Adsorption of Crude Oil from Marine Environments Using Natural and Modified Adsorbents: Kinetic and Isotherm Studies

Abstract

Crude oil is one of the most significant environmental pollutants in marine and coastal environments. Adsorption of oil by natural sorbents such as soils and sediments plays a critical role in mitigating the ecological impacts of oil spills. This study investigates the factors influencing crude oil adsorption onto various soil types (including clayey, sandy, and mixed soils) in marine settings. Experiments were conducted using standard batch adsorption methods, evaluating parameters such as soil type, particle size, organic matter content, pH, temperature, contact time, and initial oil concentration. Results indicate that clay rich soils exhibit higher adsorption capacity due to their large specific surface area and cation exchange capacity compared to sandy soils. Additionally, higher temperatures and longer contact times enhance adsorption efficiency. The findings provide valuable insights for risk assessment and management of oil spill incidents in sensitive marine regions, such as the Persian Gulf and Caspian Sea, and offer potential strategies for soil remediation.