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LAND TREATABILITY OF REFINERY AND PETROCHEMICAL SLUDGES
Citation:
Brown, K., L. Deuel, Jr., AND J. Thomas. LAND TREATABILITY OF REFINERY AND PETROCHEMICAL SLUDGES. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/2-83/074 (NTIS PB83247148), 1983.
Description:
The land disposal of API separator sludges was investigated with regard to decomposition rates or organic constitutents and the possible impact of these materials on plants and surface water or groundwater quality. Two oily sludges (one from a petroleum refinery and one from a petrochemical plant) were studied as to their phytotoxicity, biodegradability in soils, water-soluble constituents, and field mobility. The water-soluble compounds in both sludges were low indegradability, potentially toxic, and extremely mobile in high concentrations. These results indicate a need for careful managmement of land treatment sites to avoid groundwater contamination. Gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) combined with column chromatography is recommended for effective monitoring of oily wastes applied to soils.