Practical implications of hydrocarbon pollution in the assessment of geotechnical behaviour of cohesive soils

Dorota Izdebska-Mucha; Kamil Kiełbasiński; Paweł Dobak; Emilia Wójcik; Gintaras Žaržojus

doi:10.37705/TechTrans/e2025023

.blurhash-client-img { display: none !important; }

Practical implications of hydrocarbon pollution in the assessment of geotechnical behaviour of cohesive soils

Technical Transactions

Volume 122 (2025): Issue 1 (January 2025)

By: Dorota Izdebska-Mucha , Kamil Kiełbasiński , Paweł Dobak , Emilia Wójcik and Gintaras Žaržojus

Open Access

|Dec 2025

Abstract

The paper presents the results of experimental laboratory investigation of cohesive soils from the Warsaw area, polluted with diesel fuel. The study revealed adverse changes in key physical parameters, sorption capacity and mechanical properties. The results were analysed in relation to pollution degree as well as structural modifications. The obtained findings were further used in numerical analyses to evaluate bearing capacity, foundation settlement, and slope stability, as well as to assess the overall behaviour of contaminated soils serving as building foundations.

References

Anandarajah, A. (2003). Mechanism controlling permeability change in clays due to changes in pore fluids. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering 129(2), 163–172. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2003)129:2(163)
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Aiban, S.A. (1998). The long-term environmental effects of the Gulf War. The effect of temperature on the engineering properties of oil-contaminated sands. Environmental International 24, 153–161. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0160-4120(97)00131-1
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Al-Sanad, H.A., Eid, W.K., & Ismael, N.F. (1995). Geotechnical properties of oilcontaminated Kuwaiti sand. Journal of Geotechnical Engineering 121(5), 407–412. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9410(1995)121:5(407)
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
ASTM D3080-04. (2004). Standard test method for direct shear test of soils under consolidated drained conditions. ASTM International.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Chen, F.H. (1975). Foundations on expansive soils. Elsevier.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Chmielewski, J., Żeber-Dzikowska, I., Pawlas, K., Nowak-Starz, G., ChojnowskaĆwiąkała, I., Dębska, A., Szpringer, M., Gworek, B., & Czarny-Działak, M. (2020). Substancje ropopochodne – zagrożenie dla środowiska i zdrowia w kontekście edukacji ekologicznej. Przemysł Chemiczny 99(6), 837–843. https://doi.org/10.15199/62.2020.6.1
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Czado, B., Korzeniowska-Rejmer, E., & Pietras, J.S. (2010). Analiza zmian nośności podłoża budowlanego w wyniku jego zanieczyszczenia substancjami ropopochodnymi na przykładzie gruntów piaszczystych. Górnictwo i Geoinżynieria 34(2), 165–171.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Dobak, P. (1999). The role of the filtration factor in uniaxial consolidation tests of soils (in Polish). Kraków: Wydawnictwo IGSMiE.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Dobak, P., & Gaszyński, J. (2015). Aspects of permeability and rheology in uniaxial consolidation, considering analysis of soil deformation progress and pore pressure dissipation. Architecture Civil Engineering Environment 7(4), 47–55.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Dobak, P., Izdebska-Mucha, D., Stajszczak, P., Wójcik, E., Kiełbasiński, K., Gawriuczenkow, I., Szczepański, T., Zawrzykraj, P., & Bąkowska, A. (2022). Effects of hydrocarbon contamination on the engineering geological properties of Neogene clays and Pleistocene glacial tills from Central Poland. Acta Geologica Polonica 72(4), 529–555. https://doi.org/10.24425/agp.2022.142647
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Griffiths, D.V., & Lane, P.A. (1999). Slope stability analysis by finite elements. Geotechnique 49, 387–403.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Head, K.H. (1992). Manual of soil laboratory testing. Vol. 1: Soil classification and compaction tests. London.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
