Thermal remediation alters soil properties – a review

O’Brien, Peter; DeSutter, Thomas M.; Casey, Frank; Khan, Eakalak; Wick, Abbey F.

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.11.052

Cited by 150 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 77 publications

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“…Numerous methods are available to remediation practitioners to remove oil from the soil, and no single method is best in every circumstance (Lim, Von Lau, & Poh, 2016). However, both the economic cost and the damage to soil properties must be considered before undertaking any remediation effort, as greater damage to soil properties will require greater investments into soil reclamation (O'Brien, DeSutter, Casey, Khan, & Wick, 2018). One of the most common and least intensive remediation methods is land-farming, wherein oilcontaminated soil is exposed to the atmosphere and agitated (i.e., tilled) to encourage microbial degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons (Lim et al, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Conversely, thermal remediation techniques are among the most resource intensive options, as they involve heating the contaminated soil to high temperatures (ranging from 100 • C to greater than 600 • C; O'Brien et al, 2018). Depending on heating conditions, thermal remediation reduces contaminants by encouraging volatilization, desorbing them from soil surfaces, transforming them though pyrolysis, or even combusting them during incineration (Vidonish, Zygourakis, Masiello, Sabadell, & Alvarez, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While it is a fast, reliable technique, it can be both expensive and degrade soil properties. Most notably, soil organic carbon (SOC) is especially susceptible to degradation in thermal remediation, which can have consequences on soil physical, chemical, and biological functions (O'Brien et al, 2018). This paper describes 3 yr of crop growth on reclaimed land after remediation of a crude oil spill in North Dakota, USA.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Crop production on heavily disturbed soils following crude oil remediation

et al. 2020

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Cropland contaminated by crude oil typically requires remediation before it can meet pre‐contaminated productivity potentials. Remediation strategies focus on removing the contaminant, but they also often alter soil properties, which affects the capacity of the land to sustain agricultural production. This research describes crop production following the remediation of crude oil contaminated soil in North Dakota, USA using two different strategies, a modified land‐farming technique and ex situ thermal desorption. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and field pea (Pisum sativum L.) were grown in soils treated by both of those techniques, as well as mixtures of each treated soil with native topsoil. Across three growing seasons of comparisons to native topsoil, crop production was 61 ± 20% lower in the modified land‐farm soils and 52 ± 25% lower in thermal desorption‐treated soils; these yield declines were likely associated with reduced soil organic carbon levels. Notably, the soil mixtures had higher soil organic carbon levels and matched the native topsoil in both yield and protein content, suggesting that soil mixing may be a promising tool in cropland soil reclamation. Overall, these findings reinforce that crop production on reclaimed land is linked with soil properties, so long‐term reclamation success requires a holistic approach to soil management.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Crop production on heavily disturbed soils following crude oil remediation

et al. 2020

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“…Because of the high temperature of thermal desorption, soil properties will change. Some studies attempt to assess the effects of in-situ thermal desorption from measuring biological effects, soil organic matter, soil texture and mineralogy, soil pH, plant available nutrients and heavy metals, soil biomes and soil conservation of vegetation [8].…”

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New advances in in-situ thermal desorption technology for contaminated soil

Shi

Luo

Wang

et al. 2019

Sci. China Technol. Sci.

