Eurasian Journal of Soil Science
Volume 13, Issue 4, Sep 2024, Pages 358 - 365DOI: 10.18393/ejss.1531959
Stable URL: http://ejss.fess.org/10.18393/ejss.1531959
Copyright © 2024 The authors and Federation of Eurasian Soil Science Societies
Impact of petroleum contamination on soil properties in Absheron Peninsula, Azerbaijan
, , Rahila Islamzade , Parvana Suleymanova , Tunzala Babayeva , Azade Aliyeva , Xayala Haciyeva 
Article first published online: 12 Aug 2024 | How to cite | Additional Information (Show All)
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Guliyev, A., , ., Islamzade, R., Suleymanova , P., Babayeva, T., Aliyeva , A., Haciyeva, X., 2024. Impact of petroleum contamination on soil properties in Absheron Peninsula, Azerbaijan. Eurasian J. Soil Sci. 13(4): 358 - 365. DOI : 10.18393/ejss.1531959Author information
Alovset Guliyev , Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry, Baku, Azerbaijan,
Rahila Islamzade , Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry, Baku, Azerbaijan
Parvana Suleymanova , Sumgayit State University, Sumgayit, Azerbaijan
Tunzala Babayeva , Sumgayit State University, Sumgayit, Azerbaijan
Azade Aliyeva , Sumgayit State University, Sumgayit, Azerbaijan
Xayala Haciyeva , Sumgayit State University, Sumgayit, Azerbaijan
Publication information
Article first published online : 12 Aug 2024Manuscript Accepted : 08 Aug 2024
Manuscript Received: 05 Dec 2023
DOI: 10.18393/ejss.1531959
Stable URL: http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.1531959
Abstract
This study aims to assess the extent of hydrocarbon and heavy metal contamination in soils from specific areas on Azerbaijan's Absheron Peninsula, including Absheron, Suraxanı, and Baku, and to evaluate the impact of this contamination on soil properties. Soil samples were analyzed for Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) and heavy metals, including aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and iron, alongside assessments of soil physical, chemical and biological properties. The results revealed significant contamination across all studied areas, particularly in Suraxanı, where TPH levels reached 190 ± 20 mg/kg, exceeding the environmental standard of 100 mg/kg. Similarly, Suraxanı soils exhibited alarmingly high concentrations of heavy metals, with aluminum at 30,128 ± 1,500 mg/kg, arsenic at 50.94 ± 2.5 mg/kg, and cadmium at 0.153 ± 0.01 mg/kg, all surpassing acceptable limits. These contaminants severely degraded soil health, evidenced by increased bulk density (1.7 g/cm³ in Suraxanı) and reduced soil porosity. Microbial activity, a key indicator of soil fertility, was also markedly lower in contaminated regions, with the total bacterial count in Suraxanı being less than half that of the uncontaminated area. The findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive soil management practices and stricter environmental regulations to mitigate contamination's adverse effects and protect both ecosystems and public health in Azerbaijan’s petroleum contaminated areasKeywords
Soil contamination, hydrocarbons, heavy metals, soil properties, Azerbaijan Corresponding author
References
Adeniyi, A.A., Afolabi, J.A., 2002. Determination of total petroleum hydrocarbon and heavy metals in soils within the vicinity of facilities handling refined petroleum products in Lagos metropolis. Environment International 28: 79-82.
Almutairi, M.S., 2022. Determination of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) in weathered oil contaminated soil. Environmental Engineering Research 27(5): 210324.
Ashkanani, Z., Mohtar, R., Al-Enezi, S., Smith, P.K., Calabrese, S., Ma, X., Abdullah, M., 2024. AI-assisted systematic review on remediation of contaminated soils with PAHs and heavy metals. Journal of Hazardous Materials 468: 133813.