IS 1498. (1970). Indian standard classification and identification of soils for general engineering purposes. New Delhi: BIS.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Izdebska-Mucha, D., & Korzeniowska-Rejmer, E. (2010). Selected characteristics of clay soils polluted by petroleum substances in the context of their barrier properties. In: M. Datta, R.K. Srivastava, G.V. Ramana, & J.T. Shahu (Eds.), Proceedings of the 6th International Congress on Environmental Geotechnics, Vol. 1 (pp. 705–710). New Delhi:Tata McGraw-Hill Education.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Izdebska-Mucha, D., Trzciński, J., & Klein, M. (2021). The effect of diesel fuel contamination on the particle size distribution and plasticity of muds from the area of Warsaw-Siekierki. Przegląd Geologiczny 69(12), 800–810.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Izdebska-Mucha, D., Trzciński, J., Żbik, M., & Frost, R.L. (2011). Influence of hydrocarbon contamination on clay soil microstructure. Clay Mineral, 46, 47–58. https://doi.org/10.1180/claymin.2011.046.1.04
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Izdebska-Mucha, D., & Wójcik, E. (2014). Expansivity of Neogene clays and glacial tills from central Poland. Geological Quarterly 58(2), 281–290. https://doi.org/10.7306/gq.1151
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Karkush, M.O., & Jihad, A.G. (2020). Studying the geotechnical properties of clayey soil contaminated by kerosene. Key Engineering Materials 857, 383–393. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.857.383
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Karkush, M.O., & Kareem, Z.A. (2017). Investigation of the impacts of fuel oil on the geotechnical properties of cohesive soil. Engineering Journal 21, 127–137. https://doi.org/10.4186/ej.2017.21.4.127
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kaya, A., & Fang, H.-Y. (2000). The effects of organic fluids on physicochemical parameters of fine-grained soils. Canadian Geotechnical Journal 37(4), 943–950. https://doi.org/10.1139/t00-033
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kaya, A., & Fang, H. (2005). Experimental evidence of reduction in attractive and repulsive forces between clay particles permeated with organic liquids. Canadian Geotechnical Journal 42, 632–640. https://doi.org/10.1139/t04-112
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kermani, M., & Ebadi, T. (2012). The effect of oil contamination on the geotechnical properties of fine-grained soils. Soil and Sediment Contamination: An International Journal 21, 655–671. https://doi.org/10.1080/15320383.2012.672486
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Khamehchiyan, M., Charkhabi, A.H., & Tajik, M. (2007). Effects of crude oil contamination on geotechnical properties of clayey and sandy soils. Engineering Geology 89(3–4), 220–229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2006.10.009
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Khosravi, E., Ghasemzadeh, H., Sabour, M. R., & Yazdani, H. (2013). Geotechnical properties of gas oil-contaminated kaolinite. Engineering Geology 166, 11–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2013.08.004
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Korzeniowska-Rejmer, E. (2001). Wpływ zanieczyszczeń ropopochodnych na charakterystykę geotechniczną gruntów stanowiących podłoże budowlane. Inżynieria Morska i Geotechnika 2, 83–86.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Korzeniowska-Rejmer, E., & Izdebska-Mucha, D. (2006). Ocena wpływu zanieczyszczeń ropopochodnych na uziarnienie i plastyczność gruntów spoistych. Inżynieria i Ochrona Środowiska 9(1), 89–103.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ling, S.Y., & Yong, L.C. (2013). Behavior of piles in palm biodiesel contaminated mining sand. International Journal of Environmental Science 3, 1822–1830.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Merwe, D. H. van der. (1964). The prediction of heave from the plasticity index and percentage clay fraction of soils. Civil Engineer in South Africa 6, 103–106.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Oluremi, J. R., & Osuolale, O. M. (2014). Oil contaminated soil as potential applicable material in civil engineering construction. Journal of Environment and Earth Science 4, 87–99.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Onyelowe, K. C. (2015). Pure crude oil contamination on Amaoba lateritic soil. Electronic Journal of Geotechnical Engineering 20, 1129–1142.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
PKN-CEN ISO/TS 17892-4:2009. (2009). Badania geotechniczne – Badania laboratoryjne gruntów – Część 4: Oznaczanie składu granulometrycznego. PN-B-04481. (1988). Grunty budowlane. Badania próbek gruntu.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
PN-EN 1997-1:2008 (2008) Eurokod 7: Projektowanie geotechniczne – Część 1: Zasady ogólne.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
PN-EN ISO 14688-1:2018-05. (2018). Rozpoznanie i badania geotechniczne – Oznaczanie i klasyfikowanie gruntów – Część 1: Oznaczanie i opis.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
