Purification of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils by silicon-rich substances. Issue 1 (September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wei, X; Matichenkov, V V; Bocharnikova, E A; Sevostianov, S M
• Is Part Of: IOP conference series. Volume 921:Issue 1(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Subjects: Materials science -- Periodicals; 620.1105
• DOI: 10.1088/1757-899X/921/1/012029
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-8981

Abstract

Abstract: Hydrocarbon (HC) contamination of soil occurs during oil extraction, transportation and treatment. To enhance the efficacy of HC-polluted soil restoration is an important challenge. In greenhouse and field experiments, two silicon (Si)-rich substances were tested for reduction of HC content in diesel + used motor oil contaminated soil. Over 3 months the HC content decreased from 3 to 2.8; 1.1 and 0.8% in control, calcium silicate slag- and amorphous Si dioxide-treated soils, respectively. Silicon-rich substances remarkably increased the catalase and dehydrogenase activities in the contaminated soil. Several mechanisms underlying the Si-mediated purification of HC-contaminated soil are suggested: a) changing soil physical properties; b) capsulation of HC molecules by polysilicic acid; c) adsorption of monosilicic acid by HCs leading to enhanced hydrophilicity; d) direct effect on soil microbial activity. Many types of Si-rich materials are cheap and available in large volumes (industrial by-products) that potentially could be used for the purification of HC-polluted environment after ecological expertise of the absence of inorganic pollutants.