A Critical Review on Hydrocarbons Contaminated Soils and Their Mitigation

Abstract

Soil contamination, due to urban and industrial activities has caused significant land degradation and changes in geotechnical characteristics of soil. This review study summarizes the critical aspects of different hydrocarbons contamination in various soil types and their implications in the geotechnical design. The modification of geotechnical properties requires an in-depth investigation especially at micro scale by assessing the soil particle interaction with hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbon compounds possess the ability to alter the morphological and geometrical arrangement of particles which in turns influences the shear mobilization characteristics of soil. Furthermore, several mitigation techniques are available such as biological, chemical or physical methods to solidify, removal or immobilization of hydrocarbons. However, limitations exist due to the applicability of some methods. Therefore, considering these factors, the primary purpose of this review study is to create a consensus about how different hydrocarbons interact with different soil types, what are the trigger of these interactions, which geotechnical properties are affected the most, which mitigation technique will be more effective and how quick the mitigation techniques can be applied.