Babayeva, T., Guliyev, A., İslamzade, T., İslamzade, R., Haciyeva, X., Ashurova, N., Aliyeva, A., Maksudov, S., 2024. Impacts of irrigation with Cd-contaminated water from Sugovushan Reservoir, Azerbaijan on total cadmium and its fractions in soils with varied textures. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 13(2): 145-152.
Blake, G.R. Hartge, K.H., 1986. Bulk Density. In: Methods of Soil Analysis: Part 1 Physical and Mineralogical Methods. Klute, A. (Ed.). Soil Science Society of America. Madison, Wisconsin, USA. pp.363-375.
Bouyoucos, G.J., 1962. Hydrometer method improved for making particle size analyses of soils. Agronomy Journal 54(5): 464-465.
Braddock, J.F., Ruth, M.L., Catterall, P.H., Walworth, J.L., McCarthy, K.A., 1997. Enhancement and inhibition of microbial activity in hydrocarbon-contaminated arctic soils: Implications for nutrient-amended bioremediation. Environmental Science & Technology 31(7): 2078–2084.
Bremner, J.M., 1965. Total nitrogen, In: Methods of soil analysis. Part 2. Chemical and microbiological properties. Black, C.A., Evans, D.D., White, J.L., Ensminger, L.E., Clark F.E. (Eds.), Soil Science Society of America. Madison, Wisconsin, USA. pp. 1149-1176.
Danielson, R. E. Sutherland, P. L. 1986. Porosity. In: Methods of Soil Analysis: Part 1 Physical and Mineralogical Methods. Klute, A. (Ed.). Soil Science Society of America. Madison, Wisconsin, USA. pp. 443-461.
Dudnikova, T., Sushkova, S., Minkina, T., Barbashev, A., Ferreira, C., Antonenko, E., Shuvaev, E., Bakoeva, G., 2023. Main factors in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons accumulations in the long-term technogenic contaminated soil. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 12(3): 282-289.
Ekundayo, E., Obuekwe, O., 2000. Effects of an oil spill on soil physico-chemical properties of a spill site in a typic udipsamment of the Niger delta basin of Nigeria. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 60(2): 235–249.
EPA, 1998. n-Hexane Extractable Material (HEM) for Sludge, Sediment, and Solid Samples. US Environmental Protection Agency Method 9071B. Available at [Access date: 05.12.2023]: https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-12/documents/9071b.pdf
EPA, 2018. EPA Method 6010D (SW-846): Inductively Coupled Plasma - Atomic Emission Spectrometry. Available at [Access date: 05.12.2023]: https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-12/documents/6010d.pdf
Israfilov, R.G., 2006. Anthropogenic changes to hydrogeological conditions in urban areas: New Perspectives from Azerbaijan. In: Urban Groundwater Management and Sustainability. Tellam, J.H., Rivett, M.O., Israfilov, R.G. (Eds.). NATO Science Series, N.Earth and Environmental Sciences, Springer. Vol. 74. pp.11-28.
Khamehchiyan, M., Hossein Charkhabi, A., Tajik, M., 2007. Effects of crude oil contamination on geotechnical properties of clayey and sandy soils. Engineering Geology 89(3): 220–229.
Kisic, I., Mesic, S., Basic, F., Brkic, V., Mesic, M., Durn, G., Zgorelec, Z., Bertovic, L., 2009. The effect of drilling fluids and crude oil on some chemical characteristics of soil and crops. Geoderma 149(3–4): 209–216.
Klute, A., 1986. Water Retention: Laboratory Methods. In: Methods of Soil Analysis: Part 1 Physical and Mineralogical Methods. Klute, A. (Ed.). Soil Science Society of America. Madison, Wisconsin, USA. pp. 635-662.
Labud, V., Garcia, C., Hernandez, T., 2007. Effect of hydrocarbon pollution on the microbial properties of a sandy and a clay soil. Chemosphere 66(10): 1863–1871.
Li, H., Zhang, Y., Zhang, C.G., Chem, G.X., 2005. Effect of petroleum-containing wastewater irrigation on bacterial diversities and enzymatic activities in a paddy soil irrigation area. Journal of Environmental Quality 34: 1073 – 1080.
