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  • #1

    Oil contaminated soil!

    Hi all, I bought my house last year and straight away through a load of veggie seeds in. I noticed a line about 3feet by 9feet through the veg nothing was coming up or if it was it wasn't doing well. Over winter I applied, horse muck over whole plot. I have been out in the garden today to dig it in. and noticed greyish shiny soil over the affor mentioned area, I a guessing it is Oil that previous occupants dumped. So I have just broke my back digging it all out, then refilled with More manure and compost from the heap and a bit of soil from front garden.
    So my question is, do you think this will be enough? or can anybody reccomend anything else to nutrilise the contamination.
    Thanks
    Mand
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Oh eck, that's not nice is it? It's not a problem I've come across before, so I don't have an answer, sorry. But you've done what I would have - dug as much out as possible, and replaced with decent stuff. Fingers crossed it'll be enough.

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    • #3
      Hi

      I did type a response, but someone came to the door and I got sidetracked.

      I think you really need to find out what it was...it could be oil, petrol, diesel [does it smell?] or anything else horrid. If oil - food oil engine oil etc.

      I'd take some of the contaminted oil and see if it floats [put some in a jam jar with water, shake and leave to settle.] What is floating after a few hours? Is it clear, yellow, multi-coloured ?

      Are you on raised beds in that patch?

      What have you done with the soil you have taken out?

      How old is the house?

      Is there anything nearby that could explain a contamination?
      Last edited by zazen999; 16-02-2009, 01:57 PM.

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      • #4
        The beds aren't raised. the reason I turned this part of the garden into veggies is because when we moved in previous owner had a bonfire (2days before we moved in) on the area, all the ornamentals caught fire or were damaged and the beech tree caught fire. The neighbours had to phone fire brigade! I can remember a couple of gallons of engine oil in a bucket. So I think that was the culprit. All the oily soil is in skips ready to take to the tip.
        Thanks Mand

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        • #5
          If nothing grows this year, I would recommend laying some heavy weed fabric on the soil that doesn't grow and putting raised beds in.

          But, if you've cleared it out - then fingers crossed that you have sorted it.

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          • #6
            Get a sheen gun (flamethrower) and nuke it!
            My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order
            to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE)

            Diversify & prosper


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            • #7
              Oil is not completely un-natural if you get my drift, it does break down and evaporate, the problem lies in the quantity. As you have dug out the majority the rest will hopefully be dealt with by time.
              Always thank people who have helped you immediately, as they may not be around to thank later.
              Visit my blog at http://podsplot.blogspot.com/ - Updated 18th October 2009
              I support http://www.hearingdogs.org.uk/

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              • #8
                Most chemicals that would help to break down oil would only further contaminate your soil, and may be illegal to use in that way as you would only be washing everything down into the water table. I think you have already done the best by removing the majority and replacing.

                Ian

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                • #9
                  It isn't necessarily a contaminant from the environment, many people who do their own oil changes seem to think that the only way to dispose of it is to bury it.
                  Into each life some rain must fall........but this is getting ridiculous.

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                  • #10
                    Try asking your Environmental Health Department, a couple of the major oil companies, or the various allotment and gardening organisations. They might have had the same problem in the past, as dumping oil in a garden is a common trick

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