Process for the decontamination of soils contaminated by hydrocarbon substances

摘要

Process for the removal of hydrocarbon substances from soil contaminated with such substances which comprises: a) treating the soil contaminated with hydrocarbon substances with an aqueous solution of surfactin having a percentage surfactin/soil ratio (weight/weight) of between 0.01 and 0.2%, and b) separating the decontaminated soil from the oil/water emulsion containing the surfactin. The process, which may be performed in situ or on site comprises obtaining satisfactory removal of the contaminants through the use of surfactin concentrations which are lower than those used in the case of a conventional surfactant.