Study of Behavioural Change in the Soil Contaminated with Petrol

Soil has been defined differently by workers in different fields. Thus, for an agriculturist, the soil is simply the upper layer of ground which is useful for supporting life. Geologists define it as a surface layer of rock waste in which the physical and chemical processes of rock weathering cooperate intimately with organic processes. All important civil engineering projects like dams, reservoirs, tunnels, roads, bridges and buildings etc. are constructed on soil or rock strata. But in recent years, due to population growth, a progressive living standard and industrial progress, much of air, water and land have become polluted. These in turn, affect thedurability of the structure tremendously. For contaminated land, the consequences may require a complete redesign of the project. It is, therefore, essential that the engineer should have the fullest knowledge possible of the strata or soil through which the works of construction are to be carried or on which these have to rest. In the present day scenario, soil contamination is posing a great threat to the geological as well as structural engineers.

Contaminated land is found typically, but not exclusively, in urban or industrial areas. The bulk of contaminants occurnaturally, in varying concentrations. But hydrocarbon contamination is the most obvious concern of the industrial age since most of the industries existing today, from oil exploration, production, processing and transportation on one hand to refining, storage (surface and subsurface), transportation and distribution on the other, are using and discharging hydrocarbons in one form or another. Petroleum contamination is encountered during most of transportation projects.