Mineral and Organic Materials as Factors Reducing the Effect of Petrol on Heavy Metal Content in Soil

Abstract

As industrial production increases worldwide, so does the demand for fuels. The transport of fuels from the point of production to the end user poses a risk of environmental pollution, both during transport and during combustion in internal combustion engines. The soil is a part of the environment which is particularly sensitive to contamination by petroleum substances. For this reason, research has been carried out into the possibility of reducing the impact of petrol on the content of heavy metals in the soil using various materials, both mineral (bentonite, calcium oxide) and organic (compost). These played an important role in the in situ remediation of contaminated soils. Petrol contamination increased the content of some heavy metals (Pb, Cd, or Ni), while it decreased the content of other metals (Cr, Zn, Co, and Cu) in the soil. The materials used in this study significantly altered the levels of heavy metals in the soil. The strength of the effect varied and the direction of the effect depended on the element. Bentonite was the most effective, while calcium oxide and especially compost were less effective. The most beneficial (limiting) effect of calcium oxide was shown on the soil content of cadmium, cobalt, and chromium, while the bentonite effects were on the content of chromium. The application of the abovementioned materials seems to be effective in reducing low level soil contamination by petrol.