Soil Health and Sustainability

Articles

Effects of Motor Oil Contamination on the Geotechnical Properties of Clayey Soil (Case Study: Peshawar, Pakistan)

Downloads

https://doi.org/10.54963/shs.v1i1.1880
Volume 1 Issue 1 (2025): In Progress

Authors

  • Sohel Rana

    School of Civil Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410075, China
  • Ali Shamshad

    School of Civil Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410075, China
  • Nahidul Islam

    School of Civil Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410075, China
    Department of Civil Engineering, International University of Business Agriculture and Technology, Dhaka 1230, Bangladesh
  • Abubakar Sadiq Ismail

    School of Civil Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410075, China
  • Tarin Islam Jeny

    Department of Computer Science and Engineering, International University of Business Agriculture and Technology, Dhaka 1230, Bangladesh

Received: 11 April 2025; Revised: 13 August 2025; Accepted: 27 August 2025; Published: 1 October 2025

This study investigates the influence of used motor oil contamination on the geotechnical behavior of soils collected from motor-mechanic workshop areas along Kohat Road and Barra Road in Peshawar, Pakistan. Soil samples were obtained from the ground surface and from a depth of 1 m to assess site-specific and depth-dependent variations in soil behavior. Laboratory tests were conducted to evaluate particle-size distribution, Atterberg limits, moisture-related behavior, unconfined compressive strength, and direct shear strength in comparison with uncontaminated control soils. The results show that oil contamination altered the consistency characteristics of the tested soils, with noticeable changes in liquid limit, plastic limit, plasticity index, and flow behavior. These variations indicate that the influence of contamination depends on soil composition, sampling depth, and local site conditions. The mechanical test results further reveal that oil contamination reduced compressive strength and shear resistance, mainly due to the coating and lubricating effect of oil on soil particles, which weakens interparticle bonding, reduces cohesion, and disturbs the soil structure. The reduction in strength was more evident in some surface samples, although the magnitude of degradation varied between the two sites. Overall, the study demonstrates that used motor-oil contamination can significantly affect the engineering performance of soils and should be carefully considered in geotechnical investigation, foundation design, and construction planning in contaminated urban workshop areas.

Keywords:

Oil Contamination Atterberg’s Limits Shear Strength Soil Classification Geotechnical Engineering

