Evaluación de la toxicidad de suelos contaminados con hidrocarburos mediante la utilización del desengrasante biodegradable lemon magic para la empresa rkl, cia. Ltda

Abstract

Soil contamination by hydrocarbons affects negatively the ability to produce quality crops. When hydrocarbons come into contact with the soil, they trigger simultaneous physicochemical processes that increase its toxicity and make its remediation difficult. Therefore, in this research work, the toxicity of soils contaminated with hydrocarbons was evaluated using the biodegradable degreaser Lemon Magic for the company RKL CIA, Ltda., located Puyo canton, Pastaza Province. A 1500 g sample of sandy clay loam soil was used; also a 500 g sample of soil was taken for its respective characterization together with a sample of crude oil. The soil sample was contaminated with 40000 ppm of crude oil and was subjected to a remediation treatment with the washing technique using Lemon Magic degreaser, varying the concentration of the degreaser and the temperature of the system in the Shaker type agitator in the Research Laboratory of the Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo. A higher removal of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) was obtained in Treatment 2, in which a concentration of 10% V/V and a temperature of 120°F were used. The process carried out with Lemon Magic achieved a removal of 90.5%, obtaining a value of 3366 mg/kg, which is within the permissible limits according to the RAOHE regulations for the use of soil in industrial activities. In conclusion, the use of Lemon Magic was effective in the removal of total petroleum hydrocarbons TPH in soil contaminated with crude oil. It is recommended to vary the concentrations of the contaminant to simulate a real spill and evaluate the efficacy of the degreaser under different conditions.