J.Y. Lee, T.S. Kwon, Y.M. Cho, H.S. Kang and W.S. Jung
International Journal of Railway, vol. 4, no. 1, pp.1-4, 2011

Abstract : 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 contam¬ination. 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 cov¬ered 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.

Keyword : Bioremediation, Lubricants, Railroad turnout, Soil contamination