References

  1. Azam, M.S.; Xiao, Z.; Mia, M.R.; et al. Effects of oil contamination on the geotechnical properties of clayey soil. J. ICT Des. Eng. Technol. Sci. 2022, 6, 8–14.
  2. Ota, J.O. The Effect of Light Crude Oil Contamination on the Geotechnical Properties of Kaolinite Clay Soil. PhD Thesis, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK, 2023.
  3. Haghsheno, H.; Arabani, M. Geotechnical properties of oil-polluted soil: A review. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. 2022, 29, 32670–32701.
  4. Swaroop, S.S.; Rani, V. Effect of oil contamination on geotechnical properties of clayey soil. Int. J. Eng. Res. Technol. 2015, 3, 1–4.
  5. Devatha, C.P.; Vishal, A.V.; Rao, J.P.C. Investigation of physical and chemical characteristics on soil due to crude oil contamination and its remediation. Appl. Water Sci. 2019, 9, 89. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-019-0970-4
  6. Rajabi, H.; Sharifipour, M. Geotechnical properties of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils: A comprehensive review. Bull. Eng. Geol. Environ. 2019, 78, 3685–3717. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-018-1343-1
  7. Mekkiyah, H.M.; Al-Hamadani, Y.A.; Abdulhameed, A.A.; et al. Effect of crude oil on the geotechnical properties of various soils and the developed remediation methods. Appl. Sci. 2023, 13, 9103.
  8. Karkush, M.O.; Resol, D.A. Remediation of sandy soil contaminated with industrial wastewater. Int. J. Civ. Eng. 2017, 15, 441–449.
  9. Karthigeyan, S.; Ramachandran, A. Physical and engineering properties of oil-contaminated clay soil. Int. J. Eng. Res. Technol. 2020, 9, 766–763.
  10. Khamehchiyan, M.; Charkhabi, A.H.; Tajik, M. Effects of crude oil contamination on geotechnical properties of clayey and sandy soils. Eng. Geol. 2007, 89, 220–229. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2006.10.009
  11. Nazir, A.K. Effect of motor oil contamination on geotechnical properties of over-consolidated clay. Alex. Eng. J. 2011, 50, 331–335. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aej.2011.05.002
  12. Karkush, M.O.; Kareem, Z.A. Investigation the impacts of fuel oil contamination on the behaviour of passive piles group in clayey soils. Eur. J. Environ. Civ. Eng. 2021, 25, 485–501.
  13. Karkush, M.O.; Jihad, A.G. Studying the geotechnical properties of clayey soil contaminated by kerosene. Key Eng. Mater. 2020, 857, 383–393.
  14. Negahdar, A.; Ghadimi, N. Effect of crude oil on the geotechnical parameters of sandy clay soil. E3S Web Conf. 2023, 457, 02028.
  15. Kermani, M.; Ebadi, T. The effect of oil contamination on the geotechnical properties of fine-grained soils. Soil Sediment Contam. Int. J. 2012, 21, 655–671.
  16. Ali, S.; Nie, Z.; Ismail, A.S.; et al. Assessing changes in geotechnical properties of soil caused by oil contaminants. IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci. 2024, 1335, 012029. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1335/1/012029
  17. Salimnezhad, A.; Soltani-Jigheh, H.; Soorki, A.A. Effects of oil contamination and bioremediation on geotechnical properties of highly plastic clayey soil. J. Rock Mech. Geotech. Eng. 2021, 13, 653–670.
  18. Al-Adly, A.I.F.; Fadhil, A.I.; Fattah, M.Y. Bearing capacity of isolated square footing resting on contaminated sandy soil with crude oil. Egypt. J. Pet. 2019, 28, 281–288.
  19. Sadiq, A.S.; Fattah, M.Y.; Aswad, M.F. Strength and compressibility of HCl contaminated clayey soil. Water Air Soil Pollut. 2025, 236, 125.
  20. Mohammed, Z.B.; Fattah, M.Y.; Shehab, E.Q. Effect of leachate contamination in municipal solid waste on clay liner characteristics. J. Eng. Res. 2023, 12, 34–43.
  21. ASTM International. ASTM D6913M-17. Standard Test Methods for Particle-Size Distribution (Gradation) of Soils Using Sieve Analysis; ASTM International: West Conshohocken, PA, USA, 2017.
  22. Polyak, Y.M.; Bakina, L.G.; Mayachkina, N.V.; et al. Long-term effects of oil contamination on soil quality and metabolic function. Environ. Geochem. Health 2024, 46, 13.
  23. ASTM International. ASTM D4318-17. Standard Test Methods for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and Plasticity Index of Soils; ASTM International: West Conshohocken, PA, USA, 2017.
  24. ASTM International. ASTM D854-14. Standard Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Water Pycnometer; ASTM International: West Conshohocken, PA, USA, 2017.
  25. ASTM International. ASTM D2216-19. Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass; ASTM International: West Conshohocken, PA, USA, 2019.
