Russian scientists from Institute of chemichal technologies (part of recently renamed pivotal Siberian state University of science and technology, after M. F. Reshetnev) learned quickly to detoxify soil from leakage of oil pollution. This scientist are helped by microorganisms.
The problem of soil pollution is the Russian reality. In 2015, for example, oil poured 1025 hectares of Russian land – it is unsafe. Oil contain toxins (aromatic hydrocarbons and others) that kill plants. “Treatment” of the soil takes decades.
The problem occurs due to 3 reasons:
- Old oil equipment, tanks, transport lines, which are not promptly replaced, or updated.
- Oil pipeline accidents, which are mainly operated in the country for more than 30 years, although their lifespan is 10-20 years. According to Rostekhnadzor (controlling department), in 2011-2016 in the oil and gas sector were 93 accidents and 48’215 incidents.
- Theft of transported oil (unauthorized tie-in).
In the press passed an information that the profile Ministry of natural resources (Minprirody) was going in 2016 to conduct a widespread inspection of pipelines, however, then the talks were ended. According to the latest information, this problem will be solved in the framework of the state program replacing old pipelines and the “Strategy of ecological safety of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2035.” In 2017 new “Rules of operation of oilfield pipelines” must be agreed, and rules are expected to be more harsh against the owners.
But at the moment Russian scientists have offered a solution to overcome the effects of pollution. They proposed to decompose oil and to remove soil toxins with the help of microorganisms (biosorbents), which can absorb the oil and degrade it to harmless compounds: carbon dioxide and water. These biosorbents in powder form are concentrates, which requires only 1 cubic metre per tonne of oil and cope for a season.
Sources: Ministry of education, Siberian University, Neftegaz, Greenpeace
