilacap Pipeline Bantul-Yogyakarta

This research focused on analyzing the potential impact of petroleum products spill (gasoline and diesel fuels) on soil fertility quality around PERTAMINA Rewulu-Cilacap Pipeline Bantul, Yogyakarta. The objectives of this study were to analyze the change of soil fertility parameters that are contaminated by gasoline and diesel fuel oils, compared to uncontaminated soil as control. Soil samples were collected from Pertamina Rewulu-Cilacap around the pipeline. Some physico-chemical properties that reflect soil fertility were determined using standard physico-chemical methods and Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) using Gas Chromatography. Soil samples were divided into three points (I, II, and III) based on taken places. The study started with analysis of physical and chemical properties of the soil, then petroleum products (gasoline and diesel) were added to the soil samples. The contaminated soil and control then analyzed for identify the fertility quality and TPH content. The results showed that petroleum product contamination increases N, P, and reduces K concentrations in the soil. The sample in point III had the highest values of TPH concentration without any additional petroleum products. After addition of a dose of 13% gasoline, the concentration of TPH in point I, II, and III increased by 0.036%, 0.08% and 0.008%. With the addition of 15% diesel in the sample, the TPH concentration of point I, II, and III increased by 0.892 %, 1.198%, and 0.91%.

Comparative study of bioremediation of crude oil spillage using Cissus populnea stem and root as bio-sorbents

The total petroleum hydrocarbon concentration decrease at the initial and final bioremediation across different variable and the comparative effect of roots and stem of Cisuss populnea biosorbent were studied. 25 g of soil was weighed into different plate, contaminated with about 10 ml of crude oil, the plate was labeled as BI, CI DI, BF, CF and DF (stem), (root) across 3 g, 6 g, and 9 g variables and A (soil and crude oil mixture) as control for initial and final bioremediation. 1 g of each contaminated soil sample was extracted using mechanical shaker at room temperature and the extracts were analyzed using GC/MS the results showed that the initial treatment of stem biosorbent were 358.47455 ppm, 248.02045 ppm, 249.97273 ppm respectively and the final treatment after 4 weeks of biodegradation were 173.40636 ppm, 70.44364 ppm, 45.60818 ppm and control 757.39864 ppm. The total effect removal of Total petroleum hydrocarbon obtained were 51.6%, 75.2% and 81.8%, while the initial treatment of the root biosorbent were 366.72762 ppm, 347.75909 ppm, 337.04227ppm, after 4 weeks of biodegradation, the Total petroleum hydrocarbon concentration decreases to 143.6982 ppm, 60.05455 ppm, 52.21045 ppm and control 757.39864 ppm and the effect removal were 60.8%, 82.7% and 84.5%.

Electron beam remediation of soils impacted with heavy hydrocarbons

During electron beam (EBeam) irradiation, high-energy electrons can generate physical and chemical changes in a substance such as chain scission and cross-linking. Irradiation of soil is shown to be an effective technology for rapid reduction of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) in crude oil impacted soils. An experimental apparatus for batch treatment of 100 g soil samples was built and tested using a 10 MeV, 15 kW electron beam. The samples were a variety of crude oil impacted soil samples with TPH contents ranging between 1.6 and 32% by mass. Soils of initial TPH up to 9.1% (dry weight basis) TPH levels were reduced to below a target cleanup level of 1% with irradiation doses ranging from 700 kJ/kg to 1100 kJ/kg and treatment times less than 200 s, with maximum soil temperatures less than 450 °C. Soils with elevated moisture content required higher dosages or preliminary drying. EBeam treatments resulted in 1) reduction for both light and heavy hydrocarbon, 2) generation of new light hydrocarbons, and 3) generation of fixed carbon, indicating that the mechanisms of electron beam remediation include radical induced reactions at relatively low temperature and relatively short time scales and not simply thermal desorption effects.

Total petroleum hydrocarbon analysis in water, tilapia and sediment samples from ARAC environment (Aluu), Rivers State

The contamination of aquatic environments by Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPHs) presents significant environmental and health concerns. This study aimed to assess the levels of TPHs in water, tilapia, and sediment samples collected from the African Regional Aquaculture Center in Aluu, Nigeria. Chromatographic techniques were employed for TPH extraction and detection. The results revealed elevated TPH concentrations in the study area, with the highest levels observed in sediment samples. The results revealed that the concentration of TPH was high during the dry season (September to November) compared to raining season (May to July). Also, the results indicated that TPH concentration was higher in sediment compared to fish and water with average concentration of 0.206667mg/kg, 0.17666mg/kg7, and 0.148333mg/kg in sediment, fish and water respectively. TPHs was observed to be in sediment from 0.18 – 0.25mg/kg, whereas in water it had variation of 0.11mg/kg making it the lowest. TPHs variation in fish was also observed to be between 0.15 – 0.22mg/kg. It was observed that the concentrations of TPHs in fish positively correlated with THPs in the aquatic water (y = 12.56x + 168.32). This correlation is statically significant (p <0.5). The results also revealed that concentration of TPH in sediments was positively correlated (y = 2.83 x 154.26) with the water at p< 0.5 significant level. There was a positive correlation between TPH concentrations in fish and water, as well as between TPH concentrations in sediment and water. The findings emphasized the need for prompt intervention to mitigate TPH pollution and protect the environment and human health.

