Proven technology for petroleum hydrocarbon cleanup—combining physical adsorption and microbial biodegradation to restore contaminated oil field sites.
Abandoned oil & gas sites in Oklahoma
Average excavation & disposal cost per acre
Days typical remediation timeline
Liability remains with operator
Oklahoma DEQ enforcement increasing for TPH contamination above action levels
Traditional excavation and disposal methods are prohibitively expensive
Contamination persists for decades without effective treatment
Combining physical adsorption and biological degradation for superior petroleum cleanup
Biochar's highly porous structure physically traps petroleum hydrocarbons through surface interactions
High surface area (300-500 m²/g)
Equivalent to a football field per handful
Hydrophobic carbon surface
Attracts petroleum while repelling water
Immediate contaminant capture
Adsorption begins instantly upon contact
Biochar creates optimal habitat for petroleum-degrading bacteria, accelerating natural breakdown
Microbial habitat protection
Protected spaces for bacteria colonies
Enhanced oxygen availability
Improved aeration for aerobic degradation
Long-term contaminant removal
Natural breakdown into harmless compounds
Combined with adsorption, biodegradation achieves 60-95% TPH removal in contaminated soils
Like a molecular sponge—trapping petroleum at the microscopic level
Peer-reviewed studies from leading institutions validate biochar's effectiveness for petroleum remediation
TPH degradation efficiency
Frontiers in Microbiology study demonstrated that combining biochar with bacteria and plants achieved the highest remediation rates while enhancing soil microbial diversity.
Read StudyRemoval of petroleum components
International Journal of Environmental Research study showed biochar/g-C3N4 composites achieved over 90% removal of nC13-nC35 petroleum fractions.
Read StudyHigher removal vs biochar alone
Science of the Total Environment review found biochar co-application with bioremediation achieved up to 4-fold higher hydrocarbon removal rates.
Read Study| Treatment Method | TPH Removal | Key Benefits | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biochar + Bacteria + Plants | 67-77% | Highest efficiency, restores soil health, enhances microbial diversity | Frontiers Microbiology 2024, Nature 2025 |
| Bacteria Immobilized on Biochar | 58% | Protected bacterial habitat, sustained degradation activity | RSC Advances 2019 |
| Biochar/g-C3N4 Composite | 54-90% | Advanced photocatalytic degradation, component-specific removal | Int J Environ Res 2022 |
| Biochar + Bacteria Mixed | 45% | Cost-effective, simple application method | RSC Advances 2019 |
| Biochar Only | 30-55% | Immediate adsorption, long-term sequestration | Multiple studies 2019-2025 |
| Control (No Treatment) | 8-12% | Natural attenuation only, very slow degradation | Control groups across studies |
Surface area confirmed: 300-500 m²/g across multiple independent studies
Microbial enhancement: Key bacteria (Bacillus, Sphingomonas) identified and quantified
Kinetic modeling: Pseudo-second-order kinetics validated in controlled studies
Long-term stability: 9+ month studies confirm sustained effectiveness
Peer-reviewed: Published in Nature, Frontiers, Science Direct, RSC Advances
Independent verification: Results replicated across multiple research groups
Field validation: Laboratory findings confirmed in real-world applications
Regulatory acceptance: Meets EPA and state DEQ standards for in-situ treatment
Biochar remediation addresses the full spectrum of petroleum contamination challenges
In-situ treatment of surface spills and subsurface contamination from pipeline leaks or tank failures
Remediation of drilling mud pits and reserve pits contaminated with petroleum-based fluids
Cleanup of legacy contamination around storage tanks, separators, and production equipment
Treatment of soil contaminated by produced water containing dissolved hydrocarbons
Biochar barriers and permeable reactive zones to treat contaminated groundwater plumes
Final remediation to meet Oklahoma DEQ closure standards for abandoned well sites
In-situ biochar treatment delivers significant cost savings compared to traditional methods
Average savings: 60-85% compared to excavation
Restoring our land—from contamination to cultivation
From site assessment to successful remediation in four key phases
Comprehensive soil testing to determine TPH levels, contamination depth, and soil characteristics
Custom biochar formulation based on contamination type and site conditions
Biochar is applied and thoroughly mixed into contaminated soil using standard equipment
Regular soil sampling to track TPH reduction and ensure regulatory compliance
Typical project timeline: 3-6 months from assessment to regulatory closure
Let's transform your contaminated oil field sites into restored, productive land with proven biochar technology
Initial evaluation of your contamination challenges and remediation options
Small-scale demonstration to validate effectiveness at your specific site
Complete implementation with monitoring and regulatory closure support
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