PN-EN ISO 17892-5:2017-06. (2017). Rozpoznanie i badania geotechniczne – Badania laboratoryjne gruntów – Część 5: Badanie edometryczne gruntów.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
PN-EN ISO 17892-12:2018-08. (2018). Rozpoznanie i badania geotechniczne – Badania laboratoryjne gruntów – Część 12: Oznaczanie granic płynności i plastyczności.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Puri, V.K. (2000). Geotechnical aspects of oil-contaminated sands. Journal of Soil Contamination 9, 359–374. https://doi.org/10.1080/10588330091134301
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Puri, V.K., Das, B.M., Cook, E.E., & Shin, E.C. (1994). Geotechnical properties of crude oil contaminated sand. ASTM Special Technical Publication 1265, 58–66. https://doi.org/10.1520/STP12658S
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Rajabi, H., & Sharifipour, M. (2019). Geotechnical properties of hydrocarbon contaminated soils: A comprehensive review. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment 78, 3685–3717. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-018-1377-7
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Saeed, H., Nalbantoglu, Z., & Uygar, E. (2024). A comprehensive review of hydrocarbon contaminated soil behavior, geotechnical properties and potential remediation. Soil and Sediment Contamination: An International Journal 34(6), 1023–1067. https://doi.org/10.1080/15320383.2024.2395952
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Salimnezhad, A., Soltani-Jigheh, H., & Soorki, A.A. (2021). Effects of oil contamination and bioremediation on geotechnical properties of highly plastic clayey soil. Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering 13(3), 653–670. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2020.11.011
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Sanecki, L., Truty, A., & Urbański, A. (1999). O możliwościach modelowania komputerowego stateczności złożonych układów geotechnicznych. Materiały XLV Konferencji Nauk KILiW PAN, Krynica–Wrocław.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Shin, E.C., Lee, J.B., & Das, B.M. (1999). Bearing capacity of a model scale footing on crude oil-contaminated sand. Geotechnical and Geological Engineering 17, 123–132. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1016078420298
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Siang, A.J.L.M., Wijeyesekera, D.C., Yahya, S.M.A.S., & Ramlan, M. (2014). Innovative testing investigations on the influence of particle morphology and oil contamination on the geotechnical properties of sand. International Journal of Integrated Engineering 6, 60–66.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Trzciński, J. (1998). Ilościowa analiza mikrostrukturalna w skaningowym mikroskopie elektronowym (SEM) gruntów poddanych oddziaływaniu wody. In: B. Grabowska-Olszewska (Ed.), Geologia stosowana. Właściwości gruntów nienasyconych (pp. 113–150). Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Yilmaz, I. (2006). Indirect estimation of the swelling percent and a new classification of soils depending on liquid limit and cation exchange capacity. Engineering Geology 85, 295–301. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2006.02.011
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Yukselen, Y., & Kaya, A. (2008). Suitability of the methylene blue test for surface area, cation exchange capacity and swell potential determination of clayey soils. Engineering Geology 102, 38–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2008.08.001
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Zadroga, B., & Olańczuk-Neyman, K. (2001). Ochrona i rekultywacja podłoża gruntowego. Aspekty geotechniczno-budowlane. Gdańsk: Wydawnictwo Politechniki Gdańskiej.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article

Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37705/TechTrans/e2025023 | Journal eISSN: 2353-737X | Journal ISSN: 0011-4561

Journal RSS Feed

Language: English

Submitted on: Oct 23, 2025

Accepted on: Dec 4, 2025

Published on: Dec 15, 2025

Published by: Cracow University of Technology

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: 1 issue per year

Keywords:

glacial till,

diesel fuel contamination,

Related subjects:

Architecture and design,

Architecture,

Architects, buildings,

Engineering,

Mechanical engineering,

Mechanics,

Industrial chemistry,

Chemical engineering,

Materials sciences,

Materials sciences, other

© 2025 Dorota Izdebska-Mucha, Kamil Kiełbasiński, Paweł Dobak, Emilia Wójcik, Gintaras Žaržojus, published by Cracow University of Technology
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License.

Volume 122 (2025): Issue 1 (January 2025)