Understanding Hydrocarbon in Subsurface: Biomonitoring and Bioremediation

Abstract

The high demand for fuel derived from oil increases the risk of environmental hazard as a consequence of overturning of trains, tractors, and trucks during transport and spotting of fuel on the ground. In vehicle or train cart overturning accidents, a part of the spilled fuel infiltrates and redistributes in the soil according to fuel and its own physical properties. These fuel products contain compounds of BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylene) that are toxic causing damage to the soil and to human health. The knowledge on transport behavior of fuels in soils has been extensively studied. However, enhanced understanding on the transport behavior of these liquids in specific soils especially in Indian soil-water system is lacking.