Malling, J., 2014. Sumqayit, an ecological Armageddon. Le Monde diplomatique. Available at [Access date: 05.12.2023]: https://mondediplo.com/outsidein/sumqayit-an-ecological-armageddon
McLean, E.O., 1982. Soil pH and Lime Requirement. In. Methods of soil analysis, Part 2- Chemical and Microbiological Properties. Page, A.L., Keeney, D. R., Baker, D.E., Miller, R.H., Ellis, R. Jr., Rhoades, J.D. (Eds.). Soil Science Society of America. Madison, Wisconsin, USA. pp. 199-224.
Minnikova, T., Kolesnikov, S., Ruseva, A., Kazeev, K., Minkina, T., Mandzhieva, S., Sushkova, S., 2022. Influence of the biochar on petroleum hydrocarbon degradation intensity and ecological condition of Haplic Chernozem. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 11(2): 157-166.
Olsen,S.R., Dean, L.A., 1965. Phosphorus. In: Methods of soil analysis. Part 2. Chemical and microbiological properties. Black, C.A., Evans, D.D., White, J.L., Ensminger, L.E., Clark F.E. (Eds.), Soil Science Society of America. Madison, Wisconsin, USA. pp. 1035-1049.
Praveen, R., Nagalakshmi, R., 2022. Review on bioremediation and phytoremediation techniques of heavy metals in contaminated soil from dump site. Materials Today: Proceedings 68: 1562-1567.
Rajput, V., Minkina, T., Kumari, A., Sudhir S., S., Ranjan, A., Faizan, M., Barakvov, A., Gromovik, A., Gorbunova, N., Rajput, P., Singh, A., Khabirov , I., Nazarenko, O., Sushkova , S., Kızılkaya, R., 2022. A review on nanobioremediation approaches for restoration of contaminated soil. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 11(1): 43-60.
Rasizade, A., 1999. Azerbaijan, The U.S., and oil prospects on the Caspıan sea. Journal of Third World Studies 16(1): 29-48.
Sanal, R., 2001. Türk Cumhuriyetleri’ndeki Çevre Sorunları Üzerine Bir İnceleme. Başbakanlık Türk İşbirliği ve Kalkınma Ajansı Yayını, Ankara, s. 33-34.
Sánchez-Castro, I., Molina, L., Prieto-Fernández, M.A., Segura, A., 2023. Past, present and future trends in the remediation of heavy-metal contaminated soil - Remediation techniques applied in real soil-contamination events. Heliyon 9: e16692.
Sushkova, S., Minkina, T., Tarigholizadeh, S., Antonenko, E., Konstantinova, E., Gülser, C., Dudnikova, T., Barbashev, A., Kızılkaya, R., 2020. PAHs accumulation in soil-plant system of Phragmites australis Cav. in soil under long-term chemical contamination. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 9(3): 242-253.
Sutton, N.B., Maphosa, F., Morillo, J.A., Al-Soud, A.W., Langenhoff, A.A.M., Grotenhuis, T., Rijnaarts, H.H.M., Smidt, H., 2013. Impact of long-term diesel contamination on soil microbial community structure. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 79(2): 619–630.
The World Factbook, 2024. Azerbaijan. The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. Available at [Access date: 05.12.2023]: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/azerbaijan/#environment
Thomas, G.W.,1965. Exchangeable Cations. In: Methods of soil analysis. Part 2. Chemical and microbiological properties. Black, C.A., Evans, D.D., White, J.L., Ensminger, L.E., Clark F.E. (Eds.), Soil Science Society of America. Madison, Wisconsin, USA. pp. 159-165.
Ünal, Ö.F., 2000. Azerbaycan 1988-1995: Sancı, Kargaşa ve İktidar. Journal of Qafqaz University 8: 9-26.
