The risks of changes of soils properties at the transformation of oil pollutions of geological environment under the influence of living matter

In connection with large-scale contamination of soil by oil and oil products are extremely relevant studies of the properties of quantitative and qualitative changes in the rocks. It is known that the transformation of oil starts practically from the first minutes of its income to the ground surface. Its movement as well as transformation processes proceeds with varying intensity, depending on many factors. This are properties of the environment-"recipient" (physical, chemical, the presence of biota), and the characteristics of the oil (oil products). However, the consequence of transformation is not a primitive "decomposition" of oil, the formation of new compounds, which are in some cases more toxic. In this connection it is necessary to evaluate the properties of contaminated soils, in particular - of the prospects for preservation of constructions, located in the zone of contamination. Despite increased research hydrocarbon pollution in recent years, this aspect of the problem has not been studied a enough. Experimental data suggest that the transformation products of crude oil and oil products, as well as the nature of their distribution into the geological environment can have a profound effect on the strength of even such a seemingly "neutral" materials, such as concrete. A significant role in the destruction of hydrocarbon contamination belongs to the "living matter": oil-oxidizing microorganisms, both aerobic and anaerobic highly aggressive form of constructions conditions. The polluted geological environment becomes a characteristic its type of geochemical zonation which is not peculiar to the normal natural conditions. The article focuses on the activity of living matter in the oil-contaminated soil, which is a prerequisite for the evaluation of complex geo-environmental risks associated with the transformation and migration of hydrocarbons. The results of such research should be an integral part of the engineering and environmental surveys for new and existing facilities located in areas of hydrocarbon contamination. Neglect of this information can lead to a "secondary" incidents and emergencies with the destruction of buildings. Copyright 2013, Society of Petroleum Engineers.