Experimental modelling of contaminant migration of spent engine oil in a Lateritic soil within Nekede Mechanic Village

Abstract

In his pursuit of meaning in life, man has simultaneously generated substances that, under improper management, have a harmful impact on the environment. Villages with mechanics are extremely important to society. Nevertheless, in developing nations, inexperienced MV operators and lax policies continue to cast a shadow over efforts to preserve ecologically friendly mechanic villages. The operations in the MVs release PAHs, heavy metals, and other hazardous materials that pose substantial risks to the environment and public health. Determining the levels of PAHs, Pb, Cd, and Ni emitted from Spent Engine Oils in the study area is the main goal of this research project because these substances may be spread through soil strata due to the area's high rainfall density, high rate of infiltration, and favourable geologic conditions. Prior to SEO contamination, a soil sample was taken at Nekede Mechanical Village in order to determine its physico-chemical characteristics. An auto-mechanic shop provided a sample of SEO for evaluation of the active ingredients and components as well as for use in an experimental/simulation setup with a hollow plastic cylinder. According to analytical results, there were 51.73329 parts per million (ppm) of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the sample of spent engine oil that was taken from the research region. Three specific heavy metal concentrations were also assessed, revealing lead (Pb) at 112.04 mg/L, cadmium (Cd) at 3.020 mg/L, and nickel at 2.130 mg/L. The experiment demonstrated how the volume of SEO components decreased as they moved through the soil. The acquired results demonstrated that when water or rainfall mobilised the SEO component, it might migrate through the study area's soil. Therefore, it is important to support ecologically friendly mechanic villages and appropriate waste management.