Index Properties and Compaction Characteristics of Cement-Stabilized, Vermi-remediated Crude Oil-Contaminated Black Cotton Soil for Landfill Liner and Cover Applications

• Author(s): John E. Sani; Mustapha G. Abdullahi; George Moses; Unmisawa Z. Isa
• Paper ID: 1719687
• Page: 1134-1141
• Published Date: 13-07-2026
• Published In: Iconic Research And Engineering Journals
• Publisher: IRE Journals
• e-ISSN: 2456-8880
• Volume/Issue: Volume 10 Issue 1 July-2026

Abstract

Crude oil contamination of black cotton soil (BCS) alters its physical and index properties, limiting its reuse as a hydraulic barrier material unless it is remediated and stabilized. This study evaluates the index properties and compaction characteristics of vermiremediated crude oil-contaminated black cotton soil treated with 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8% ordinary Portland cement, with a view to assessing its suitability as landfill liner and cover material. Disturbed soil samples were collected from Deba Local Government Area, Gombe State, Nigeria, artificially contaminated, and subjected to vermiremediation using Eisenia fetida prior to cement stabilization. Index property tests (particle size distribution, specific gravity and Atterberg limits) and compaction tests under British Standard Light (BSL), West African Standard (WAS) and British Standard Heavy (BSH) energies were carried out in accordance with BS 1377 (1990) and BS 1924 (1990). The untreated contaminated soil classified as CH (USCS) and A-7-6(13) (AASHTO), with a liquid limit of 59.10%, plasticity index of 20.10%, and a reduced specific gravity of 2.34. Vermiremediation achieved a 40% reduction in total petroleum hydrocarbon content prior to stabilization. Cement addition progressively reduced the percentage of fines passing the 0.075 mm sieve from 91.40% to 70.40%, increased specific gravity to a peak of 2.59 at 6% cement, and produced a general reduction in plastic limit alongside an increase in plasticity index. Maximum dry density increased with cement content up to 6% (1.637-1.670 Mg/m3 across the three compactive efforts) before marginally declining at 8%, while optimum moisture content rose consistently from about 15-20% (0% cement) to 17-22% (8% cement). These trends indicate progressive particle aggregation, flocculation and cementitious bonding. The results confirm that 4-6% cement combined with British Standard Heavy compactive effort produces the most favourable index and compaction behaviour for landfill liner and cover applications.

Keywords

Black Cotton Soil; Vermiremediation; Cement Stabilization; Index Properties; Compaction Characteristics; Landfill Liner

Citations

IRE Journals:
John E. Sani, Mustapha G. Abdullahi, George Moses, Unmisawa Z. Isa "Index Properties and Compaction Characteristics of Cement-Stabilized, Vermi-remediated Crude Oil-Contaminated Black Cotton Soil for Landfill Liner and Cover Applications" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 10 Issue 1 2026 Page 1134-1141

IEEE:
John E. Sani, Mustapha G. Abdullahi, George Moses, Unmisawa Z. Isa "Index Properties and Compaction Characteristics of Cement-Stabilized, Vermi-remediated Crude Oil-Contaminated Black Cotton Soil for Landfill Liner and Cover Applications" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, vol. 10, no. 1, Jul. 2026

APA:
John E. Sani, Mustapha G. Abdullahi, George Moses, Unmisawa Z. Isa (2026). Index Properties and Compaction Characteristics of Cement-Stabilized, Vermi-remediated Crude Oil-Contaminated Black Cotton Soil for Landfill Liner and Cover Applications. Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 10(1).

MLA:
John E. Sani, Mustapha G. Abdullahi, George Moses, Unmisawa Z. Isa "Index Properties and Compaction Characteristics of Cement-Stabilized, Vermi-remediated Crude Oil-Contaminated Black Cotton Soil for Landfill Liner and Cover Applications" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, vol. 10, no. 1, Jul. 2026.

BibTeX

@article{1719687,
author = {John E. Sani, Mustapha G. Abdullahi, George Moses, Unmisawa Z. Isa},
title = {Index Properties and Compaction Characteristics of Cement-Stabilized, Vermi-remediated Crude Oil-Contaminated Black Cotton Soil for Landfill Liner and Cover Applications},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2026},
volume = {10},
number = {1},
pages = {1134-1141},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1719687.pdf},
abstract = {Crude oil contamination of black cotton soil (BCS) alters its physical and index properties, limiting its reuse as a hydraulic barrier material unless it is remediated and stabilized. This study evaluates the index properties and compaction characteristics of vermiremediated crude oil-contaminated black cotton soil treated with 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8% ordinary Portland cement, with a view to assessing its suitability as landfill liner and cover material. Disturbed soil samples were collected from Deba Local Government Area, Gombe State, Nigeria, artificially contaminated, and subjected to vermiremediation using Eisenia fetida prior to cement stabilization. Index property tests (particle size distribution, specific gravity and Atterberg limits) and compaction tests under British Standard Light (BSL), West African Standard (WAS) and British Standard Heavy (BSH) energies were carried out in accordance with BS 1377 (1990) and BS 1924 (1990). The untreated contaminated soil classified as CH (USCS) and A-7-6(13) (AASHTO), with a liquid limit of 59.10%, plasticity index of 20.10%, and a reduced specific gravity of 2.34. Vermiremediation achieved a 40% reduction in total petroleum hydrocarbon content prior to stabilization. Cement addition progressively reduced the percentage of fines passing the 0.075 mm sieve from 91.40% to 70.40%, increased specific gravity to a peak of 2.59 at 6% cement, and produced a general reduction in plastic limit alongside an increase in plasticity index. Maximum dry density increased with cement content up to 6% (1.637-1.670 Mg/m3 across the three compactive efforts) before marginally declining at 8%, while optimum moisture content rose consistently from about 15-20% (0% cement) to 17-22% (8% cement). These trends indicate progressive particle aggregation, flocculation and cementitious bonding. The results confirm that 4-6% cement combined with British Standard Heavy compactive effort produces the most favourable index and compaction behaviour for landfill liner and cover applications.},
keywords = {Black Cotton Soil; Vermiremediation; Cement Stabilization; Index Properties; Compaction Characteristics; Landfill Liner},
month = {July}
}