University scientists have found a way to neutralize oil-containing waste in the Arctic
Scientists from the Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas (National Research University) have developed a new method for neutralizing oil-containing waste in Russia's Arctic zone. It is based on the combined use of bacterial preparations with calcium peroxide, a source of oxygen, for waste neutralization using geotube technologies.
The technology has successfully passed field trials.
"The key features of the method are that it allows for processing near oil fields without high energy consumption and is safe for both nature and humans. As a result, the technology developed at Gubkin University is significantly cheaper and more accessible than currently used methods," emphasized Professor Elena Mazlova, Head of the Industrial Ecology Department at Gubkin University.
Oil-containing waste constitutes the largest portion of all industrial waste and illegal dumps generated annually in the Arctic—sites of accumulated environmental damage left over from the end of the last century.
At the start of the study, scientists analyzed the effectiveness of methods currently used in the Arctic zone to detoxify oil-containing waste and recover secondary raw materials from it. These include thermal methods, such as thermal desorption and pyrolysis; physical methods, involving the separation and regeneration of individual components; treatment with chemical reagents; and the use of bacteria that degrade oil products.
In Arctic conditions, these methods are insufficiently effective due to high energy consumption, difficulties transporting sludge from remote fields, and the low activity of bacteria in the harsh climate. As a result, only a small portion of industrial waste is recycled in the Arctic zone—from 3.7% in the Arkhangelsk Region to 87% in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug. Meanwhile, approximately 1.5 billion tons of industrial waste are generated annually in Arctic regions.
Scientists from Gubkin University have proposed a combined disposal method. The technology involves the use of calcium peroxide, which releases free oxygen for oil-degrading bacteria, which oxidize petroleum products. The treatment is carried out in geotubes, which can be safely placed outdoors in a sealed container, or using semipermeable membrane materials for geotubes at designated sites, which allows for the regulation of the water content of the waste. The optimal dose of calcium peroxide was determined using a mathematical model developed by the researchers, which predicts the method's effectiveness under various conditions. This helped establish dosages that neutralize 80-93% of contaminants.
The Arctic is a focus of Russian and international attention in the face of global climate change. Following a working visit to Murmansk in May 2025, one of the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation was the development of a comprehensive plan for the socio-economic development of key settlements in the Russian Arctic zone. Among the key socially significant environmental issues in the region is the management of industrial and consumer waste.
