Thermal desorption treatment of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soils of tundra, taiga, and forest steppe landscapes

Abstract

The results of field, analytical, and experimental research at a number of production facilities reflect the properties of oil-contaminated soils in 3 landscapes: the permafrost treeless Arctic ecosystem, boreal forest, and temperate-climate grassland-woodland ecotone. Laboratory studies have revealed the concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons in soils, ranging from medium levels of 2000–3000 mg/kg to critical figures over 5000 mg/kg, being 2–25 times higher than the permissible content of oil products in soils. The experimentally applied thermal effects for the oil products desorption from the soil allowed finding an optimal regime: the treatment temperature from 25 to 250 °C reduces the concentrations to an acceptable value. The conditions are environmentally sound, given that the complete combustion point of humates is ca. 450 °C. The outcomes suggest the eco-friendly solution for soil remediation, preserving the soil fertility in fragile cold environments and in more resilient temperate climates, where revitalized brownfields are essential for food production.

Petroleum Hydrocarbon Composition of Oily Sludge and Contaminated Soils in a Decommissioned Oilfield Waste Pit under Desert Conditions

“…A range of remediation technologies have been used to treat petroleum hydrocarboncontaminated soils, including soil washing [27], thermal treatment [28], chemical treatment [29], bioremediation [30] and combined treatment methods [31,32]. Soil washing is ineffective for heavily contaminated soils.…”

Cost reduction strategies in the remediation of petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated soil

“…Thermal desorption technology (TDT) achieves soil decontamination through heat application to facilitate desorption and volatilisation of petroleum hydrocarbon constituents, which are then carried in a stream of sweep gas. The removal efficiency of TDT has been largely dependent on temperature and residence time 39 , 40 . Other factors include heating rate, initial contaminant concentration and sweep gas flow rate 29 .…”

Studying the vegetation impact of terrestrial ecosystems on reducing the carbon footprint in in the territory of the Russian Federation

“…Оценку интенсивности секвестрации углекислого газа растительными сообществами целесообразно производить лишь в тех природных зонах, где зеленые насаждения имеют существенное проективное покрытие и значительную биомассу, в результате чего на территории Российской Федерации исследования по данной тематике проводятся в основном для трех природных зон (тундра, зона смешанных и широколиственных лесов, субтропические леса [4]), а также для искусственных лесопосадок, например при лесовосстановлении на техногенно нарушенных территориях [7].…”