Three-dimensional oil products distribution in soils caused by railway transport (case of Lviv-Mostyska railway section)

Abstract

The results of field and laboratory tests of oil products distribution in soils of Lviv-Mostyska railway section are presented. Fifty samples of soil were collected at 10, 20, 30, 50, 70 and 100 m distance from the railway track. Hydrocarbon compounds were extracted by chloroform. The extract was flowed through a column packed with aluminium oxide; the column was washed with hexane. A hexane-extracted oil solution, refined from organic compounds with polar bonds (primarily oxygen-containing compounds, e. g. alcohols, aldehydes, acids) was obtained. It was determined that oil products concentration in those soils changes from 1,73 to 4,32 g/kg with central tendency 2,94 g/kg that in 2,4 times outweigh the oil products concentration in soils out of railway area. Pollutant concentration gradient drops on the distance of more than 70 m from the railway. Level of soil pollution by oil products in this area is high. The main sources of soils hydrocarbon pollution are effluent gases of Diesel-electric locomotives. The necessity of drafting of current environmental requirements for regulations of oil products content in soil was proved.

Keywords

• oil products
• pollution
• environmental safety
• railway transport