Clean up of Crude Oil-Contaminated Soil

Crude oil contamination of the environment has been an age-long phenomenon and a serious subject of concern. The effect of oil on soil depends on the size, quantity and grade of oil spilled. Crude oil contamination does not damage the soil permanently but has some adverse effects on crops and other vegetation. Over the years attempts have been made to find the cheapest, most efficient and environmentallyfriendly method for the clean-up crude oil contaminated soil. This review is aimed at analysing the different methods used in the clean-up of contaminated soil. Crude oil contaminated soil can be cleaned up using physico-chemical, thermal and biological treatments. The first two methods have been found to be grossly inadequate and ineffective, and may result in further contamination. Biological methods (bioremediation and phytoremediation) have received considerable attention during the last few years as the most promising and environmentally benign technique for effective clean-up of crude oil contaminated soil. A wide range of bioremediation strategies is being developed to treat contaminated soil.