Diversity and Biotic Index of Wild Pioneer Plants as Potential Bioindicators of Crude Oil-Contaminated Soil in Siak Regency, Riau Province, Indonesia

This study aims to determine the spatial variations in the diversity of wild pioneer plants along the gradation of crude oil-polluted soils and to analyze their biotic potential as a bioindicator of crude oil-contaminated soils in Siak Regency. Sampling was done in three oil wells using a purposive sampling method (center, edge, far from the well) measuring 1 x 1 m2. The soil at each contamination gradation was composited and analyzed for Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) content. Vegetation data were analyzed using biotic indices such as density, Shannon-Wiener distribution index, species richness, rate of endemism, and importance value index. Potential bioindicator was analyzed by regression analysis, biplot, and IndVal. The results showed spatial variations in colonization, diversity, and structure of pioneer plants along the gradation of oil contamination. Species from the Cyperaceae, notably Scleria sumatrensis, Cyperus rotundus, and Fimbristylis ovata, were found in the center of the contamination area and resistant to oil contamination. The regression and biplot analysis revealed that along with the increasing soil TPH, the species richness and diversity index tended to decline, but the rate of endemism increased. IndVal analysis showed that C. rotundus and S. sumatrensis showed a potential bioindicators of oil-contaminated soils with TPH content of 2,700 to 3,300 ppm, while F. ovata, Panicum repens, and Imperata cylindrica was potential for TPH 692 to 851 ppm. Mimosa pudica was a sensitive plant and found on the soil TPH 73 ppm.

Diversity and Biotic Index of Wild Pioneer Plants as Potential Bioindicators of Crude Oil-Contaminated Soil in Siak Regency, Riau Province, Indonesia

This study aims to determine the spatial variations in the diversity of wild pioneer plants along the gradation of crude oil-polluted soils and to analyze their biotic potential as a bioindicator of crude oil-contaminated soils in Siak Regency. Sampling was done in three oil wells using a purposive sampling method (center, edge, far from the well) measuring 1 x 1 m2. The soil at each contamination gradation was composited and analyzed for Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) content. Vegetation data were analyzed using biotic indices such as density, Shannon-Wiener distribution index, species richness, rate of endemism, and importance value index. Potential bioindicator was analyzed by regression analysis, biplot, and IndVal. The results showed spatial variations in colonization, diversity, and structure of pioneer plants along the gradation of oil contamination. Species from the Cyperaceae, notably Scleria sumatrensis, Cyperus rotundus, and Fimbristylis ovata, were found in the center of the contamination area and resistant to oil contamination. The regression and biplot analysis revealed that along with the increasing soil TPH, the species richness and diversity index tended to decline, but the rate of endemism increased. IndVal analysis showed that C. rotundus and S. sumatrensis showed a potential bioindicators of oil-contaminated soils with TPH content of 2,700 to 3,300 ppm, while F. ovata, Panicum repens, and Imperata cylindrica was potential for TPH 692 to 851 ppm. Mimosa pudica was a sensitive plant and found on the soil TPH 73 ppm.

Bioremediation of crude oil spillage using Cisuss populnea leave as bio-sorbent

The total petroleum hydrocarbon concentration decrease at the initial and final bioremediation across different variable of cisuss populnea leave biosorbent. 25 g of soil was weighed into different plate, contaminated with about 10 ml of crude oil, the plate was labeled as BI, CI DI, BF, CF and DF (leave) across 3 g, 6 g, and 9 g variables and A (soil and crude oil mixture) as control for initial and final bioremediation. 1 g of each contaminated soil sample was extracted using mechanical shaker at room temperature and the extracts were analyzed using GC/MS the results showed that the initial treatment of leave biosorbent were 706.4482 ppm, 544.2509 ppm, 347.75909 ppm respectively. After 4 weeks of biodegradation, the concentration decreases to 310.4318 ppm, 117.8105 ppm, 60.05455pmm and control 757.39864 ppm respectively. The Total removal efficiencies of Total petroleum hydrocarbon were 56.2%, 78.4%, and 82.7% for the treatments of 3 g, 6 g, and 9 g of leaves sorbent