Walkley, A., Black, C.A., 1934. An examination of the Degtjareff method for determining soil organic matter and a proposed modification of the chromic acid titration method. Soil Science 37(1): 29–38.
Wang, Y., Feng, J., Lin, Q., Lyu, X., Wang, X., Wang, G., 2013. Effects of crude oil contamination on soil physical and chemical properties in Momoge wetland of China. Chinese Geographical Science 23: 708–715.
Wollum II, A.G.,1965. Cultural Methods for Soil Microorganisms. In: Methods of soil analysis. Part 2. Chemical and microbiological properties. Black, C.A., Evans, D.D., White, J.L., Ensminger, L.E., Clark F.E. (Eds.), Soil Science Society of America. Madison, Wisconsin, USA. pp. 781-802.
Zengin, E., Öztaş, C., 2007. Azerbaycan’da Tarım. Alatoo Academic Studies 2(1): 115-123.
Abstract
This study aims to assess the extent of hydrocarbon and heavy metal contamination in soils from specific areas on Azerbaijan's Absheron Peninsula, including Absheron, Suraxanı, and Baku, and to evaluate the impact of this contamination on soil properties. Soil samples were analyzed for Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) and heavy metals, including aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and iron, alongside assessments of soil physical, chemical and biological properties. The results revealed significant contamination across all studied areas, particularly in Suraxanı, where TPH levels reached 190 ± 20 mg/kg, exceeding the environmental standard of 100 mg/kg. Similarly, Suraxanı soils exhibited alarmingly high concentrations of heavy metals, with aluminum at 30,128 ± 1,500 mg/kg, arsenic at 50.94 ± 2.5 mg/kg, and cadmium at 0.153 ± 0.01 mg/kg, all surpassing acceptable limits. These contaminants severely degraded soil health, evidenced by increased bulk density (1.7 g/cm³ in Suraxanı) and reduced soil porosity. Microbial activity, a key indicator of soil fertility, was also markedly lower in contaminated regions, with the total bacterial count in Suraxanı being less than half that of the uncontaminated area. The findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive soil management practices and stricter environmental regulations to mitigate contamination's adverse effects and protect both ecosystems and public health in Azerbaijan’s petroleum contaminated areas.
Keywords: Soil contamination, hydrocarbons, heavy metals, soil properties, Azerbaijan.
References
Adeniyi, A.A., Afolabi, J.A., 2002. Determination of total petroleum hydrocarbon and heavy metals in soils within the vicinity of facilities handling refined petroleum products in Lagos metropolis. Environment International 28: 79-82.
Almutairi, M.S., 2022. Determination of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) in weathered oil contaminated soil. Environmental Engineering Research 27(5): 210324.
Ashkanani, Z., Mohtar, R., Al-Enezi, S., Smith, P.K., Calabrese, S., Ma, X., Abdullah, M., 2024. AI-assisted systematic review on remediation of contaminated soils with PAHs and heavy metals. Journal of Hazardous Materials 468: 133813.
Babayeva, T., Guliyev, A., İslamzade, T., İslamzade, R., Haciyeva, X., Ashurova, N., Aliyeva, A., Maksudov, S., 2024. Impacts of irrigation with Cd-contaminated water from Sugovushan Reservoir, Azerbaijan on total cadmium and its fractions in soils with varied textures. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 13(2): 145-152.
Blake, G.R. Hartge, K.H., 1986. Bulk Density. In: Methods of Soil Analysis: Part 1 Physical and Mineralogical Methods. Klute, A. (Ed.). Soil Science Society of America. Madison, Wisconsin, USA. pp.363-375.
Bouyoucos, G.J., 1962. Hydrometer method improved for making particle size analyses of soils. Agronomy Journal 54(5): 464-465.
Braddock, J.F., Ruth, M.L., Catterall, P.H., Walworth, J.L., McCarthy, K.A., 1997. Enhancement and inhibition of microbial activity in hydrocarbon-contaminated arctic soils: Implications for nutrient-amended bioremediation. Environmental Science & Technology 31(7): 2078–2084.
