ATENUACIÓN NATURAL Y REMEDIACIÓN INDUCIDA EN SUELOS CONTAMINADOS CON HIDROCARBUROS.

The petroleum derived hydrocarbons represent the main energy source for the humanity and they are in turn, an important environmental polluting source. In this experience it was estimated and compared the rate of decomposition of two hydrocarbons (diesel and crankcase oil), by natural attenuation, and with the incorporation of a specific commercial product in a Typic Argiudoll. The effect of these practices was also evaluated on some soil variables. The treatments were: [control soil without pollution], [soil + gasoil], [soil + crankcase oil], [soil + gasoil + product], [soil + crankcase oil + product], [soil + product]. The soil sampling was carried out in the following series of time [0; 15; 30; 60 and 180 days]. The degradation rate of diesel and crankcase oil hydrocarbons by natural attenuation was slower and less effective than that obtained when adding the commercial product, the latter presented final lower values of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons. Among the soil variables, the oxidable carbon and the biomass soil respiration registered higher mean values for the polluted soils. The commercial product incorporation produced a significant decrease in these values, an increase in the electric conductivity, but no influence on the pH and the soil extractable phosphorous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]