Study on the Release Law of Phenol during Water-Oil Shale Interaction Process

Oil shale, as a reserve resource of conventional energy, has gradually attracted attention. However, water-rock interactions occur during in-situ shale oil extraction, and pollutants generated during this process can contaminate surrounding geological formations and groundwater environments. This article focuses on phenol produced by water-rock interactions and investigates the release behavior of phenol under different reaction temperatures and times, as well as how total organic carbon (TOC), total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), and pore size changes affect phenol. The study found that the release concentration of phenol increased with the increase in reaction temperature, reaction time, and the average pore size of the mineral. In addition, with the increase of TOC and TPH concentrations, the concentration of phenol also increased continuously.

Comparative Study of Heavy Metals and Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon Concentrations in Remediated and Non-Remediated Crude Oil Contaminated Soil

Abstract: The discharge of crude oil products to the environment (soil, water and air) has great negative impacts on the ecosystem. Most of these effects are from heavy metals, total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) among others. The aim of this research is to assess the effectiveness of the remediation on impacted soil through comparative analysis, and provide a recent data base on the pollution status of the soil. A stratified and random method of sample collection was adopted. From the three locations in Nkelleoken community, the result from the remediated soil showed that the greater amount of almost all the metals are bounded to F4 and F5 which are non-bioavailable to plants. Meanwhile the one from non- remediated soil is the opposite. The total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) results from the non-remediated soil samples were comparatively larger than that of the remediated soil (from 418.30±42.13 to 502.68 mg/kg). Whereas the TPH values from remediated site ranged from 193.65±37.20 to 207.0.4±70.14. Compared to the WHO standard (100-300 mg/kg) the TPH in the remediated soil were below the background limit. Microplasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy and Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon Analyzer were used for the quantification of the inorganic and organic pollutants.

MODELLING OF THE TOTAL PETROLEUM HYDROCARBON (TPH) DEGRADATION DURING THE BIOREMEDIATION OF CRUDE OIL POLLUTED SOIL USING COW DUNG AND WIRE CROTONS

The contamination of soil due to activities involved in crude oil exploration and production, and oil spillage emanating from pipeline vandalization, sabotage, theft, corrosion of pipeline and the enterprises of artisanal refineries pose health and ecological problems. This is especially as crude oil contains chemical compounds which are grouped into the Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH), and known to be toxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic. Bioremediation is currently being explored as a cost effective and environmentally friendly methods of remediating the soil from this contaminant. Thus, the current work is aimed at developing a mathematical model for the bioremediation process. This was carried out while assuming that the process of degradation is a first order reaction, and the principle of the law of conservation of mass was applied. A linear model ( ) was developed relating the instantaneous concentration of TPH, initial concentration of TPH and time duration of the bioremediation. The model fitted well to the experimental data as shown by the result of the statistical analysis where the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) showed a p-value of 0.004 suggesting that the model is statistically significant. The p-values of the model variables such as time duration of the bioremediation was 0.004, this suggested that the variable is significant. The model can be used as a supporting tool in the management of the biodegradation of TPH to predict the degradation concentration of TPH during the bioremediation process at ambient condition of temperature and pressure using cow dung, wire croton and their combination as a carbon source. KEYWORDS: Bioremediation; cow dung; wire croton; degradation; Mathematical modelling

ПРОСТРАНСТВЕННАЯ НЕОДНОРОДНОСТЬ КОНЦЕНТРАЦИИ НЕФТЯНЫХ УГЛЕВОДОРОДОВ В МОРСКИХ ПРИБРЕЖНЫХ ВОДАХ КАВКАЗА

Long-term data on total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) at individual stations of the state seawater monitoring system in the areas of Anapa, Novorossiysk, Gelendzhik, and Tuapse during 1996-2019 are analyzed. Parameters of the long-term regime at the stations are compared, and the significance of the detected differences is assessed using statistical methods. The zones of polluted water transformation located between coastal sources of pollution and conditionally pure water in the open sea is identified. An impact of coastal pollution sources on the interannual variability of TPH concentration in the distant areas of the open sea is estimated.

Rapid Determination of the Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon Content of Soils by Handheld Fourier Transform Near-Infrared Spectroscopy.

