Stabilization of sand dunes with oil residue: Application to civil engineering construction and environmental implications

Abstract

The present work ascertains the feasibility of oil residue treatment for stabilizing wind-blown sand dunes. Various combinations of natural collapsible saline from the Jandaq desert of Iran and oil residue from distillation towers of Iranian refineries were tested in laboratory experiments. Stabilized sands were evaluated in terms of geotechnical properties, permeability, and oil retention characteristics (i.e. bonding mechanisms, leaching and migrating behaviour of oil residue from the stabilized sands). Since the presence of oil residue in soils can pose an environmental threat, the optimum retention capacity of the stabilized sands is of critical concern. Relative to sand that was not augmented with oil residue, specimens made of 7% oil residues had the highest compressive strength, significantly higher cohesion and load bearing capacity, and considerably lower permeability. The effect of distilled water, saline water and municipal sewage on prepared specimens were also evaluated.

Keywords

stabilization / environment / residual oil / sand dune / sewage

References

[1] NiaziYStabilization of soils selected from desert border with lime and cement [D], 2002IranFerdosi University

[2] Al-QtaibiF, ThomasH R, CleallP JAn assessment of the possibility of stabilizing sabkha soils using oil lakes residue [M], 2006WalesPress of Cardiff University

[3] MahdiT, Al-QtaibiF, ThomasH RSabkha soils mixed with oil lake residues-reuse of a waste material [C], 2006UKISSMGE1455-1462

[4] DunnC S, SalemM N. Influence of processing procedures on strength of sand stabilized with cationic bitumen emulsion [R]. Highway Research Record, 197150-65

[5] KhamehchiyanM, CharkhabiA H, TajikM. Effects of crude oil-contamination on geotechnical properties of clayey and sandy soils [J]. Engineering Geology, 2007, 89: 220-229

[6] TeixeiraG F, GomesL M, MartinsF FContribution for the knowledge of mechanical characteristics of contaminated dune sand with gasoline [C], 2006Hammamet, TunisiaAGS701-706

[7] LambeT WSoil stabilization.[M]// LEONARDS G A. Foundation Engineering, 1962New YorkMcGraw Hill387-397

[8] GarbuleskiK, ZakowiczSInfluence of hydrocarbon contaminants on hydraulic conductivity of drainage systems [C], 1998198-203

[9] ZogalaB, DubielR, ZuberekW M, Rusin-ZogalaM, SteiningerM. Geoelectrical investigation of oil-contaminated soils in former underground fuel base: Borne Sulinowo, NWPoland [J]. Environmental Geology, 2009, 58(2): 1-9

[10] ShahS J, ShroffA V, PatelJ V, TiwariK C, RamakrishnanD. Stabilization of fuel oil contaminated soil—A case study [J]. Geotechnical and Geological Engineering, 2003, 21(4): 415-427

[11] MackenzieJ M W. Interaction between oil drops and mineral surfaces [J]. Society of Mining Engineers, AIME, Transaction, 1970, 247: 202-208

[12] RahmanZ A, HamzehU, AhmadN. Geotechnical characteristics of oil-contaminated granitic and metasedimentary soils [J]. Asian Journal of Applied Sciences, 2010, 3(4): 237-249

[13] YongR N, MohammedL F, MohammedA M O, O’ShayT A, HoddinottK BRetention and transport of oil residue in a loamy soil [C], 200289-101

[14] DREGNE H E. Impact of climate on arid region soils [C]// Soils on a Warmer Earth. SCHOMAKER M, AYOUB A. Developments in Soils Science 20. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 1990: 176-184.

[15] SzabolcsIImpact of climatic change on soil attributes: Influence on salinization and alkalinization [C], 199061-69

[16] ASTM D4318-10. Standard test methods for liquid limit, plastic limit, and plasticity index of soils [S].

[17] ASTM D2216-13. Standard test methods for laboratory determination of water (Moisture) content of soil and rock by mass [S].

[18] ASTM D854-10. Standard test methods for specific gravity of soil solids by water pycnometer [S].

[19] ASTM D4220-95. Standard practices for preserving and transporting soil samples [S].

[20] ASTM D2487-11. Standard practice for classification of soils for engineering purposes (unified soil classification system) [S].

[21] INGLES O G, METCALF J B. Soil stabilization: Principals and practice [M]. New York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 1973: 374.

[22] ASTM D1293-12. Standard test methods for pH of water [S].

[23] ASTM D1125-95. Standard test methods for electrical conductivity and resistivity of water [S].

[24] GreenbergA, ClesceriL, EatonLStandard methods for the examination of water and wastewater, 1992WashingtonAmerican Public Health Association

[25] ASTM D4223-99. Standard practice for preparation of test specimens of asphalt-stabilized soils [S].

[26] ASTM D698-12. Standard test method for determination of moisture in plastics by loss in weight [S].

[27] ASTM D1557-12. Standard test methods for laboratory compaction characteristics of soil using modified effort (56,000 ft-lbf/ft3 (2,700 kN·m/m3)) [S].

[28] ASTM D2166-13. Standard test method for unconfined compressive strength of cohesive soil [S].

[29] ASTM D2434-68. Standard test method for permeability of granular soils (constant head) [S].

[30] DunnC S, SalemM NTemperature and time effects on the shear strength of sand stabilized with cationic bitumen emulsion [R], 1973113-124

[31] Habib-Ur-RehmanA, AbduljauwadS N, AkramT. Geotechnical behavior of oil-contaminated fine-grained soils [J]. Electronic Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 20071-13

[32] TorranceJ K. A laboratory investigation of the effect of leaching on the compressibility and shear strength of Norwegian marine clays [J]. Geotechnique, 1974, 24(2): 155-173

[33] JuryW A, ValentineR LTransport mechanisms and loss pathways for chemicals in soils [C], 1986Chelsea, MichiganLewis Publishers, Inc.37-60

[34] YongR N, MohammedA M O, El MonayeriO SA Multiphase flow model for remediation of subsurface contamination by nonaqueous phas liquid [C], 1991Montreal, Quebec, CanadaCCEG293-300

[35] BoughtonB, HorvathA. Environmental assessment of used oil management methods [J]. Environ Sci Technol, 2004, 38: 353-358

[36] ASTM D5863-00a. Standard test methods for determination of nickel, vanadium, iron, and sodium in crude oils and residual fuels by flame atomic absorption spectrometry [S].

[37] LoehrR C, RogersL A, EricksonD C. Mobility of residues at petroleum industry hazardous waste land treatment sites [J]. Water Science and Technology, 2001, 25(3): 191-196