Development of criteria for response to oil and petroleum product spills on soils
This study developed cleanup criteria for oil and petroleum contaminated soils at spill sites. The maximum contaminant level (MCL) of benzene allowable in drinking water as established by US EPA was selected as a criterion to assess whether or not the groundwater will be contaminated as the result of the entering of benzene-containing soil leachate at the spill site. If the anticipated maximum benzene concentration in soil leachate reaching the groundwater table is below the MCL, no action is needed to protect the groundwater and the natural degradation processes will take care of the spilled materials. If the anticipated maximum benzene concentration in soil leachate is close to the MCL when it reaches the groundwater level or there are no usable groundwater aquifers in the spill area, minor treatment actions can be taken to treat the contaminated soil on site; such as in situ bioremediation, in situ air-venting, surface covering, or addition of natural organic materials to the contaminated soil. If the anticipated maximum benzene concentration in soil leachate entering the groundwater will be much greater than the MCL and the groundwater resource is likely to be contaminated, major remedial actions will be insufficient, contaminated soils will need to be removed from the spill site for off-site treatment at a commercialized treatment facility or disposal at a regulated hazardous waste disposal site. Computer simulation provides a practical and economical way to estimate the anticipated benzene concentration in soil leachate resulting from a specific spill. A vadose zone fate and transport model, such as the Vadose Zone Interactive Processes (VIP) model used in this study, may be able to perform the task. If surface revegetation in the spill area also becomes a major concern, the phytotoxic effects of the spilled hydrocarbons on plants can be used as the second criterion for selecting cleanup options.
- Research Organization:
- Texas A and M Univ., College Station, TX (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 7079437
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Thesis (Ph.D.)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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