A Comprehensive Review of Hydrocarbon Contaminated Soil Behavior, Geotechnical Properties and Potential Remediation

Abstract

Soil contamination due to urban and industrial activities has caused significant land degradation and changes in the geotechnical properties of soils. Among many contaminants, hydrocarbons pose severe threats not only from an engineering point of view but are also hazardous to the environment. This review article critically analyzes the essential aspects of different hydrocarbon types as a contamination source in various soil types and their implications in the geotechnical design. The modifications of geotechnical properties require an in-depth investigation, especially at the micro-scale, by assessing the soil particle interaction with hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbon compounds possess the ability to alter the morphological characteristics of soil particles, which, in turn, influences the shear mobilization in soils. Furthermore, several remediation techniques, such as biological, chemical, physical, or thermal treatment methods, are available to solidify, remove or immobilize hydrocarbons. However, limitations exist due to the applicability of some techniques. Taking these considerations into account, the primary purpose of this paper is to create a consensus about how hydrocarbons interact with different soils, what are the triggers of these interactions, which geotechnical properties are mostly affected, which remediation techniques will be more effective, and how quickly the method can be applied.