Comparative Environmental and Economic Analysis of Methods for the Remediation of Oil-Contaminated Soils by in situ Bioremediation and Mechanical Soil Replacement

Abstract

It is shown that the mechanical remediation of oil-contaminated soil is carried out quickly and radically, and the cost of this method (from 3.8 to 62.4 million rubles/ha) is several times higher than the cost of bioremediation. Soil cleaning by in situ bioremediation can last from 1 to 3 growing seasons, but it does not require the transportation and disposal of hazardous waste and does not destroy the soil cover. Adding sorbents and ameliorants for bioremediation of oil-contaminated soils is often justified, since it significantly expands the capabilities of the method, although it increases the cost of cleaning from 1.0–4.3 to 1.1–18.3 million rubles/ha, depending on the type and dose sorbent.

Microbiological remediation of oil-contaminated soils

“…The cost of biological remediation of oil-contaminated soils using sorbents is 12-200 thousand euros/ha (as of 01.04.2022), depending on the type and amount of sorbent applied. The cost of mechanical methods of reclamation is several times higher [67].…”