Speaker
Description
Lateritic soils are widely used as foundation and construction materials in tropical regions, but their behaviour can be significantly altered when exposed to petroleum-based contaminants. Waste motor oil, a common pollutant in areas of intense automobile repair activities such as Suame Magazine in Ghana, can modify soil structure and, consequently, its engineering performance. This study presents a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigation into the microstructural changes of lateritic soils subjected to controlled waste motor oil contamination. Soil samples were prepared with varying levels of oil contamination and analyzed using SEM imaging. The results revealed distinct alterations in soil fabric, including particle surface coating, agglomeration, and clogging of pore spaces. These microstructural changes correspond with reductions in plasticity, compaction efficiency, and shear strength observed in complementary laboratory tests. The findings indicate that oil contamination disrupts soil–water interactions and weakens particle bonding, leading to deterioration of geotechnical properties critical for construction and environmental stability. This study highlights the importance of linking microstructural evidence to macroscopic soil behaviour in assessing the risks associated with oil pollution. The outcomes provide useful insights for engineers, urban planners, and environmental managers concerned with infrastructure safety and land contamination in rapidly industrializing urban centres.