Bremner, J.M., 1965. Total nitrogen, In: Methods of soil analysis. Part 2. Chemical and microbiological properties. Black, C.A., Evans, D.D., White, J.L., Ensminger, L.E., Clark F.E. (Eds.), Soil Science Society of America. Madison, Wisconsin, USA. pp. 1149-1176.
Danielson, R. E. Sutherland, P. L. 1986. Porosity. In: Methods of Soil Analysis: Part 1 Physical and Mineralogical Methods. Klute, A. (Ed.). Soil Science Society of America. Madison, Wisconsin, USA. pp. 443-461.
Dudnikova, T., Sushkova, S., Minkina, T., Barbashev, A., Ferreira, C., Antonenko, E., Shuvaev, E., Bakoeva, G., 2023. Main factors in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons accumulations in the long-term technogenic contaminated soil. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 12(3): 282-289.
Ekundayo, E., Obuekwe, O., 2000. Effects of an oil spill on soil physico-chemical properties of a spill site in a typic udipsamment of the Niger delta basin of Nigeria. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 60(2): 235–249.
EPA, 1998. n-Hexane Extractable Material (HEM) for Sludge, Sediment, and Solid Samples. US Environmental Protection Agency Method 9071B. Available at [Access date: 05.12.2023]: https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-12/documents/9071b.pdf
EPA, 2018. EPA Method 6010D (SW-846): Inductively Coupled Plasma - Atomic Emission Spectrometry. Available at [Access date: 05.12.2023]: https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-12/documents/6010d.pdf
Israfilov, R.G., 2006. Anthropogenic changes to hydrogeological conditions in urban areas: New Perspectives from Azerbaijan. In: Urban Groundwater Management and Sustainability. Tellam, J.H., Rivett, M.O., Israfilov, R.G. (Eds.). NATO Science Series, N.Earth and Environmental Sciences, Springer. Vol. 74. pp.11-28.
Khamehchiyan, M., Hossein Charkhabi, A., Tajik, M., 2007. Effects of crude oil contamination on geotechnical properties of clayey and sandy soils. Engineering Geology 89(3): 220–229.
Kisic, I., Mesic, S., Basic, F., Brkic, V., Mesic, M., Durn, G., Zgorelec, Z., Bertovic, L., 2009. The effect of drilling fluids and crude oil on some chemical characteristics of soil and crops. Geoderma 149(3–4): 209–216.
Klute, A., 1986. Water Retention: Laboratory Methods. In: Methods of Soil Analysis: Part 1 Physical and Mineralogical Methods. Klute, A. (Ed.). Soil Science Society of America. Madison, Wisconsin, USA. pp. 635-662.
Labud, V., Garcia, C., Hernandez, T., 2007. Effect of hydrocarbon pollution on the microbial properties of a sandy and a clay soil. Chemosphere 66(10): 1863–1871.
Li, H., Zhang, Y., Zhang, C.G., Chem, G.X., 2005. Effect of petroleum-containing wastewater irrigation on bacterial diversities and enzymatic activities in a paddy soil irrigation area. Journal of Environmental Quality 34: 1073 – 1080.
Malling, J., 2014. Sumqayit, an ecological Armageddon. Le Monde diplomatique. Available at [Access date: 05.12.2023]: https://mondediplo.com/outsidein/sumqayit-an-ecological-armageddon
McLean, E.O., 1982. Soil pH and Lime Requirement. In. Methods of soil analysis, Part 2- Chemical and Microbiological Properties. Page, A.L., Keeney, D. R., Baker, D.E., Miller, R.H., Ellis, R. Jr., Rhoades, J.D. (Eds.). Soil Science Society of America. Madison, Wisconsin, USA. pp. 199-224.
Minnikova, T., Kolesnikov, S., Ruseva, A., Kazeev, K., Minkina, T., Mandzhieva, S., Sushkova, S., 2022. Influence of the biochar on petroleum hydrocarbon degradation intensity and ecological condition of Haplic Chernozem. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 11(2): 157-166.
