Adsorption of asphaltenes from toluene on typical soils of Lublin region

Adsorption of asphaltenes on soils is one of the important problems, though largely underestimated, in environment protection of Lublin region. Asphaltene adsorption properties affect the way the contamination spreads in soil. Analysis of this phenomenon may help in localisation and elimination of oil spills. The asphaltenes studied were obtained from local drills (Swidnik near Lublin, Poland). In our previous paper, we investigated adsorption of asphaltenes from toluene on rock components (quartz, dolomite, calcite, kaolin as well as pure iron and titanium oxides). In order to simulate the natural oil spill conditions, we used toluene as solvent and typical soils from Lublin region as adsorbents (black earth, peat soil, lessive soil, brown soil, sandy podsolised soil, pararendzina soil). Main physicochemical properties of these soils were reported. Moreover, basic adsorption properties (nitrogen adsorption, adsorption of surfactants from water solutions, acidity, etc.) of several soil fraction were studied. We decided to use only certain mineral fractions with highest adsorption capacity, as other fractions have limited impact on total adsorption. Adsorption on soil fraction gives also some insight into relative importance of various soil components on summary soil properties. The results of adsorption measurements are described in terms of physical adsorption on heterogeneous solids. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.