Abstract

SERRANO GUZMAN, María Fernanda; TORRADO GOMEZ, Luz Marina  and  PEREZ RUIZ, Diego Darío. Impact of Oil Spills on the Mechanical Properties of Sandy Soils. Rev. Cient. Gen. José María Córdova [online]. 2013, vol.11, n.12, pp.233-244. ISSN 1900-6586.

Soil contamination due to involuntary leakage of different products, is a permanent threat caused by economic and social development of communities. In particular, oil spills are common during the oil production process as well as during marketing, transport and storage of collection and distribution sites. There arises the initiative of evaluating changes in the mechanical properties of soils affected by spills of oil industry. For this study were selected the oil as a contaminant, and a sandy soil matrix, such as porous medium saturated with water that was pumped up flow at a rate of 12 ml min^-1. We proceeded to sampling at defined time intervals, using 30 cm³ containers, samples whose fat and oil content were determined. Then soil samples were subjected to mechanical characterization and the results compared with the behavior the soil sample unaffected by the oil spill. It is concluded that the specific gravity, the percentage of absorption and capacity of polluted sandy soil compaction, down with respect to values of undisturbed soil, while there was a slight increase in cutting resistance.

Keywords : Oil spills; Changes in the mechanical properties of soils; Soil contamination; Sandy soils; Oil production process; Light Non-Aqueos Phase Liquids.

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