For successful soil remediation and hydrocarbon exploration operations, determining the total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) content of soils is an indispensable process step. This paper reports on the performance of a handheld Fourier transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) spectrometer for rapid and quantitative determination of TPH content of soils from two different sites by diffuse reflection measurements. For rapid decisions for exploration work or environmental site assessment projects, a quick─preferably on-site─determination of TPH content is valuable. Diffuse reflection NIR spectra were recorded from soil samples of two different sites with TPH reference values ranging from 350 to 30,000 ppm, as determined by capillary gas chromatography and flame ionization detection with hydrocarbon fingerprinting C1-C44. However, this paper not only addresses the development of site-specific partial-least squares (PLS) calibrations but also demonstrates the locally-weighted PLS (LW-PLS) technique, which can be used to develop global, site-independent PLS calibrations without significant penalty in calibration performance. As a first step, the diffuse reflection spectra were used to develop conservative, site-specific PLS calibration models with root-mean-square calibration/cross-validation errors (RMSEC/RMSECV) of 1043/1106 and 741/785 ppm TPH, respectively, and the average absolute prediction errors for samples not contained in the calibration set were 451 and 293 ppm for the two sites, respectively. In a further step, significant degradation of the RMSE values of a conservative PLS model based on the NIR spectra of both sites was then compared to the application of the LW-PLS method, with only a slight loss of the prediction accuracy relative to the site-independent models. This study confirms the ability of next-generation portable FT-NIR spectrometers to predict low TPH levels in various soil types through both─soil-specific and site-independent─calibrations, giving these spectrometers the potential to become rapid screening tools in the field.

Review of Determination of Heavy Metals and Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon Concentrations in Remediated Crude Oil Contaminated Soil

The discharge of crude oil products to the environment (soil, water and air) has great negative impacts on the organisms living therein. Most of these effects are from heavy metals, total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) among others. This research adopts an extensive review of literatures such as conference papers, journal articles, internet sources, books to find out the amount of total metal concentrations and the total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) that are likely to be found on crude oil contaminated soil even after remediation or cleanup activities have been carried out. The driving force behind this research is the fact that the people living in most petroleum-contaminated areas such as the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria still experience some negative effects (such as health and agricultural effects) associated with the crude oil pollutants even after remediation. The study concludes that even though heavy metals were still present in the remediated soil, they are not bioavailable for plants uptake; hence their presence is negligible harmless. On the other hand, the total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) that remains after cleanup is still well above the background level. As such, it would impose negative impacts on the inhabitants of such areas. The study further recommends that more effective methods of remediation should be carried out, or a combination of more than one method should be adopted in other to obtain absolute cleanup of the polluted area..

Germination Capacity of Helianthus annuus Less Seeds on Soil Media Contaminated by Waste

Used oil waste is often dumped on the ground around the workshop, causing soil pollution which can reduce the function of the soil. The most difficult contaminants in used oil waste to decompose are hydrocarbon compounds, which are highly toxic, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The concentration of oil hydrocarbon contaminants in a sample is determined by measuring the total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) concentration. This study was conducted to determine the germination ability of Helianthus anuus, Less seeds on soil media contaminated with waste oil at different concentrations of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH). The results showed that the concentration of TPH in the media could inhibit the speed of seed germination. Treatment with low concentration of TPH 2.7% in the media increased % germination, shoot and root length and sprout biomass compared to the medium/intermediate (8.00%) and high (12.26%) TPH treatments and controls. However, there was no significant difference between all treatments regarding germination time and shoot length, although in the low TPH treatment (2.70%) there was a tendency for germination time to be faster than the other treatments, as well as to shoot length which was longer than the other treatments. The higher TPH concentration in the media can inhibit germination time, germination percentage, shoot and root length and biomass. Morphological observations of the growth of sprouts showed an inhibition of root hair formation along with the high TPH content in the media, but all treatments did not affect the growth of the shoots.

Bench-Scale Biopile Hydrocarbons Removal Optimization Using the Response Surface Methodology and Simultaneous Optimization

Nowadays, the generation of vast volumes of oily sludges is associated with industrial operations such as production, pretreatment, processing, water separation, and storage tank maintenance. Biopiles can be more efficient than other techniques for removing hydrocarbons in sludges, but their removal efficiency depends on operating variables. The goal of this study was to determine the best operating variable ranges at the bench scale to simultaneously optimize hydrocarbons removal in a biopile prototype. This research was conducted within the framework of a Cuban project and used an experimental protocol that integrates several standardized methods and engineering procedures into a series of steps. A Box-Behnken design was implemented for three factors and two response variables: the mass of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) removed and the final concentration of TPH. A simultaneous optimum was obtained for an initial TPH concentration of 39 278 mg·kg-1 and contents of texturizer and moisture of 6,45 and 25,95%, respectively. The obtained variable ranges ensure a compromise solution that maximizes the mass of TPH removed and keeps the contaminant concentration under the Cuban disposal regulations. The results have been used to set up the biopiles at a pilot scale as a subsequent stage of the project.