Lyell Collection
Geological Society, London, Engineering Geology Special Publications
Lyell Centre  |   Lyell Collection  |   Subscriptions   |   Geological Society  |   Email alerts  |   Online bookshop  |   Help

Keywords:
Author:
Advanced search>>
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow References
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Request Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Wallace, S.
Right arrow Articles by Zamfirescu, F.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
GeoRef
Right arrow GeoRef Citation
Geological Society, London, Engineering Geology Special Publications; 1998; v. 14; p. 189-194;
DOI: 10.1144/GSL.ENG.1998.014.01.22
© 1998 Geological Society of London

Section 4: Pollutant behaviour on field sites

Characterization of extensive hydrocarbon contamination of an alluvial aquifer, Ploiesti, Romania

Stephen Wallace1, William Burgess1, Jane Dottridge1, Alexander Kim1, Daniela Zamfirescu2 & Florian Zamfirescu2

1 Hydrogeology Group, Department of Geological Sciences, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
2 University of Bucharest, Faculty of Geology and Geophysics, Bucharest, Romania

The alluvial aquifer in Ploiesti, Romania, is severely contaminated with hydrocarbons. Petroleum products from four major refineries and 30 km of pipeline affect an area of 37 km2, occurring as free product floating on the shallow water table, dissolved hydrocarbon in the groundwater, and residual hydrocarbon in the unsaturated zone. Surveys performed between 1975 and 1995 defined the extent, nature and rapid movement of the contamination at rates up to 100 m a-1. Analysis of free product and soil samples showed a complex mixture of crude and refined hydrocarbons, with advanced biodegradation in both phases. Concentrations of non-volatile hydrocarbons in groundwater from the zone surrounding the free product plume were high, averaging 25 mg l-1, with dissolved contaminants as far as 6 km down-gradient of the industrial area. Organic and inorganic analyses indicate that biodegradation is occurring. Remediation requires the prevention of further spillages and application of economical and innovative technology. The highly permeable aquifer favours the use of in situ remediation, but remedial action is currently limited to a few skimming wells to remove free product.