Olsen,S.R., Dean, L.A., 1965. Phosphorus. In: Methods of soil analysis. Part 2. Chemical and microbiological properties. Black, C.A., Evans, D.D., White, J.L., Ensminger, L.E., Clark F.E. (Eds.), Soil Science Society of America. Madison, Wisconsin, USA. pp. 1035-1049.
Praveen, R., Nagalakshmi, R., 2022. Review on bioremediation and phytoremediation techniques of heavy metals in contaminated soil from dump site. Materials Today: Proceedings 68: 1562-1567.
Rajput, V., Minkina, T., Kumari, A., Sudhir S., S., Ranjan, A., Faizan, M., Barakvov, A., Gromovik, A., Gorbunova, N., Rajput, P., Singh, A., Khabirov , I., Nazarenko, O., Sushkova , S., Kızılkaya, R., 2022. A review on nanobioremediation approaches for restoration of contaminated soil. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 11(1): 43-60.
Rasizade, A., 1999. Azerbaijan, The U.S., and oil prospects on the Caspıan sea. Journal of Third World Studies 16(1): 29-48.
Sanal, R., 2001. Türk Cumhuriyetleri’ndeki Çevre Sorunları Üzerine Bir İnceleme. Başbakanlık Türk İşbirliği ve Kalkınma Ajansı Yayını, Ankara, s. 33-34.
Sánchez-Castro, I., Molina, L., Prieto-Fernández, M.A., Segura, A., 2023. Past, present and future trends in the remediation of heavy-metal contaminated soil - Remediation techniques applied in real soil-contamination events. Heliyon 9: e16692.
Sushkova, S., Minkina, T., Tarigholizadeh, S., Antonenko, E., Konstantinova, E., Gülser, C., Dudnikova, T., Barbashev, A., Kızılkaya, R., 2020. PAHs accumulation in soil-plant system of Phragmites australis Cav. in soil under long-term chemical contamination. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 9(3): 242-253.
Sutton, N.B., Maphosa, F., Morillo, J.A., Al-Soud, A.W., Langenhoff, A.A.M., Grotenhuis, T., Rijnaarts, H.H.M., Smidt, H., 2013. Impact of long-term diesel contamination on soil microbial community structure. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 79(2): 619–630.
The World Factbook, 2024. Azerbaijan. The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. Available at [Access date: 05.12.2023]: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/azerbaijan/#environment
Thomas, G.W.,1965. Exchangeable Cations. In: Methods of soil analysis. Part 2. Chemical and microbiological properties. Black, C.A., Evans, D.D., White, J.L., Ensminger, L.E., Clark F.E. (Eds.), Soil Science Society of America. Madison, Wisconsin, USA. pp. 159-165.
Ünal, Ö.F., 2000. Azerbaycan 1988-1995: Sancı, Kargaşa ve İktidar. Journal of Qafqaz University 8: 9-26.
Walkley, A., Black, C.A., 1934. An examination of the Degtjareff method for determining soil organic matter and a proposed modification of the chromic acid titration method. Soil Science 37(1): 29–38.
Wang, Y., Feng, J., Lin, Q., Lyu, X., Wang, X., Wang, G., 2013. Effects of crude oil contamination on soil physical and chemical properties in Momoge wetland of China. Chinese Geographical Science 23: 708–715.
Wollum II, A.G.,1965. Cultural Methods for Soil Microorganisms. In: Methods of soil analysis. Part 2. Chemical and microbiological properties. Black, C.A., Evans, D.D., White, J.L., Ensminger, L.E., Clark F.E. (Eds.), Soil Science Society of America. Madison, Wisconsin, USA. pp. 781-802.
Zengin, E., Öztaş, C., 2007. Azerbaycan’da Tarım. Alatoo Academic Studies 2(1): 115-123.