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Strength and Environmental Performance Evaluation of Weathered Hydrocarbon Contaminated Soil Treated with Modified Plantain Peels-A Low Carbon Remediation Solution

  • 0School of Engineering, College of Arts, Technology and Environment, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK.
Materials (basel, Switzerland) +

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October 26, 2024

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October 26, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Waste plantain peels effectively remediated hydrocarbon-contaminated soils, enhancing both environmental quality and structural integrity for engineering applications. This low-carbon solution offers a sustainable approach to soil recovery.

Area Of Science

  • Environmental Science and Engineering
  • Soil Remediation Technologies
  • Waste Valorization

Background

  • Hydrocarbon contamination poses significant risks to soil health and structural stability.
  • Weathered soils require effective remediation strategies for environmental and engineering reuse.
  • Low-carbon solutions are sought for sustainable soil management.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To investigate the use of waste plantain peels for remediating hydrocarbon-contaminated soils.
  • To assess the environmental recovery, focusing on hydrocarbon degradation.
  • To evaluate the suitability of remediated soils for engineering purposes.

Main Methods

  • Incorporation of ground ripe (RPP) and unripe (UPP) plantain peels (25% w/w) into contaminated soil samples.
  • Monitoring of soil samples over 90 days.
  • Analysis of biological, physicochemical, and engineering properties, including hydrocarbon and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) degradation, compressive strength, cohesion, angle of internal friction, maximum dry density, and optimum moisture content.

Main Results

  • RPP and UPP achieved significant degradation of mid-distillate alkanes (88-93%) and heavier alkanes (83-85%).
  • PAH degradation reached 89-93% with plantain peels, compared to 28% with natural attenuation.
  • Soil compressive strength increased by 16-19%, with improvements in cohesion, friction angle, maximum dry density, and optimum moisture content.

Conclusions

  • Waste plantain peels are effective low-carbon solutions for remediating hydrocarbon-contaminated soils.
  • Remediation significantly improves soil's environmental quality by degrading hydrocarbons and PAHs.
  • The enhanced physicochemical properties make the remediated soils structurally suitable for engineering applications.

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