Mathematical modeling for the phytoremediation of oil-contaminated soils

Subject Areas : environmental management

Faraz Montazerolsedgh ¹ , Reza Ezzatian ² , Soheila Yaghmaei ³

1 - Faculty of Environment and Energy, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University
2 - Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Sharif Industrial University
3 - Faculty of Environment and Energy, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University

Received: 2007-07-11 Accepted : 2007-11-06 Published : 2009-12-22

Keywords: Mathematical model, Phytoremediation, oil-contaminated soils, Numerical Solution, microbial population,

Abstract :

In recent years, the use of plants for soil remediation has been of much interest. Much effort has been put into lab work to obtain experimental data, but despite the great importance of theoretical aspect, less attention has been paid to this issue. The present study is an effort to investigate the theoretical and mathematical concepts governing this process. Basic definitions are presented briefly. Also, the governing mechanisms are discussed. After presenting the continuity and mass transfer equations, first the validity of the obtained equations is verified in a real example with experimental data. Then, the equations are solved numerically and the results are studied and discussed. The findings show that variables such as root length (as an index of plant species), humidity, soil texture and the other parameters, which appear in the equations, affect the process. Moreover, by the proper selection of plants, the operation provided a model which can predict the result of phytoremediation.