Faculty Publications

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Author: search.filters.author.Devatha, C.P.Subject: search.filters.subject.Aquifers

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    Investigation of physical and chemical characteristics on soil due to crude oil contamination and its remediation
    (Springer Verlag, 2019) Devatha, C.P.; Vishnu Vishal, A.; Purna Chandra Rao, J.
    Oil contamination causes serious geoenvironmental concern and adversely affects the soil environment due to the release of toxic by-products. Hence, the aim of the study was to investigate the influence of oil contamination on soil physical and chemical properties and phytoremediation as a treatment option based on field studies conducted for analyzing significant parameters. The sites selected were near National Institute of Technology, Surathkal, Karnataka (site-1), and another is close to the oil refinery (Kuthethur, Karnataka, India, as site-2). Phytoremediation of oil-contaminated samples was carried out by Chromolaena odorata. The evaluation of soil physical and chemical properties includes field and laboratory tests. A pumping test was conducted to estimate aquifer parameters in the field. The hydraulic conductivity for field soil sample (unsaturated condition) is carried out by a filter paper test. Laboratory tests to evaluate physical and chemical parameters include total petroleum hydrocarbons of contaminated (crude oil varying from 0 to 10% at an interval of 2%) and uncontaminated samples and plant parameters. Characterization of contaminated and uncontaminated soil sample was performed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results obtained reveal that physical properties of soil (moisture content, liquid and plastic limit) got affected due to oil contamination. Relative hydraulic conductivity was established as 0.46 (uncontaminated) and 0.57 (contaminated) for soil samples and led to the conclusion that hydraulic conductivity was drop down by 10% due to oil contamination. Total petroleum hydrocarbon analysis reveals that the uptake/presence of hydrocarbons by showing increased concentration in contaminated soils (5% and 10%) by the plant species. This is further confirmed by FTIR results. The TPH concentrations in the contaminated soils were reduced up to 50–60% and also showed better plant growth after 7 weeks of transplantation. Hence, considered plant species possess high potential for degrading oil contaminated in the soil. © 2019, The Author(s).
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    Investigation of Ti contamination and transport mechanisms in ferruginous soils: Impacts of ilmenite and rutile processing and immobilization using clay amendments
    (Elsevier B.V., 2025) Bincy, B.; Devatha, C.P.; Thalla, A.K.
    Titanium (Ti) contamination from coastal mining activities poses significant threats to groundwater and soil quality, especially in regions with ferruginous soils (FS). This study investigates Ti transport and immobilization in FS, assessing its natural retention capacity and the enhancement achieved using bentonite, zeolite, and kaolinite amendments. Environmental assessment identified industrial discharge as the primary source, with elevated Ti in soil (271.67 ppm), surface water (0.56 ppm), and groundwater (0.45 ppm), forcing 86 % of households to rely on alternative sources. The 3D flow model demonstrated that FS reduces Ti mobility; however, rising inlet to outlet head differences (6-12 cm) led to increased flow rates (0.1–0.7 cm3/min), resulting in elevated Ti concentrations in wells 2 and 3(8.55 ppm and 7.23 ppm). Ti peaks observed in the wells were the result of desorption following initial adsorption, reflecting the breakthrough pattern. Batch adsorption tests (0–1000 ppm Ti, 25–27 °C, 1:20 ratio, pH-3.9-5.5) revealed chemisorption dominance at low concentrations (Kd = 28.5 L/kg, KL = 33.39 L/kg) and multilayer physisorption at higher loads (qm = 11.09 mg/g, Kf = 88.11 L/kg), modelled using Linear, Langmuir, and Freundlich isotherms. XRD and SEM-EDS confirmed Ti incorporation into stable mineral phases (Al8Ti32Cl48, Fe4Ti2Cl7, Ti3O5) with increased retention (4.1–7.8 %). Among amendments, bentonite-enhanced FS showed the highest Ti retention (97.5 %, Kf = 478.5 L/kg) at 10–20 % dosage. This integrated experimental framework is transferable to other heavy metal-affected coastal aquifers, where it supports predictive contaminant transport and groundwater protection strategies aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. © 2025