Effect of diesel contamination on soil and its remediation

Hydrocarbon contamination is one of the largest sources of anthropogenic contaminations that occur in the world. Among the available forms of hydrocarbons, diesel consumption is higher. Diesel contamination occurs due to leakage from storage, while transporting and during spills. Once contamination occurs, the contaminant in the soil moves downward due to gravity and meets the water table. The contaminant then spreads horizontally along with the water table and affects a few of the geotechnical properties of the soil. One of the most widely used remediation technique for this sort of contamination is construction of landfill. Due to its requirement of land and labour, a cheaper method of remediation is suggested here which is eco-friendly as well. This study points out the effects of diesel contamination on the compaction characteristics, specific gravity of clayey type soil and the effects of bioremediation of contaminant using cow-dung.