Guidelines for land‐treating petroleum hydrocarbon‐contaminated soils

Abstract

Abstract During land treatment, environmental parameters are optimized to achieve the fastest and most complete biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons present in contaminated soils. This article provides specific guidelines for optimization of the land treatment process at a field site. In particular, the necessary steps in the land treatment procedure are outlined in the time sequence expected under field conditions. Specific steps include sampling and site assessment, determination of contaminant levels and characteristics, estimation of biodegradation potential, estimation of bacterial numbers in soil, design of the land treatment unit, adjustment of the soil pH and moisture content, addition of nutrient fertilizers and bulking agents, operation of the land treatment unit involving tilling and irrigation, periodic monitoring of specific environmental parameters, and final closure of the site. In addition, a number of examples are used to familiarize the reader with the numerical calculations involved in optimization of the land treatment operation.