Application of Bioremediation to Soil Contaminated by Lubricants Around Railroad Turnouts

In this study, the feasibility of using bioremediation to treat lubricant-contaminated soil around railroad turnouts was investigated. Lubricants used during the maintenance of railroad turnouts can drip onto the ground causing soil contamination. In the laboratory experiments, the residual TPH (Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons) concentration in soil gradually decreased after microorganisms degrading the lubricants were added. Generally, the soil around railroad turnouts is covered by a layer of ballasts. In the column experiments that were designed considering field sites, the removal efficiency of TPH was about 11% after 60 days of cultivation time. In the field experiments, microorganisms were added into the soil periodically, and finally the residual TPH concentrations were reduced to less than 1,700 mg/kg-soil on average. These results indicate that the lubricant in the contaminated soil around railroad turnouts could be efficiently removed through bioremediation method.