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With the development of ecological civilization and economic construction, remediation of contaminated soils has caused more and more concern of scientists and engineers. Situ thermal desorption is a mature and effective technology which is especially suitable for the contaminated soil of relocated chemical plant [1,2]. Compared with in-situ chemical oxidation and ectopic thermal desorption, the in-situ thermal desorption has stronger applicability and higher repair efficiency. The main applications of the in-situ thermal desorption technology are semi-volatile and volatile organic pollutants.According to the different heat transfer methods and energy conversion, the in-situ thermal technologies can be divided into four types: steam/hot air injection (SAI), thermal conductive heating (TCH), electrical resistance heating (ERH) and radio frequency heating (RFH) [3].(1) SAI transfers heat through convection by injecting water vapor or hot air into the contaminated area. The SAI technology is suitable for the repair of contaminated areas with good homogeneity and large hydraulic conductivity.(2) TCH refers to the transfer of heat from a heat source to contaminated area by means of heat conduction. The TCH technology is suitable for contaminated land with poor permeability or poor homogenization. The soil gas phase extraction technology need be combined with TCH to achieve remediation of contaminated soils.(3) ERH is based on Joule's law, converting electrical energy into heat to increase the temperature. This system includes power control facilities, electrodes, steam recovery facilities, and recycling processing systems.(4) RFH uses electromagnetic waves generated by highfrequency voltages to heat contaminated areas. However, low-frequency electromagnetic waves have stronger penetration ability. The low-frequency electromagnetic waves are often used in in situ repair.A typical in-situ thermal desorption soil remediation process may include heaters, off-gas collection piping, an offgas treatment system, and instrumentation and power control systems [4]. The heaters are determined by different types of the in-situ thermal technologies. The SAI technology uses steam generating device. The TCH technology uses thermal wells. The ERH technology uses electrical conductor, and the RFH technology uses electromagnetic waves. The offgas collection piping connects an array of suction wells to an off-gas treatment facility. Extraction pump, steam-water separation and off-gas collection piping composite the gas extraction and recovery system. The off-gas treatment system mainly includes gas-liquid separation, activated carbon adsorption and thermal oxidation. The adsorption and activated carbon adsorption are the main treatment methods for the remaining exhaust gas.The most important three factors of the in-situ thermal desorption are: temperature, treatment time and soil properties. The spatial arrangement of the thermal wells will also affect the heating efficiency and economic benefits.Temperature significantly affects the the...

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“…Following treatment, soils of all textures may have altered biological communities (Cebron et al, 2011), increased soil pH (Sierra et al, 2016), reduced cation exchange capacity (Ritter et al, 2017), decreased soil organic matter (SOM), and increased saturated hydraulic conductivity (O’Brien et al, 2016); all of these consequences may affect the viability of thermal desorption–treated soils for use in agronomic systems. Notably, the magnitude of effects increases as heating temperature increases (O’Brien et al, 2018b), such that textural shifts can occur when heated above 500°C.…”

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confidence: 99%

Daytime Surface Energy Fluxes over Soil Material Remediated Using Thermal Desorption

O’Brien

DeSutter

Casey

et al. 2018

Agrosystems Geosci & Env

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Core Ideas Surface energy balance was quantified with micro‐Bowen ratio instrumentation. Surface energy balance was similar over native topsoil and soils treated with thermal desorption. Thermal desorption did not alter soil temperature dynamics or evaporation. A mix of topsoil and thermal desorption–treated soil matched surface energy balance of topsoil best. Remediation efforts to reduce contaminant concentrations in soils often alter soil properties. Since these alterations can affect the capacity of soil to function, their extent and magnitude may dictate future land use. This study addresses the suitability of soils for agricultural production after remediation of petroleum hydrocarbons using ex situ thermal desorption by quantifying the daytime surface energy balance prior to the growing season. The energy balance was quantified using micro‐Bowen ratio instrumentation to compare non‐contaminated topsoil (A) to both subsoil materials treated by thermal desorption (TD) and a 1:1 mixture (v/v) of TD and A (TDA). Despite differences in soil characteristics, the net radiation, soil heat flux, latent heat flux, and sensible heat flux were each similar among the three reclamation conditions over a period of 18 d. The fluctuations in these fluxes between the three conditions were attributed to natural variability, and they were not large enough to induce apparent inconsistencies in soil temperature dynamics or evaporative losses. Overall, these findings suggest the surface energy balance in thermal desorption–treated soils is similar to that of the native topsoil and that using a mixture of treated soils with native topsoil may even be a better representation of pre‐disturbance conditions.

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Thermal remediation alters soil properties – a review

Cited by 150 publications

References 77 publications

Crop production on heavily disturbed soils following crude oil remediation

Crop production on heavily disturbed soils following crude oil remediation

New advances in in-situ thermal desorption technology for contaminated soil

Daytime Surface Energy Fluxes over Soil Material Remediated Using Thermal Desorption

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