ASPECTS OF MANAGEMENT OF SITES OF THE GEOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT CONTAMINATED WITH PETROLEUM PRODUCTS

• Date: 2022
• Main Authors: БРИКС, А.Л., ОГНЯНИК, М.С.
• Format: Article
• Language: Ukrainian
• Published: Institute of Geological Sciences, NAS of Ukraine 2022
• Subjects: hydrocarbon pollution; geological environment; light petroleum products; management of petroleum-contaminated areas; remediation measures
• Online Access: http://geojournal.igs-nas.org.ua/article/view/258602
• Journal Title: Geological journal

In Ukraine, inefficient methods of using oil products for many decades have left thousands of contaminated areas of geological environment as a legacy. The local and regional accumulation of hydrocarbon pollutants is increasing so much that by altering the quality of the vegetation, surface and groundwater, it can threaten the natural environment, in general and human health, in particular. Conventional remediation methods designed to remove contaminants dissolved in groundwater turn out to be insufficient and even unsuitable to achieving an acceptable purification of the geological environment from lost petroleum products. To date, many special technologies and related devices have been developed in the world for the treatment of contaminated soils and groundwater. However, this article is not about remediation technologies and the equipment used. Equally important is a strategy definition for the management of oil-contaminated areas of the geological environment, that is, the development of a long-term decision-making plan to achieve the goal of rehabilitation of the pollution sites. This strategy relies on a scientifically based understanding of the physical and chemical properties of petroleum products, their behavior in the geological environment, potential threats associated with the spread of pollutants, and available technical decisions for their removal. The decision-making scheme presented in the article can be perceived as an adaptation to the conditions of Ukraine.   The second part of the article provides examples of real events in some contaminated sites where remediation measures were implemented. Even a superficial comparison of real results and typical requirements for the expected levels of environmental cleanup leads to the conclusion that there are shortcomings in the organization of environmental protection measures.