  26. Ayininuola, G.M.; Bajomo, O.S. Utilization of crude oil-contaminated soil as a foundation base for structures (roads and buildings in the oil-polluted region). LAUTECH J. Civ. Environ. Stud. 2023, 11, 76–84.
  27. Karkush, M.O.; Ali, S.D.; Karkush, M.; et al. Impacts of lead nitrate contamination on the geotechnical properties of clayey soil. J. Eng. Sci. Technol. 2020, 15, 1032–1045.
  28. Widianti, A.; Sundi, S.A.; Rahmawati, A.; et al. Increasing unconfined compressive strength of soft clay stabilized with coir fiber and bagasse ash mix. UKaRsT 2024, 8, 15–27.
  29. ASTM International. ASTM D3080-11. Standard Test Method for Direct Shear Test of Soils under Consolidated Drained Conditions; ASTM International: West Conshohocken, PA, USA, 2011.
  30. Joukar, A.; Boushehrian, A.H. Experimental study of strip footings rested on kerosene oil-and gas oil-contaminated sand slopes. Iran. J. Sci. Technol. Trans. Civ. Eng. 2020, 44, 209–217. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40996-018-00231-1
  31. Alfach, M.T.; Wilkinson, S. Effect of crude-oil-contaminated soil on the geotechnical behaviour of piles foundation. Geotech. Res. 2020, 7, 76–89. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1680/jgere.19.00017
  32. Karkush, M.O.; Ali, S.D. Effects of copper sulfate contamination on the geotechnical behavior of clayey soils. J. GeoEng. 2019, 14, 47–52.
  33. Amelsakhi, M.; Najafpour, A.; Meshkatalsadat, M.H. Effects of Gasoline Contamination on Geotechnical Properties of Silty Soils. Amirkabir J. Civ. Eng. 2024, 56, 1309–1320. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22060/ceej.2024.21554.7758
  34. Nazari Heris, M.; Aghajani, S.; Hajialilue-Bonab, M.; et al. Impact of lead and gasoline contamination on geotechnical properties of clayey soils. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. 2020, 29, 340–354.
  35. Spagnoli, G. Comparison between Casagrande and drop-cone methods to calculate liquid limit for pure clay. Can. J. Soil Sci. 2012, 92, 859–864. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4141/CJSS2012-011
  36. Abdelhalim, R.A.; Ramli, H.; Selamat, M.R. Investigating the impacts of oil contamination on geotechnical properties of laterite soils. Innov. Infrastruct. Solut. 2022, 7, 321. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41062-022-00901-0
  37. O’Kelly, B.C. Theory of liquid and plastic limits for fine soils, methods of determination, and outlook. Geotech. Res. 2024, 11, 43–61. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1680/jgere.23.00038
  38. Shembade, U.V.; Wategaonkar, S.B.; Moholkar, A.V. Exploring the synergistic effect of temperature on hydrothermally synthesized tungsten oxide (WO3) nanostructures and its role in asymmetric liquid-state hybrid supercapacitors. Colloids Surf. A 2024, 682, 132916.
  39. Karakan, E.; Demir, S. Liquid limit determination of various sand clay mixtures by the Casagrande and fall cone test methods. Balikesir Univ. Fen Bilim. Enst. Derg. 2018, 20, 361–371.
  40. El-Shinawi, A. A comparison of liquid limit values for fine soils: a case study at the north Cairo-Suez district, Egypt. J. Geol. Soc. India 2017, 89, 339–343. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-017-0608-9
  41. Haddad, K.; Lannon, S.; Latif, E. Investigation of cob construction: review of mix designs, structural characteristics, and hygrothermal behaviour. J. Build. Eng. 2024, 87, 108959.
  42. Zanj, A.; Chenari, M.J.; Zolfalizadeh, M.; et al. Experimental study on freeze-thaw durability of high plasticity clay treated with waste glass powder and waste tire textile fibers. Results Eng. 2025, 27, 106221.
  43. Gaur, N.; Levi, M.R.; Knox, P. Soil Moisture Data Quality Guidance; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS): Boulder, CO, USA, 2024.
  44. Sutormin, O.S.; Goncharov, A.S.; Kratasyuk, V.A.; et al. Effects of oil contamination on the range of soil types in the Middle Taiga of Western Siberia. Sustainability 2024, 16, 11204.
  45. Karkush, M.O.; Altaher, T.A. Remediation of contaminated soil of Thi-Qar oil refinery plant. In Proceedings of the 19th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Seoul, Republic of Korea, 17–22 September 2017.
  46. Sohel, R.; Nie, Z.; Ali, S.; et al. Impact of industrial solid waste on soil geotechnical properties. IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci. 2024, 1335, 012030.
  47. Klamerus-Iwan, A.; Błońska, E.; Lasota, J.; et al. Influence of oil contamination on physical and biological properties of forest soil after chainsaw use. Water Air Soil Pollut. 2015, 226, 389.
  48. Mohammed, Z.B.; Fattah, M.Y.; Namee, A.M. Utilization of magnesium oxide to enhance geotechnical–environmental properties for clay soil contaminated with heavy metals. Prog. Eng. Sci. 2024, 1, 100029.